Spiderlings are getting big! *neat pics*

Removed_2815 · 03-26-04, 11:39 PM

Hello all,
Okay, I was able to finally get some good pics of the spiderlings! They have been feeding on each other and growing and now they are a suitable size to focus my camera on. So here are some pics:

So, there you have it. I am down to 10 spiderlings (I let the stronger ones feed on the weaker ones) and I have separated them into small aerated plastic vials. They are all doing fantastic and should be ready for sale in a month or so.
My associate will be taking care of the sales and I will post his e-mail address in the ads section when the spiders are available (they'll likely be around $20-25).
Thanks for looking,
Ryan

Edit: I have included some more pics at the end of this post...>>>

SaIiLdVaEnR · 03-27-04, 12:10 AM

Very interesting, may I ask what species this is? If you come to the Reptile Expo I may be one to take one off your hands!

Aidan

Removed_2815 · 03-27-04, 12:19 AM

They are Western Black Widows (Latrodectus hesperus).
Cheers,
Ryan

Removed_2815 · 03-27-04, 12:22 AM

This is an adult:

R

SaIiLdVaEnR · 03-27-04, 08:43 AM

Ah, I didn't realize that the juveniles hadthat much colour differentiation from their parents! Very beautiful. I think I want one!

Aidan

Emily-Fisher · 03-27-04, 09:55 AM

I KNOW I want one! Aww they are SO cute!
The patterns on the slings' abdomens are really beautiful... I thought that the slings would just be dull, clear-ish, brown-ish things with legs but you proved me wrong! Would you be able to hold one back for me? I'll be going to the April expo..

crazykeeper · 03-27-04, 10:05 AM

Awesome Widows Ryan,way to go!

SaIiLdVaEnR · 03-27-04, 10:31 AM

Yeah I'll be there at the april expo as well.

Aidan

boydsnakes · 03-27-04, 10:51 AM

The look great Ryan,you will wish you had more..

Dragoon · 03-28-04, 02:17 AM

Please reserve one for me, too!!

And I must say, that body shot of an adult widow is the best pic I have seen yet of them.
They DO have heads!!
LOL
D.

Removed_2815 · 03-28-04, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dragoon
Please reserve one for me, too!!

Sure thing....

Quote:

Originally posted by Dragoon
And I must say, that body shot of an adult widow is the best pic I have seen yet of them.
They DO have heads!!

Here are some better shots (that other pic is through plastic):

And some more spiderlings:

The nursery:

Enjoy!
Cheers,
Ryan

Dragoon · 03-28-04, 12:47 PM

How very nice!!
Thank you!

But more curiosity here...
Why a QTip and no substrate? As slings, don't they require some humidity?
With such tiny fangs, what is the recommended prey item size? surely the T method of a meal the size of the butt is wrong in their case? I can't see how they could hang on to the food...
And what kind of retreat do they require? if any...

Thanks a million
D.

Removed_2815 · 03-28-04, 01:07 PM

I believe the more spartan the container the better. It's too easy to lose these little guys with too much cage furniture (substrate, etc).
I think standard room humidity is ample for these guys, I never mist the adults ever and they seem to thrive and reproduce. All of the moisture they require is in their prey.
The QTips are in there because I found they made it extremely easy to separate and manipulate the spiderlings. When I was transferring from the communal container I would just touch one with the QTip and they would easily hang on, I'd put the spider and the QTip in the little container and snap the lid, easy. I left the QTips in there just to provide a few anchor points to make their web.
They are all feeding, growing and moulting so I think they're doing okay. I feed them small crickets (not even pinheads) that are like 5 times their size (still a very small cricket, 1/4" perhaps). I kill the crickets first by putting them in the freezer, I then thaw them out and gently placing them on the little webs. The spiderlings will extract as much nutrients from the cricket as possible in the next 24 hours, then I remove the cricket.
Seems to be going well, this is my first time so I guess we'll see. These spiders are amazing colonizers of arid habitats so I don't think humidity is a major concern.
Cheers,
Ryan

Removed_2815 · 03-28-04, 01:10 PM

Oh yeah, they don't require any retreat. My adults are in little kritter-keepers with a few sterilized twigs and maple leaves, plenty of places to hide but I have never seen them anywhere but directly out in the open hanging upside down - great display animals.
Ryan

urd · 03-28-04, 01:37 PM

they are wicked

The spiderlings colouring is cool.

I know its off subject, but RMBolten, do you have any more pics of the blue tailed skink ( i think thats what it is anyway) in your avatar?

Nick