How on Earth do you guys manage to keep humidity up?

[nhdjoseywales]

I know Wikipedia isn't exactly an authority on tarantula-keeping, but I've read similar reports from different websites, and well, I just dug up the Wikipedia article since it's easier to find than some random articles/posts at random websites. I did notice, though that the article does not list ANY sources. Like I said; it could've been written by anyone.

By the way, I'd like to trust the hobbyists as well, but as you can see even by glancing at the responses to this thread, everyone seems to have different opinions.

I'm guessing that part of the problem is that tarantulas are tough enough to withstand humidity/temperature that isn't exactly like their native climate, and when one dies, it's hard to tell whether it was from old age, stress, some sort of disease, internal damage, mites, mould, chemicals or because the temperature/humidity level was off by 5 degrees. People seem to have success even with wildly varying setups.

trust the behavior people with the species have observed. mine also climbs the walls if i mist the substrate, they do not seem to like a moist environment.

 

[Exo]

trust the behavior people with the species have observed. mine also climbs the walls if i mist the substrate, they do not seem to like a moist environment.

Strange, mine don't seem to mind some moisture....

 

[Steve Calceatum]

I know Wikipedia isn't exactly an authority on tarantula-keeping, but I've read similar reports from different websites, and well, I just dug up the Wikipedia article since it's easier to find than some random articles/posts at random websites. I did notice, though that the article does not list ANY sources. Like I said; it could've been written by anyone.

By the way, I'd like to trust the hobbyists as well, but as you can see even by glancing at the responses to this thread, everyone seems to have different opinions.

I'm guessing that part of the problem is that tarantulas are tough enough to withstand humidity/temperature that isn't exactly like their native climate, and when one dies, it's hard to tell whether it was from old age, stress, some sort of disease, internal damage, mites, mould, chemicals or because the temperature/humidity level was off by 5 degrees. People seem to have success even with wildly varying setups.

Tarantulas are amazing, aren't they??? My guess is that you are new to this hobby??? :? My reasoning for the guess is that new hobbyists have a tendency to over-worry and stress needlessly about the care of their first T. Unless your T is like an Avicularia diversipes (expensive, rare, care-specific, and has the possibility of a sudden death for no apparent reason), there's not much to stress on in this hobby.

There are alot of things hobbyists agree on. For instance, keeping Brachys dry. As far as humidity goes, you'll have opinions acoss the board. Many hobbyists will commonly agree on a 10 x 15 x 12 as being perfect dimensions for most adult terrestrial setups.....but are you going to go naturalist modded aquarium, utilitarian, or everything in between????? Follow all the common themes, and pick the extras that you like to create a style of husbandry that works for you and your T's.

The most important thing here is that you also need to listen to your T. If your B. smithi is climbing walls, then she is probably not comfortable in her enclosure for whatever reason. On the other hand, I have two Grammostolas (pulchripes & rosea) that climb the walls as part of their "normal" behavior (as if there is such a thing with Grammys ).....but they come down eventually. It's when they don't come down that lets me know something is up.

Hope this makes some sense to you. Welcome to (at least) the boards, if not the whole freakin' Addiction!!!!

 

[codykrr]

Mark, how big is yours?

 

[Xian]

I'm guessing that part of the problem is that tarantulas are tough enough to withstand humidity/temperature that isn't exactly like their native climate, and when one dies, it's hard to tell whether it was from old age, stress, some sort of disease, internal damage, mites, mould, chemicals or because the temperature/humidity level was off by 5 degrees. People seem to have success even with wildly varying setups.

T's are tough.
There are very few places in the world where temperatures and humidity levels remain constant year around. So trying to mimic the natural environment is an exercise in futility. It's pretty easy to see that from the majority of the responses you have here that a dry substrate with a water bowl is the way to go. If you keep trying to find that one perfect resource that says this or that, even if you found it, how would you know to believe it.

 

[Adalrich]

trust the behavior people with the species have observed. mine also climbs the walls if i mist the substrate, they do not seem to like a moist environment.

Yeah, I've heard that g.roseas tend to climb the glass if their substrate is too moist, and I'm sure it applies to other species as well. I'm not planning on soaking the substrate though, just overflowing the waterbowl/pouring water into a corner once a week or so.

My original problem was that it's very hard to keep humidity at over 55 percent at this time of the year, but it's now a discussion about whether or not smithis should be kept in moderately humid or bone dry enclosures.

Tarantulas are amazing, aren't they??? My guess is that you are new to this hobby??? :? My reasoning for the guess is that new hobbyists have a tendency to over-worry and stress needlessly about the care of their first T. Unless your T is like an Avicularia diversipes (expensive, rare, care-specific, and has the possibility of a sudden death for no apparent reason), there's not much to stress on in this hobby.

