Sunlight, totally bad or acceptable?

[Richie Santiago]

I've got 4 sub-adult Ts. A GBB (looks like a male so far), a Honduran Curly-hair, a Mexican Fire Leg and a Brazilian Black (latter 3 look female). I've got them each set up in large Tarantula Cribs. They are by a double-pane window with internal shutters. They all tend to seek the light. I live in an arid environment, so I keep their mini water dishes full. They all eat great and are going on almost a year since I got them. I'm just curious about how much I've read on here that sunlight is soo terrible. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[Introvertebrate]

Direct sunlight is both totally bad and unacceptable. Greenhouse effect can build up very quickly inside an enclosure.

 

[Wolfram1]

they do seek warmth, so they tend to snuggle up with heat mats that are placed on the side of enclosures and they are known to sunbathe if they can, likely for exactly the same reason, the gentle warmth of sunlight.

the problem stems from the variability of the heat given off and how enclosures can heat up past acceptable limits. This may not be a problem now, in spring, but a single bright, hot summer day may push temperatures past what they can tolerate. And it may not even be an especially hot day, just the position of the sun and the strenght of the rays can be enough to cook the enclosure.

It is on you to make sure parameters are within an acceptable range! And sunlight can be both gentle and deadly at the same time.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Keep them out of bright sunlight they are nocturnal animals so I’d close the blinds unless it’s dark .

 

[viper69]

I'm just curious about how much I've read on here that sunlight is soo terrible. Am I doing something wrong?

Sunlight is not harmful, if it was, they'd be dead in the wild, RIGHT? What is deadly is if the sunlight is cooking inside their tanks etc,, true for all animals, including human animals- think parked car in cool San Antonio or El Paso, those heat up like a microwave, and poof they die.

 

[TheraMygale]

I think light is important. It helps their biological clock.

my tarantulas are in the Living room, in a book shelf furthest from the window.

the only issue i see with tarantulas being housed next to a window, is the room orientation. If its a south window, you could risk creating a hot envirnoment.

sun peaks, can overheat ambient air in an enclosure.

sure, the tarantula can go in its hide. but it also enjoys heat. Its like being inside a car with the windows shut, in full sun.

so, any pictures of the set up, so we can actualy understand better?

 

[Motherofspiders112707]

I don’t think it’s bad, but I’d keep an eye on them so they don’t overheat. Maybe get one of those temperature gage things they use for reptile enclosures and put it in the window so you can make sure it’s not too hot for the T’s. That way you can move them around accordingly if it’s a bit too hot during the day to have them near the window.

 

[Wolfram1]

the problem is literally that people thought it was fine, they would be able to keep an eye on it and put it out of the sunlight if it ever got too hot, without realizing that it is simply impossible to control fast enough. Just once can be deadly.

It is fine until one day it isn't. the only exception would be winows/positions that recieve an extremly limited amount of sunlight, due to the position of the window or due to other structures blocking the light for most of the day, only letting it pass either in the early morning or in the late evening when the suns rays are much weaker than during midday. And even that can be dangerous.

Also you should never expose plastic or acrylics to direct sunlight if you can help it.

 

[Gevo]

Mine seem to enjoy some light, but they're not in direct sunlight ever, at any point in the year. In addition to all of the above, it should also be noted that acrylic enclosures are more prone to warping in sunlight too (or if used under heat lamps or that kind of thing).

I have a lot of tropical houseplants, so I have a lot of lamps with white, full-spectrum LED bulbs on timers to help everyone get through our dark northern winters (I think they make a difference for us people, too!), and I've thought of placing the tarantulas closer to those (still not directly under). When spring arrives, they become more active, and they seem to follow the light as it moves around the room (again, never directly on them, though). It definitely has some effect on them, and it appears to be a positive one.

 

[scottyk]

Mine seem to enjoy some light, but they're not in direct sunlight ever, at any point in the year. In addition to all of the above, it should also be noted that acrylic enclosures are more prone to warping in sunlight too (or if used under heat lamps or that kind of thing).

I have a lot of tropical houseplants, so I have a lot of lamps with white, full-spectrum LED bulbs on timers to help everyone get through our dark northern winters (I think they make a difference for us people, too!), and I've thought of placing the tarantulas closer to those (still not directly under). When spring arrives, they become more active, and they seem to follow the light as it moves around the room (again, never directly on them, though). It definitely has some effect on them, and it appears to be a positive one.

I have always kept T's in proximity to (but not directly underneath) planted aquariums and house plants, both of which are lit by full spectrum LED lights of varying intensities. I have the same issue as you living in the northern tier of the US and housing in a north facing living room. I currently have a planted corner with humidifier that I will get pics up for at some point. It creates a naturally lit microbiome that is a bit warmer and more humid than the rest of the house in wintertime. My T's have always thrived like this...

