Haha yeah tell me about it. some years back i tried this with P.regalis community. I had 10 pieces they were in 1 molt.
I get deli cups by the sleeve at a local restaurant supply store, Gordon Foods. I use 16 oz the most, and 32 oz for most arboreal slings (at 1/2") except Avics, which get 16's (they're more sedentary than other arboreals and that's a long way down for them to get food and water). The lids are easy to get off (unlike soup containers). I use 1 oz and 3oz soufflé cups for disposable water bowls (you should see what they do to some water bowls...totally disgusting), and the 3 oz also double as temporary containers for tiny slings. In deli cups I use the lids from 16 oz water bottles as water bowls. With soufflé cups being so small, I use moist long fiber sphagnum as a water source.
Bigger holes around the sides, and none on top: that's compromises the micro climate.
I use a pointed tip soldering iron for all my deli cup holes. You can make them very small, you may need to file down the point. The smallest holes I make are slashes instead of round, too narrow for a sling to fit thru.
Well, I tried that first, and it was almost finished and perfect and then I got heavy handed on one hole (and it only takes one hole too big for an escape) so had to start again with new souffle' cup. At least with a heated nail, I can't make a hole too big. I am not sure I have the equipment to file down the point of a soldering iron point. I would like that, be easier for sure.
And I agree 100%. But I have this tiny B albo 2nd instar (maybe 1st instar) and 1/2" is probably a huge exaggeration of size, it is probably closer to 1/4" in size.
I hate punching holes sans heat -- they are rough and sharp. That's why I don't drill with thinnest drill bit either.
I raise my GBB slings in bone dry containers until they hit 2-3", then I make sure they have water more often than not. They will be fine; your T, your choice!
Bone dry substrate but with damp moss or a water bowl? Or bone dry substrate with only source of water from prey? This sorta read like their water requirements increased with age rather than decreased.
I can't speak for other keepers. I raise them BONE DRY, no wet anything. They get their water from the fat crickets I feed them as they are hydrated. However, as the T get's larger, crickets alone do not provide them enough hydration. There comes a point when they eat enough crickets to reach satiety but not complete hydration.
GBBs do come from a very arid region of Venezuela, looks a bit like parts of the Southwest of the USA, not every spot in S. America is rain forest.
+1. Some of the driest places in the world are in South America.
Absolutely. Chile is a good example. In the northern parts of Chile, there is desert which sits over geothermal vents which people may observe.
Given that you're not exactly a noob with your zoo experience I think you'd do fine with tiny slings too. In October I ordered 8 slings, most were 1/2 inch or smaller. I had only kept 6 t's since July of last year. Three adults and the rest juvenile. As a complete noob to the hobby, I've had no losses thanx to the advice given here. I think you could be up to the challenge of raising a few bitty babies if you want.
LOL, thanks. And you're probably right... mortality rates on slings seem MUCH better than my first go at this *coughcoughahem* years ago. I'd still just rather not if I can avoid it.Given that you're not exactly a noob with your zoo experience I think you'd do fine with tiny slings too. In October I ordered 8 slings, most were 1/2 inch or smaller. I had only kept 6 t's since July of last year. Three adults and the rest juvenile. As a complete noob to the hobby, I've had no losses thanx to the advice given here. I think you could be up to the challenge of raising a few bitty babies if you want.