There are alot of things hobbyists agree on. For instance, keeping Brachys dry. As far as humidity goes, you'll have opinions acoss the board. Many hobbyists will commonly agree on a 10 x 15 x 12 as being perfect dimensions for most adult terrestrial setups.....but are you going to go naturalist modded aquarium, utilitarian, or everything in between????? Follow all the common themes, and pick the extras that you like to create a style of husbandry that works for you and your T's.

The most important thing here is that you also need to listen to your T. If your B. smithi is climbing walls, then she is probably not comfortable in her enclosure for whatever reason. On the other hand, I have two Grammostolas (pulchripes & rosea) that climb the walls as part of their "normal" behavior (as if there is such a thing with Grammys ).....but they come down eventually. It's when they don't come down that lets me know something is up.

Hope this makes some sense to you. Welcome to (at least) the boards, if not the whole freakin' Addiction!!!!

Yes, I am new indeed. I just got the b. smithi yesterday... wait, make that two days ago. It's almost 3 am already. I openly admit I am most likely over-worrying I just want to make sure I'm treating her right. I'm also sorry if I sounded like I was trying to sound like an expert. Just speculating I'd also like to point out that I know brachys (and grammostolas, and I suppose all terrestrials for that matter?) don't like soaking wet substrate, and that they climb the glass when the ground's too moist. As I said earlier, I don't plan to drown the poor thing. Don't panic!

Yes, you made perfect sense, and thanks for welcoming me. It's nice to be here I'll try to worry less for little Hildegard, I suppose she isn't going to die as soon as I turn my back!

T's are tough.
There are very few places in the world where temperatures and humidity levels remain constant year around. So trying to mimic the natural environment is an exercise in futility. It's pretty easy to see that from the majority of the responses you have here that a dry substrate with a water bowl is the way to go. If you keep trying to find that one perfect resource that says this or that, even if you found it, how would you know to believe it.

That's true. I suppose I don't have to keep monitoring the level of humidity and start panicking each time it drops by one or two percent.

I'll check back tomorrow, I'm too tired to write at the moment... Gotta get some sleep.

Everyone, thanks for answering and alleviating some of my fears!

 

[Exo]

I know Wikipedia isn't exactly an authority on tarantula-keeping, but I've read similar reports from different websites, and well, I just dug up the Wikipedia article since it's easier to find than some random articles/posts at random websites. I did notice, though that the article does not list ANY sources. Like I said; it could've been written by anyone.

By the way, I'd like to trust the hobbyists as well, but as you can see even by glancing at the responses to this thread, everyone seems to have different opinions.

I'm guessing that part of the problem is that tarantulas are tough enough to withstand humidity/temperature that isn't exactly like their native climate, and when one dies, it's hard to tell whether it was from old age, stress, some sort of disease, internal damage, mites, mould, chemicals or because the temperature/humidity level was off by 5 degrees. People seem to have success even with wildly varying setups.

B.smithi is commonly found around Acopolco (sp?) mexico which is relatively tropical. I was actually fortunate enough to see a B.smithi when I went there 5 years ago, and it was rather humid. Most people seem to do fine keeping them dry, but I er on the side of caution and give them a little extra humidity just to be safe.

 

[nhdjoseywales]

Strange, mine don't seem to mind some moisture....

perhaps a poll should be made to see which is "typical" and which is "deviant" behavior

 

[Exo]

perhaps a poll should be made to see which is "typical" and which is "deviant" behavior

I have two, each from different sacs and different sources and both don't seem bothered by damp substrate or high humidity.

 

[nhdjoseywales]

Yeah, I've heard that g.roseas tend to climb the glass if their substrate is too moist, and I'm sure it applies to other species as well. I'm not planning on soaking the substrate though, just overflowing the waterbowl/pouring water into a corner once a week or so.

My original problem was that it's very hard to keep humidity at over 55 percent at this time of the year, but it's now a discussion about whether or not smithis should be kept in moderately humid or bone dry enclosures.

have you tried just a simple small room humidifier? remember the humidity in a tank will most likely be more than the humidity of the room itself. i know that even with a humidifier in my t room the average is still under 50 percent. 65 sounds damp to me.

 

[nhdjoseywales]

I have two, each from different sacs and different sources and both don't seem bothered by damp substrate or high humidity.

two isn't a representative sample tho. remember 3 people in this thread said their didn't like humid environments. 3 isn't a representative sample either.

