Molting and Digging

I woke up this morning, after a crappy sleep, and was thrilled to see that my Aeluropoda insignis had molted!  She was about 2 1/2″ before the molt, so I am hopefully going to get the chance to measure her new body after work.  Since I wasn’t expecting to get cockroaches when she was given to me, I know nothing about her- so, every little thing that signifies health and well being makes me grin REALLY BIG!

Since I am on the subject, if you know or have any decent care sheets on this little beauty, send them my way PLEASE!

I have browsed the net and come up with very little.  (Funny how I was just talking with another enthusiast about this very thing-a LACK of info on the net.

*Enthusiasts, hobbyists, professional breeders and the like- PLEASE start putting your experiences out there! People  like me wind up with critters that would benefit from accurate and accessible care sheets! If you have a blog or website dedicated to the invert hobby, let me know so that I can link it-  not just for me, but for other enthusiasts!)

Pics coming soon of my roach molt!

Now, on to the subject of digging-

I had the privilege of digging out Tank yesterday.  She had been MIA for about a week, and so I sat with her jar, a spoon, the nifty film container, a new jar and the gift box lid.  I dug for about 10 minutes(a very tedious and delicate process) and finally found Tank buried about 3/4 of the way down in the center of the jar.  I see no signs of any molting, but she is now visible in a shallower jar, with a roach or 2 to feast on…if she EVER eats

Pardon the rambling, but again I slept like crap, and am in need of another gallon of coffee before the day gets rolling.

When I get time, I will also be posting pics of the elusive Tank, my reclusive Aphonopelma sp. “Davis Mountain Rusty”.

STOOOPID ROACHES :|

I fed the spiderlings this morning, and it seems that while I have had pretty good luck with the food cooperating with me, this morning proved to be different.

All 3 times that I tried to gather roaches with the film container, at least 2 tried to escape!  The mother, who is humongous, was the first to make the daring attempt!  I had to scoop her into a temporary container while I gathered the other escapees and fed them to the slings.

This is why I always use a long gift box bottom to handle my bugs in.

SidNata-1

Roaches-0.

Feeding Chart*

Isis-3

Tank (Darwin)-3

Serj-4(accidentally)

Stoopid Roaches.

Day 6: Roaches and Burrows

I had to remove the nifty film cartridges from Tank and Serj’s jars.  They both chose to burrow instead!!!  Tank chose a burrow far enough into the center of the jar to where I can only see her abdomen.  Serj, on the other hand, chose a burrow right next to the side of the jar where I can see her!

I gave Isis 1 dead, one live roach, and she seems to be ignoring both.

Tank got 2 semi live roaches, but when I put the flashlight on, I startled one of the roaches.  It jumped into the burrow, and scared the hell out of Tank.  Tank jumped out, and proceeded to climb up the side of her jar.  OOPS!

Serj got 2 accidentally live roaches.  I thought they were more incapacitated, so hopefully she will see them before they burrow.  I may have to retry again after work today.

in other news:

Realizing what she’s done, Sid is staring at what remains of her web.  Perhaps she will build a new one soon?

Jars and Societies

I have just relocated the slings again.  This time, to sturdy jars.  The deli cups seemed a bit flimsy when compared to the weight of my cat, Frank.  Over the past couple of days he has taken a real interest in the desk where all of my tarantulas sit, and I didn’t want to take the chance that he would jump on top of them while I was at work.  He did that to a few crickets a couple of weeks ago (squishing 2), but luckily I was home to save the rest.

The jars are made of glass, and the lids are made with thick clear plastic that I was able to make air holes in with a drill.  I added a film cartridge to each jar (another fine use for this item), and 3 different levels of coconut substrate to suit each sling. Now, they are safe, easier to feed, and easier to peek in on.  They seem to really like their film holders!!

My older T’s have sturdy lids on their tanks, and Nata is also covered with a book on spiders (fitting, right?)

I will attempt another feeding tomorrow, as Tank has definitely not eaten yet.

In other news, I am now officially a member of the American Tarantula Society!!  I am stoked to be getting their magazine, and am waiting confirmation so I can post to their forums.  Happiness!!