I am starting this thread because I would like your opinions and insight to your husbandry.
So I am aware some hobbyists keep their slings in a deli cup or vial with just substrate or perhaps a twig for the arboreals.
Even Stan Schultz says on pg. 255, "Decorations and retreats are neither practical nor required in this situation. Don't bother."
I have to say that I have have had different results keeping my slings in "cages" with decor. All of mine get a small piece of cork bark (for both trerrestrial and arboreal) and a fake leaf or two. Now maybe because I have only 12 this is more feasible, but I would like to report my findings.
All of my terrestrial sling have buried themselves under the cork bark pice and usually are out and about for viewing. They also molt in there and I am able to watch the process.
My arboreal slings have either made tube webs anchored to the cork bark or the fake plant, or both.
I feel as is giving the T's decor, resulting in more hiding places, we can observe a more "natural" behavior, and as an added bonus some really like webbing and/or substrate structures.
My two examples that are the best example are my H. maculata and my P. murinus slings, both around 1". My P. irminia sling comes in a close third.
My PM has an intricate web structure that is both underground and above ground. My HM also had a tunnel that was under a leaf and went to the bottom of the cage, but after the last molt it has taken up a new home against a piece of cork bark and has a nice new webbing structure.
It is really necessary, perhaps not. Does it result in a more enjoyable keeping experience, perhaps. Is it more work than necessary, perhaps. Thoughts?
So I am aware some hobbyists keep their slings in a deli cup or vial with just substrate or perhaps a twig for the arboreals.
Even Stan Schultz says on pg. 255, "Decorations and retreats are neither practical nor required in this situation. Don't bother."
I have to say that I have have had different results keeping my slings in "cages" with decor. All of mine get a small piece of cork bark (for both trerrestrial and arboreal) and a fake leaf or two. Now maybe because I have only 12 this is more feasible, but I would like to report my findings.
All of my terrestrial sling have buried themselves under the cork bark pice and usually are out and about for viewing. They also molt in there and I am able to watch the process.
My arboreal slings have either made tube webs anchored to the cork bark or the fake plant, or both.
I feel as is giving the T's decor, resulting in more hiding places, we can observe a more "natural" behavior, and as an added bonus some really like webbing and/or substrate structures.
My two examples that are the best example are my H. maculata and my P. murinus slings, both around 1". My P. irminia sling comes in a close third.
My PM has an intricate web structure that is both underground and above ground. My HM also had a tunnel that was under a leaf and went to the bottom of the cage, but after the last molt it has taken up a new home against a piece of cork bark and has a nice new webbing structure.
It is really necessary, perhaps not. Does it result in a more enjoyable keeping experience, perhaps. Is it more work than necessary, perhaps. Thoughts?