I wish I had written it earlier, as I know how difficult it can be to find husbandry info just for slings. . Just take a small cricket, roach, or meal worm, pre-kill it, and drop it in. What can I do to help it? Sling not eating or moving much. Those who go this route will often include a large open bowlof water inside as well to keep the air from drying out. Notice the large, shiny, and dark abdomen. What do I feed my sling? (3,689) $18.50. Awesome article. The proper name is brachypelma albopilosum. Most will venture out if left in over night. Most likely because its too dry. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Molting is a natural occurrence for a tarantula, but it is also a period where they are quite vulnerable. One is a b. Albopilosum and the other one is an A. Chalcodes. More moist substrate will keep the enclosure humid for a longer period of time, requiring less frequent misting. Introductions New tarantula not moving Janehadfieldlewis Dec 7, 2016 Dec 7, 2016 #1 J Janehadfieldlewis New Member 3 Year Member Messages 6 hi there, Am hoping someone can help me. (LogOut/ 3.7 out of 5 stars 58. She hardly moves, never bolts, and her version of angry is slow motion stomp around with her butt in the air. Like others have said, they do that. An inch or two of damp substrate will be placed at the bottom of the enclosure, and it will be covered with a few inches of dry substrate. A small piece of cork bark can provide them with much appreciated cover and security. Lets look at what youll need. Smaller 16oz cups are generally perfect for terrestrial slings that just need a few inches of substrate to burrow in. If so, we invite you to join our community! First off, different species grow at different rates. Or 10or 50or 100 It never ends! If a spiderling falls from a higher spot it could also get hurt and if this species is near molting it can be more difficult for it to climb up the sides of the habitat. Green Bottle Blues are not the most docile pet spider, but it is not overly defensive. This keeps the top level dry, and allows the sling to use its instinctual burrowing behavior to dig down and find the humidity level it needs. Whether it be a traditional moisture-loving species like H. gigas or an arid species like the G. rosea, keepers who favor this method make sure they all have a moist and warm home. Tarantulas may make a mat out of silk for molting. Avics, like other tarantulas, spend a lot of time not moving much. Was it you that suggested I write this? When the spider is exposed, use a paintbrush to carefully guide it off the towel, or leave the small piece of towel its standing on behind and remove it later when the sling is exploring. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Three sling enclosures from Jamies tarantulas. I just got two new tarantulas, two slings. For smaller enclosures, you can just lay the leaf on the substrate. When I pack the substrate into a new sling enclosure, I start with an inch or two (depending on the depth of the container) of moist sub mixed with a bit of vermiculite. Tip: If your tarantula burrows, dont dig it up or shove prey down the den opening; drop the prey on the surface and let the spider find it. my tarantula sling died after not eating for a month. Not worried at all, it's just molting. Im getting my first sling soon and would like to be able to access the information without having to track down my computer or phone each time (my siblings are notorious for snatching my electronics when Im not paying attention). There is a bit of wiggle room in this aspect, but all slings have specific requirements that need to be met in order to ensure their health. Transitioning from hardy, large tarantulas that can easily fend for themselves to tiny babies that weigh next to nothing is quite a substantial shift. Just a couple of dollars and ten minutes of time can yield you the perfect sling housing. In the wild, some species likely go weeks or even months without food. in one of the corners and has been in there ever since. Youve been feeding your specimen regularly for several weeks, and suddenly it stops eating. I pack this down well, then fill the cage up the rest of the way with dry sub. Arboreal species are also given a water dish, but theyll get sprays of water up high so that they have access to water while climbing. DO NOT try to pull it out if the freshly-molted spider is still sitting on it; this will disturb and possibly injure the animal. