Chilean Rose Hair Growth Rates

[Josh]

Hi Guys,

In a charity auction last year, I won 4 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula slings. Each was about 3/4" in width. They were all from the same egg sac. I've got two set up in hard-walled plastic containers like this one:

They are doing great. Burrowing deep, eating regularly and growing at a noticeable rate. These guys have molted at least twice each.
The other two, I have in large deli containers with vented lids (see below).

The two in the deli containers are noticeably smaller, not as active or feeding as regularly. I can't figure out what is going on with these two. They're active and have molted but they just seem to be failing to thrive.
All four Ts feed on appropriately sized Dubia roaches. They're all on the same coco fiber substrate with a piece or two of bark for cover. Same shelf in the same room. Same hot/cold and lighting etc etc etc. The only difference I can think of is the container. Could it be that the deli cups are limiting their growth in some way? if so, what could it possibly be? Am I just overlooking something? It's driving me mad!

 

[Martin Oosthuysen]

Hi Guys,

In a charity auction last year, I won 4 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula slings. Each was about 3/4" in width. They were all from the same egg sac. I've got two set up in hard-walled plastic containers like this one:
View attachment 8571
They are doing great. Burrowing deep, eating regularly and growing at a noticeable rate. These guys have molted at least twice each.
The other two, I have in large deli containers with vented lids (see below).
View attachment 8570 View attachment 8569
The two in the deli containers are noticeably smaller, not as active or feeding as regularly. I can't figure out what is going on with these two. They're active and have molted but they just seem to be failing to thrive.
All four Ts feed on appropriately sized Dubia roaches. They're all on the same coco fiber substrate with a piece or two of bark for cover. Same shelf in the same room. Same hot/cold and lighting etc etc etc. The only difference I can think of is the container. Could it be that the deli cups are limiting their growth in some way? if so, what could it possibly be? Am I just overlooking something? It's driving me mad!

Hello Josh
Firstly the rose hairs need more floor space than height,they also enjoy a drier substrate. As for the thriving,it could be the containers,since if it was the substrate all 4 should have an issue. Now something else,rosea are known to stay without food for extended periods but if these are still small that shouldn't come in to play.

Something else you have to consider,the two faster growing rate ones could be males who will eat better since they grow for one thing mating. Their life expectancy is way shorter than their female counterparts,so growth will look the opposite compared to the female of the same genus.

If your specimens don't have shrunken abdomens no need to worry, as long as they are eating and consuming water all should be okay. I would just look at getting a type of enclosure later that suites terrestrial specimens,but I'm guessing they are small that which you are using should be fine. May I suggest filling up each container with 2/3 of sub,so if they want they can burrow.

 

[Josh]

Thanks Martin. It could be that the females are in the deli cups and the males are in the hard plastic. I think that would be just too convenient. But I suppose anything is possible.
These guys will need more floor space, you're right. But right now they aren't very big and they seem happy enough as-is. They have a TON of substrate - I'd say ~75% of substrate and they burrow A LOT!

 

[Martin Oosthuysen]

Love the idea that most will burrow of allowed looking at years back only few were accepted as actual burrowers even arboreal display this.

 

[spidey noob]

im thinking it has to be one of the following (imo)
1, they grew quicker due to haveing more avalible space
2, maybe they were stressed out being in to large of an enclosure witch brought on quicker moults
3, just down to the diffrent m/f growth rates
but im going to go with number 1 as u can see examples of this in other hobbys, fish will stunt they own bodys growth rate in there in to small of a tank & snakes can do the same thing.

 

[NYX]

One thing I have noticed is my T's seem to prefer more opaque plastic enclosures. Now I don't use colored or dark non see through plastic. I am Assuming it is because they can't see movement going on around them as well. Maybe the deli cups are more see through then the hard plastic.
Here is a picture to show what I am poorly describing lol.

Martin does sound spot on with the female theory. That would be pretty crazy if you just happened to separate them like that.

 

[Martin Oosthuysen]

One thing I have noticed is my T's seem to prefer more opaque plastic enclosures. Now I don't use colored or dark non see through plastic. I am Assuming it is because they can't see movement going on around them as well. Maybe the deli cups are more see through then the hard plastic.
Here is a picture to show what I am poorly describing lol.

Martin does sound spot on with the female theory. That would be pretty crazy if you just happened to separate them like that.

Hello
You can buy any amount of slings,you will see females just don't eat as much as their male counterparts. Unless that female is really in bad shape and needs to gain abdomen size,but it most general cases I can see females eating less and obviously growing slower. The only specimen I have seen that is a bit of the opposite,has been my lasiodora which eats like it has been starving PERMANENTLY.

 

[NYX]

My Lasiodora slings never disappoint when its feeding time. The only one that is shy with feeding is Phobos, which amuses me because phobos means fear.

 

[Josh]

It looks like the smallest one has died he's curled up but not upside-down. He's not moving at all
The other three seem to be thriving and growing. I still wonder why this one just didn't take. Poor guy.

 

[Josh]

I have not held or touched mine. I just observe them

 

[Entity]

It looks like the smallest one has died he's curled up but not upside-down. He's not moving at all
The other three seem to be thriving and growing. I still wonder why this one just didn't take. Poor guy.

Sorry to hear that Josh. ...condolences.

 

[Entity]

Osiris,

Handling is a big no no. That being said i handle my b. smithi. close to the couch or my lap. she is calm. and i am calm. both r important. if u are jumping and nervous u and or ur spider r gonna get hurt. Just my 2 cents.

Also, id take that cotton out of ur water bowl there. It is a bacteria breeding ground....lol 1 more cent.