How cold is too cold

[Crosscountry]

Hi,

I have two tarantulas. One is a Mexican Red knee and I have had her now for over a year. The other one is a Pink Toe and it is quite new.
Last winter my house temperature went down to about 63-65 F in the night (Thermostat is set on a timer) and the red knee was fine with it. It warms up from early morning hours again to about 66F and above and she was fine and happy with it. The pink toe is new but it seems fine so far.
Question is, how cold is too cold for them in the night and should I get some heat pads for them for the night? I don't really want to get an additional heater in the room as they are in different rooms anyway.

Thanks

 

[Poonjab]

Anything under 70 degrees Fahrenheit is too cold in my opinion.

 

[Ian14]

These are ectothermic animals from areas of reasonably high temperature. They rely on their surroundings to maintain their body temperature.
I still find it truly bizarre that this "if you are comfortable they are comfortable" mantra exists. We are endothermic, so keep ourselves warm using our own physiology. Spiders don't. If they are from a region that experiences temperatures of 28C, then they should be provided that in captivity.
Just because they can tolerate and survive low temperatures doesn't mean they thrive.

 

[Arachnoenthusiast]

I'm not sure on your pink toe, but red knees will be fine with those temps. Yea deserts are hot during the day, but they get quite cool at night (when ts are generally most active).

 

[Poonjab]

These are ectothermic animals from areas of reasonably high temperature. They rely on their surroundings to maintain their body temperature.
I still find it truly bizarre that this "if you are comfortable they are comfortable" mantra exists. We are endothermic, so keep ourselves warm using our own physiology. Spiders don't. If they are from a region that experiences temperatures of 28C, then they should be provided that in captivity.
Just because they can tolerate and survive low temperatures doesn't mean they thrive.

I can agree with that to a certain extent. I don’t keep my T’s that low personally. My room ranges from 75-83 degrees Fahrenheit. Have to find a happy medium as I have T’s and scorpions and reptiles that come from different regions. Have to find that perfect range to fit all their needs and keep them functioning.

 

[cold blood]

Depends on species and even size of the t.

Slings dont tolerate cold as well as adults...while your temps would be fine for a juvie or adult hamorii, it would be way too low for a sling.

Avics as a rule, as less tolerant of cooler temps, even as adults. I consider 68f to be the lowest an avic could safely handle for extended periods. I try to keep them at or over 70f.

 

[Crosscountry]

Thank you all.

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

You know the old saying "if you're uncomfortable from the heat, then your spiders are comfortable."

 

[EnigmaNyx]

You know the old saying "if you're uncomfortable from the heat, then your spiders are comfortable."

No but I do know the phrase "If you can't stand the heat, then get the *heck* out the T room."

 

[jrh3]

These are ectothermic animals from areas of reasonably high temperature. They rely on their surroundings to maintain their body temperature.
I still find it truly bizarre that this "if you are comfortable they are comfortable" mantra exists. We are endothermic, so keep ourselves warm using our own physiology. Spiders don't. If they are from a region that experiences temperatures of 28C, then they should be provided that in captivity.
Just because they can tolerate and survive low temperatures doesn't mean they thrive.

Who is measuring temps in their burrow in the wild? They will be significantly lower than whats on the surface.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

You know the old saying "if you're uncomfortable from the heat, then your spiders are comfortable."

"Literally the only animal that is suffering in this house due to the heat is me"

- Me dealing with the myriad of "Is a British heatwave going to kill my tarantulas?" questions that pop up on FB every summer.

 

[Jesse607]

I've had temps dip down to the upper 50Fs for several hours on many occasions without any harm done, but none were Avicularia. During some winters my collection of Ts were at 60-66F for at least a couple of months, again with no ill effects. Ts are active at night, in many regions where Ts are found it is not unusual for evening temps to be cool 60-70F. However, species and where they are from is important to know..Low elevation equatorial species probably hardly ever experience ambient temps below 70F. Then you have dwarf Aphonopelma species in the SW USA active this time of year when evenings drop into the low 40Fs where they are found.