New little a. versiolor spiderling - My FIRST T!

[Alexandra V]

Thanks for all the advice and compliments! I added some fake leaves to its home today and it seems to be quite content hiding under them. How do you keep them from trying to come out when you open the enclosure to mist, feed or do other maintenance?

Either you open it veeeery carefully and make it so that the lid is still on over where the spider is, or when you go to do maintenance, with a very fine point paint brush you can prod them away from the top of the enclosure so they're less likely to bolt out.

[babyknees]

Either you open it veeeery carefully and make it so that the lid is still on over where the spider is, or when you go to do maintenance, with a very fine point paint brush you can prod them away from the top of the enclosure so they're less likely to bolt out.

Good idea. I'll have to try that next time I have to go in! I was using a similar method to prod him back in. Silly me not thinking to use it before he could get out...

[babyknees]

More questions:
How do you measure your humidity? Or do you just judge it by site? What should I look for to tell me that the humidity is right?
Do Ts dull out before they molt? He's looking a little dull and has refused food the past couple of times I've offered. I'm wondering if I should be expecting some molting soon.
Ummm I thought I had more but I can't remember. Thanks again for all the help and answers. I can see how inverts are kind of addictive...I'm obsessed with p. metallica but I'm pretty sure that wouldn't be a good second T...

[Alexandra V]

More questions:
How do you measure your humidity? Or do you just judge it by site? What should I look for to tell me that the humidity is right?
Do Ts dull out before they molt? He's looking a little dull and has refused food the past couple of times I've offered. I'm wondering if I should be expecting some molting soon.
Ummm I thought I had more but I can't remember. Thanks again for all the help and answers. I can see how inverts are kind of addictive...I'm obsessed with p. metallica but I'm pretty sure that wouldn't be a good second T...

If you want to be really accurate you can try sticking a hygrometer in there, you want the humidity around 70-80% at least. Otherwise you can just go by eye and just keep the substrate moist, it'll usually do the trick. Just give it time to dry out a bit between substrate wettings.

Yes, they'll appear more dull and kinda ragged when they're approaching a molt, as well as fasting. It sounds to me like your little one is for sure going to molt in the near-ish future

Yes, T's are definitely VERY addictive P. metallica are gorgeous, that's for sure. IMO if you can take care of the husbandry and can respect the animal and it's venom (and be careful when doing cage maintenance - they're FAST) and general skittish-ness, then there's no reason why you couldn't have one as a second T

[Boanerges]

More questions:
How do you measure your humidity? Or do you just judge it by site? Some I just know it's where it should be by looking at what the humidity is in the room currently. I do have some humidty gauges in the room to see what the rooms humidity is. I currently only keep 1 temp/humidty guage in any of my T's tanks and that is in my Theraphosa stirmi's tank. You want to make sure without a doubt the temps/humidty is spot on with them. I use accurite humidty and temp guages (same ones we use for our snakes). What should I look for to tell me that the humidity is right? That's hard for me to answer. You would need to at least know what the humidity is in the room until you get more comfortable with things. You should be fine with a little water dish (if the T is big enough for one) and possible mistings if you needed it to get the humidty where it needs to be.
Do Ts dull out before they molt? Yes. He's looking a little dull and has refused food the past couple of times I've offered. I'm wondering if I should be expecting some molting soon. Probably
Ummm I thought I had more but I can't remember. Thanks again for all the help and answers. I can see how inverts are kind of addictive...I'm obsessed with p. metallica but I'm pretty sure that wouldn't be a good second T...

[Nektu]

I love versi slings. The blue is just awesome. When they get the purple they look even more amazing! Good choice on your T.

[babyknees]

IT MOLTED!
Either late last night or early this morning. Very cool. Should I try to get the molt out asap or give him a little while to relax before I go yanking things out of the enclosure. Also I read to wait 4-6 days before feeding, is that accurate?

[Alexandra V]

IT MOLTED!
Either late last night or early this morning. Very cool. Should I try to get the molt out asap or give him a little while to relax before I go yanking things out of the enclosure. Also I read to wait 4-6 days before feeding, is that accurate?

Sweet! Congrats on a successful molt, and you don't need to remove it right away, no rush. And personally I always wait at least a week before feeding, just to be extra sure that the new exoskeleton is hardened up.

[babyknees]

Did some cage maintenance today and snapped some pics.





I have the worst time getting him in focus. I'm going to have to play with some of my other lenses.

[Alexandra V]

Heehee he's too cute! Really nice pics nonetheless. I find I have a tough time getting T's in focus too haha, they always seem to know when it's working and then they move and mess it up