No silk

[Jamie Cooper]

Hi guys.

I have 4 avic versi slings approaching moult very soon. 2 have typically cacooned themselves in webbing in preperation for moult, but the other 2 haven't laid any silk since I rehoused them a couple of months ago. They are feeding normally and very active but I'm a bit concerned. Is this a sign of bad things to come? Will they come to ground to moult?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[matthew spooner]

if they are feeding normally i would say that they are not approaching moult

[Jamie Cooper]

if they are feeding normally i would say that they are not approaching moult

Hi Matthew, thanks for the reply. They are only 3cm slings so they don't tend to fast when approaching moult. When they all moulted the first time round they all fed the night before. They are definately approaching moult I can assure you, about a week away in my opinion.

[Peter Lacey]

A. versicolor usually turn quite dark prior to a moult, and then come out shiney blue.
I'd suggest you make sure there's plenty of things for them to attach their webbing to. My experience of moulting on the ground has resulted in dead Avics unfortunately.

[Jamie Cooper]

Hi Peter, thanks for the reply. Yes there are plenty of things available for them to attach webbing to, I've recently added some sphagnum moss which I hear is great for webbing. One of the two who have webbed up has already moulted successfully, the other looks like it could be any day.

Why do they die when coming to ground for moult?

Thanks, Jamie

[Peter Lacey]

...I've recently added some sphagnum moss which I hear is great for webbing...

Why do they die when coming to ground for moult?

Thanks, Jamie

Sphagnum moss is usually regarded as an aid to humidity as it holds its moisture well. Its good to include some of this in humidity loving enclosures as they also seem to camouflage their webs with it. However you'll need something a little more stable to attach webbing to - plastic plants, sticks, cork bark etc.

Many arboreals tend to stay off land, Avics especially. I don't think they die because of coming to ground but it often suggests somethings wrong when we see this. Plenty of room and good ventilation seems the most successful set-up.

[Jamie Cooper]

Sphagnum moss is usually regarded as an aid to humidity as it holds its moisture well. Its good to include some of this in humidity loving enclosures as they also seem to camouflage their webs with it. However you'll need something a little more stable to attach webbing to - plastic plants, sticks, cork bark etc.

.

Hi mate. Yes I've got cork bark in there too. When I checked on them this morning, one of them has started to web up so I think there going to be OK. Just leaving it to the last minute I guess. Thanks for all the info.