African Trapdoor Spiders?

[3ntomology]

Hello! I am a new member to arachnoboards, but have always been a viewer of the forum for quite some time now.

I decided to make a user name because I am now considering buying my first spider! What I really want is a red or black african trap door spider. I know they arent good for viewing, but thats okay with me

I think my biggest obstacle now is convincing my mother (Im a stay-at-home college student!) to let me bring in a venomous spider! I found a cage that has a lid with two locks on it, which I think would be reassuring for my mom, haha! it is 5x10 inches, and 7 inches deep. On this page, its sized as the "small" cage. Does this look like a suitable size for a trap door spider?

http://www.tarantulacages.com/terrestrial.html

I have browsed around and found that Trapdoors need lots of substrate, which I found obvious since they burrow. I can use coconut fiber substrate that my LPS sells, I also use this for my hermits.

My other concern is that, well, Ive never really kept something in a "controlled" environment except for my fish tank... Ive heard that trapdoors need around 80F temperature, and 80% humidity.

My idea, idk if its a good one or not, is to use a heat pad underneath the cage to maintain the temperature? yes/no? any other options?

As for humidity, i have no clue how to maintain except for maybe using a squirtbottle...?

 

[catfishrod69]

i think you would be better off with the small arboreal 6x6x10...that would be plenty enough for one....http://www.tarantulacages.com/arboreal.html.....also i try to keep my traps dry because of mites....and as far as keeping the himidity up, misting will work.....

 

[skar]

Stay away from the heat mat. if you need heat maybe a space heater.
and for humidity .. misting works with warmth.

 

[Michiel]

Just realize that most (African) trap doors are not only very venomous, they also have a 'bad' disposition, being unpredictable and very defensive. They might not prove to be the best beginner animals in that regard.

 

[catfishrod69]

this is very true...all the traps i have had are very vicious....imagine a OBT with worse venom, and when they bite they dont let go....just keep your distance using tongs and such, give it a deep home...once it burrows and builds its door, you dont have much to worry about, they do come out of the burrow i have noticed, but never when your awake, and if you notice they hardly ever eat, thats normal...and a way to test to make sure they are alive, is to take tongs and gently try to open its door, and if it is holding it shut, then its alive..

Just realize that most (African) trap doors are not only venomous, they also have a bad disposition, being unpredictable and very defensive. They might not prove to be the best beginner animals in that regard.

 

[3ntomology]

thankyou guys. I know they arent the nicest of spiders around, but its not like ill be handling it or anything!

 

[catfishrod69]

yeah they are kinda cool to have...i had 5 blacks and 2 reds, traded em off except 1 black, and 1 red...youll kinda lose interest in them after a while...