Possible Arboreal Enclosure.

[Wolfden]

Hi I wanted to know if this would be ok as a possible enclosure for an arboreal tarantula. There are four rows of holes on either side. My only concern is with it being a top open and not a front.
It has a latching lid. I am concerned with the Tarantula building its web near the top or being right there when I open it. How have those of you that have top open enclosures for your Tarantulas dealt with this issue? Or are you just really careful when opening the enclosure and make sure that you know where the T is before opening it. The first picture is side one and the second is the opposite side. With where I am going to put it the shorter side will probably be facing toward the front.

 

[viper69]

I think it depends upon your EXPERIENCE and comfort level. Personally I wouldn't use that container for Avics, because they go to the top. I can't be bothered worrying if they are going to escape because I'm lifting their home (web on lid) up.

I'd turn that on its short side IF I was going to use it at all.

 

[cold blood]

I use enclosures like this for ALL my arboreals, including avics. The top lid has yet to be an issue. I never take the lid off, with the latches (on the sterilite ones I use), you can keep one side locked down and open it as far as you need, and because you can open it from either side, opening is just a matter of choosing the right side to open. I love these enclosures, they're cheap, functional, stackable and ventilation is easily drilled out.

Fill 'em with sub and they're great for fossorials. Glad makes a larger, taller one I like for the really large arboreals like poecs or P. cams.

 

[Wolfden]

@cold blood thanks do you think four rows of holes on either side are enough or should I add another row of holes on each side? I used a solder to make the holes.

 

[cold blood]

IMO it really depends on the size of the ventilation holes. I make essentially 2 rows along the top and another spaced out row around the lower part. I add more in areas of convenience so I can feed and water without opening. The holes I drill are large enough to push a super worm or cricket through.

 

[Venom1080]

personally, i prefer cages that are very clear. i would use that if i had none on hand though. as Viper said, maybe not for Avics but pocilotheria and psalmopoeus sp. are another matter. could definitely see that working. IME, pokies seem to run around the container rather than up.

 

[cold blood]

personally, i prefer cages that are very clear. i would use that if i had none on hand though. as Viper said, maybe not for Avics .

They work great for avics, there is more than enough vertical space. Every adult avic I have resides in these types of enclosure.

Clarity is great, but its for you, it has no benefit for the t.

 

[Venom1080]

They work great for avics, there is more than enough vertical space. Every adult avic I have resides in these types of enclosure.

Clarity is great, but its for you, it has no benefit for the t.

Don't you ruin the avics web whenever you open it then? The size is fine, obviously, I can se that. One of the top reasons I keep Ts is to look at them in the cages I set up. If I can't see them, I find a different cage of appropriate size.

 

[cold blood]

The top lid has yet to be an issue. I never take the lid off, with the latches (on the sterilite ones I use), you can keep one side locked down and open it as far as you need, and because you can open it from either side, opening is just a matter of choosing the right side to open.

Don't you ruin the avics web whenever you open it then? The size is fine, obviously, I can se that. One of the top reasons I keep Ts is to look at them in the cages I set up. If I can't see them, I find a different cage of appropriate size.

See the above quote

I understand wanting visibility, but you can certainly see them and watch them in the tubs.

 

[Wolfden]

Don't you ruin the avics web whenever you open it then? The size is fine, obviously, I can se that. One of the top reasons I keep Ts is to look at them in the cages I set up. If I can't see them, I find a different cage of appropriate size.

I was actually thinking of cutting a small door into the side near the bottom with a solder so I could get in and clean water dish and feed without having to take off the top.

 

[cold blood]

Its never been an issue, that just seems like more work than required....not that it wouldn't work if done properly though. Cleaning the water dish and picking boli are the only reasons I open the top generally. I feed through the vent holes

 

[Wolfden]

Here is what I have. Decided to forgo the door and I will just have to know where the T is if I open the lid. One question though how long should I let the hot glue dry before putting the T in. Though with her more then likely being in premolt I will wait till after she molts.

 

[cold blood]

I would add another piece of wood and more plants, concentrating them specifically around the mid to top part of the wood, this is the area an avic is most likely to make its home, in fact many choose the highest point they possibly can, so make sure that area has plants. Twisting vines around wood has worked well for me as an addition to the other plants.

 

[Wolfden]

Thanks I will do that.

 

[viper69]

One question though how long should I let the hot glue dry before putting the T in.

I wait until I can't smell the fumes anymore, but THEN I give the glued object etc to someone who hasn't smelled the hot glue and get their response as well. Granted a N=1 is not the best sample size, but it's better than relying on my desensitized olfactory neurons.

On average I wait a week or more for the hot glue fumes to go away, also depends upon how much air circulation you get.

 

[Wolfden]

here is the enclosure completed with her in it. As you can see she likes the top LOL.