Avic problem?

[Stephen jordan]

Hi all, I've had an Avic Amazonica sling now for about a month and it's been feeding and making a tube retreat and I thought all was well. I've returned today from a few days away and the sling has moved to the bottom of the pot and has darkened greatly in colour, but doesnt seem to be moving much and hasnt moved from the floor. I think it could be preparing to moult but I've read in here that theres a high mortality rate in Avics that moult on the floor as it were? Wondered if anyone has any ideas or experienced this? I'd be gutted if I lost it. Temperatures 80f, humidity is 70%+ I thought it was ok, feeding well and had constructed quite an elaborate tube web in the small branches and leaves in the pot, so I thought it had settled in ok.

[matthew spooner]

hi stephen, i have'nt got alot of experience with avics but that does sound like it is in premoult, but i dont know about the whole moult on the floor being a bad sign scenario, although i found with some arboreals that i have kept that they make a hammock to moult in. temp and humidity sound ok just make sure there is plenty of ventilation, with avic slings i have had in the past, i have found they need high humidity with lots of ventilation

[Stephen jordan]

Hi Matthew, ventilation might be an issue then, the pot is ventilated but it's not exactly breezy in there. I'm hoping it's in premoult! Will be keeping a close eye on it in any case. Thanks for the reply Matthew.

[matthew spooner]

no problem, i have always found that lots of ventilation with a slight mist every morning does the trick

[Daniel Richardson]

Dont worry mate,i have a little one same as yours and it always comes down to moult in a web like cacoon it makes,aslong as the humidity is up-it will be fine. Its when avic's dont make any webbing when u gotta worry.

[Stephen jordan]

Hello Daniel, Thats ok then...phew! I made a few little adjustments last night and today the little spider has started to move about. It hasnt made a cocoon to moult in though, only what it has already webbed in the pot.