Preparing enclosure for b. Smithi tarantula

[Octavius Aranea]

Hello, I am new to tarantula keeping, and my first one (GBB) died from putting too much stress on it when I moved it to a new enclosure. I don't want to make the same mistake this time around. I am preparing an enclosure for a new 2 inch B. Smithi Tarantula that will arrive in a few days. I don't know if I should put it into the smaller enclosure that is 6" Lx4" H x 4" W or into the the larger enclosure that is 8"Lx6"hx6"w. Thanks for any suggestions you can give.

 

[Wolfram1]

both will be fine choices, at that size it should be fairly stable already and there hopefully won't be any problems with feedings etc so i'd probably go for the larger one

could you describe the ventilation? Thats something i allways like to check on with new owners as it is incredibly important, but usually neglected in these posts.

 

[Octavius Aranea]

both will be fine choices, at that size it should be fairly stable already and there hopefully won't be any problems with feedings etc so i'd probably go for the larger one

could you describe the ventilation? Thats something i allways like to check on with new owners as it is incredibly important, but usually neglected in these posts.

Thank you for your reply Wofram1. The ventilation is very good. The enclosure is a "Tarantula Crib" acrylic enclosure with ventilation on the top and along the sides. When B. Smithi arrives, I will put it into the larger enclosure.

 

[Brewser]

Be sure and Post A Pic, when you get it set up with your New Friend.
All the Best to You and B. smithi.

 

[viper69]

and my first one (GBB) died from putting too much stress on it when I moved it to a new enclosure

I’ve raised GBBs they are tough as nails. I’d be surprised if you killed it due to stress, unless the stress was improper environment. The wild is far more stressful than captivity

What stress do you mean??

 

[cold blood]

could you describe the ventilation? Thats something i allways like to check on with new owners as it is incredibly important, but usually neglected in these posts.

It's not important for many species, specifically terrestrials kept predominantly dry.....minimal ventilation is actually required.

Hello, I am new to tarantula keeping, and my first one (GBB) died from putting too much stress on it when I moved it to a new enclosure.

Stress alone will not kill a tarantula, it was something else.

 

[Wolfram1]

It's not important for many species, specifically terrestrials kept predominantly dry.....minimal ventilation is actually required.

true, but i wasnt asking about adding more, just to describe it, it's not the amount that i was worried about, but the placement

Chromatopelma cyaneopubescense is one of the sp. that requires a bit more ventilation in my opinion and considering there was a misshap with that species prior... i thought it prudent to question this point

anyway

 

[cold blood]

true, but i wasnt asking about adding more, just to describe it, it's not the amount that i was worried about, but the placement

Chromatopelma cyaneopubescense is one of the sp. that requires a bit more ventilation in my opinion and considering there was a misshap with that species prior... i thought it prudent to question this point

anyway

I don't agree with regards to the GBB.....They're like the poster child for low ventilation requirements along with the rose hair.

 

[Wolfram1]

I don't agree with regards to the GBB.....They're like the poster child for low ventilation requirements along with the rose hair.

only because they are predominantly kept dry, if you provide them with a partially moist substate the ventilation needs raise fast, and are greater than with Bachypelma etc, at least in my opinion

but i guess we are getting off topic, and into the weeds of idividual preferences

 

[Octavius Aranea]

I’ve raised GBBs they are tough as nails. I’d be surprised if you killed it due to stress, unless the stress was improper environment. The wild is far more stressful than captivity

What stress do you mean??

HI, Viper 69. Thanks for your reply. I was dismayed when my GBB died. It was my first try at raising a tarantula, and I didn't realize how attached one could get to a "bug", so to speak. It was only 1.5. years old, and starting to get its coloration in the legs. I had put it into a one size larger enclosure when it outgrew its initial tiny enclusure. It did well for about two months, then it suddenly stopped webbing and stopped eating anything I offered, such as banded crickets and its favorite silkworms. I consulted an exotic animal veterinarian who specializes in tarantulas and other exotic critters, who suggested the enclosure may be too dry. I upped the humidity to about 60% and the temperature to about 74f, but no improvements after three months. So, it probably was housed in an improper environment, as you suggest. I hope I can do better by my new B. Smithi, and I wish your GBB has a long and happy life with your care.

 

[cold blood]

only because they are predominantly kept dry, if you provide them with a partially moist substate the ventilation needs raise fast, and are greater than with Bachypelma etc, at least in my opinion

Sure, but that's not how you would keep a xeric species like a GBB

 

[viper69]

HI, Viper 69. Thanks for your reply. I was dismayed when my GBB died. It was my first try at raising a tarantula, and I didn't realize how attached one could get to a "bug", so to speak. It was only 1.5. years old, and starting to get its coloration in the legs. I had put it into a one size larger enclosure when it outgrew its initial tiny enclusure. It did well for about two months, then it suddenly stopped webbing and stopped eating anything I offered, such as banded crickets and its favorite silkworms. I consulted an exotic animal veterinarian who specializes in tarantulas and other exotic critters, who suggested the enclosure may be too dry. I upped the humidity to about 60% and the temperature to about 74f, but no improvements after three months. So, it probably was housed in an improper environment, as you suggest. I hope I can do better by my new B. Smithi, and I wish your GBB has a long and happy life with your care.

This species come from an extremely xeric environment of Venzuela. I can’t say the humidity killed it, but it may have contributed etc

 

[Octavius Aranea]

Be sure and Post A Pic, when you get it set up with your New Friend.
All the Best to You and B. smithi.

b Smithi arrived today. Still hiding in packing material