Hey everyone. This is my first post on arachnoboards, so I apologize if its under the wrong board or in the wrong forum, or if these questions have already been answered. I'm sure you guys deal with clueless newbies like me all the time, so thanks for putting up with us. Anyways, I've done some lurking, but couldn't seem to find anything conclusive.
I've been considering getting a tarantula for some time now, and after researching species for some time now, I've got my heart set on a eualthlus sp red, mainly because of their small size and calm temperament, although I know they can be rather expensive and difficult to find.
I've decided to use a medium kritter keeper for an enclosure, with a few inches of peat moss and vermiculite for a substrate, and overfill a small water dish in one corner for some humidity.
The only thing I'm stumped on is temperature and heating. I cannot seem to find any two discussions which agree on the proper temperatures and heating methods for tarantulas. My house is usually around 60 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Most care sheets seem to agree that T's should be in temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees to thrive, but a lot of posts I've come across say that as long as it's not "too cold" that heating is unnecessary. What, specifically, is a good temp for a euathlus sp red?
Supposing that my tarantula indeed needs temperatures a good ten degrees warmer than my house, what would be the best method of heating a plastic kritter keeper? I've heard some say to adhere a heating pad to one side, and others say that this method is completely worthless and ineffective. Some recommend heat lamps, while others insist this will end in a cooked tarantula. (not to mention melted plastic.)
I'm kinda stumped, any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
I've been considering getting a tarantula for some time now, and after researching species for some time now, I've got my heart set on a eualthlus sp red, mainly because of their small size and calm temperament, although I know they can be rather expensive and difficult to find.
I've decided to use a medium kritter keeper for an enclosure, with a few inches of peat moss and vermiculite for a substrate, and overfill a small water dish in one corner for some humidity.
The only thing I'm stumped on is temperature and heating. I cannot seem to find any two discussions which agree on the proper temperatures and heating methods for tarantulas. My house is usually around 60 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Most care sheets seem to agree that T's should be in temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees to thrive, but a lot of posts I've come across say that as long as it's not "too cold" that heating is unnecessary. What, specifically, is a good temp for a euathlus sp red?
Supposing that my tarantula indeed needs temperatures a good ten degrees warmer than my house, what would be the best method of heating a plastic kritter keeper? I've heard some say to adhere a heating pad to one side, and others say that this method is completely worthless and ineffective. Some recommend heat lamps, while others insist this will end in a cooked tarantula. (not to mention melted plastic.)
I'm kinda stumped, any help would be appreciated. Thanks!