H. maculata: cork bark or cork bark tube?

[Blacat]

Hello!
I've just been given a 1 inch Heteroscodra maculata as a freebie earlier, and am already starting to plan its enclosure upgrade ahead of time. I was wondering if anyone knew which would be best to give it between a piece of corkbark leaned on the side or a cork bark tube. Is there an advantage between one or the other? Like... a half tube or a full tube would be best? Should I give both options?

Thank you for your time!

PS: It is my first OW. I am aware that they do not make for a good introduction to OW Ts, but like mentioned earlier, it was an unplanned freebie given to me after miscommunication between my very excited mother who went to get my two avics and the seller. Now that I'm past the "holy <edit>, that's an OW and one of the fastest ones" stage, I'm starting to appreciate the species and am slowly falling in love with my little Wolfie. I've spent my day doing proper research on the species, its care as well as general OW species tricks and tips, and if I don't feel confident enough in my skills to be able to properly care for it while also doing so safely, I know a breeder I can give it to. My experience when it comes to fast tarantulas are with H. longipes and T. violaceus. I know they aren't on the same level as H. maculata, but my plan was to slowly go up the levels of speed and venom potency before getting an actual OW ahah. Let's just say my plans have been shaken up a little bit ahah
If you do have extra tips and tricks though, they would be very appreciated! :>

 

[Scp682]

**This applies to all arboreals besides aviculariinae**
To anyone out there this may be helpful to,
In nature they make their "nest" behind bark in between the bark and the tree and in hollow dead tree pieces, so (especially asian arboreals) a tube is exactly what they live in in nature. They basically live like a fossorial but in trees. Give them a few inches of sub on the bottom and then a cork tube 2/3 to 3/4 full of sub and i like to add chopped sphagnum moss the rest of the way full. Most arboreals dig because in nature they live in tree cavities usually with debris. The way they've been kept in the hobby (sub and a cork slab) isn't really the same but works. I 100% recommend this method of a sub filled tube instead of having them dig in the actual enclosure sub. This is how they live in nature several meters above ground they don't dig in the ground they dig in trees! Psalmopoeinae, Stromatopelminae, Ornithoctoninae, pokies, they all do best like this imo. Just leaning a slab against the side of the enclosure with more sub is not the same. They are arboreal for a reason they live in trees. I know I'm repeating myself but if i don't i won't get my point across.

 

[Blacat]

**This applies to all arboreals besides aviculariinae**
To anyone out there this may be helpful to,
In nature they make their "nest" behind bark in between the bark and the tree and in hollow dead tree pieces, so (especially asian arboreals) a tube is exactly what they live in in nature. They basically live like a fossorial but in trees. Give them a few inches of sub on the bottom and then a cork tube 2/3 to 3/4 full of sub and i like to add chopped sphagnum moss the rest of the way full. Most arboreals dig because in nature they live in tree cavities usually with debris. The way they've been kept in the hobby (sub and a cork slab) isn't really the same but works. I 100% recommend this method of a sub filled tube instead of having them dig in the actual enclosure sub. This is how they live in nature several meters above ground they don't dig in the ground they dig in trees! Psalmopoeinae, Stromatopelminae, Ornithoctoninae, pokies, they all do best like this imo. Just leaning a slab against the side of the enclosure with more sub is not the same. They are arboreal for a reason they live in trees. I know I'm repeating myself but if i don't i won't get my point across.

Oooooh thank you very much for the feedback! This was a very interesting read :O
Well, I am very glad to hear that the tube with substrate in it would be the better option since I had been hoping to set up an enclosure with one, having been unable to with my Avics. Thank you so much for the help and information!

 

[Edan bandoot]

If you want to see it ever lean a corkbark slab against the glass (you can put a dark paper over the wall if you would like, and remove when you want to look in)

If you don't care about seeing it often go for the tube.

 

[Scp682]

Oooooh thank you very much for the feedback! This was a very interesting read :O
Well, I am very glad to hear that the tube with substrate in it would be the better option since I had been hoping to set up an enclosure with one, having been unable to with my Avics. Thank you so much for the help and information!

Sure thing, for avics a half round against the side and about an inch of substrate and lots of plants works great but once they make their web nest they don't really use it except for purpurea I've heard.

 

[l4nsky]

For me, it depends on the T's size. I tend to use flats or half rounds for my sling and juvenile enclosures because I want to have a better chance of seeing them to check on their health. Once they aren't so sensitive and move into their final enclosures, then I'll give them rounds to use. I'm not too worried about maintaining visibility with adults as they're much hardier.

 

[Blacat]

Sure thing, for avics a half round against the side and about an inch of substrate and lots of plants works great but once they make their web nest they don't really use it except for purpurea I've heard.

Ah, well that's where it got tricky with my avics. Since I did try to give them bark pieces, multiple options, different shapes and sizes, but... let's just say they were less than entousiatic about using the tools I gave them to build an interesting nest LOL. This is what most of my avic enclosures looks like, the ones not looking like this being since they have not started working on their web (just gotten today)


She saw the bark pieces and went "no, actually I'm just gonna use the silk leaves"
(The plant in the waterdish is because I'm trying to see if a plant would be able to survive with the amount of light in my room. If it gains roots, it'll be planted and won't be staying in the water dish ahah)

My C. versicolor on the other hand actually ended up using the bark pieces I gave him and built some very interesting web tunnels using them!

