Oklahoma Brown Tarantula...

[Camberwell]

with regards to environment, you live in its environment so that shouldn't be too hard to work out, and it looks like you've done a great job from the pictures

wait till he matures, then let him go, but follow him and he might lead you right to a female, hehe worth a try

Camberwell

 

[GailC]

Much better you did good.

 

[tacoma0680]

i would change the soil to 100% peat moss you can find it at fred meyer or were ever in the garden section and feed and water it with crickets maybe a den for it to hide and you are set

 

[tacoma0680]

looks to be a female to me not male

 

[Mushroom Spore]

Looking better, but that's still a deadly fall waiting to happen. I'm not the only one that's brought up the substrate-to-ceiling-equals-one-legspan rule, come on now.

 

[bananaman]

looks great to me! ive had similar distances between substrate and top of the enclosure... and never have i had a deadly fall, ive seen them climb up, then climb down, ive seen some fall... nothing has happened...

im not saying it's safe the way it is, im just saying that in my experience it poses no big threat... so IMO people are exaggerating a little over fatalities from tank falls...

 

[Mushroom Spore]

so IMO people are exaggerating a little over fatalities from tank falls...

Even a 10% fatality rate (totally made-up number, it's probably two times that at least) still means that, out of every hundred falls, ten people have had their pets die. One of those ten people could just as easily be you, any day now. I don't see why it's worth even taking the risk when it's so *easy* to create a safe enclosure.

 

[bananaman]

Even a 10% fatality rate (totally made-up number, it's probably two times that at least) still means that, out of every hundred falls, ten people have had their pets die. One of those ten people could just as easily be you, any day now. I don't see why it's worth even taking the risk when it's so *easy* to create a safe enclosure.

Again, I didnt say I was right nor was I encouraging him to keep it that way... I just said that in my experience that sounds like exaggerating, I dont know this, this is IN MY EXPERIENCE and IN MY OPINION...

 

[Donovan]

The reason I thought filling to that high wasnt necessary was due to the fact that I have had gravel in there that was less than an inch deep for 2 months, I had seen him climb to the very top and go back down, and he still is alive. Now that it is soil which is a lot softer and its a good three to four times deeper I figured it would be safe. I wanted a hill of some kind and this way I can actually see it some. If I made it one legspan I wouldnt be able to see it through the roof, I can only see through the side. I am considering adding a fake plant or two just to keep it from looking bare but for now that is its cage.

As for how its taking to its new enviroment. It hasnt moved much and right after I put it all in he tried to climb to the top of the cage and get out. I am taking this as he is just scared that its new. He will like it after he gets used to it right? He hasnt gone near the cave yet.

For the one who said something bout it possibly being a female, any reasons why you think this? I am still hoping it is a female. I guess I can wait til the next molt to be 100% sure.

I have read that you shouldnt put crickets in a cage right after changing it and also shouldnt put crickets in right after a molt. That you are suppose to let its skeleton harden before then. Would tomorow be a good time? he hasnt ate in a while.

Thanks for all the great help, this will make it much happier. If I see the tibial spurs show up and the pedipalps enlarge I will be sure to go out by where I found it and release it. Are you sure that it will survive after living in captivity for a while? I will definetly replace it with something if i release it.

 

[Mushroom Spore]

The reason I thought filling to that high wasnt necessary was due to the fact that I have had gravel in there that was less than an inch deep for 2 months...If I made it one legspan I wouldnt be able to see it through the roof, I can only see through the side. I am considering adding a fake plant or two just to keep it from looking bare but for now that is its cage.

That logic is like saying that plane crashes aren't anything to worry about because you've been on a plane that didn't crash. Anyway. Please do not put human entertainment and aesthetic desires for the enclosure over the well-being of the animal that has to live in it. The plants in particular will just be someplace for crickets to hide from the tarantula.

He will like it after he gets used to it right?

He will never "like" it, but he will settle down, probably.

Are you sure that it will survive after living in captivity for a while?

Tarantulas are creatures of tens of thousands of years of pure instinct. A short period in captivity is not going to damage their wiring. They probably don't even understand that they ARE captive: they live in a small area that they have become familiar with and wait for prey to wander by, whether they are in a tank or in the wilderness.

 

[Donovan]

Yes but the distance really isnt all to high and I still havent seen him fall at all. I will go with Banana here and for now at least will keep it at that height.

Also as a side note, i have decided to name it Hercules.

I guess plants would make it harder for the tarantula. We'll see how it goes.

Well I gotta wake up in 5 hours to go to work. Have to work 10 hours tomorow cause they gave us monday and tuesday off. Good night.

Thanks for all the help so far. I'll be watching for the signs and when it molts next time ill be sure to preserve it better and check for sex.

 

[bananaman]

good name! I use fake plants in some of my enclosures, it looks really nice... yes, the crickets do hide there sometimes, but they are eventually found and eaten, crickets like to wander a lot...

Good luck and if you want any ideas look into my gallery, theres a link in my signature... have a good one!