Is this too crowded for a 5 - 6 inch terrestrial T??

[tarantulas118]

I spent all my money yesterday on an enclosure and setup and when I set it up I thought it might be a little crowded, do i need a smaller water dish? Or a larger enclosure?? Or is it just fine??? I don't have anymore money so I can't buy anything else sadly

 

[fcat]

What kind of T specifically. If you have about $8, smallmart (rhymes with) has a "mainstays XL shoe bin" that is about 10x15, ideally you don't want to go smaller than 2x the leg span on the short side, and 3x on the long side. You'll need to secure the lid. You can do that for free. What you have is okay as a temporary home in my opinion.

Depending on the species you might need to go deeper as well.

I'm worried there is no space to safely ambush prey. I shoot for one body sized open space in front of the hide entrance.

If you are going to have an open ended hide, you want to make sure it can get in and out safely on both sides. They do like oval shaped openings that aren't too open though.

In the interim a smaller water dish would be a good idea but make sure it can still fit its entire carapace in it.

Expect more defensive behaviors in smaller enclosures.

 

[tarantulas118]

What kind of T specifically. If you have about $8, smallmart (rhymes with) has a "mainstays XL shoe bin" that is about 10x15, ideally you don't want to go smaller than 2x the leg span on the short side, and 3x on the long side. You'll need to secure the lid. You can do that for free. What you have is okay as a temporary home in my opinion.

Depending on the species you might need to go deeper as well.

I'm worried there is no space to safely ambush prey. I shoot for one body sized open space in front of the hide entrance.

If you are going to have an open ended hide, you want to make sure it can get in and out safely on both sides. They do like oval shaped openings that aren't too open though.

In the interim a smaller water dish would be a good idea but make sure it can still fit its entire carapace in it.

Expect more defensive behaviors in smaller enclosures.

I was hoping to get an Aphonapelma chalcodes or hentzi, definitely a new world species. Thank you i will definitely look at that xl shoe bin

 

[fcat]

Both wonderful choices. It's what I keep mine in (though they would argue they aren't getting enough depth )

 

[tarantulas118]

What kind of T specifically. If you have about $8, smallmart (rhymes with) has a "mainstays XL shoe bin" that is about 10x15, ideally you don't want to go smaller than 2x the leg span on the short side, and 3x on the long side. You'll need to secure the lid. You can do that for free. What you have is okay as a temporary home in my opinion.

Depending on the species you might need to go deeper as well.

I'm worried there is no space to safely ambush prey. I shoot for one body sized open space in front of the hide entrance.

If you are going to have an open ended hide, you want to make sure it can get in and out safely on both sides. They do like oval shaped openings that aren't too open though.

In the interim a smaller water dish would be a good idea but make sure it can still fit its entire carapace in it.

Expect more defensive behaviors in smaller enclosures.

I got the shoe bin lol
How exactly do you secure the lid? Just put something heavy on top? Also would i need to drill in some more ventilation holes or are the few that the bin comes with good enough?

 

[sparticus]

I got the shoe bin lol
How exactly do you secure the lid? Just put something heavy on top? Also would i need to drill in some more ventilation holes or are the few that the bin comes with good enough?

I do add extra ventilation. And I secure lids with tiny self adhesive hooks and little rubber bands. It's a great enclosure. I posted a pic somewhere, I'll try to find it.
EDIT: Found it here: https://arachnoboards.com/threads/another-mesh-screen-sold-help.368191/post-3402604

 

[fcat]

I use other tarantulas as paper weights

 

[tarantulas118]

I do add extra ventilation. And I secure lids with tiny self adhesive hooks and little rubber bands. It's a great enclosure. I posted a pic somewhere, I'll try to find it.
EDIT: Found it here: https://arachnoboards.com/threads/another-mesh-screen-sold-help.368191/post-3402604

This is perfect! Thanks so much!!

 

[LucN]

I see no real issues with that setup. The spider has more than enough room to maneuver about. Sure, more sub could be nice, but odds are your spider will simply settle under that half log hide. The only thing is that it would make escapes pretty easy, but considering Aphonopelma are generally laid-back, I don't see it happening all that much. Give it a try. If you keep seeing it roam about, perhaps the shoe box enclosure would work too.