Filling a medium treehouse w/ canopy from tarantula cribs

[Briana1399]

I have an extra enclosure from tarantula cribs I am trying to find a use for. I'd like this to fit the adult size of whatever the species is so I don't have to upgrade later. I was thinking maybe a dwarf that isn't a crazy burrower... I could build up the back with substrate and keep it low in the front? Or maybe a smaller arboreal. What would you stick in there?

 

[Andrew Clayton]

I have an extra enclosure from tarantula cribs I am trying to find a use for. I'd like this to fit the adult size of whatever the species is so I don't have to upgrade later. I was thinking maybe a dwarf that isn't a crazy burrower... I could build up the back with substrate and keep it low in the front? Or maybe a smaller arboreal. What would you stick in there?

Post some pics of it and also sizes.

 

[viper69]

I have an extra enclosure from tarantula cribs I am trying to find a use for. I'd like this to fit the adult size of whatever the species is so I don't have to upgrade later. I was thinking maybe a dwarf that isn't a crazy burrower... I could build up the back with substrate and keep it low in the front? Or maybe a smaller arboreal. What would you stick in there?

You could do those

I’d put an animal in there for sure. But you haven’t provided enough info

 

[Ratmosphere]

Avicularia minatrix.

 

[Briana1399]

Yep! Here a pic, it’s 6"x6"x8"

I also have a flat top for it if needed.

 

[Andrew Clayton]

Yep! Here a pic, it’s 6"x6"x8"

I also have a flat top for it if needed.

With that sort of top it would be ideal for a jumping spider.
Or.
Avicularia Minatrix

 

[Briana1399]

I’ll look into the avic, thanks a bunch!!

 

[viper69]

Yep! Here a pic, it’s 6"x6"x8"

I also have a flat top for it if needed.

I’ve raised some minatrix, they will do fine w that size

 

[l4nsky]

Your options are rather limited from a tarantula perspective if your criteria is the animal can comfortably live in an enclosure that size as an adult. IMHO, those enclosures were designed and marketed for jumpers and Eresus spp specifically, which get to considerably smaller adult sizes on average. For most tarantulas, they really can only be used as a growout enclosure. With that being said, there are a few options still.

As others have stated, Avicularia minatrix is a smaller member of the Avic genus that could live in an enclosure that size. Avicularia hirschii is another smaller growing, albeit more expensive member of that genus as well.

On the more terrestrial side of things (and if you have the skillset to deal with a more intermediate species), you could slope the substrate in the back and sink sticks in it for anchor points to house a Heterothele gabonensis, which is a heavy webbing, dwarf African species. They tend to be flighty and secretive, but not overly defensive. Cyriocosmus spp might be an option as well, but I'd be concerned about them potentially taking a fall and they do tend to burrow.

 

[fcat]

If you do the flat top, would you be able to lay it on its back and convert it to a terrestrial setup? With a top opening lid?

 

[Briana1399]

Thanks for the replies!!

I did have a jumper in here but he passed and it wasn't my favorite to keep so I don't really want another. I do have 3 Eresus but they are super tiny right now and I already have matching enclosures for them once they get big. I'm not crazy about arboreal which is why I'm trying to find a long term species for this thing.

I will def look into Avicularia minatrix, Avicularia hirschii, Heterothele gabonensis! I was planning on getting a cyriocosmus aueri at the next show, but I was having a hard time finding their max size and if this enclosure would be good, do you have any idea l4nsky? Also was looking at Heterothele villasella.

If you do the flat top, would you be able to lay it on its back and convert it to a terrestrial setup? With a top opening lid?

I was wondering this too! The magnets are so secure I can't imagine the top coming off if its sideways. If it were am more dry species and I could keep the water bowl on the other end so nothing leaked out. I feel like the top opening situation would be a little annoying since it's not the whole top just a weird sliding section but that's no big deal.

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

I’ve done it before as a temporary enclosure. You can put hot glue in the holes at the bottom if needed.

 

[Andrew Clayton]

I was wondering this too! The magnets are so secure I can't imagine the top coming off if its sideways. If it were am more dry species and I could keep the water bowl on the other end so nothing leaked out. I feel like the top opening situation would be a little annoying since it's not the whole top just a weird sliding section but that's no big deal.

Wouldn't bother doing that, even if the magnets are super strong. All it would take is a bump to the side and with the pressure of substrate on it too, it's coming off.

 

[l4nsky]

I did have a jumper in here but he passed and it wasn't my favorite to keep so I don't really want another. I do have 3 Eresus but they are super tiny right now and I already have matching enclosures for them once they get big. I'm not crazy about arboreal which is why I'm trying to find a long term species for this thing.

I will def look into Avicularia minatrix, Avicularia hirschii, Heterothele gabonensis! I was planning on getting a cyriocosmus aueri at the next show, but I was having a hard time finding their max size and if this enclosure would be good, do you have any idea l4nsky? Also was looking at Heterothele villasella.

So, full disclosure, I only have experience personally with the Avic species. I don't have any experience with Cyriocosmus and Heterothele, just a general understanding of their requirements from my own research.

Cyriocosmus are dwarf fossorials with most species attaining a 1-2" DLS, depending on sex. In that 8" enclosure, there will likely still be a 6" fall in the front as you can only pile the substrate so high due to the front door. If you instead used the flat top as the door to the enclosure, making it a top opening enclosure, you could stack substrate up past the side door to lessen the risk of a fall. Doing that however won't make them any more visible as they do tend to burrow quite a lot IIRC.

@MariaLewisia has a lot more knowledge on the genus than I do, so perhaps she can chime in.

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

Wouldn't bother doing that, even if the magnets are super strong. All it would take is a bump to the side and with the pressure of substrate on it too, it's coming off.

The door is on a track, just like the slider cribs. It isn’t just sitting on the top.

 

[Stu Macher]

Have you looked into Hapalopus? H vangoghi is my favorite from the genus. But I have Colombia LG and SM "klein" They are fast, but they grow quick and are beautiful spiders.

They also love to web. You could provide a slope like l4nsky said along with putting twigs and foliage in the dead space. As your T grows it will web up the anchor points and you'll have a pretty cool display.

Davus pentaloris would also be a great choice. I love mine.

B horrida and C cyaneus are fun. Alot to choose from. You can make the layout work