metal mesh screen cover - would it hurt the spider?

[VesAn]

My a. genic has molted again and she is getting a wee bit too big for the kritter keeper I currently have her in. I got a ten gallon aquarium coming to me in a week or two, but I haven't decided on what to use for the cover.

Can those metal mesh screen covers hurt the tarantulas in anyway? I've heard a while ago someone referring to their little tarsal claws getting caught in them and causing damage to the spider, is there any validity in this story I heard?

If a metal mesh screen is indeed not good for the spider, what alternatives (in the form of covers purchasable in stores, I am not so good at DIY stuff) do I have?

 

[Windchaser]

Yes, it is possible for tarantulas to get their tarsal claws stuck in the wire mesh. If this does happen, it is possible for the tarantula to loose its leg. If you decide to use a screen lid, make sure that the distance from the top of the substrate to the lid is no more then the leg span of the tarantula.

I am not aware of any good alternative lids being sold. Most folks will make their own out of plexiglass. If you do get a wire mesh cover, see if the areas where the wires cross each other have been painted. If they have, it may prevent the claws from getting stuck.

 

[cacoseraph]

there is a version of the wire mesh screen lid talked about in _The Tarantula Keeper's Guide_ called er, hot dipped galvanized, i think

but in TTKG and other places i have read this is the MUCH safer alternative to the regular wire mesh screen. the dipping process fills all those horrible gaps between the wires in with very hard plastic or something... i forget, i don't use that kind of cage myself

 

[VesAn]

Thanks for the info folks. I found a thing off of froogle called a "critter cover" made by hagen, which is basically a kritter keeper cover made to fit a ten gallon tank. I've ordered one and will see if it is good.

 

[DanHalen]

I use some screen covers myself. I get it from a builders merchants. It's sold as fly mesh. It's really, really fine but works great for ventilation in both my pokies and my T. Apophysis. I've seen themwalk over it with no hint of being stuck at all, so I'm quite confident that no-ones gonna get stuck

It's a good idea to have as little space between the lid and substrate as possible though.

 

[Wadew]

I have been purchasing Exo terra's with screen tops and also use fine mesh lids at my store and have not had a problem. to be safe I will throw in"Yet"
Wade

 

[fscorpion]

I have been using wire mesh and my tarantulas never got their legs stucked...just use some wider mesh holes...

 

[Sobrino]

I just normally use the 5.5 gallon tanks which come with the cover. It uses wire mesh and it is really good to use.

 

[Windchaser]

Yes, under most cases you will not have problems with screen lids. However, if you use enough of them you will have a problem at some point. Over the many years that I have been keeping T's I have had a couple tarantulas get stuck. Just because it hasn't happened yet to soome of you doesn't mean it never will. For the most part I try to avoid them but will use them for tarantulas that are very like to ever climb, such as obligate burrowers. It is always best to be aware of the risk.