Opinions on keeping fossorial Tarantulas terrestrially...?

[Benson1990]

I wont name drop accounts but I've seen 2-3 fairly big tarantula keepers online keeping fossorial's in terrestrial set ups, as in maybe 2-3 inches of substrate at best in fairly shallow enclosures.

Whats the view on here about doing that and is there a reason for doing it in particular that im missing? do some fossorials do better than others in this type of set up?

 

[Poonjab]

That’s a big no from me.

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

The reason depends on the one housing fossorial tarantulas in such a manner. There are no real benefits to doing so other than making monitoring and observation easier. Typically, tarantulas categorized as "fossorial" or "obligate burrower" in captivity are also highly strung. When keeping one in a small shallow container, the tarantula basically considers the whole enclosure its burrow or hide. The downside is that they are more easily agitated when you basically open up its "hide" to feed or water. There is also significant risk in having the tarantula run up and out of the enclosure when there would be nowhere else for it to go. I wouldn't say any one type of fossorial tarantula does better in a shallow container than another. It just takes someone who is comfortable working with high strung tarantulas, and can read their body language, to do it successfully. Definitely not a housing technique that should be done by a novice.

As an off topic note, I think the term "obligate burrower" is more useful to categorize tarantulas that exhibit a need to construct a burrow in captivity. Most ground-dwelling tarantulas are fossorial in nature, but some don't seem to have a need to do so in captivity.

 

[Sterls]

It's selfish - keepers that do this are putting their preference over the spider's needs.

 

[Benson1990]

The reason depends on the one housing fossorial tarantulas in such a manner. There are no real benefits to doing so other than making monitoring and observation easier. Typically, tarantulas categorized as "fossorial" or "obligate burrower" in captivity are also highly strung. When keeping one in a small shallow container, the tarantula basically considers the whole enclosure its burrow or hide. The downside is that they are more easily agitated when you basically open up its "hide" to feed or water. There is also significant risk in having the tarantula run up and out of the enclosure when there would be nowhere else for it to go. I wouldn't say any one type of fossorial tarantula does better in a shallow container than another. It just takes someone who is comfortable working with high strung tarantulas, and can read their body language, to do it successfully. Definitely not a housing technique that should be done by a novice.

But wouldn't the T be in a permanent state of stress? a T who is an obligate burrower being denied the chance to do what comes most natural to it, we know given the chance they make long burrows with intricate tunnel systems.

 

[BoyFromLA]

Even typical terrestrials would need more than 2-3inches of sub.

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

But wouldn't the T be in a permanent state of stress? a T who is an obligate burrower being denied the chance to do what comes most natural to it, we know given the chance they make long burrows with intricate tunnel systems.

Not necessarily. Tarantulas in general are very adaptive and there are no two species, or individuals of a species, that will react to an inability to burrow in the same way. This is why it takes a good understanding of tarantula behavior to house fossorial species in shallow containers. One must be able to recognize signs of stress and signs of adaptation.

 

[DomGom TheFather]

I couldn't imagine any reason to keep them terrestrially outside of maybe breeding but I don't keep mine as deep as other keepers might.

 

[Matt Man]

yeah, terrestrials will make do with what their local provides them. You will find them in small caves under rocks with little to no burrow. I do agree, for Ts with reputations as diggers it is good to give them lots to dig. I have provided ample depth for many of my slings to dig and the only ones who really took advantage of it was the C darlingi and my OBTs, but the OBTs were to a much lesser extent. If you allow them to burrow, but don't over feed, you will see them more often

 

[Ic4ru577]

I just bought 3” e cyanognathus and c albostriatus from fellow collectors here. They were housed in a deli cup and take out boxes previously. I am housing them in twin enclosures of 8x12x16 with 10” of subs. They went for the premade burrows in one corner. I only see the tip of their legs every night

 

[spideyspinneret78]

I wouldn't do that. If you want a spider to eat well, grow quickly, and be as healthy as possible, then it needs to be in the correct setup for that species. Fossorials are obligate burrowers and require deep substrate in order to thrive. Less stress, more security, and an environment that's closer to their natural habitat. A fossorial tarantula would probably survive kept on shallow substrate but would it thrive? Doubtful.

 

[Liquifin]

Fossorials on short substrate depth is not really a good thing. I would prefer at least a tall enclosure to allow good substrate depth and it doesn't have to be too wide as most obligate burrowers just go straight down when making a burrow.

 

[abexoskeleton]

My personal experience and observation, it depends on the species, individuals, age, and setup as Ts are adaptive. As slings probably will burrow a lot but become lesser as they grow older, except maybe P. muticus. They are the definition of "obligate burrower" I think. Mine is always in the deep.
My AF C. marshalli and darlingi never dig instead they web up everything on the hides, anchor points provided. Their current setup is now probably more terrestrial to your likings with a bit of depth hides and anchor point. My AF OBT is probably more arboreal now lol, never dig but web everything. Tempted to give her an arbo setup in the future, but nah probably a bit terrestrial. Juvenile balfie, dig a bit web a lot. maybe in the future will give a terrestrial setup with some depth. And anchor points for sure.

I've noticed also that heavy webbers are more adaptive than those light webber. They can make "burrow" from their webbing.

Overall like other said, observe your Ts and see their behavior, and adjust if necessary. But as a start and basic rule, fossorial meaning give them depth, like arboreal give them height, and terrestrial give them horizontal space. Can adjust later on if necessary based on individual observation.

 

[thatdadlife619]

Keeping a fossorial as a terrestrial does nothing but add unneeded stress. Stressed out t=easily agitated t. I believe some people do this in order for the t to web up their enclosure extensively. Cool looking I’ll admit, but this is literally the spider stressing tf out and attempting to make a system of tunnels as it would if it had the depth it requires. I almost said this word for word in another thread a few weeks back. I would much rather have a happy pet hole than a pissed off tweeker webber

 

[TheInv4sion]

In my years of keeping Ts, Old World and New World Terrestrial arboreal or fossorial; the best way to keep your fossorial Tarantula in a terrestrial setup is to just not. Get a terrestrial if you don't want a pet hole get a fossorial if you don't care.