HeteroScuderia wrote: Try to make sure that your T is not living in TOO high a humid environment. This species tends to do well in high humidity but also needs good ventilation and air flow. I have read that they get ill if the humidity is too high and there is not enough airflow, and their book lungs are somehow affected, sorry I can't remember the whole article now.

If you do use an ICU, don't make it too moist either. Actually set it up and put your humidity meter inside to check the avg humidity before putting the T in.

Martinique's average humidity is around 80%, this means it fluctuates between the 70's and high 80's. It's too easy to over moisten a little container and the humidity will sit at 100%, which is no good. I have seen A. Versi's in pet stores where the owners are so worried about the humidity that the little tubs are dripping with water, and not long after, all of them are dead on the top shelf.

AS DocMorrie says below... HUMIDITY + VENTILATION

HS

This is as right as can be. I find care sheets to be misleading regarding these little beauties. I have killed a juvenile avic avic in 9 hours due to high humidity and crap ventlation. I think the miscoception with these is that because they are rom a humid rain forest they need to have a damp environmet when the truth is that yes, they are from such area but as they live quite high up in trees they tend not to be exposed to the more heavier humidity down below becasue they get excellent cross winds that high up.

I let the substrate in my avic versi tanks dry out on top now before misting again, it is more regular with the smaller ones as they are in smaller pots but the bigger 2 get it once maybe twice a week maximum but they all have loads of ventilation and they are all thriving.

It's a common mistake to make and it really puts people off keeping them. I don't believe these are half as delicate as people make out, it is in most cases husbandry issues. 4 of mine were sent air mail from Hungary and my other 2 were sent from locations in England, as long as you have the packing nailed then there should never really be an issue with posting.

DocMorrie wrote: I've killed many A. versicolor slings in the past... :blush:

However, I haven't lost one since. VENTILATION is the golden threat you must follow to raise these beauties. A Deli-cup with no ventilation holes is a death sentence for them... I have tried many different methods. Very high humidity will not kill them, IF there is sufficient ventilation holes - been there done that. High humidity in an enclosed deli-cup, with insufficient ventilation holes WILL kill them - Fungi will grow in their booklungs long before you realize it - been there, done that... Again!

The method I have found to be successful is to create as many ventilation holes as possible. I aggree, I might overdo it, but I haven't lost another versi yet. :whistle: (Touch wood!). My deli-cups, where I raise versi's in, look like it have been in a "needle-machine gun" war! Keep the humidity high and the temperature slightly raised above room temperature.

I have found that my versi's (slings) do better with pre-killed crickets... Why? I don't know. One of my adult females, which I raised from a 1cm-sized sling, won't catch alive pray even to today. She is a proper hand reared tarantula! She will only takes a cricket from a tweezer, very gently. She is a real lady. :lol: My other versi's have grown out of that habbit, tackling their pray down!

I wish you all of the best with your versicolor baby... If the situation takes a turn for the worst, please don't loose heart. It is a difficult species to raise, and sometimes it feels like they drop you for no apparent reason.

This is also dead right but I can't multi quote :blush:

Shakou wrote:
I have killed a juvenile avic avic in 9 hours due to high humidity and crap ventlation.

4 of mine were sent air mail from Hungary and my other 2 were sent from locations in England, as long as you have the packing nailed then there should never really be an issue with posting.


You guys are going on and on about ventilation but the fact that a newborn avic was place in a straw wrapped in an envelope which was placed in a bag with other envelopes. Taken up in a plane (obviosly airconed for pressure). Transoprted in a hot vehicle by road only to reach its destination without ventilation
So no risk there , hey
You are able to kill a juvie avic in 9hours but a sling sent airmail should be no problem or risk at all.

The reason why we have so few avic species in SA is because most have died in the post.

The risk is there and the buyer should be advised.

Hi all

Thank you so much for advice. Have taken all advice in account with a lot of reading on the subject on my behalf.
The Versi has now been dub'd Kitana as my little fighter aint going to die on me.

So the update is as follows. I have moved her to an ICU setup... was incredibly hard trying not to do more damage. Ended up using a paper folded in a U shape to slide her on and move to ICU. The tissue paper is damp not wet and humidity is sitting at about 75 last time I checked. temperature is 25. Ventilation in the deli cup is good but will add more holes on sides when I get home this afternoon. Kitana is still moving to slight touch from a paint brush so there is still hope.

Apparently Kitana's siblings went into molt from Saturday so it would be fair to say that Kitana was in pre molt before the trip. Im scared that because of the trip Kitana cant molt for what ever reason and is causing the problem. I have full confidence that the sender is a very competent handler and would never send a pre molt T on purpose.

Will keep you guys up to date day by day and lets see if I can get this little one running around again. Lol I have a few T's and I have been around the block but this little one is giving me grey hair lol

mammon wrote: Shakou wrote:
I have killed a juvenile avic avic in 9 hours due to high humidity and crap ventlation.

4 of mine were sent air mail from Hungary and my other 2 were sent from locations in England, as long as you have the packing nailed then there should never really be an issue with posting.


You guys are going on and on about ventilation but the fact that a newborn avic was place in a straw wrapped in an envelope which was placed in a bag with other envelopes. Taken up in a plane (obviosly airconed for pressure). Transoprted in a hot vehicle by road only to reach its destination without ventilation
So no risk there , hey
You are able to kill a juvie avic in 9hours but a sling sent airmail should be no problem or risk at all.

The reason why we have so few avic species in SA is because most have died in the post.

The risk is there and the buyer should be advised.

Maybe it's a climate thing then as England is far cooler than SA. as I said, I've had numerous spiders posted without issue. I just refuse to believe that these are more delicate than any other species.

Onyx wrote:

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Hi all

Thank you so much for advice. Have taken all advice in account with a lot of reading on the subject on my behalf.
The Versi has now been dub'd Kitana as my little fighter aint going to die on me.

So the update is as follows. I have moved her to an ICU setup... was incredibly hard trying not to do more damage. Ended up using a paper folded in a U shape to slide her on and move to ICU. The tissue paper is damp not wet and humidity is sitting at about 75 last time I checked. temperature is 25. Ventilation in the deli cup is good but will add more holes on sides when I get home this afternoon. Kitana is still moving to slight touch from a paint brush so there is still hope.

Apparently Kitana's siblings went into molt from Saturday so it would be fair to say that Kitana was in pre molt before the trip. Im scared that because of the trip Kitana cant molt for what ever reason and is causing the problem. I have full confidence that the sender is a very competent handler and would never send a pre molt T on purpose.

Will keep you guys up to date day by day and lets see if I can get this little one running around again. Lol I have a few T's and I have been around the block but this little one is giving me grey hair lol

You just never know with slings when they're going to moult and some will moult in transit as well. My C.darlingi moulted while in the post and that was in a tiny sling vial. These fellows are hardier than you think and what we tend to forget is that when we captive breed we are taking away the natural selection where some of the weaker offspring still get a chance. Some make it, others do not. This guy may not make it. Do you have any pictures of the original set up before you put it in to ICU?