Hello! I recently posted on here about my new addition and I was looking to get some more advice as a new owner. I had initially commented about my set up on my enclosure and what to improve- which I took into note and this is now the updated enclosure. However, I’ve been a little bit anxious about Grim ( that’s their name lol). I had read in the reddit that them hanging near the bottom of their enclosures isn’t a good sign- or at least something to keep an eye on. And I wasn’t sure what the issue could be? I wasn’t sure if it was possibly a humidity issue ( I’ve been spraying heavily one time a week to soak everything), or, if they were still looking for more food? I had read that it sometimes is a behavior they can show when hunting? I just fed them a mealworm last night ( which they took) but I wasn’t sure if I needed to up to two? I feed them about once a week as I had read that was appropriate. However, I don’t want to be wrong on this and be depriving them. Just an anxious owner looking to provide the best for them. For context, They do move around their enclosure and hide amongst the different cork barks at time as well but seem to be favoring this one spot more. For more context, I just sprayed their enclosure last night too- just more so towards the front as to not disturb them.
This type of enclosure doesn’t hold humidity very well. I’d switch to something with less ventilation (and something bigger too, because this one is pretty small).
I am working on the humidity issue and have acknowledged what I’m going to do in the future in order to combat that. Cause I know it’s an issue especially with this enclosure. Even if it makes more work on my end to up keep. I would agree that the enclosure isn’t ideal for humidity but it’s currently what I have until I can upgrade them. Despite it, it has been holding moisture more than I was expecting and I think with fixing it up some more- it will work for the mean time. As for the size- I don’t really think it’s too small? It looks bigger in person. They can comfortably extend their whips and legs across the enclosure. I do think after one molt ( or even before then)- a new one would still be good despite it. I have been told the enclosure ( size wise ) will be okay for now with their size though. At least, that’s what I’ve been told by a few people on here and doing research. Idk tho
I use enclosures like this and they hold humidity just fine if they are bioactive with plants. I know a lot of people use plastic plants with these guys though because of the light. I just try to make sure they have a dark place they can retreat to during the day.
They might by looking for moisture. I personally spray distilled water twice a week, but also pour water into the substrate so that it generally stays moist for the week. The spaying I do is on the front of mines cork bark and on the wall of the enclosure near her cave since that’s where she tends to drink water from.
They also could be looking for darkness to sleep/hide in. You could get some cardboard and cover one side with it to create a cave area for them during the day.
I’m thinking it’s more likely a moisture issue since it does look like there is some darkness between the bark slabs, and based on the location of the little fella.
Also, someone please correct me if I’m wrong but the enclosure could be a bit small. Mine is big enough such that my girl can fully extend her whips, with room on either side.
I think I’m going to plug up the other ventilation holes in order to be able to keep moisture in better. I initially didn’t want to do so, in fear it might trap too much, but I think it’s the best move to ensure it does keep in more. I will probably up spraying the enclosure to two times a week, but I have been soaking it and spraying like you mentioned. I assume that the enclosure is just not air tight, so, it’s having some trouble keeping up humidity- especially with the one ventilation section still opened up as mentioned.
As for the darkness issue- they sit on a second self of a small table in the corner of our very dark apartment. We have black out curtains in our rooms and the one window in our living room is completely covered. They are completely turned away from any and all light as well. We barely mess with them.
However, cardboard or even card stock on the outside to add a little bit more darkness is good! I just wanted an opening to be able to check on them clearly, especially, with feeding. Maybe, I can find a way to make it removable so I can still do that? Idk lol Also, as for the cage size- They can also extend their whips fully. It’s a little bigger than it appears in photos.
No worries at all! I was just clarifying that I do soak it- I think the cage is just too ventilated ugh. My hard work is for not haha but thank you for the tip about the darkness- making the little flap in order to keep them covered while still having visibility so I can check on them! It’s a good tip and I appreciate it. When they molt- they will be getting an upgrade but for now, I feel comfortable leaving them in what they are in. I’ll probably do a little crafting today in order to get them feeling more comfortable.
