My Missing C. bertae

Browncoat · Sep 17, 2014

Hi guys,

Ever since I got my 1/4" sling Cyriocosmus bertae on Saturday, and I rehoused it into a container about 3" across and about 3" high about half filled with cocohusk, I haven't seen it. I'm concerned it may have escaped through one of the holes in the lid that I may have made too big. However, I have found evidence of some slight webbing, and I can see areas against the sides and bottom of the container that may be tiny tunnels, though it may just be my imagination. I plopped a little cricket in there yesterday, and it's still there today. Is it possible that it just hasn't found it yet if it's busy digging tunnels? Should I remove it? How do you find a tiny spiderling loose in your room? Any ideas, guys?

miss moxie · Sep 17, 2014

A picture of the lid/enclosure may be more helpful to judge. I always get a little nervous when I can't see my 1/4" slings, but they're always there eventually.

timisimaginary · Sep 17, 2014

1/4" sling probably isn't going to take down a live cricket. try pre-killed pinheads, or just take the leg off a cricket and leave it in there. even then it may not take it if it's pre-molt, or not comfortable yet in it's new container.
how big are the holes? pinhole-size? bigger? anything larger than a pinhole-sized hole is an escape risk for a sling that small. there's a good chance your T is just burrowed and hiding at the moment, but if you're worried the holes are too big, change them ASAP before it gets a chance to find out.

Browncoat · Sep 17, 2014

Here is the lid. Note that the cricket in there was sold to me as a "pinhead," though having seen newly-hatched crickets I'd say it's moulted at least once since hatching.

Poec54 · Sep 17, 2014

Browncoat said:
Here is the lid. Note that the cricket in there was sold to me as a "pinhead," though having seen newly-hatched crickets I'd say it's moulted at least once since hatching.

Those holes make me nervous. Why not use a small drill bit so they're not so irregular and easy for a sling to slip thru.

Browncoat · Sep 17, 2014

Would if I could, but I don't have access to a drill and don't have the cash to buy one (student

).

Poec54 · Sep 17, 2014

Browncoat said:
Would if I could, but I don't have access to a drill and don't have the cash to buy one (student ).

I'd think someone you know has one you could borrow. If not, for a sling that small, use a pin. Soldering irons are cheap, and I make small holes with the tip of (and maybe you know someone with a soldering iron).

If it hasn't already escaped thru one of those holes, it still can. For a spider that small, you don't need airholes in the cup immediately.

catfishrod69 · Sep 17, 2014

With slings that small i use a needle to make airholes. And with 2nd instar Cyriocosmus i make sure the needle only barely pierces the plastic.

MadMauC · Sep 18, 2014

Poec54 said:
I'd think someone you know has one you could borrow. If not, for a sling that small, use a pin. Soldering irons are cheap, and I make small holes with the tip of (and maybe you know someone with a soldering iron).

If it hasn't already escaped thru one of those holes, it still can. For a spider that small, you don't need airholes in the cup immediately.

Totally agree- those holes are way too big - I had an escapee 2 months ago - never found it

- to make smaller holes - a safety pin straightened out and a cigarette lighter - hope your sling is still in there.

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Akai · Sep 18, 2014

catfishrod69 said:
With slings that small i use a needle to make airholes. And with 2nd instar Cyriocosmus i make sure the needle only barely pierces the plastic.

This +1. These should be thumbtack size holes for 1/4 inch slings. I'd fish around to see if it's in there and if it is in there I'd definitely rehouse it and use the above advice.

gobey · Sep 18, 2014

MadMauC said:
Totally agree- those holes are way too big - I had an escapee 2 months ago - never found it - to make smaller holes - a safety pin straightened out and a cigarette lighter - hope your sling is still in there.

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EXACTLY!

Dude I had holes that looked similar to yours.... smaller, but slightly cracked. Because this skewer I used would slightly split the deli cup. I thought it was smaller than my T, a 1/4" B. Albopilosum...

It wasn't. Now I'm short one T. This was about a week ago.

I made sure EVERY enclosure is now made with holes from pins. Use safely pins, sewing needles, a thumbnail may even work. These holes must be 100% without a doubt smaller than the CARAPACE of the Tarantula.

On a brighter note, I thought once my H. mac sling disappeared and died. It sure enough was fine.... just built a new home hidden away from everything. Your T could be fine too.

But fix those holes!

Beary Strange · Sep 18, 2014

I had a similar scare with my C.elegans about a week after getting them as teeny slings (they're now sub-adults), except my holes were pinpricks so they couldn't have gotten out. I eventually found them burrowed deep into the substrate--the burrow entrances were so small and inconspicuous that they were easy to overlook.

My Missing C. bertae

Browncoat

Arachnopeon

miss moxie

Arachnoprince

timisimaginary

Arachnosquire

Browncoat

Arachnopeon

Poec54

Arachnoemperor

Browncoat

Arachnopeon

Poec54

Arachnoemperor

catfishrod69

Arachnoemperor

MadMauC

Arachnopeon

Akai

Arachnobaron

gobey

Arachnoknight

Beary Strange

Arachnodemon