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

A new LPS had a few T’s in their enclosures inside the large, glass display case their counter was on top of (like when you go to a deli) that got direct sun in the afternoon. They all died, cooked alive.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

A new LPS had a few T’s in their enclosures inside the large, glass display case their counter was on top of (like when you go to a deli) that got direct sun in the afternoon. They all died, cooked alive.

Wow I’d reply the sad but I can only like right now. What a shame.

I have always kept T's in proximity to (but not directly underneath) planted aquariums and house plants, both of which are lit by full spectrum LED lights of varying intensities. I have the same issue as you living in the northern tier of the US and my living room faces north. I currently have a planted corner with humidifier that I will get pics up for at some point. It creates a naturally lit microbiome that a bit warmer and more humid than the rest of the house in wintertime. My T's have always thrived like this...

I keep mine in the basement with a small window and slings in a bedroom with only one window that allows sunlight in they are far away from it. They all get some sunlight but are out of direct sun.

 

[Introvertebrate]

A new LPS had a few T’s in their enclosures inside the large, glass display case their counter was on top of (like when you go to a deli) that got direct sun in the afternoon. They all died, cooked alive.

Like leaving a dog in a parked car.

 

[scottyk]

Wow I’d reply the sad but I can only like right now. What a shame.

I keep mine in the basement with a small window and slings in a bedroom with only one window that allows sunlight in they are far away from it. They all get some sunlight but are out of direct sun.

Same- Mine can all see natural light, but direct sunlight does not get within 20 feet of their enclosures. I also have two aquariums with higher end lighting fixtures that simulate sunrise and sunset throughout the day, so they get a fairly natural lighting regimen....

 

[Andrew Clayton]

I think light is important. It helps their biological clock.

This only works if you're close enough to the equator though. Being in Scotland myself, we can see over 18 hours daylight in the summer and just under 7 hours in the winter. I've never had any issues with T's. There is also no sunlight down burrows where some Ts could spend months on end with no light at all.




My comment;
I don't think light plays a part in a T's life biologically, I do however think the heat that comes from light plays a part significantly. Instead of using light as a heat source though, I use space heaters and heat mats appropriately to achieve the temperature's I want.

Direct sunlight through you're window and into an enclosure is definitely bad. Think of how warm a car can get sitting in the sun. You will be magnifying this effect in the enclosure.

Also, extremely rare chance, but, it's theoretically possible for it to cause a fire, especially if you have dry leaf litter, in an arid enclosure.

I've got 4 sub-adult Ts. A GBB (looks like a male so far), a Honduran Curly-hair, a Mexican Fire Leg and a Brazilian Black

Try and use the scientific name's, it helps a lot when researching.
Chromatopelma Cyaneopubescens (GBB)
Tliltocatl Albopilosus (Curly Hair)
Brachypelma Bohemi (Mexican Fire Leg)
Grammostola Pulchra or Quirogai who knows (Brazilian Black)

 

[Introvertebrate]

I remember Stan Schultz having a theory about wild caught G. rosea tarantulas. I believe he said that they're secretive because they have trouble adjusting to life in the Northern Hemisphere. When it's summer here, it's winter in Chile, and vice versa. They can't get used to a different seasonal cycle. I'm not sure if I buy that or not. It's kind of moot anyway, because our Ts are captive bred.

 

[viper69]

This only works if you're close enough to the equator though. Being in Scotland myself, we can see over 18 hours daylight in the summer and just under 7 hours in the winter. I've never had any issues with T's. There is also no sunlight down burrows where some Ts could spend months on end with no light at all.

What exactly only works at the equator? Be very specific here.

I remember Stan Schultz having a theory about wild caught G. rosea tarantulas. I believe he said that they're secretive because they have trouble adjusting to life in the Northern Hemisphere. When it's summer here, it's winter in Chile, and vice versa. They can't get used to a different seasonal cycle. I'm not sure if I buy that or not. It's kind of moot anyway, because our Ts are captive breed.

True, he was big in the environment affecting their behavior in captivity. I don't think he's wrong.

 

[Requiem4aSpleen]

My OBT loves sunlight Her oranges look insane. I dont want to deprive her, but at times I move her cage in and out like a garden plant.

 

[Kada]

What exactly only works at the equator? Be very specific here.

I believe he is talking about photoperiod. Far north or south the days get very long or short. Don't need to be that close to the equator though. There are tarantulas native in the USA.

 

[Charliemum]

I've got 4 sub-adult Ts. A GBB (looks like a male so far), a Honduran Curly-hair, a Mexican Fire Leg and a Brazilian Black (latter 3 look female). I've got them each set up in large Tarantula Cribs. They are by a double-pane window with internal shutters. They all tend to seek the light. I live in an arid environment, so I keep their mini water dishes full. They all eat great and are going on almost a year since I got them. I'm just curious about how much I've read on here that sunlight is soo terrible. Am I doing something wrong?

Not the sun that's bad it's the magnifying effect the vivs give think forest fires from glass or kids burning ants with magnifying glasses, same effect from the vivs in the window. No one wants that, move em or cook em .