Hi!
I am seriously thinking of finally getting a tarantula (been thinking about it for 20 years). Just one, as a pet, no interest in collecting. I'm an entomologist by profession and I've reared/kept various insects and black widow spiders over the years and even though I've done a fair amount of reading on tarantulas in particular I still have questions:
1. Is there a conscenus as to substrate? What's best and easiest?
2. We live in what I call a northern desert - so the house is very dry. I don't want humidity in the spider cage to become a source of stress, so although I'd like to get a Singapore Blue, I'm thinking I'd be better off with a Red-kneed. I am open to suggestions though.
3. The house is also quite cold in the winter (I keep it at 19 C). Today it's -37 C (-50 C with the windchill) outside, which doesn't help. Do you recommend a heating pad? Or does that just dry out the cage too much?
4. Because this is a pet, I want the enclosure to look 'pretty' vs. utlilitarian - anything major I need to watch out for or avoid?
I'll likely have more questions - thanks for your patience!
I am seriously thinking of finally getting a tarantula (been thinking about it for 20 years). Just one, as a pet, no interest in collecting. I'm an entomologist by profession and I've reared/kept various insects and black widow spiders over the years and even though I've done a fair amount of reading on tarantulas in particular I still have questions:
1. Is there a conscenus as to substrate? What's best and easiest?
2. We live in what I call a northern desert - so the house is very dry. I don't want humidity in the spider cage to become a source of stress, so although I'd like to get a Singapore Blue, I'm thinking I'd be better off with a Red-kneed. I am open to suggestions though.
3. The house is also quite cold in the winter (I keep it at 19 C). Today it's -37 C (-50 C with the windchill) outside, which doesn't help. Do you recommend a heating pad? Or does that just dry out the cage too much?
4. Because this is a pet, I want the enclosure to look 'pretty' vs. utlilitarian - anything major I need to watch out for or avoid?
I'll likely have more questions - thanks for your patience!