Caribena versicolor substrate

[Tudor]

Is ok to use only coco fiber as a substrate for Caribena versicolor ?

 

[Vanisher]

Yes, absolutely. Fir a sensitiv fossorial speicies i would not recommend coco fibre, but for an Avic or Caribena, sure!

 

[chanda]

Sure - with an arboreal like C. versicolor, the specific substrate used isn't too important because they will spend most of their time up in their web tunnels and on their wood/bark/plants. You could use coconut fiber, moss, dirt, sand, or a mix - whatever was convenient.

If you were going to keep a burrowing species, you would need to either use a different substrate or mix the coconut fiber in with something else (like dirt, sand, or clay soil), because by itself, coconut fiber will collapse and will not support a burrow.

 

[Brachyfan]

Sure - with an arboreal like C. versicolor, the specific substrate used isn't too important because they will spend most of their time up in their web tunnels and on their wood/bark/plants. You could use coconut fiber, moss, dirt, or a mix - whatever was convenient.

If you were going to keep a burrowing species, you would need to either use a different substrate or mix the coconut fiber in with something else, because by itself, coconut fiber will collapse and will not support a burrow.

All my tarantulas are on coco fibre and I would say 70% of them burrow. I have had zero issues with burrow collapse. They will line the walls of their burrows with web to keep them in place.

 

[Vanisher]

I have had lots of diffrent fossorials and IME compact peat, soil and clay gives a much better result than coco fibre. I have used is, cos i like ti experiment, but for certain speicies i like other substrate better. Another drawback is that it is much more expensive than peat or soil for ex. But if it works fir you and you like it. Good!

 

[Brachyfan]

I have had lots of diffrent fossorials and IME compact peat, soil and clay gives a much better result than coco fibre. I have used is, cos i like ti experiment, but for certain speicies i like other substrate better. Another drawback is that it is much more expensive than peat or soil for ex. But if it works fir you and you like it. Good!

I should add that I am keeping terrestrials that burrow. If I was needing lots of humidity I would definitely use something like peat.

I have some lizards that need like 60-80% humidity and their sub is a bit of coir mixed with a bunch of peat and while not ideal it seems to hold moisture way longer.

No experience with fossorial species. What kind of moisture level do they need compared to an arid species?

 

[Vanisher]

Their are both moisture loving and dry living fossorials. I think peat and soil, or a mix of those are better for 3 reasons

1.They keep the shape better for burrowing. And the spiders digs more readily in a more compakt, less loose substrate

2. And for fossorials that like moisture compressed peat or soil holds the moisture better

3. The price. Now, i dont know other countries, but where i live, peat and soil are 5 times cheaper than coco fibre

But one should use the substrate that one likes

 

[Brachyfan]

Great points @Vanisher!

 

[chanda]

All my tarantulas are on coco fibre and I would say 70% of them burrow. I have had zero issues with burrow collapse. They will line the walls of their burrows with web to keep them in place.

For me, at least, it depends of the extent of the burrowing. Straight coco fiber is fine for the majority of my spiders (NW terrestrials who might dig minor burrows - usually underneath a bit of cork bark or under their hides or water dishes) - but for my M. balfouri communal, with deep substrate and an extensive burrow system, I do not think that it would be adequate. For any fossorial species, I would prefer something that packs down better and can maintain better structural integrity, even though the spiders do use webbing to help support the tunnels.

 

[Brachyfan]

For me, at least, it depends of the extent of the burrowing. Straight coco fiber is fine for the majority of my spiders (NW terrestrials who might dig minor burrows - usually underneath a bit of cork bark or under their hides or water dishes) - but for my M. balfouri communal, with deep substrate and an extensive burrow system, I do not think that it would be adequate. For any fossorial species, I would prefer something that packs down better and can maintain better structural integrity, even though the spiders do use webbing to help support the tunnels.

All valid points! One thing I have learned in the short time I have been active in the hobby is the benefits of sphagnum moss too. I use it for a water dish in my small sling enclosures where I can't fit a water dish. Every burrowing t I have will shred it up and deposit it at different levels in their burrows and throughout the substrate. I believe that this is moisture control. Also another trick I learned from Tom Moran was to make a bottom layer fairly damp and then add dry sub over top of it. I then tamp it with something like a mug so it's as compressed as possible.

No doubt that coco fibre is more expensive than other subs available. I have a giant bag of peat in my garage that I paid $5 for and will use it for some tarantulas at some point. Specifically my A calchodes that has built a huge burrow and hill in it's enclosure. The burrow is great right now but when it needs a rehouse I will definitely use peat as well.

The only t I have that likes it a bit more moist is my Pterinopelma sazimai. It is on peat right now and that seems to work good. Glass enclosure with some larger airholes in the top. I got the t with it's enclosure and will need to rehouse soon.
What would you suggest for a substrate or mix of sub? It just stays at the top and not burrowing at the moment. I understand that these spiders could display semi arboreal, fossorial and terrestrial behaviors. So I definitely want to make its next enclosure have opportunities for all 3 so it can decide what ways it wants to live!

Thanks for sharing all your information @chanda and @Vanisher. Don't mean to come off as a coir fanboy or anything. Just wanted to point out that it is possible to make extensive tunnels in coco fibre.

 

[cold blood]

Substrate is the choice of the keeper. Any acceptable substrate can be used for literally any tarantula. There is no best sub for any particular species.

 

[viper69]

Is ok to use only coco fiber as a substrate for Caribena versicolor ?

that's all I use.

 

[BasedGod]

coco fiber is fine as is most substrates