Semi-arborealness and Cork bark style questions

[JulianH1001]

I've searched a bunch on this topic and haven't found a lot, so apologies if it's common knowledge. One of my favorite things about this hobby is tailoring enclosures to each species' natural habitat. I'm well aware you can keep them just fine without such efforts, and I know it's more for me than them, but alas. As long as you keep the enclosure safe and comfortable, I see no issue with fussing over it before you place the little guy/girl in there!

I've read about a few arboreal tarantulas who are often described as "semi-arboreal". Particularly P. irmina and L. "Borneo Black". I wanted some opinions on how to encapsulate this in the enclosure. Should I go with a more traditionally terrestrial setup (ie: longer than tall) and then provide a wide array of vertical climbing pieces, like cork bark, plants, branches? Or should I just go with the tall, skinnier setup and just clutter it with climbables?


Secondly, I wanted some opinions on cork rounds, half-rounds, and flats. What do you use, and for which species? Rounds clearly give the spider the most security, but prevent easy viewing. Are there certain species that you've noticed are fine with being more exposed in their hide? For example, I know that pokies often rely on their coloration for camouflage, so they often stay visible more, while a L. violaceopes might prefer the dark security of a full round?

Just spitballing ideas and want to hear peoples' thoughts and experiences.

 

[moricollins]

My arboreals and semi arboreals always seemed to enjoy the half rounds placed against the back of the tank. Gave them privacy but still let me check on them easily enough

I always kept my p. irminia like a terrestrial but with slightly more height. Others may do it differently

 

[Asgiliath]

My arboreals and semi arboreals always seemed to enjoy the half rounds placed against the back of the tank. Gave them privacy but still let me check on them easily enough

I always kept my p. irminia like a terrestrial but with slightly more height. Others may do it differently

Sorry to not really answer OP’s question but this is interesting.

I definitely do it differently. My irminia is in a fully arboreal setup just with more sub for burrowing. They used to burrow and make dirt curtains but now they just hang out in their cork tube. Hmm

 

[draconisj4]

I use half rounds or cork slabs leaned against the back of taller enclosures for arboreals. Semi arboreals get a choice, a taller cork slab leaned against the back plus a standard hide to use if they wish.

My P. irminia is set up like a standard arboreal but with deeper substrate so she could burrow if she wanted to. She chose to make her home close to the top of the cork slab and only comes down to drink. My P. cambridgei is set up the same way but chose to live in a burrow and only comes up to hunt.

 

[viper69]

I use all types of cork.

Irminia I keep in arboreal oriented containers with more sub unlike my Avics

 

[Olan]

I have 2 Borneo blacks. They are in 12” high enclosures, halfway filled with substrate. Cork bark buried into the substrate but sticking up almost to the lid.