Paper on Tarantula Welfare

[MorbidArachnid]

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0314501

Paper came out looking into the differences between "complex" and "simple" enclosures for tarantula welfare. I think the way some of it was designed is a little weird, also not providing burrowing space but thought it was interesting regardless.

 

[fcat]

@Dorifto

 

[viper69]

Disney does animal research?????

 

[Dorifto]

I always said that my T changed completely from being a pet burrow to an "active" T, just by switching the enclosure type and the provided conditions, it doesn´t surprise me the outcome, but it is nice to see experiments like this, anyway I would have liked to see them behave with greater substrate depth and moisture variations.

 

[viper69]

I always said that my T changed completely

That’s because you provide a PLANTED PET PALACE!

 

[Dorifto]

That’s because you provide a PLANTED PET PALACE!

I really believe that with a lot less we can achieve almost the same.

Just a good substrate with enough depth to provide enough temp and moisture gradients and few usefull decorations, like branches and tall plants (fake or real) to provide additional hiding spots, nothing else.

Space wise, even if they are quite sedentary, a bigger enclosure usually always would provide better conditions if it's well maintained. But it can be achieved in smaller setups with some dedication too.