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. The males have a shorter lifespan, ranging from five years to no more than 10 years old. All of the feeder insects that exist should be appropriate for your spiderling to eat, including mealworms, crickets, dubia roaches, super worms, and even flightless fruit flies for the smaller slings. There are multiple reasons why a tarantula with terrestrial habits may start pacing the enclosure or hanging out on the walls. While this definitely makes sense, and while slings should be given time to adjust to their new home, you should be more than okay to feed them the same day that you get them. Once you have a really good grip, you want to. Place the spiderling's mouth directly on the water. With frequent dampening of the enclosures, these slings thrive as well as any other sling. Never poke, prod, spray or blow on it, and NEVER try to flip it over. For an excellent tutorial into how to turn Amac boxes into tarantula habitats, click this link. During mating season, your spider might roam its enclosure searching for another tarantula to mate with. Some use them as toilets and some seem to think that they are dumpsters. I am so worried. Next, its time to carefully extract the packing material with the spider inside. What others have said, plus the possibility it's in premolt? I have two that I raised from tiny slings, and they are quite hardy. These are some of the most commonly-used containers for keeping slings, and they have been popular for quite some time. Pictures, memes, articles, feeding videos, questions, advice, awesome enclosure ideas, and an active and engaging staff! Well, long story short, thats just not true (for a more in-depth explanation, please check out the article Tarantula Controversies Should I Give My Tarantula a Water Dish). Most serious keepers agree that part of the fun of the hobby is finding new and interesting containers to use as cages. Oh she also wants another one a curly hair one for her birthday, Im so glad this was helpful (and Im very sorry to hear about her Red knee). In captivity, female Cobalt Blue Tarantulas can live between 20 and 25 years old. When it comes to rehousing your sling into a bigger enclosure, take a slow and very careful approach. Clean and fill the water dish Tarantulas are notorious for sullying their water dishes, so although filling them with clean water might be easy, keeping them clean is another story. However, as spiderlings, this species spends most of its time in a burrow until it reaches maturity, thus requiring a more terrestrial enclosure. You dont have to worry about the tarantula not knowing the cricket is up there; they are adept at sensing the slightest vibrations from above. I just unboxed them and put them in their enclosures. For example, good husbandry information will tell you that the Brachypelma smithi is an arid species that requires dry substrate to be content. Unfortunately since posting this I can verify my pokey is dead. Because slings arevery fragile and tiny, and it can be very difficult getting the paper towel lining out, extreme caution is needed when attempting to get the sling out of its travel packing and into its new home. , Youll need to come up with a watering system that works for both you and your tarantula slings. Hi, Meg! After the molt, be sure to give them several days to a week to harden up before offering food again. Unfortunately, the only truthful answer to that question is, It depends.. Keep the water bowl full and substrate damp, but thats all that you should do. Change). When you're removing a tarantula sling from the straw packaging, simply remove a plug from one of the sides and gently place the straw down in the enclosure. Welcome to Tarantula Forum! 3. Ive read many care sheets from hobbyists and dealers alike that indicate that tarantula spiderlings must be kept in the 80s due to their fragility and need for more heat than their adult counterparts. After taking a closer look, you find that the listing is for a tarantula sling that measures a mere 1/2 in size about 1/20th the size of a fully-grown adult. If your spider is refusing food, wait a week before trying again, and dont leave the food in overnight as a cricket can actually attack and kill a molting T. If you ever find your spider on its back, DO NOT touch it. Our summers here get hot, but they are usually quite humid as well. This can lead many owners to worry that their slings have either escaped or simply died. IT IS NOT DEAD. Help! Fortunately, completing the enclosure is a relatively quick and easy process that shouldnt take you much time at all. Hahaha. Theyre simply too small, fragile, and unpredictable to safely hold in your hands, even for a small period of time. When you move a tarantula to a new home, it can take several days to weeks for it to acclimate. Keep it in a covered deli-cup in a warm area. For a more detailed explanation of molting and its signs, check out the article How Do I Know My Tarantula is In Premolt?. These arent dangerous effects due to the fact that wild slings will also encounter these, but they may not be optimal for you. 99 ($12.99/Count) FREE delivery Nov 18 - Dec 9 . Many hobbyists feed their slings once a week or bi-weekly, and their animals are quite healthy. Many of the popular Grammostola, Brachypelma, and Aphonopelma species are very slow growers, especially as small slings. This means that youll need to wait about a week before you could start feeding it again. It is molting and needs to be left alone to finish the process in peace. After all, there isnt much difference between a 1 sling and a 1/4 sling, right? Here are some reasons why a slingmight not eat. Your sling sounds absolutely adorable! The more precise and conservative definition would not allow for a tarantula to "be gravid". Hahaha. It would be akin to calling a fish "gravid". We also have Classifieds, Reviews, Bite/Sting/Breeding Reports and more! I was going to