To do this, I start with moist substrate in the enclosure, then I use the rain method (using a water bottle modified with several holes in the top to periodically simulate a rain shower) to re-wet it when it starts to dry out. The next day, I was shocked to discover that the sling had dug all the way down to the bottom and constructed a burrow in just a few hours time. It cost a bit more, but they work great and are ready to useright out of the box. The tarantula becomes slower and more lethargicNot all of the indicators are physical; an observant keeper should notice some behavioral changes as well. One other benefit is that they have secure lids that can be opened up for feeding and then quickly closed so that the slings dont have a chance to escape. As how to gauge what size to feed, Ive heard quite a few rules of thumb on how to select a prey item. Hahaha. Green Bottle Blues are not the most docile pet spider, but it is not overly defensive. If youre concerned that your tarantula isnt having their nutritional needs met, you can supply them with a mixture of several different feeder insects. The most common health concern for these arachnids is staying hydrated in captivity. Thank you so much for all your helps with Webs, in the shop they never mentioned the temp that they needed, my daughters room gets cold in the winter do I need to get a heat source of some kind for her sling? I did as Meshed ceilings are not ideal at all. Or, maybe youre staring at your 1/2 spiderwondering if it can possibly subdue and eat the 1 cricket you just purchased from the pet store. This can lead many owners to worry that their slings have either escaped or simply died. With that out of the way, lets begin our rather lengthy tutorial on tarantula spiderlings. Or, you could be standing in the reptile aisle at the pet store trying to figure out which of the five varieties of prey insects for sale would be appropriate for your little ward. 1/4 slings blend right into the substrate, and when they burrow they can go unseen for weeks or even months. Its important that all slings, even those who supposedly thrive in dry conditions, stay hydrated. If you make a move to handle your tarantula, it will likely see it as a predator moving in for an attack and will react accordingly. ", tarantula. If you suspect this is the issue, its best to try feeding it something smaller. And, theres always the oddball who may never web. With most species, I will also overflow the dish, giving them a moist spot of substrate. Warmer temperatures will evaporate water quicker and dry out the enclosures, thus requiring more frequent sprays and water refills. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Mexican Red Knee Tarantulas (Eurypelma hamorii) are an iconic species of tarantula native to Mexico, Guatemala, and other parts of Central America. Another GREAT Article! As long as your tarantula is getting a healthy supply of any of these feeder insects, they should be more than healthy. This is a common question, as most of us probably didnt give much thought to what tarantulas turds would look like. They can also be bought or procured from delis or restaurants. There arent a lot of things that tarantulas need in an enclosure to make them happy especially a sling. One is a b. Albopilosum and the other one is an A. Chalcodes. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Sphagnum moss Sphagnum moss not only looks pretty in an enclosure, but it serves a couple valuable purposes. 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. 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. Hi, I have a GBB sling, approx 1.25" legspan and I have had it for around 6 months. That said, they look gorgeous on a shelf. Some use them as toilets and some seem to think that they are dumpsters. Its important to note that this guide should only act as a baseline for care information. I will often start my slings on very tiny prey to make sure they get a couple of meals in them, then increase the size after a few feedings. They are also not stackable, which can be a bit inconvenient for those with several slings who want to conserve space. The shininess is oftenmore evident in slings than their older, much hairier counterparts. , such as a small piece of cork bark. Fill it daily with about half an inch of water. Tarantulas are extremely efficient at using energy. I have an A. seemanni who has been buried for over three months with no food or water. Once you come into ownership of a new tarantula sling, you need to be aware of the different containers that you can hold them in. Not worried at all, it's just molting. Th.. $28.00 $35.00. It takes experimentation and practice, but it can be an effective water delivery system. When tarantulas have eaten enough to trigger the beginning of the molting process, most will stop eating. However, to start out, its always best to go smaller. For larger enclosures, most folks like to use hot glue to affix the leaves to the cork bark. However, this definitely can be overdone and create an overly-damp enclosure that no spiderlings thrive in. Do not try to pull off the exoskeleton while your tarantula is molting. Wait at least one week after a molt to pick up and/or hold your tarantula. Great article. However, there are a few different things that you the owner should do and check for to ensure that their growth and health are optimal. First off, different species grow at different rates. New world tarantulas, particularly the terrestrial species, are typically much slower moving than their old world counterparts. Temps in the low high 60s to low 70s will slow a tarantulas metabolism, often affecting appetite and growth rate. ever seen, but I am so worried that I do something wrong even after reading so much about them. 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":"