Deep Cold Substrate

Arborius

Arachnopeon
Joined
Nov 27, 2009
Messages
2
Hey everyone, I need some insight here. When rebuilding my H. lividum's habitat I noticed that some of the deeper substrate was a little colder than what I'm comfortable with, am I being over protective or should I try to raise the substrate's temp? The room that my spiders are in is quite warm already, and the air temperature is fine. Has anyone had problems with burrowers and substrate temp?
 

Moltar

ArachnoGod
Old Timer
Joined
Apr 11, 2007
Messages
5,438
The substrate can't be any cooler than the ambient temperature in the room. The cold you were feeling must have just been moisture in the soil. Don't sweat it.
 

Steve Calceatum

Arachnolord
Old Timer
Joined
May 22, 2009
Messages
659
Well, methinks you're a good parent for your concern. Happily, there is no need for alarm. From what I've heard (think I read it in the TKG), a T will design it's burrow to be "temperature-controlled," so to speak.

Think of it this way: Basements are always cooler than the above-ground temps....where else are you going to go when it's 100 degrees outside and you don't have the luxury of a/c? :p

If a tarantula is succeptable to heat, it would make sense for the little bugger to find someplace cool and humid to hide until it actually can go out a-hunting. ;)
 

Xian

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
340
Hey everyone, I need some insight here. When rebuilding my H. lividum's habitat I noticed that some of the deeper substrate was a little colder than what I'm comfortable with, am I being over protective or should I try to raise the substrate's temp? The room that my spiders are in is quite warm already, and the air temperature is fine. Has anyone had problems with burrowers and substrate temp?
The temperature difference would be negligible, maybe a degree or two depending on the size of your enclosure. I would have to agree that you are feeling the dampness of the substrate. No worries however. If the T made the borrow it knows what it is doing.:)
 

jayefbe

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
1,349
Not even a degree or two. Even if you had a giant tub filled with substrate, since the ambient temperature indoors does not fluctuate (for the most part) the temperature of the substrate at all levels will be the same ambient temperature.
 

Xian

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
340
Not even a degree or two. Even if you had a giant tub filled with substrate, since the ambient temperature indoors does not fluctuate (for the most part) the temperature of the substrate at all levels will be the same ambient temperature.
Try putting a thermometer on your floor and one next to the ceiling in the same room and observe the difference.:)
 

Arborius

Arachnopeon
Joined
Nov 27, 2009
Messages
2
Thanks for the responses, I appreciate it, H. Lividum appears to be doing well in the new habitat, and has made a very cool and visible burrow. Once again, thanks.
 

jayefbe

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
1,349
Try putting a thermometer on your floor and one next to the ceiling in the same room and observe the difference.:)
You're telling me there's gonna be a 1-2 degree difference in the half foot between the top and bottom of the substrate?
 

Xian

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
340
You're telling me there's gonna be a 1-2 degree difference in the half foot between the top and bottom of the substrate?
No, I'm pretty sure, by the quote you just used, I was saying put a thermometer on the floor, and one on the ceiling and observe the the difference.:)

I tried this after I suggested you do it and had a seven degree difference between readings. My ceiling is eight feet high. That works out to about a degree for every 1.14 feet. I don't recall anybody saying how deep the substrate was.:)

If ya need me to do any more math or experiments for ya, let me know.;)

Sorry to jack your thread like this Arborius!
 

Xian

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
340
No, no....I'm done with it, feel free to fight amongst yourselves....{D
ROFL!!!!!{D

Yeah! I used the phrase, 1 or 2 degrees more as a figure of speech, some people tend to take everything so seriously.

Glad to have you on the boards Arborius.:cool:
 
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