Can tarantulas crawl on the carpet?

[Kaigronhoff]

Can tarantulas crawl on the carpet? I would assume they would get stuck if a mesh lid is so dangerous.

 

[chanda]

Yeah... just try rehousing one in the middle of a carpeted floor and leave the lid off for a few minutes! Then you'll find out just how fast they can crawl over carpet!

While I have not made a habit of allowing my tarantulas to crawl on my carpets, when they have done so, I haven't noticed that it slowed them down appreciably. They weren't bolting - just a casual stroll - but it did not appear to impede them at all.

The danger of mesh lids is not just the size of the mesh but the orientation. When the tarantula is hanging underneath the lid, with all his weight dangling from the stuck claws, it is much harder for him to pull himself free. If he were walking on top of the mesh, I doubt he'd get stuck as easily - and if he did, it should be much easier to free himself.

 

[Tenebrarius]

yes I am an accidental observer of this. let's just say B smithi is a bit faster than most would say. (don't worry my guy is fine, this happened a while back)

 

[sasker]

I would assume they would get stuck if a mesh lid is so dangerous.

Of course their claws can hook into the loops of the carpet fabric. The difference is that your tarantula is not hanging upside down when this happens so they can easily unhook their tarsal claws.