A. chalcodes desert enclosure

Poffypoffa

Arachnosquire
Joined
Oct 25, 2023
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103
Wanted to share a shot of my desert enclosure for my first tarantula, an A. chalcodes. I wanted it to look more like the Arizona desert than a typical topsoil-based setup. The store where I bought the tarantula (a specialty reptile store, and they do sell quite a few) recommended a thin layer of reptilite (rounded calcium sand), but my research (and her behavior) quickly indicated that was probably not great advice. So I redid the entire enclosure with a mix of around 60% coco fiber, 25-30% reptilite and 10-15% excavating clay. I also went a lot thicker--it's 2.5 inches in the front, sloped to 5-6 inches in back, and packed down. A couple plastic plants, cholla wood, and sphagnum moss to replicate the lichens/moss in the desert. Her daytime spot is behind the plant in the back left (you can kind of see her reflection). The light is just on for the photos. No regular ambient/room light during the day, red light for viewing at night. She becomes active right at 5pm and tends to explore until 11--then hides until the next day at 5. That's probably a settling in thing. TMI I'm sure but there you go! Excited to expand my T family (and maybe pick up a black velvet to boot). Here's a photo of the redone enclosure, and a photo of Aragog (with the old substrate).

IMG_1948.jpeg IMG_1905.jpeg
 

kingshockey

Arachnoangel
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Sep 4, 2017
Messages
952
looks cool but you need a whole bunch more dirt in there to prevent fall risk/death when it decides to climb the sides of that rank
 

Poffypoffa

Arachnosquire
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Oct 25, 2023
Messages
103
looks cool but you need a whole bunch more dirt in there to prevent fall risk/death when it decides to climb the sides of that rank
Thank you, I have been keeping an eye on that exact issue. The problem is I can't go much higher in the front because of the door and vent. She has done a bit of wall walking, but not more than a few inches up, and I am hopeful when she settles she doesn't climb quite as much. I could certainly be making a mistake.
 

kingshockey

Arachnoangel
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Sep 4, 2017
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952
new cage better suited to allow enough dirt inside of it much as you keep an eye on it there is nothing you can do about it climbing anyways. much less prevent it falling while you watch unless your gonna sit there all night and then open the door to catch it every time it begins to climbs high enough to risk injury from a fall good luck
 

jbooth

Arachnobaron
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Nov 24, 2022
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495
12" cube? if so, yeah that's too far to fall. No clue on sizes here, guessing big chalcodes and big cube.
 

jbooth

Arachnobaron
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Nov 24, 2022
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495
You could add a piece of glass or plastic on the inside to bring it up, but it might not look too great. I've thought about doing it, they need a fossorial style enclosure with only the top third opening in front, in 8x8x12 and 12x12x18... not sure why someone hasn't gotten rich yet.. I'd just swap it for a top opening cube.
 

kingshockey

Arachnoangel
Active Member
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Sep 4, 2017
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952
sterilite storage boxes cost cheap with the bonus of being able to drill as many vent holes as you want anyplace you want
 

Poffypoffa

Arachnosquire
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Oct 25, 2023
Messages
103
Well I will say that her behavior changed dramatically tonight. Last night, right after the remodel, she was very active and was all over the plants and walls, before she went to her hiding space for the day. Tonight she came out right at sundown and just found different areas to chill. Now she went inside her rock cave for the first time ever. She's just relaxing in there. So substrate height aside, it seems to have been a positive change. Hoping perhaps she just settles down and the climbing won't be an issue.
 

viper69

ArachnoGod
Old Timer
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Dec 8, 2006
Messages
18,553
I could certainly be making a mistake.
Nice looking setup! But your mistake could kill your tarantula- why risk an animal’s life when you can clearly provide a proper and nice looking home?? They are dependent upon you to survive, not risk, nor luck.

You can mod that setup by having the door open to the ceiling.
 
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