My A. Metallica is finally eating

[DreadedNeith]

So i got my first T an avic metallica and it hasnt eaten since i got her. Its been a little over a month. I took her out of the large critter keeper that she came in and moved her into an arborial enclosure that is better suited for Her. She hasnt webbed at all yet and hasnt eaten at all Until today.
I tried dubia roaches. put them in the enclosure and 2 days later they would still be there. I tried tong feeding dubia roaches (i know tong feeding isnt the best idea) and she would tag them and drop them.
I then decided that maybe the roaches were to big for her so i put a couple crickets into her enclosure. Again, 2 days later they would still be there. So i did the same as with the dubia and tried to tong feed her the crickets. This time i grabbed a cricket with my large tweezers and put it in front of her and she gently took the cricket from the tongs and ate it. After she was done eating it i gave her another the same way and she again took the cricket very gently from the tongs.
Im not sure why she wont Just grab them if they are wondering around her enclosure. Im worried about tong feeding because i dont want to damage her fangs. I was thinking of covering the end of the tongs with hot glue to add some padding.
she also hasnt webbed at all except for when she ate today. She webbed around her food.
anyone have any ideas?
im at least glad she is eating now. Other than the eating and webbing issues she seems to be in great health. Shes alert, fast when she wants to be, and responds to touch from a pauntbrush or vibration.

 

[Tortoise Tom]

What size is the spider? Can we see a pic of the enclosure?

I'd try a little red runner.

 

[DreadedNeith]

Ill have to barrow a phone to get a good picture as my camera lense is really scratched up.
the enclosure is a vertical converted 10 gallon fish tank with vent holes on the front. Im waiting on a glass drill bit so i can drill cross ventilation but i do have air circulation in the room. The substrate is coconut fiber (the condensed bricks). Very slightly damp. Big tall peice of cork bark leaning against the back wall of the enclosure like a tree trunk. A small live plant and a couple small plastic plants. Full water dish.
she is 4 inches.
I also hot glued a small cap of water towards to top of her cork bark in case she doesnt want to come down to drink. I havent seen her on the ground at all.

 

[DreadedNeith]

What size is the spider? Can we see a pic of the enclosure?

I'd try a little red runner.

Here a picture of the enclosure.

 

[Arachnoclown]

Looks great!!!! I would only suggest a suction cup plant up high on one side of the tank. This will give her anchor points to build a nice size web hammock. Exo terra makes some great ones and they are fairly priced.

 

[DreadedNeith]

Looks great!!!! I would only suggest a suction cup plant up high on one side of the tank. This will give her anchor points to build a nice size web hammock. Exo terra makes some great ones and they are fairly priced.

I eventually would lime to buy an exo terra but for now ill have to do my best with this. I just ran to the store and picked up 2 plastic plants. One is driven into the substrate and the other is driven through the cork bark.

 

[DreadedNeith]

I do have some suction cups that i could attach to the plant but ive noticed they only stay stuck to the glass for a day or 2 before falling. I may end up using some hot glue as an anchor. I know the hot glue wont stick to glass well either so ill glue it to the silicone seal in the seams of the enclosure. It might make it more difficult to clean the plants in the future but im sure a little hot glue is no match for a hobby knife.

 

[DreadedNeith]

Oh and how do you like the table i restored for my Ts enclosure?

I found it on the side of the road and it was covered in a childs drawings. I took it home and sanded, stained, and clearcoated it. I think it works nice for 5he enclosure. I do wish it had a drawer though.

 

[DreadedNeith]

FINALLY!
I put some fake plants in the enclosure. I glued 2 small soda bottle caps of water up high on the cork bark and painted a peice of cardboard black and placed it over the back of the enclosure(outside of the enclosure).
today i came down and my little avic made herself a web hammock right at the back of the enclosure, at the top of the cork bark, near one of the small water caps. I think she is finally comfortable and settling in. Now I dont have to be so nervous. She's eaten, She's webbed, I'm happy.

Before she was always out on the side of the enclosure, she never hid. This is fine for viewing but i was worried she wasn't comfortable in the enclosure. I can't see her as good now but I'm a lot more happy because i know she has a place to hide now and a place to molt. I also won't have to tong feed her again as I can now just place her food in her web. Things are finally relaxing in beginner T world.
I'll post a picture of her enclosure now if anyone has an interest in seeing it.