New Sling Mom Here!

[cmvcarlsson]

Hi All!

I am very excited to be part of this group. I have years of experience with reptiles but this is my first t. Albopilosus sling! I am already so obsessed with it. I have had it for about 3 weeks. It is eating well and has created a little burrow in its small tank. I estimate that it is about 1.5 inches right now. I have a few questions regarding molting. When I first got the sling and put it in its new habitat it was a bit more "active" but the last week it has just hung out in its burrow and not moving much. It did eat a small cricket 3 days ago but after that nothing. I am assuming it is getting ready to molt. I am pretty darn lucky because the burrow is right up against the glass so I can check it out easily and watch it eat! I kind of have a knack for husbandry and ensuring humidity and temp are good from my years with reptiles. I have also gone through this forum before joining to check out what people have recommended for t. Albopilosus slings.

Assuming my T is going to molt soon do you have any recommendations on how long to wait to feed. I heard 4-5 days? Also will I need to remove the molt? Others have said the T will "do housekeeping" and then I can remove it?

Any other tips and advice would be awesome!

thank you

 

[Tarantulafeets]

For slings, you can wait a shorter time to feed than adults, about 4 to 5 days should work, but I would rather go off of the color of the fangs and if they are hardened or not.
You can remove the molt when you want, but my t albos keep their molts in their burrows and that is perfectly fine.
Anyway, welcome to the hobby! T albos are great t's and absolutley beautiful when they grow up.

 

[cmvcarlsson]

Thank you! I was really surprised to see how active this little one was setting up its burrow and exploring the space. Currently I don't have a "water dish" in the habitat but I am spraying the sides of the tank and the humidity in there is pretty good. The abdomen looks good as well. Is this sufficient or should I put a little bottle cap dish with water in there? I don't want it to drown.

 

[cmvcarlsson]

Also, my T has closed off the entry to the borrow I just noticed, could this be a sign a molt will happen soon?

 

[Oursapoil]

Welcome to the forum/family!

 

[octanejunkie]

Welcome!

Leave your little bugger be, it will let you know when it's ready.

I'm a fan of underfeeding, vs overfeeding. Use the plumpness of the abdomen as your feeding guide. If it's got a plump booty, slow down feeding to twice the duration until it refuses a meal; then wait. If it doesn't molt in a week, try feeding again. Remove uneaten feeders after 24 hrs.

 

[cmvcarlsson]

Got it! Thank you! Yeah, I always take the uneaten food out. I have yet to see any remains though, and I heard they should be removed as well? Also this is gonna sound dumb but do they poop? Do I need to take that out?

As of right now it eats about every 5 days. I don't plan to mess with it or hold it ever as I hear slings are fast and as they get older a drop can kill them. I just love watching it do its thing and burrow. This little one is quite intelligent with its burrows! Heheh! I see more T's in my future as they add such a nice touch to my collection of snakes. I wanted something fairly hardy as a beginner.

 

[m0lsx]

Welcome to the forum & this side of the hobby.

 

[Enn49]

Hello and welcome.

 

[Mundo exotico]

Hello and welcome. I would put a small bottle cap with water. Your T is amazing. With time it will become like this one

 

[menavodi]

...you found a good forum! Welcome!

 

[cmvcarlsson]

...you found a good forum! Welcome!

Thank you! Is that your widow in your pic?

 

[Checkmate]

Welcome