How to Care for the Pet Tarantula
Reptile, Amphibians, and Insects Shop
A fish aquarium makes a decent enclosure. A terrarium makes a better enclosure. The top of the aquarium should be screen, cheese cloth or mesh so that the aquarium has ventilation. Tarantulas are excellent climbers. Make sure their cage is secure and escape proof. You do not want other's harassing your spider or any harm to come to your spider.
A vivarium for the pet tarantula or terrarium for the pet tarantula is a perfect setup for a pet tarantula. A good example of a terrarium setup is below.
Zoo Med NT-3 Naturalistic Terrarium 18in x 18in x 18in
I like the readymade terrariums, I found one that has easy access, good ventilation but yet holds the humidity.
Tarantulas need humidity. Damp vermiculite works the best or you can use potting soil or a mixture of rocks, sand, soil and sphagnum moss. Make sure the items you use are clean and sterile so bacteria or mold doesn't cause a problem. The material should be supplied to the point of 1/3 of the way up in the enclosure; about four to five inches. This material is necessary; the spider needs humidity and moisture and needs to build his burrow. It would also be nice to have a soft landing if the tarantula should fall. Do not use any cedar shavings in the enclosure; it is harmful, in fact poisonous to the tarantula.
Dressing the cage up is not necessary, except for your aesthetic purposes. However, be very careful what you use. Sharp rocks if fallen on can cause a serious injury. A tarantula can fall and get impaled I have seen several books on the tarantula showing cactus as an enclosure dressing; not a good idea at all.
Keep the tarantula’s enclosures clean. The caging material need not be cleaned out more than a few times a year if you keep up on the housekeeping religiously. Insects that you feed your spider can be a bit messy when the spider is done consuming it so clean it up. The spider's excrement can be cleaned up with a tissue or paper towel. Keeping the cage clean is important in that mites will feed on the remains, also mold and mildew can form.
Keep the cage out of direct sunlight. Glass containers especially can get very hot which can kill the spider. If the container is too warm it can also dry out the humidly that the spider needs Added lighting is not needed and can be harmful.
So many animals and so many enclosures but there are many commonalities also. The common factors are the bigger the cage the better, safety, the proper gauge wire for the type and size of animal, non-toxic paint, easy to keep clean and sanitized, secure closures and no small parts to ingest. Pets are very special and cost should not be a factor in purchasing or building a cage. Curious fingers and nimble toes a common factor in all pets!
How to Care for the Pet Tarantula
Reptile, Amphibians, and Insects Shop
Tarantulas and Other Arachnids
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