 

[Exo]

two isn't a representative sample tho. remember 3 people in this thread said their didn't like humid environments. 3 isn't a representative sample either.

Well, forgive me for not having a B.smithi factory in my basement.

 

[nhdjoseywales]

Well, forgive me for not having a B.smithi factory in my basement.

you mean thats not normal? please tell me you at least have a lemonade stand type sling shop in front of the house......i mean we gotta have standards right?

 

[Buckwheat]

if you do a little research on this species and where it is from and what geological conditions exist there it would be helpful in setting up something of a natural habitat.

Let me help you out a bit. First off, B. Smithi comes from Mexico in several western states there. They being, Nayarit, Jalisco, The center of their natural habitat is known as Colima. Colima is bordered on the north, east, and west by the Mexican state of Jalisco; on the southeast by the Mexican state of Michoacán; and on the south by the Pacific Ocean. It is about the same size as the US state of Delaware.

The landscape consists of mountains, hills, valleys, plains, and deep ravines. A branch of the Sierra Madre mountain range runs through the state. Temperatures are fairly constant year round, with variation depending on elevation. In the winter, temperatures range from 20°c to 28°c (68°f to 76°f). Summers are hotter, with temperatures ranging from 28°c to 34°c (82°f to 93°f). The rainy season falls from June through October, when much of the average annual rain falls. Rainfall during those months averages 1,010 millimeters (40 inches or in other words..allot.)

Humidity would be a factor for seasonal maintenance more than consistent maintenance if you wish to create a more natural environment. These regions lay along the west coast of Mexico and would be tropical in nature even though climate could change dramatically inland. What does this mean? It means that just about everyone here is correct. They can be kept with humidity if you feel you want to but can be kept dry as a popcorn fart as well and will do just as good. You might consider using the Zoo Med's Excavator burrowing clay which you can check out here-http://www.herpsupplies.com/product.cfm?groupid=13149&id=SZMXR05
Additionally, here is a youtube video on this stuff here-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk3vwEhdzps

This might be really good for your tarantula considering where they come from. Additionally, I would suggest somewhere around 45-60 % humidity (due to the naturally cooler conditions next to the Pacific Ocean in that region) and varying your temps with seasonal conditions in that region even though these are all captive bred these days it would give you more realistic conditions as how they live in the wild. One last thing, frequently it is easier to humidify the entire room if you can rather than the enclosure. Just a thought. If that seems all too much, just keep it dry and remember the 1st rule of tarantula keeping..KISS.

Good luck. Nice species

 

[nakazanie]

just keep it dry and remember the 1st rule of tarantula keeping..KISS.

Good luck. Nice species

:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

Well said.

Nak

 

[Hamburglar]

Good luck with your spider... I haven't worried about humidity or temps for years and have never had a problem. I just offer water to some species more often.

I am sure you will do fine...

 

[Adalrich]

Thanks everyone! I'll try to relax more.

 

[Stopdroproll]

Definitely relax more, tarantulas have got to be the easiest pet to own. You think the people on here who have hundreds of Ts stress about each and every one? Not trying to say anyone should neglect it, but they are hardy creatures.

 

[Stan Schultz]

First of all, hi to everyone, as of yesterday, I'm a proud owner of a small (about 3 cm long) bracypelma smithi.

I thought it'd be relatively smooth sailing, but I've run into some unexpected problems with humidity, or rather, how to keep it from falling below 50 %. ...

First, I presume that the length you give is body length? So, the leg span is something like 6 cm? (That's about 1-1/4" and 2-1/3" respectively for those of you still on the old English system.) That means that your B. smithi is at the point where it can easily switch over to a semi-arid or arid cage. Allow it to make this adjustment over a period of about two molts. It'll make your life a lot easier and won't hurt the tarantula one bit.

Second, for a little background information you might read
http://people.ucalgary.ca/~schultz/stansrant.html.

Third, don't stress out too much about humidity levels. They're generally, vastly overrated. You can find out a lot about it by reading:

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=169497
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=165253
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=163974
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=145819

And, pay particular attention to the note at the end of
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showpost.php?p=1338246&postcount=27.

Fourth, do a search (use the search function in the gray bar at the top of this page) for various search strings including humidity.

BTW, do you realize that if your smithi is a female you could easily have her as you finally retire? They can be very long lived.

 

[brian abrams]

I have over 40 B Smithi slings that are now all large. Haven't lost one yet. Some of them are in damp containers, some dry. The ones that are in wet containers I'm constantly tweaking by drilling more holes in their containers. Also, some of them keep tipping their water caps over. Tough little buggers.