The 4th Enclosure creation. P. regalis

Well This has been long overdue. Now that I have a confirmed female P. regalis, its time for a permanent enclosure. She just molted and now is too big for her current home. I have made this one similar to my other 3 and this is the last of my creations.
If you have not seen any of my previous creations look below. The most popular was #3.

Enclosure #1 C. cyaneopubescens (GBB) http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=101657 Creation starts on page 3 post #37 and page 4 post #48.

Enclosure #2 A. geniculata http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=124163
Creation starts Page 2 Post #27
When I moved her in. http://www.tarantulas.us/forums/showthread.php?t=9655

Enclosure #3 B. boehmei http://www.tarantulas.us/forums/showthread.php?t=10206


As with all of them I chose a 12x12x12 ExoTerra enclosure. I had a collection of driftwood that I found on a moutain here in Ca. I researched the natural habitat of the P. regalis and took into consideration one detail I wanted to mimic. The holes in the trees that they live in.
I became really lucky and found a tree stump design with the perfect hole to mimic their environment. I used the Tree bark background for all three sides of the enclosure for a "Tree like" environment. As usual I used Great Stuff Foam and Black silicone sealant.

I used this cork background. I bought one sheet of 18 x 24 and that gave me enough for the entire tank and had some left over. I cut out a section in the corner to give a little more space to the inside of the tree stump.




I made a base with the packing material styrofoam that came with the tank. In the front I made a base for the water dish. I covered the bare glass with sphagnum peat and black silicone.


I made a mold for the base of the tree stump. You will see theres a notch near the top. This is where the foam will adhere to the stump. I prepared the bed beforehand with the spagnum peat moss because I would not beable to access it after the stump is placed.


The inside of the tree stump. I enlarged the hole and filled the sharp edges to prevent the T from hurting herself. I covered the top to give the tree stump darkness and to give the T a little more privacy. I like that theres a back door exit (the hole I enlarged) I also prepared the roof with Sphagnum peat beforehand for the same reason that I would not beable to access it once in place. (not shown)


Practically done...Still have to decide where to put the thermo/hydrometer and more plants.



I'm still deciding if I am going to add more green to it but at the same time not to overcrowd the enclosure since the legspan is big in this species. I plan on adding green to the driftwood stump in the front right side and a little around the water dish. The cork backdrop will aid in humidity. Inside the tree stump is 5" deep x 3.5" x 4.5" high. She probably just use it as a hide for privacy but to lounge she could use the walls or the outside of the stump. Floor space behind the long slanted driftwood can be used as well as sometimes this species like to lay close to the ground (as seen with my male regalis)

Nice setup I dig those walls!

Talkenlate04 said:

Nice setup I dig those walls!

Click to expand...

Thanks. And thanks for my Female (Silvia). She finally molted big enough for the new home. I hope she likes it. I hope to see many classic P. regalis poses on those walls. It will be a while though as I still need the LED lighting and plexi glass top. I usually wait 2 weeks to ensure that all traces of silicone smell dissapates.

Nice looks good. Thanks for showing:clap:

I think once she finds that hide you got setup for her she is going to setup shop back there and never come out.

Talkenlate04 said:

I think once she finds that hide you got setup for her she is going to setup shop back there and never come out.

Click to expand...

Maybe. but I made sure I could still see a little. Though its dark in there, I opened up the back entrance up to let light enter since its angled upward. I hope for the best. So far she stays out in the open, and likes to lounge in the direction of light and towards the top of her small enclosure, usually stretched out. I hope she remains with that habit as do all my other T's. Not one so far has used the hides in their custom enclosures. I hope for the same but its ok whatever she wants. I'll be sure to report back within 6 months after she has enjoyed it a little and let you know.

Done!

And now for the grand finale...

I added some more driftwood to add depth and added the plants/decorations. I really like how this one came out. Lots of color. Still have to make the plexi top and add the LED light setup. Total cost was about $250. The Driftwood was found locally. (Free)

Heres the frontal view.



And a top view so the driftwood setup can be viewed as well as the plant setup.



I hope my 5" girl likes the setup.

Update

Well its time for my report. I had to redesign the tank enclosure a little because she had setup shop behind the large branch in the back. She made a large web structure full of dirt and never ate. She became skinny. So I took her out and ripped up the branch and the water dish area off. Now this was a real task. It was in there real good.

I reused all the parts but just rearranged it a bit. This time I eliminated the rear branch hidaway by moving it closer to the rear wall. Made more floor space and lowered the dish.

This was an improvement as now she chose to use the tree stump hide. She comes out every night. She now hangs out in various places of the enclosure. Sometimes she's on the wall of on the small stump decoration in the front. Other times she hangs out on the back wall behind the newly places tree branch or between the tree stump and branch. She now eats better as she can see the prey easier. Better response now.
There have been days where she closed off the tree stump entrance for a day or two than reopens it at night to scout around (and poop all over). Tonight I found her in a deep sleep and in one of those wierd positions. She has done this ever since she was a sling. Pretty funny....

Heres the newly designed enclosure.


Her when i first put her in.


Here she is in those wierd positions today.



Now she is not like my other 3 T's where they stay in plain view all the time 24/7. Shes more skittish and hides or scrunches up at the slightest disturbance.:wall:
All my other t's don't even flinch even if I pick up the entire enclosure or open the doors. Always in plain view. :?