ask the same question ty been worried.. Arachnoboards.com is the Internet's largest forum community for invertebrate hobbyists of all types! Travel can be very stressful for Ts, and if they were not properly hydrated before their trip and the weather is warm (or, if it was too close to a heat pack), they can become dehydrated. When dropping in a feeder, make sure that the bowl is full and, if need be, pluck it out to clean or replace it. If the itemsare overly large, you can use a knife to cut them up into smaller pieces. Magnetic Acrylic Case, 4.7x4.7x7.8 inch Vertical Transparent Tarantula Enclosure Tank for arboreal Tarantula Scorpion Sling Lizards Mantis Snake Gecko Jumping Spider Snail Insect Isopods. Sometimes it just takes a second set of eyes to figure out a possible issue. As long as you did your research, youll be fine! In fact, that is your spiders way of basically saying do not disturb. For many species, this means they are entering the premolt stage and want security and privacy for their molt. Shell out for that awesome beardie set up kit. If youve put sphagnum moss in the enclosure, youll want to spray that a few times as its great with moisture retention. However, when in premolt, they often become much more sedentary, sitting in one spot and often tucking themselves away behind their cork bark. They are perfectly square shaped, 100% transparent, and just the right size for a sling (2.52.5x4in tall). Also, pay attention to whether your tarantula has thinning hair on its abdomen, or whether its abdomen seems darker and shinier than usual, as these can be signs of molting. For example, P. However it doesn't respond when I try to gently brush its abdomen or legs. However, these two extremes are quite rare. One of the most obvious is if your tarantula keeps moving into position to molt but not actually molting. Its recommended that you come up with a schedule to follow when it comes to misting. before & after pic. Absolutely not. Lower temperatures will have a few effects on a slings health, though. I only buy the smooth open/close lids. That said, its important to remember that when slings are involved, the correct setup is paramount to the aesthetic of it. Yes it was me. , such as a small piece of cork bark. Tarantulas can also be clean creatures, often using their water bowls to clean themselves. These slings can be fed a bit more frequently or kept in slightly higher temperatures to see if their growth speed picks up. Obviously, plenty of hobbyists have succeeded in raising the smallest of slings successfully. I did as Meshed ceilings are not ideal at all. Could be molting, make sure there is a fresh filled waterdish, and maybe add some droplets of water on its webbing. Larger prey can spook some species and put them off feeding. The soft bristles wont harm the delicate sling, and will instead get it moving without any harm. Cork bark Spiderlings are nervous and reclusive creatures. my very first ever T. I have never owned one of any size before, it is probably the cutest thing I have Burrows can also protect them from inclement weather conditions. The main reasons for a tarantula to be laying on its back are molting and sometimes making sperm web (male tarantulas only). Acrylic Pin - Baby Tarantula Sling Set of 3 - Made with Recycled Materials - Arachnid Spider Bug Insect Versicolor Blue Fang diversipes. Every tarantula that I own has its own water bowl, regardless of the size or species. Anyone that's owned a tarantula will tell you that tapping on their enclosure or breathing on them will sometimes cause them to react as if their life is in danger. In fact, some fossorial species work the pieces of their molts into the walls of their dens. Great article. First, pull the paper plug covering the hole if there is one (sometimes folks just fold over the paper towel to cover the opening. If youre uncertain about an insect being too large to eat, most keepers simply opt to keep feeder insects at or below the size of their tarantula slings body. Can kick hairs when threatened, though. Tarantula Feeding - What, when, and how much to feed, Tarantulas As Pets - The Good, Bad, and the Misunderstood, Caribena versicolor "The Martinique pinktoe" Husbandry Notes, Hapalopus sp. Alright I'll be sure to post pictures when I get it but this is what I ordered. It was actually dead on arrival in the post. He/She took a cricket with no problem today haha. For keepers who are concerned about their Ts drying out, this leaves a much larger margin for error. Thanks all for the recommendations to rehouse. Next, Imake a starter burrow down the side of the enclosure for the new occupant. Its important for keepers that use this method to come up with a regular schedule, as sprayed water can evaporate quickly leaving a small window for raised humidity and the availability of drinking water. The sling will eventually wander out of the straw and into their new home. Dull coloration. Youll need to keep the enclosure in the mid 70 degree range to promote good metabolisms and growth rates. As long as your tarantula is getting a healthy supply of any of these feeder insects, they should be more than healthy. Most of these reasons can be quickly dealt with by most