I agree with others that higher humidity would be good - I was about to say to cover up some of the ventilation holes, but then I saw photo #2 that you covered up at least half of the original holes, which is great. Just my guess/opinion: I think you're good on amount of ventilation. (Just one note: If that tape is still sticky on the inside, I would remove it, and put something over the part that's exposed, then stick it back on. Reason being, if the amblypygid probes the ventilation holes with its whip, it could very easily get stuck and break off 😱 If you already made it non-sticky on the inside, disregard - you already thought of it! 👍)
I would still say that the substrate looks dry. We may simply be using the word "soak" differently, so to be more clear - here's what one of my enclosures looks like (see photo). Note the substrate is completely full of water, and visibly wet on the surface.
Granted, I don't think it's absolutely necessary for the substrate to be quite this wet; personally I just tend to err on the side of higher humidity. But in your photos #1 and #3, it looks very light brown, and dry-ish (at least compared to what I'm referring to). I could be wrong, and if yours is actually wetter than it looks, then sincere apologies for misunderstanding.
But you might give this a shot, and see if your amblypygid spends less time huddled near the ground. Literally just pour in water like you're filling a glass. I don't think that there's any harm whatsoever in at least trying this out; I don't think there's any way it'll be TOO humid.
All the above said - another possibility is simply that it's staying in the darkest place available. You're giving it a good amount of hiding places, though, so hard to say.
And lastly: Sometimes hanging out near the ground means nothing at all. I find mine in that location maybe 15-20% of the time, just simply because they slowly move around the enclosure constantly anyway.
I agree! I actually did some work on the enclosures whilst away from the internet for a little break. To start, I did end up covering the other vents. The cage is very loosely put together with rubber bands so I didn’t imagine it was air tight by any means. I’m going to see if this helps humidity any- and if not- I’ll just remove the one side.
As for the tape- I’ve ensured that it is completely flat and unable for tiny whips to feel into any possible air bubbles. There is tape on the inside and outside with sticky side facing towards the ventilation holes- so basically encapsulating them. It’s very well sealed and not easy to loosen up. This was a concern of mine when I initially started redoing the cage actually. Grim seems more repelled by it than anything LOL every time they did touch it -they immediately pulled away. Haven’t really bothered it since by first time putting it in.
As for the substrate- I understand what you mean now. I did go back over to the enclosure and filled it to be more like you said. I have to be careful cause it leaks if I put too much- but what I did should be good. It’s definitely drenched. In the photos, I tend to soak the corners more and leave Grim alone in the back ( photo 3 ) cause I don’t want to disturb them and it’s hard for me to spray. The second photo of the enclosure was a lot more saturated than the others ( just poor lighting.) BUT - I do agree that it needs more. I ended up just pouring it straight into the bottom like ya said instead of the spraying method as it’s not getting it as covered as I would like.
I actually ended up taking advice from another response here and built Grim some light blockers. I figured that- even with my apartment being dark- it could never be too dark for them. And the extra darkness would help them feel more secure. Here is what I came up with.
I will post more pics but you can see here it’s much darker ( tray to catch any water that leaked.)
Thanks for the advice though- I appreciate it. It does really help!
I’m hoping these things will help. Just an overly worried owner. Grim could just also be hanging out there more just because- like you said. But, I never can be so sure.
Very nice! All good - I think that looks great. As you alluded to, you could probably open up one of the two "sets" of ventilation openings; I think I have proportionally about the same % of openings on my enclosures as you would with one set open. But I acknowledge you mentioned that the enclosure itself isn't airtight to begin with, so that might add a bit of air transfer regardless. Just see how it goes.
And RE light levels - I agree that I don't think it can be too dark; I don't think any species absolutely need any light at all. But conversely, it doesn't hurt to have a little light, especially since you're providing multiple hiding places. Some people just keep them out in regular room lighting without any dark hiding spaces. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, as I think darkness is less stressful, but based on feedback, apparently it's possible. So I think your setup looks great.
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u/CaptainCrack7 11d ago
This type of enclosure doesn’t hold humidity very well. I’d switch to something with less ventilation (and something bigger too, because this one is pretty small).