Transferring fast/defensive, slings/juvies out of vial

[MatthewM1]

Just wanted to share a new trick I've been using when transferring small T's with lightning speed that has made rehousing's as easy as can be.

First you need to take two deli cup lids and cut them so they fit around the enclosure. For containers that have a lip around the rim cut them to fit around the bottom and slide up. If the container has no lip/ narrower around the top than bottom cut it so it slides snugly over the top.

 

[MatthewM1]

Next, open up the enclosure and pop a deli cup with a very small hole cut into it over the enclosure. You want the hole to be just large enough to fit you tool of choice through. I use the wooden end of a paint brush for slings and bendy straws for juvies

 

[MatthewM1]

Now comes the fun parts

Using said tool of choice; maneuver the T up out of the vial and into the upper corner of the deli cup like pictured. Move slowly and be patient, you don't want to be jabbing at them.

 

[MatthewM1]

Next slowly and gently pop the deli cup off the lid and move it over to the new enclosure. Again SLOWLY, this is the only point during the transfer where the risk of bolting is present. In my experiences so far once they are up in the corner they will not move unless greatly disturbed.

 

[MatthewM1]

Then the final action of getting them down into the new enclosure can prove difficult with some individuals. I've had some run straight in once touched with the brush, and others that spent 10 minutes sprinting laps around the walls of the deli cup, before finally going in.

The specimen transferred in the pictures is a 1" S. calceatum. Which I didn't notice until I got it out of the enclosure is in premolt.

I have a P. irminia that needs a transfer in the next week or so, i can try to get a video of it uploaded if that would be helpful to anyone.

 

[Sabeth]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!