All natural?

[Edd Eskimo]

While surfing the net, I found a vid. of Gbb (Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens) in there natural habitat. Where the originally come from is dry and arid dessert/ Urban areas in Venezuela and other S.Am countries. Since these T's come from an area such as that, Would it be recommended to use substrate such as sand? Would it be good to reconstruct and environment that mimics their natural habitat? What are your views?

 

[Teal]

Personally, I think reconstructing a natural environment is a good idea.

If the Ts are known to live in sand.. then why not?

But, in the video was the actually ON and working with the sand.. or just in a sandy area, and occupying other mediums?

 

[Edd Eskimo]

In the Vid. there were multiple webbing in the sand under dead logs and bushes. The T wasn't put there or anything.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9Yg6xEwo8I&feature=related
is the link....skip to more than half the vid.

 

[xhexdx]

In my opinion, trying to completely mimic their natural habitat is nearly pointless.

That, and where are you going to get the sand? Travel to Venezuela and bring some home? Using any kind of 'reptile sand' or even sand from the beach still isn't the same kind of sand they are used to in the wild...

On top of that, assuming you buy a CB sling, it has no idea where it came from or where it's found. It'll be just fine with the Eco-Earth or Bed-a-Beast or topsoil or peat moss or whatever else you choose to use as substrate.

I applaud the effort to try to make it as natural as possible, but in some cases (most), it's just not worth the effort.

Again, this is all my opinion.

--Joe

 

[Mattyb]

In my opinion, trying to completely mimic their natural habitat is nearly pointless.

That, and where are you going to get the sand? Travel to Venezuela and bring some home? Using any kind of 'reptile sand' or even sand from the beach still isn't the same kind of sand they are used to in the wild...

On top of that, assuming you buy a CB sling, it has no idea where it came from or where it's found. It'll be just fine with the Eco-Earth or Bed-a-Beast or topsoil or peat moss or whatever else you choose to use as substrate.

I applaud the effort to try to make it as natural as possible, but in some cases (most), it's just not worth the effort.

Again, this is all my opinion.

--Joe

I agree with this. i think its also pointless and a waste of money.

 

[Teal]

Even if you don't believe it benefits the T - if someone likes the look of a natural environment and wants to make a set up like that, is there any reason they shouldn't? (as in, potential harm to the T... complications in cage maintenance, etc.)

I would argue that a CB T doesn't know where it came from, because it's never seen it's natural environment... but that's just my background in dogs talking. Breeding and genetics... which Ts probably don't have? lol

 

[<3exoticpets]

If you do decide to try sand, be careful where you get the sand- in a pet store a lot of them have added calcium (for reptiles), but it's bad for your T!

 

[8by8]

I would use a vermiculite-coconut mix. Its light, stays dry, holds a burrow together wonderfully, and it looks really nice. I would also make it realistic looking, because some people (most people) hate boring ugly drab enclosures to look at. Post some pics when finished, good luck.

 

[Mattyb]

Even if you don't believe it benefits the T - if someone likes the look of a natural environment and wants to make a set up like that, is there any reason they shouldn't? (as in, potential harm to the T... complications in cage maintenance, etc.)

I would argue that a CB T doesn't know where it came from, because it's never seen it's natural environment... but that's just my background in dogs talking. Breeding and genetics... which Ts probably don't have? lol

If you want to spend the money on natural looking enclosures then be my guest but when you have 20+ Ts then it tends to get expensive and not worth the time.

 

[Moltar]

See, here's the thing. NO tarantula lives on sand. Sure, there are a lot of T's that live and burrow in sandy soil but that's a far cry from the processed sand you can buy at pet stores or even find on a beach. If you want to replicate the actual environment shown in that video you'll need to buy unprocessed, natural sand and mix it with stuff like topsoil, maybe some peat, etc. In the end though you won't be able to truly replicate the native environment and it won't make a difference for the T anyway. I suggest you put it on dry coco-coir (eco earth, bed-a-beast, etc). And put your effort into making the cage decorations functional and similar to their native environment. Don't sweat the substrate so much.

 

[Exo]

For desert/scrubland species I use topsoil, somtimes with some sand.

 

[curiousme]

I would use a vermiculite-coconut mix. Its light, stays dry, holds a burrow together wonderfully, and it looks really nice. I would also make it realistic looking, because some people (most people) hate boring ugly drab enclosures to look at. Post some pics when finished, good luck.

In my opinion, using a vermiculite-coconut mix is as unrealistic as it gets!

@ OP ~ When trying to make a naturalistic enclosure, you almost always have to fudge on the substrate, because in most cases you will not be able to get 'natural' substrate. That is unless you can fly to the country they are native to and bring back enough substrate for a T enclosure.

We prefer to use a peat and potting soil mix and it seems to hold a burrow better than plain peat. Coco fiber looks hairy and not like natural substrate IMO.

 

[satanslilhelper]

I would use a vermiculite-coconut mix. Its light, stays dry, holds a burrow together wonderfully, and it looks really nice. I would also make it realistic looking, because some people (most people) hate boring ugly drab enclosures to look at. Post some pics when finished, good luck.

Vermiculite is primarily used for T's that need higher humidity. It is mold repellent and holds in moisture. Using it for a bone dry T is a waste. I know it's cheap, but there isn't any need for it with a GBB.

 

[MIC]

In my opinion, using a vermiculite-coconut mix is as unrealistic as it gets!
..........

I agree with the unrealistic opinion, but for me is the most functional and healthy substrate one can use. Is trapping very well the moisture, is mite and fungus repellent and completely chemical neutral for Ts.
To be considered also the minor weight and how is easier to substitute the substrate when is needed (after a vvvery long period).

IMO, the combination of a such substrate with few flat rocks together with a coconut shell or a ceramic pot could be the best solution.