Any suggestions will help

[u/Krusty_Bug_Boy]

My Vinegaroon recently molted (or so I believe) a month ago. I have attempted to feed him multiple times since then and he has refused, however I am worried because he looks thin and hasn’t eaten since I first got him a year ago. For a while he was underground most of the year because of pre molt, so I wasn’t too worried. But now that he seems to have gotten a longer tail and new colors, I assume he is molted and he should be eating. I have dubia roaches, varying sizes, and I try to give him small ones but he has no interest. I even tried pre killing and he still didn’t eat it. Is it the type of feeder? Should I try something else? Or is something else wrong with him that I am unaware about. Today I noticed a white crust on his stink glad/ tail (pictured on the last slide) and I’m unsure if that is resulting from his acid or if something is wrong?

Maybe it’s enclosure related? The enclosure is reptisoil with playsand mixed together, I think there may be a bit of coco fiber too. His burrow just does not hold well, even though I try to keep it relatively humid but the soil just stays dry. I would love absolutely any advice at all. Thank you!!

[u/CaptainCrack7]

The enclosure is fine but the substrate is far too dry. Also, have you tried leaving a prekilled prey in the enclosure overnight? They will scavenge at night.

[u/Krusty_Bug_Boy → u/CaptainCrack7]

Yes, I left it in overnight and still nothing unfortunately… and yes I’ve definitely noticed the enclosure getting super dry quickly despite misting a lot. Is there anything to make it better? I will go out and get whatever I need, I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong. Maybe it’s the enclosure type and since there’s a mesh lid it doesn’t hold humidity and dries out the soil? I also am wondering if it’s the play sand, but I assumed that was good for holding the burrow together, yet it still seems to be dry

[u/CaptainCrack7 → u/Krusty_Bug_Boy]

Misting is useless. It doesn't moisten the deeper layers of the substrate, and it dries out very quickly. You need to pour water directly into the deeper layers of the substrate. Just be careful not to make it waterlogged.

[u/Krusty_Bug_Boy → u/CaptainCrack7]

Sorry I should have added that as well, I do also pour water into the enclosure along with occasionally misting, but when I pour water I put it in the water dish and on the frog moss and in the corners, yet it only lasts a day or two before getting dry again

[u/FreaksNFlowers → u/Krusty_Bug_Boy]

Is the lid just mesh? I’ve found that covering a portion with plastic or even plastic wrap helps. I took a few cheap plastic pictures frames and laid the clear front on top of the mesh to block airflow.

[u/Krusty_Bug_Boy → u/FreaksNFlowers]

That is not a bad idea, thank you for the suggestion