keepers, and others are simply natural reasons that every sling experiences. Wow. I remember how stressed I was when I got my first slings, which is why I made this guide. In fact, this is the same technique I use to keep the substrate in my moisture dependent species enclosures damp. All slings are different and grow at vastly different rates. If this is the route you want to take, then feeding them small meals 2 or even 3 times a week is a great way to go. Questions regarding feeding frequency, the best food, and feeding strategies constantly come up in many different message boards, so Ill try to tackle some of those major concerns. Occasionally, small slings can be spooked by the live prey you drop in. Some folks actually have tarantula rooms that they can heat separately from the rest of their homes, often with a space heater regulated by a thermostat. This beginner spider is simple to care for and costs $60 to $100. These are usually crystal clear, secure, and much smaller than their 16 oz counterparts. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Wonderful idea, Eric! Despite the fact that tarantulas have started to become quite mainstream in the past years, there is a surprising lack of enclosures available for them especially for tiny slings. Most of the popular pets today have specific enclosures that are made for them. Thanks!!! More Info Here. Ive personally seen many of them drink, and I like the extra defense against dehydration they afford me. Will let you know how it goes. Give it time to burrow or web and youll likely have better luck. All my slings are now big enough to be rehoused with water dish-fitting enclosures, but as soon as were out of the 90degree temps I plan on ordering some more babiesnow I can avoid the too-small-for-a-dish uncomfortable phase So, thanks! All that you need to do is spray a few squirts of water on the substrate, on the side of the enclosure, and on the plastic plants. There seems to be a lot to know about tarantula molts, so how frequently should you expect your sling to molt? Ive been in the hobby since November, but didnt get my first sling until Februarya 1/4in Euathlus sp. If you have a question that wasnt answered in this post, be sure to leave a comment down below! The tarantulas has buried itself in its denMany tarantulas will retreat to their burrows and close of the entrances when entering a premolt period. It is probably just the effects of cold and the stress of its journey. If your T isnt eating what youre offering, try switching up the type of feeder you give it. As for what to use for water dishes, the lids for plastic water bottles work fantastically well. Tip: If your slings legs are curled or if it looks lethargic when you receive it, try putting it in a small container with some moistened paper towel and setting it aside in a warm corner of your home. It was up and about in the little enclosure for a bit and then burrowed itself head first down in the sand Plastic spice jars: These are becoming more popular due to their convenient sizing (small jars are great for the tiny slings) and availability. Some of the faster-growing species, when combined with this feeding schedule, reach maturity in a very short time, and can then go back to being fed 1 to 2 times per week. I've only had her for 2 weeks. The video below shows the process many times (skip to 4:15 for the actually rehousings). In the wild, they can live up to 30 or 20 years old, respectively. All of these will make a great meal for your tarantula. Tarantulas do everything slowly. As the water in the bowl evaporates, it will keep the humidity inside this incubator up. The brachy is moving and all, but the a. chalcodes is just not. Some species will blanket their enclosures with thick white webbing. Thank you from south of the equator. This is another very popular enclosure choice among enthusiasts due to their opacity, availability, value, and their ability to be ventilated and stacked. Chrissy. After spending hours being bounced around on planes and trucks, they are suddenly deposited into brand new and alien environments. My sling is/isnt webbing is there something wrong? Place folded paper towels on the bottom, and then a smaller open container of water inside it. Wait at least one week after a molt to pick up and/or hold your tarantula. Wait at least one week after a molt to pick up and/or hold your tarantula. Also, slings of this size often must scavenge feed, or eat off of larger, previously-killed prey because most prey items offered on the market will be too large for them to take down. However, before you hit that buy button, you should be aware of some of the challenges you may face. This is my first, she is a curly hair. 4. Let the tarantulas get a few meals in them before experimenting with a larger size. Add to Cart. I know this is normal but now I know why people especially new at it like me stresses so quickly. This doesnt mean that you should avoid smaller slings, though! This can be a particular dangerin the winter time when furnaces and fireplaces are heating homes and severely drying out the air. Do not disturb it during this time. Substrate There are many types of materials you can use for substrate, including coco coir, peat, and plain top soil. One more thing to note is that shipment is exactly a pleasant experience for these tarantula slings! More Info. Below weve highlighted some of the most common reasons behind why a tarantula sling wont eat. Beyond The Treat is an educational website that promotes happy and healthy pet ownership. 