My Golden Knee Sling arrive in rough shape and now i need to set up a better enclosures

[moldyM00N]

I'm new to this hobby, and my first tarantula arrived after two days in... terrible condition.
Its container was tiny, barely big enough for the poor spider's legs spam. The substrate and sand were all over the place (the delivery process was terrible), and when I tried to interact with it, it seemed very stressed and panicked.
It climbed onto my hand, not biting or defending itself with its fur, just trying to hide.

The seller told me it came with a container, so I didn't need to buy one. I think I was tricked; if they had been honest, I wouldn't have complained and would have bought a different container myself.
I'm really disappointed and angry about this. I've now moved it to a temporary container and am waiting for the one I ordered online to arrive (this time from a specialized supplier).
I didn't want to feed it because it's really stressed, so I just laid down a substrate (Reptisoil), sprayed it with water, a tiny piece of bark, and a small cup of water. What should I do next to make sure this enclosure will help my spider survive until i can make a more decent home? The Tarantula is about 5cm...

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

I would see if the T eats. Sometimes hunting prey can dispell stress. If he/she won't eat just remove! Most of my Chilobrachys after a re-housed I will drop a cricket or Dubia roach in and instinct kicks in and the rehouse was like it never happened! Might help. Hope everything turns out well for you and your spider!

 

[m0lsx]

One thing that helps tarantulas to de-stress is darkness & cover. Give it something to hide under or in & put it somewhere, where there is no movement & at least low light.

When I brought my adult T stirmi home, she was obviously stressed. So I simply placed a cardboard box in front of her enclosure for a few days. I kept an eye on her, but largely left her to de-stress. Things like artificial plants, or even artificial plant leaves, will give even a sling something to hide under. I even add tiny plastic leaves to my sling vials. Bark & even appropriately sized terracotta plant pots cut in half also make good hides. As do seed pods. Not every tarantula will use cover, but it is always worth providing.

 

[moldyM00N]

I would see if the T eats. Sometimes hunting prey can dispell stress. If he/she won't eat just remove! Most of my Chilobrachys after a re-housed I will drop a cricket or Dubia roach in and instinct kicks in and the rehouse was like it never happened! Might help. Hope everything turns out well for you and your spider!

Yeah the T eating the superworm like a champ. thanks mate

 

[haceldama]

Moving is stressful for humans; imagine being packed into a padded tube, banged around, and freezing/sweltering on your journey.

From what I gather, your enclosure sounds good; I'm glad you included a water dish. With smaller slings (<1") I like to include a bit of damp moss, especially in the winter. Let your spood acclimate in a calm spot in your home and then take a shot at offering food.

Depending on size, I would go with a mealworm (head snipped off) or tiny cricket. If it doesn't consume it in 24 hours, remove the feeder insects.

Also, don't worry if your spood goes MIA for a bit. Sometimes they burrow or hide for weeks after rehoming. Just keep the humidity appropriate and a water bowl.

 

[Eighth Eye Blind]

...imagine being packed into a padded tube, banged around, and freezing/sweltering on your journey.

So it's basically the same as getting on an airplane.

We all know how bad that is these days.

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

If the the T was shipped with substrate packed within the seller doesn't know how to ship Tarantulas!! Terrible thing to do to any spider! Substrate pelted all the way!! Any animal would be stressed!!!

 

[Spyderdune]

I'm new to this hobby, and my first tarantula arrived after two days in... terrible condition.
Its container was tiny, barely big enough for the poor spider's legs spam. The substrate and sand were all over the place (the delivery process was terrible), and when I tried to interact with it, it seemed very stressed and panicked.
It climbed onto my hand, not biting or defending itself with its fur, just trying to hide.View attachment 76932

The seller told me it came with a container, so I didn't need to buy one. I think I was tricked; if they had been honest, I wouldn't have complained and would have bought a different container myself.
I'm really disappointed and angry about this. I've now moved it to a temporary container and am waiting for the one I ordered online to arrive (this time from a specialized supplier).
I didn't want to feed it because it's really stressed, so I just laid down a substrate (Reptisoil), sprayed it with water, a tiny piece of bark, and a small cup of water. What should I do next to make sure this enclosure will help my spider survive until i can make a more decent home? The Tarantula is about 5cm...View attachment 76933

That's really sad when that happens, you really should try to feed it something, I would anyway, it will calm down once it's settled in. Try to leave it alone as much as you can and give it time. When you're new and close your arrives, set it up in accordance with what this species needs to be happy. Good luck. WELCOME TO THE ADDICTION!!