A.Versicolor Enclosure question

[EchoingZen]

Here is a picture of my new enclosure. Is this a little too big for him (He's 0.5 inches)? He's tucked away in the corner and has not started webbing yet. I know I'd be a little upset if someone came and destroyed my home, but I had to do what I had to do. He actually dropped a little poo on me.


I'm worried about his food situation. I have small crickets which are larger than his abdomen. I've been freezing them for about 30-45 minutes and leaving them in his enclosure. When I first did this, it was sucked dry and it was about his size. I was amazed that he ate the whole thing. It's been a week later and I don't think he has eaten since. Is this normal? I try every two to three days. I unfortunately cannot find any places that sell fruit flies. Should I continue what I am doing, or should I really attempt to get some fruit flies?

He's (maybe she) so damn cute. *squeal*

[Giygas]

Well, first off, I would add a strip of bark for some climbing space. It will be easier for it to start off a home.
Its abdomen looks pretty fat, so I think shes just full from that big cricket you have her.

She looks healthy, and if you add some more climbing material, she'll feel even more at home.
Ill be buying a versi in June, was going to buy one this week but they took a bit of time to show up and I was worried the other sp. I wanted would sell out, oh well, at least ill be getting an N.chromatus along with it

[Toogledoo]

Looks good to me, but I do agree to maybe add some more climbing material. I also agree that it may be full. Or even possibly premolt. In my experience, Versis grow decently fast.

[hamhock 74]

No need to get fruit flies and no need to freeze the crickets either.

[grayzone]

Well, first off, I would add a strip of bark for some climbing space. It will be easier for it to start off a home.
Its abdomen looks pretty fat, so I think shes just full from that big cricket you have her.

She looks healthy, and if you add some more climbing material, she'll feel even more at home.

excellent advice +1

[Giygas]

excellent advice +1

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3balePtrN1qhei86.png

[EchoingZen]

Ok, so you guys were dead on about him being premolt. He molted a couple days ago and I have been leaving him alone.

I now have a few other problems. I am the worst spider keeper ever.
I was attempting to get his molting out of his webbing since it was occupying a majority of it space and his whole webbing came with it. Worse still, when I attempted to restore at least a small bit of it, he slipped out and took a fall. It was about 3 feet onto a thick carpeting. He doesn't appear injured, but he is very tiny so it's possible that I can't see anything. I could not feel worse right now and I'm in a bit of a panic. Any recommendations?

[njnolan1]

Step one: Leave spider alone for about a week. Maybe a quick, lite spray if it looks too dry.

Step two: Don't panic.

Step three: Learn lesson (over care can be detrimental to tarantulas).



The little guy is probably fine from a 3 foot fall to a carpeted floor because he's so small, also he's an arboreal with tons of "hair" that create some resistance from the drop thus slowing his fall, albeit just a small amount.

Don't try to feed for around 4-7 days after his molt.

If you destroy their webbing accidentally they will just have to make more. My Avic hasn't even webbed more than a little bit since I got her two weeks ago!! She's eating though.

Also, my A. avic is only about .5-.75" right now but has no problem catching little crickets. I wouldn't call them pin heads either, they don't like it :P.

[Toogledoo]

Just leave it alone for a few days. Don't let it get too dry. I've had problems with my slings getting dehydrated after molting and dying. I live in a very very dry place. The fall may not have done any harm, just wait a few days and see. Also, I wouldn't really worry too much about removing the molts. I've never had a problem leaving them in with them. Nobody's perfect, just learn from your mistakes. I'm sure he'll be fine. Good luck!

[EchoingZen]

Man, I hope you guys are right. I just want my little guy to be all awesome.

If this is what being a parent feels like, I empathize with parents everywhere.

[njnolan1]

It's not a guarantee that your tarantula will live a long happy life, but it is all you can do for now.

[sbullet]

Looks a lot fatter than my purpurea, who only will eat legs-- likely because I don't have pinheads small enough for her. no need to worry. Also, as mine refuses to eat in his "regular home," I normally put it into a pill container filled almost to the top with sub, and then drop in the crick leg so it doesn't have to look as hard. Generally I will only keep her in the food chamber for less than 48 hours and if it doesn't eat, try again in 4 or 5 days.

But that is just from my experience-- It's normal home is about the size of your container, and has refused food in that so far. (Apprx >.5'' A. purpurea)

[grayzone]

It's not a guarantee that your tarantula will live a long happy life, but it is all you can do for now.

even if the worst should happen, you cant say that you didnt take advice and try your best. The t potentially being unhappy/dying isnt a reflection on you if you did all you could for it. A ton of people talk about Avicularia genus/genera in particular dying, so as long as youre doing all you feel is right your ok in my book..... Any updates BTW?

[sbullet]

Idk what your worried about at the moment your sling looks great from the looks of its behind

[EchoingZen]

Well, small update. He doesn't seem to be displaying any behavior that would worry me. I suppose the only exception would be that he still hasn't eaten. I placed a frozen cricket in his webbing and there it sat. I figured the guy would be starving after not eating for so long. I am still amazed out big he grew with just one molting! He is really pacing around his enclosure a bit.

I should get a new picture of him soon.