 

[Edan bandoot]

Ah, well that's where it got tricky with my avics. Since I did try to give them bark pieces, multiple options, different shapes and sizes, but... let's just say they were less than entousiatic about using the tools I gave them to build an interesting nest LOL. This is what most of my avic enclosures looks like, the ones not looking like this being since they have not started working on their web (just gotten today)

View attachment 383161
She saw the bark pieces and went "no, actually I'm just gonna use the silk leaves"
(The plant in the waterdish is because I'm trying to see if a plant would be able to survive with the amount of light in my room. If it gains roots, it'll be planted and won't be staying in the water dish ahah)

My C. versicolor on the other hand actually ended up using the bark pieces I gave him and built some very interesting web tunnels using them!

I've observed that avics prefer leaf cover near the tops of the enclosure as opposed to cork.

The images I've seen of avicularinae in the wild seem similar aswell (web tunnels in trees, bushes and in the leaf bases bromeliads)


page 11 of this pdf shows what im talking about: https://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2009/f/zt02223p047.pdf

 

[Blacat]

I've observed that avics prefer leaf cover near the tops of the enclosure as opposed to cork.

The images I've seen of avicularinae in the wild seem similar aswell (web tunnels in trees, bushes and in the leaf bases of those long philodendron looking plants)


page 11 of this pdf shows what im talking about: https://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2009/f/zt02223p047.pdf

Ohhh, I did not consider that! I've just added more leaves toward the top of the enclosures of the ones that have yet to build their web. Thank you for the comment! I'm very curious to see if they will end up using them, if at all

 

[Edan bandoot]

Ohhh, I did not consider that! I've just added more leaves toward the top of the enclosures of the ones that have yet to build their web. Thank you for the comment! I'm very curious to see if they will end up using them, if at all

my little fella has made a mat above the top of the leaves and a tunnel system throughout to the bottom, i think its easier to make a "presentable" enclosure with fake leaves aswell.

 

[Scp682]

Ah, well that's where it got tricky with my avics. Since I did try to give them bark pieces, multiple options, different shapes and sizes, but... let's just say they were less than entousiatic about using the tools I gave them to build an interesting nest LOL. This is what most of my avic enclosures looks like, the ones not looking like this being since they have not started working on their web (just gotten today)

View attachment 383161
She saw the bark pieces and went "no, actually I'm just gonna use the silk leaves"
(The plant in the waterdish is because I'm trying to see if a plant would be able to survive with the amount of light in my room. If it gains roots, it'll be planted and won't be staying in the water dish ahah)

My C. versicolor on the other hand actually ended up using the bark pieces I gave him and built some very interesting web tunnels using them!

That's normal for avics actually they make leaf nests with a retreat in bark

I've observed that avics prefer leaf cover near the tops of the enclosure as opposed to cork.

The images I've seen of avicularinae in the wild seem similar aswell (web tunnels in trees, bushes and in the leaf bases bromeliads)


page 11 of this pdf shows what im talking about: https://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2009/f/zt02223p047.pdf

^^ yes they do prefer more foliage at the top.

 

[viper69]

Ohhh, I did not consider that! I've just added more leaves toward the top of the enclosures of the ones that have yet to build their web. Thank you for the comment! I'm very curious to see if they will end up using them, if at all

There’s a few vids of Avics in the wild where they fold a single leaf into a tube.

 

[ApexApinkPanda]

Mom: Hey, Mum and dad got you one of the fastest and most venomous T's around son. Aren't we such great parents?! O, we also upped your life insurance policy. Will you sign here please?
You: Uhhhh... Thanks...

All of my Avic's cling to the wall or ceiling surrounded with a little bit of webbing. It's funny how you make nice setups and the T does as little to use utilize it as possible.

 

[0311usmc]

I gave my H.macs and pokies flat cork bark to use but I recently used a cork bark round for my p.cam and I personally like the cork bark round vs the flat. When I rehouse my S.cal into its permanent enclosure I will also use a cork bark round as I don't think I will use flats anymore now that I tried and liked the round. It's really up to you though the tarantula could give a rats ass all they want is a hide they don't care which one you use.

Mom: Hey, Mum and dad got you one of the fastest and most venomous T's around son. Aren't we such great parents?! O, we also upped your life insurance policy. Will you sign here please?
You: Uhhhh... Thanks...

You do realize that living in the USA that we have black widows and brown recluses just roaming around our houses and garages right?

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Bark with plenty of plant cover around it if you want a chance of actually seeing it.

 

[ApexApinkPanda]

You do realize that living in the USA that we have black widows and brown recluses just roaming around our houses and garages right?

Yeah, neither of which will stand it's ground or charge you when disturbed. Unlike the Maculata. Besides... it's one of those things called a joke. Also, except for the largest black widow most of the time their fangs cannot penetrate your skin.

 

[0311usmc]

Yeah, neither of which will stand it's ground or charge you when disturbed. Unlike the Maculata. Besides... it's one of those things called a joke. Also, except for the largest black widow most of the time their fangs cannot penetrate your skin.

Do you own a H.mac???

 

[ApexApinkPanda]

Holy Apple Jacks Batman, it was a joke that apparently only I found funny. That's ok, it happens.

 

[Scp682]

You do realize that living in the USA that we have black widows and brown recluses just roaming around our houses and garages right?

Not quite like that, widows stay in their webs and recluses are called recluses for a reason they're not common. H maculata is a fast fast t with a nasty bite. For an inexperienced person they're not the best to keep. Plus there's a difference between a wild animal you don't encounter and a captive one you regularly interact with.

 

[0311usmc]

Not quite like that, widows stay in their webs and recluses are called recluses for a reason they're not common. H maculata is a fast fast t with a nasty bite. For an inexperienced person they're not the best to keep. Plus there's a difference between a wild animal you don't encounter and a captive one you regularly interact with.

A few people every year die from black widow bites. No one has died from an H.mac bite or any old world bite. Surely your not likely to be bitten by one but never the less they are in our houses and far more dangerous than any tarantula, the point I was making.