Strike a Pose!

So, I'd been going on about how the little girl is growing and getting a nice figure on her and I decided I should have another go at photographing her so you can have a look for yourself.

Photographing spiders is tricky. They don't like light, as slings they are pretty much the same colour as the substrate and are really difficult to get a good auto focus on. Still, here is my best effort:

You can see the legs and pedipalps (leg like appendages at the front) quite clearly and also make out the eyes. The abdomen is now quite large and getting a bit darker. Notice the black spot on the dorsal surface of the abdomen, this spot was the total size of the abdomen when Red arrived!

Last night I added a tiny piece of cork bark in to the spiderling pot and created a small depression underneath it to act as a hide. I'm hoping Red will want to investigate this. Even if she doesn't go under it she may like to sit on it for a different texture and elevation to experience.

At Last!

Finally I have been able to confirm that my new B.bohemei spiderling will be in his/her new home tomorrow! OK, I haven't had to wait that long, but I've been excited and it's little fun looking at an empty sling enclosure every day!

Tonight I will switch the heat mat back on make all the last minute checks to the humidity and substrate ready for the spiderling's arrival and generally just check that the enclosure is all as it should be. Here is a better picture of the whole set up than I've previously posted:



Before I sign off ready for tomorrow's big day, here's a picture of my G.rosea sitting on her cork bark, waiting for her new neighbour!


Speaking of cork bark, everyone who needs to provide a shelter for their tarantulas should strongly consider opting for cork bark as a material. Not only is this a natural product which the spiders would, i assume, prefer over an artificial material and it looks great, but it helps to support the threatened cork forests which are an important natural habitat that are fast disappearing due to the decline of cork as a stopper in wine bottles. Give your tarantula a good home and save a bit of the world at the same time - can't be bad! :)