A. Metallica care

[ukscott_1972]

Hi All,
I've just obtained an A. Metallica (4cm in size) and am looking for some information from other owners. This is my first arboreal and obviously they are quite a different challenge to the terrestrial species.
The first few days i had mine he was very active and now he seems to be very sluggish (mostly just sits huddled in his web), so i am thinkin that maybe i have the conditions wrong.
Everything i have read says to keep them at between 70 - 85 % humidity as well as having very good ventilation but it is a fine balance between the two as one counteracts the other (too much ventialation and the humidity level drops).
I've read that if you get the tank too wet then this will encourage mites and other problems.
At the moment i seem to be misting the tank every day just to reach the 70 % humidity level and this seems far too often or is this normal practice.
I would be most greatful for any feedback on this. Many thanks

Regards

Scott

[Journey2Anywhere]

Hi Scott,

Firstly, congrats on your new arboreal.


If you have just obtained the metallica I presume it has been moved around whilst you were transporting it to its current destination. Therefore, this can explain its ‘very active’ movements when you first obtained it. He may well be feeling around and exploring, as he realises that he’s just been moved around and is checking what’s been going on. After feeling the place out after being moved around, its not uncommon for them to sit in the web till they feel settled down a little. (there is a chance he could be premolt, which you should also look out for… check internet for this info)

Are you keeping him in the same enclosure you purchased him in?

If its not a new enclosure then he’s probably just a bit shaken after being moved around.

As for the humidity, I have just one thing to say. Don’t worry about it half as much as many websites go on about!!!!!!!!!!!!! When I first got my metallica I went crazy checking humidity levels and misting and ended up over doing it. After having mine for several months I have found that Humidity is HIGHLY over emphasised, but still important (if that makes sense?!)

Just make sure that you always have a full water bowl, top it up every day if necessary and just mist the sides every couple of days…. And I’m sure you should have no problem whatsoever.

I’ve had mine successfully molt into a mature male under these conditions with no problems what so ever and he is very happy guy….

Hope this helps,

Oz


p.s keep temp between 75-85 also.

[Eleanor]

How are you measuring the humidity? The cheap humidity guages don't always work. I have a T Rex one in one tank (not the A. metallica's tank) which usually says about 50 or 60%, and when I measure it with a accurate probe it is 80% mininum in there. As for the A. metallica, I don't spray mine very much and he is quite happy and growing fast. There is usually a bit of moisture on the walls of his jar from condensation and I expect he drinks that if he's thirsty. I wouldn't overdo it with the sprayer. Best of luck.

[Eleanor]

Forgot to say - I agree with Journey2Anywhere about the humidity levels. You need some humidity but don't kill yourself trying to get it really high. I don't think A. metallica needs it too high, as long as there is some humidity in there (and something for him to drink if he needs it). You can tell if it is humid by what it feels like if you put your hand in, so you don't need to bother measuring it.

[ukscott_1972]

Thanks guys

Thanks for the feedback, i really appreciate it.
I'm using one of the basic cheap stick on dial hygrometers. I had a look around on the net and most people were saying that these are not very accurate. I did think about purchasing the more expensive probe type but is that really necessary?
By using the cheap ones and being paranoid about trying to get the humidity level up to between 75 - 85 % means that i would probably be over spraying as the reading is misleading me to think that it is too low when this is apparently not the case.

Scott

[Eleanor]

No don't bother measuring the humidity. I never have for my A. metallica. The substrate is moist and there is a little bit of condensation for him to drink, and he seems to be thriving - I have no idea what the actual humidity is in his jar, but it feels humid, so I think that is good enough. I only need to spray the jar very rarely. I don't think you'll have any problems if you do that, so relax! He'll be fine.