Door stuck to exo terra

[ReleaseTheQuacken]

So I finished drying out the exo terra 12x12x12 i closed the door and it was fine. i locked it so it wont move but then when i move the enclosure and try opening the door it wont let me open it. Like its stuck.

 

[goonius]

You probably got clay in the latch.

 

[ReleaseTheQuacken]

You probably got clay in the latch.

I thought as such too but I spent all day yesterday nitpicking at the enclosure and cleaning up as it was drying. However if there is still infact clay in there, what would be a quick remedy? or is it now forever stuck? thanks

By the way on what you mentioned in the other post, going to add that if she seems to not like her set up I have enough supplies and a different enclosure available.

 

[goonius]

Hard to know. I mean, you could try to force it, or maybe syringe some water into it to loosen the clay, but they seem like fiddly little latches that could break easily imo.

That said, I never really use the latch because clicking it often unnerves the tarantula right when I am trying to feed it, which is annoying. I slide a bobby pin into the lock hole which I can remove much more stealthily. So if you do break the latch, use a bobby pin or something similar to secure the door..

 

[ReleaseTheQuacken]

Hard to know. I mean, you could try to force it, or maybe syringe some water into it to loosen the clay, but they seem like fiddly little latches that could break easily imo.

That said, I never really use the latch because clicking it often unnerves the tarantula right when I am trying to feed it, which is annoying. I slide a bobby pin into the lock hole which I can remove much more stealthily. So if you do break the latch, use a bobby pin or something similar to secure the door..

Thats actually good to know. I went with an exoterra because of the opening doors. Because I was under the impression that coming from above might freak it out. Like basically every other small animal. do you need to remove the lock to open it with the pin?

 

[goonius]

No, just leave the lock in the open position, once you are able to get it back into the open position.

Coming from above never freaks out my terrestrial tarantulas, which are all housed in top-opening enclosures. It's the vibrations on opening the enclosure that cause them to flee, so I try to design enclosures that open with as little vibration as possible so they are at ease when I offer them food.

I only use Exo Terras for arboreals because they don't allow enough room for substrate for terrestrials and all my terrestrials, save for my B smithi, do dig.

 

[Smotzer]

If clay is in there you need to moisten it to soften it, might be the only good option.

 

[Poonjab]

Just hit it hard.

 

[viper69]

I’ve spoken to the manufacturer of the clay years ago. If it gets wet again it softens