5. ", tarantula. Tarantula Club Members support the site and help keep the site FREE for public use! Slings of this size are usually better established and a bit more hardy than smaller ones, and it wont be long until they reach the much less risky juvenile stage. I have an A. seemanni who has been buried for over three months with no food or water. Great article on care of Tarantula slings. Its recommended that you always start small, but then build up to larger prey. Once you join you'll be able to post messages, upload pictures of your pets and enclosures and chat with other Tarantula enthusiasts. Warmer temperatures will evaporate water quicker and dry out the enclosures, thus requiring more frequent sprays and water refills. Its likely happened to every hobbyist: Youre looking around for a new tarantula to add to your collection something a bit pricier, like T. apophysis. While its not rare for mature adult females of this species to sell for $400+, you find some websites selling specimens for as low as $50. I wouldn't even begin to worry until it hasn't moved for a few weeks. Theyll emerge and eat if theyre hungry enough. Your tarantulas abdomen may also appear darker and shinier than usual before she molts. Those who put sphagnum moss in their enclosures will also want to spray that down as well, as the moss will retain moisture for longer. Make sure that they have water and keep a corner of the substrate moist and wait for the molt. Amac boxes:These have become very popular in the past couple years, especially for folks who are handy and have some tools. I recently got my first T, a hamorii sling. Therefore, a 4th instar specimen would be a fairly well-establish sling. and isn't interested in moving around. Ive been mulling this over for so long, Im glad that I was finally able to get it done. ever seen, but I am so worried that I do something wrong even after reading so much about them. Whether youre planning on keeping one or a dozen spiderlings, these containers will likely suit your need. A bite from one wont kill you, but you will likely require a trip to the ER and be miserable for quite some time. What temperature does her room get down to in the winter? Its also fairly simple to do. I think I got the G. Rosea in late Fall of last year, and the L. Parahybana about halfway through the winter. Heres the simple routineI practice and recommend. Larger slings over 1/2 can be fed most feeder insects without a problem. Deli cups:Deli cups are an especially popular enclosure used by hobbyists to house their young spiders. Plastic snap cap or dram bottles:Keepers have used these for years, and they are particularly handy for folks who find themselves with huge quantities of slings. Cant find a small enough prey item? Now, unfortunately, some of the components will have to be purchased in bulk, as sphagnum moss is sold in bags and plastic leaves are usually plucked off of much larger plastic plants and vines. Plastic Dram Vials Plastic vials used to house small slings. Don't stress it. lmao. Some slings will stay burrowed for months at a time and only emerge after theyve undergone a few molts and grown to a healthy size.If your sling has been burrowed for a while, dont dig it up and dont drop food down the hole. For most tarantulas, its best to feed them items that are shorter than the total length of their bodies. When they deposit them into a water dish, they can look like tiny little white stones, which can really be disconcerting to some folks. There are some similarities that are present among different species, but the specific requirements of slings differ between species. These small slings also tend to scavenge off of previously-killed prey, giving off the impression that they arent eating. Then, if you factor in their burrowing, which has them underground where temps can be much cooler, and you see how this sweet spot of 80 or higher is likely an arbitrary number. I understand if you prefer i dont. Any advice please? Keep live food out of the enclosure during this time, too, as it could potentially attack and kill a molting sling. One way to protect your slings enclosures from drying out too quickly is to make a sling nursery. First, most species dont come from regions where it is always 80 or higher all year round. This video will give you the gene. In fact, tarantulas are very good at sitting there and not moving for months at a time. Checking for Signs that Your Tarantula is Molting, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Tell-if-Your-Tarantula-Is-Molting-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Your-Tarantula-Is-Molting-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Tell-if-Your-Tarantula-Is-Molting-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid496334-v4-728px-Tell-if-Your-Tarantula-Is-Molting-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"