Burrowing

[Geography Guy]

For burrowing Ts. Do I have to supply enough substrate for it to burrow? Daivid Avery said that I don't have to as long as I have something for it to hid under or in. For my T. blondi. I just put in about and inch maybe less for substrate and put in a simple cardboard box and he seems to enjoy it and is doing just fine. But I have had other Ts that didn't do so great. Is the way I am doing generally ok or is it only ok for certain Ts?

PLEASE! Only post if it answers one of my questions! Thank You

Cheers,

 

[Mike H.]

I would use more substrate than what you have, maybe 3 inches or so depending on the size of the spider, loose the cardboard as well, if it gets damp it will start to break down, corkbark works really well...

Regards, Mike

 

[Mike H.]

Depending on the type of spider some need deep substrate to stop them from getting stressed, what spiders did you have that did not do to well ??

Regards, Mike

 

[ShadowBlade]

B. albo's tend to adapt well to "lean-to's". As do some others, like A. seemani's. But those aren't adept burrowers. Like Haplopelma's. Which I'd def recommend giving plenty of room to burrow.

 

[Thoth]

It seems to me most of the NW ts will do well with a few inches of substate and a hide/piece of cork bark. OW ts are what most of your obligate burrowers are and tend to need to dig themselves deep burrows. Though this is just my limited experience.

 

[Mr_Baker4420]

i really don't know if it's okay. i try to set my terrariums up as close to nature as possible, and i haven't had any problems so far. i think a tarantula with a burrow as opposed to a hide, would be a happier or at least less stressed tarantula.

 

[gagamboy]

Barzilian Goliath Birdeaters (T.blondi)are upportunistic burrowers so they do well and thrive with man-made artificial burrowers...

but some species are obligate burrowers (eg. cobalt blue H. lividum), who really need to make their own burrowers and would get stressed-out if they dont have a deep substrate in which to make a hide...

some obligate burrowers in the wild however (eg costa rican zebra) still thrive with artificial hides in captivity...

so it would be best do some research with regards to caring for the specific species since different kinds of species may need different/specific forms of care...

 

[tacoma0680]

i put about 2 inches in the bottom of soil and then a log for her to hide under she loves it never comes out only to eat and breed

 

[Fierce Deity]

If it is a burrower or an obligate, why wouldn't you provide the right substrate depth? That is like not giving an arboreal a tall enclosure; it will survive, but it's not right. If you are only giving it an inch of substrate so that you can see it easily, then why did you get a burrower for that purpose? You are also risking damage from a fall with such a low substrate. What spider are you talking about exactly?

 

[Scorp guy]

If it is a burrower or an obligate, why wouldn't you provide the right substrate depth? That is like not giving an arboreal a tall enclosure; it will survive, but it's not right. If you are only giving it an inch of substrate so that you can see it easily, then why did you get a burrower for that purpose? You are also risking damage from a fall with such a low substrate. What spider are you talking about exactly?

Agrees B-unit

Why do that? Blondis need substrate to burrow, not just a half inch I'd get more substrate in there, like said, it's like not having an arboreal setup correctly:8o

<edit> and That's highly unnatural.... Tarantulas don't live in cardboard boxes with barely enough substrate to dig in, that's what i call a "petco mistake".

 

[Becca]

For all of my terrestrial t's I give them the chance to burrow. Some just use the hide I give them and some choose to burrow elsewhere. At least if they do want to burrow, they can do.
I 100% agree with what Fierce Deity said. What happens when it comes to species like H.lividum?.. I don't think it would be best pleased with an inch of substrate and a plantpot.

 

[Geography Guy]

Depending on the type of spider some need deep substrate to stop them from getting stressed, what spiders did you have that did not do to well ??

Regards, Mike

The only spider I had that didn't do good was the H. lividum as what some people said. But my OBT, T. blondi and my H. minax are all doing well. My OBT has a rounded like cork bark and only leaves it at night. My Minax has a coconut house. But when I ever put in a enough substrate for my burrowing spiders they tend not to burrow. For my H.minax. I even made my own burrow I dug with my hand and he refused it and went into his coconut house. The only burrowing spider I have had that actually made a burrow was my T. blondi but he then dicthed his burrow and went into his that I bought. But now since I am getting concerned about the behavour with my T. blondi that seems smiliar with my last H. lividum that David said died of stress I am probably going to pick up some substrate today.

Cheers,

 

[Geography Guy]

Ok. I've put more substrate in to about 4.5 inches for my Juv T. blondi. Is that ok?

Cheers,

 

[Mike H.]

Ok. I've put more substrate in to about 4.5 inches for my Juv T. blondi. Is that ok?

Cheers,

That should be ok, just make sure she has a hide and a water dish, if the hide you are using is really made from cardboard then I would say get it out of there for sure, use some type of wood or cork bark...

Regards, Mike

 

[ShadowBlade]

and That's highly unnatural.... Tarantulas don't live in cardboard boxes with barely enough substrate to dig in, that's what i call a "petco mistake".

Well, if you read my post, I was refering to the "leanto's" for species that aren't 'adept' burrowers. Opportunistic burrowers use already established burrows/hides. In which case the lean-to is perfectly natural, I often bury it in the sub a bit as well. I also said that the 'adept' burrowers, such as Haplopelma should be given plenty of substrate to burrow.

 

[Linda Landsman]

Just like many have said, ow T's tend to do better with deep substrate, 6+ inches. Except for my OBT, my lividum, minax, and crawshayi, all have deep holes, and actually, I never see them, which I guess , means they are happy! The terrestrial NW T's , I give a decent amount, and a cork bark hide, and they seem to be doing great.

 

[Geography Guy]

Just like many have said, ow T's tend to do better with deep substrate, 6+ inches. Except for my OBT, my lividum, minax, and crawshayi, all have deep holes, and actually, I never see them, which I guess , means they are happy! The terrestrial NW T's , I give a decent amount, and a cork bark hide, and they seem to be doing great.

But how do I know if a T is ow or nw? For my terrestrial T(s) I do the same thing. I just add a hide for them and they all like it

Cheers,

 

[Leiurus87]

I would provide as much substrate as possible without getting tooo close to the top of the tank. As for what T's are OW and NW simpley do a small amount of research. A hide is sufficient for some, like my lazy A.Seemani(NW) even when given alot of substrate, but most T's become stressed under such conditions, wanting to burrow deep down into the ground instead of being constantly exposed to open air, which tends to be dryer and warmer than what some species prefer.

 

[moricollins]

But how do I know if a T is ow or nw? For my terrestrial T(s) I do the same thing. I just add a hide for them and they all like it

Cheers,

I'd suggest www.google.com, find out what country it's from , shouldn't be TOO too hard....

 

[Geography Guy]

I'd suggest www.google.com, find out what country it's from , shouldn't be TOO too hard....

How does knowing the country it's from tell if it's OW or NW?

~Best Regards~