Harpactira pulchripes sling not eating

[Cerberiss]

Good afternoon everyone! I am new to the site, and the hobby, but I have found so much great information on this forum so far. I am finding myself really scratching my head on this problem I have with my new sling. I have a 3/4" Harpactira pulchripes that is refusing to eat. When I got it, it was in a 2 inch diameter clear pill bottle and would not take and prey alive or dead. At the top of the bottle I did notice and removed a previous molt. After about a month of having her, I decided that it may have been the set up she was in, as it had minimum substrate (1/2") for her to burrow and lacked items for it to web up. I switched her to a 6" x 9" enclosure that I drilled vent holes in and provided her plenty of everything I though she would like. It began spitting odd glossy drops on the glass that turn brown with clumps in them and still refused any type of pray (crickets, dubas, meal worms and all appropriately sized). I left it alone for a week and she began a burrow and make a web opening. 3 weeks have gone by and she still refuses to eat. I pre killed a roach and placed it next to its burrow last night and found this morning that it "fell? " into its den and she decided to move out to another location in the cage LOL. I would say I have had it 2 months and haven't seen her eat. I was contemplating about putting it back into a smaller enclosure, but I really don't want to stress her out for no reason. Any suggestions would be great!

 

[dexjones0612]

I would suggest putting it into back into a smaller area. seems like from my experience the smaller area the safer they feel about eating

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

The glossy drops you describe sound like it may be Tarantula ! One thing with my baboon slings is I try not to keep things overly moist! I have and had 3 OBTs, a Harpactira Pulchripes, 2 Harpactira Cafreriana, a H. Mac sling, a MM King baboon, MF Cyratogyrus Darling and Marshalli! As slings only dampen one side of the enclosure and let the rest dry completely! I have found that my baboons are not crazy about moisture and my H . Pulchripes is now 4 inchs plus and abhors moisture! If you keep them too damp I found it adversely seems to effect them. Also forgot to mention Cyratogyrus Brachycephaleus sling which is still tiny and I keep only one moist corner and rest dry. It is very important as slings to make sure that corner stays moist all the time because as slings they need the humidity! As they become juvies I apply this approach to all my spiders and they will let you know if they like things damper or drier and then keep them as they seem to like.

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

The glossy drops you describe sound like it may be Tarantula ! One thing with my baboon slings is I try not to keep things overly moist! I have and had 3 OBTs, a Harpactira Pulchripes, 2 Harpactira Cafreriana, a H. Mac sling, a MM King baboon, MF Cyratogyrus Darling and Marshalli! As slings only dampen one side of the enclosure and let the rest dry completely! I have found that my baboons are not crazy about moisture and my H . Pulchripes is now 4 inchs plus and abhors moisture! If you keep them too damp I found it adversely seems to effect them. Also forgot to mention Cyratogyrus Brachycephaleus sling which is still tiny and I keep only one moist corner and rest dry. It is very important as slings to make sure that corner stays moist all the time because as slings they need the humidity! As they become juvies I apply this approach to all my spiders and they will let you know if they like things damper or drier and then keep them as they seem to like.

Should be Tarantula poo bout the glossy stuff.

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

Would also add that when I start a sling enclosure, no matter the species , I will put water in the bottom, not too much, then put in the sub and this will keep the humidity up as well. Most slings will dig down to the moist layers below and my moisture dependents I apply this approach all the way through to adult! The top is dry and they can dig down to the moist stuff! I have a lot of Chilobrachys and I find this approach works well for me! Hope all goes well!

 

[Lawrence b]

What size prey items you feeding it and what are temps you keep it at .

 

[Cerberiss]

What size prey items you feeding it and what are temps you keep it at .

I'm sorry for the late reply, work and life have been keeping me busy. Pre killed pin head crickets, meal worms, and tiny tiny pre killed Duba's. She is kept at room temperature, 70 to 73 degree F. I recently rehoused her and after a week I tried a tiny live cricket in her deli cup. I gave it 24 hours and SUCCESS she ate! I don't know if it was a combination of things that led her to eat, but I really think she like live prey over pre killed food.

 

[Lawrence b]

I Think you right in saying they like live prey I feed mine crickets when they stop feed on other livefood . Its something to do with the fast movement that triggers the feed response .

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

Glad your T is eating! Movements can be key to them slamming prey vs. the gentle pickup . lol! I like those slamming take downs on feed nights!