T species for room temperatures??

[treeweta]

I like the idea of keeping tarantulas unconnected to heater pads and thermostats (making the placement of a tank much easier). Anybody out there with experience of species that thrive normally at typical room temperatures?

Our house will be 65-68 in winter and 70-85 in summer (i rarely use AC in summer unless its over 85).

i suppose many of the US species would thrive in these temps esp given the automatic seasonal variation. any suggestions?

thanks.

 

[bamato]

I can't think of any T's that would "thrive" in conditions below 70 honestly. I'm pretty sure most species won't die off at 65, but they would be very still. 60 is REALLY cold though.....

 

[treeweta]

I can't think of any T's that would "thrive" in conditions below 70 honestly. I'm pretty sure most species won't die off at 65, but they would be very still. 60 is REALLY cold though.....

actually 60 would be exceptional, the thermostat is set at 68 so most parts are over 65F (actually i will edit my original post as thats not really right now i think about it)

I believe that some species like the Aphonopela are happy at these temps in winter and probably experience cooler temps in the wild.

 

[Paramite]

I can't think of any T's that would "thrive" in conditions below 70 honestly.

How about all Megaphobemas? Or P. subfusca? In the wild, P. subfusca lives in temperatures that drop as low as 40F.

Edit: Most people have to fight to keep their Megaphobemas cool enough during summer, so you can consider yourself lucky. Get a robustum. They are not hard to find.

 

[treeweta]

How about all Megaphobemas? Or P. subfusca? In the wild, P. subfusca lives in in temperatures that drop as low as 40F.

Edit: Most people have to fight to keep their Megaphobemas cool enough during summer, so you can consider yourself lucky. Get a robustum. They are not hard to find.

megaphobemas?

I keep mine around 75 all year, i assumed they needed more tropical temps?

so whats this with megaphobema and high temps??

 

[Paramite]

I keep mine around 75 all year, i assumed they needed more tropical temps?

so whats this with megaphobema and high temps??

Nope, they all need cooler temperatures than usual. There's a lot of information about this on the boards if you do some searching. You should definitely take off all the extra heating.

Edit: It's not uncommon for Megaphobema to "mysteriously" die, when it's been kept way too hot.

 

[treeweta]

Nope, they all need cooler temperatures than usual. There's a lot of information about this on the boards if you do some searching. You should definitely take off all the extra heating.

ive had them since spiderlings and they've been at this temp right through, they are now young adults (2 females and 1 male penultimate most likely)

so is there actual evidence that they become ill/die at temps that other tarantuals can tolerate?

interesting and i'll keep an eye on them, it has got to 85 in my spider room for days on end here but ive noticed no ill effects.

 

[Paramite]

75F isn't too much, but if it goes over 80F, yes. Some, like M. mesomelas are more sensitive to it. Even though I'm sure CB specimens can tolerate a little too high temperatures, why would you want to keep them that way?

I'm not sure how concrete evidence there is, except many have lost their mesomelas during summer. In any case, I'd rather keep them in cool room temperatures if it's possible. I don't see any point in providing extra heating, when those temperatures aren't natural for them.

 

[treeweta]

75F isn't too much, but if it goes over 80F, yes. Some, like M. mesomelas are more sensitive to it. Even though I'm sure CB specimens can tolerate a little too high temperatures, why would you want to keep them that way?

I'm not sure how concrete evidence there is, except many have lost their mesomelas during summer. In any case, I'd rather keep them in cool room temperatures if it's possible. I don't see any point in providing extra heating, when those temperatures aren't natural for them.

agreed although it generally difficult to ascertain what is a natural temperature unless the stock is from known location.

I generally keep all my spiders at 75-77, multiple tanks run on the same thermostat can have teh temps tailored of course by having different insulation on the tank tops.

 

[GailC]

Living in Idaho, my house gets pretty cold in the winter, down in the low 60's some times. I keep a variety a species with no heat and have never had problems. I even keep T. blondi and she has been growing and molting all winter

 

[Paramite]

Well, that's why it's good to read some studies, because some people have actually observed them in the wild. If you blindly look at the climate, you can make mistakes.

Though, if you think about Peru for example, it's obvious.

 

[treeweta]

Well, that's why it's good to read some studies, because some people have actually observed them in the wild. If you blindly look at the climate, you can make mistakes.

Though, if you think about Peru for example, it's obvious.

true.

still it is difficult, eg you can find species of insect/spider in the south of france and have the same species in the much cooler/wetter UK, the overall climate is very different, individuals will be adapted to their local conditions.

 

[treeweta]

Living in Idaho, my house gets pretty cold in the winter, down in the low 60's some times. I keep a variety a species with no heat and have never had problems. I even keep T. blondi and she has been growing and molting all winter

waldo, do you keep any of the US desert species?

 

[GailC]

I have three A. moderatum slings. I've only had them for a short while and they are super tiny, I'm hoping they will start growing faster once it warms up some.
I keep a few brachy's, grammy's, a pokie, avic's, king baboon and a host of others. I believe I have 30 or so total T's and a couple true spider, the only death I've ever had was a lividium sling last summer.

 

[stonemantis]

As long as the temperatures don't go above 90 degrees (F) and stay above 60 degrees (F). Most of the tarantula species in the hobby can thrive. IMO the best temperatures to keep most tarantulas are: 70-75 degrees (F).

 

[sick4x4]

all my t's go through what i call my winter cycle(i dont turn up the heat for my T's but it never goes above 70 in the winter)...temps get into the 50's and no deaths...t's are hardier than we think..they dont grow as fast but IMO seem to be more hardier....i know of a couple of people on the ATS that allow colder temps too so who knows....i keep tropicals to desert.....

 

[Stan Schultz]

... Anybody out there with experience of species that thrive normally at typical room temperatures? ...

Do a search for temperature using the search utility link in the banner across the top of this page. You'll be absolutely astounded at the number of hits you'll get. Right click Search and use Pikaia in the User name box along with temperature in the Key words box to find my personal biases about tarantulas and temperature. Or substitute any other user's name that interests you instead.

Put on another pot of coffee. You've got a lot of reading ahead of you!

 

[barabootom]

I keep most of mine at room temps. In the winter that means 67 degrees. They continue to breed, feed, molt and lay sacs. Everything just takes longer. I think the optimum temps would be closer to 80 but terrestrials from my experience do just fine at upper 60's. In the summer they molt faster and eat more.

 

[mistercurls]

I keep most of mine at room temps. In the winter that means 67 degrees. They continue to breed, feed, molt and lay sacs. Everything just takes longer. I think the optimum temps would be closer to 80 but terrestrials from my experience do just fine at upper 60's. In the summer they molt faster and eat more.

I agree. I honestly think pretty much all T's do fine in the 68 to 75 degree range. Mainly because of the fact that most T's in the trade are captive bred, and have never had to adapt to the conditions where they are found. Thus adapting to the "ecosytem" in which they are kept in captivity. Ive always kept all my T's at room temperature, and I like it on the cooler side. Besides the ones who prefer more humid conditions, whom I keep a little warmer just to help keep humidity up. All my T's are thriving and are perfectly happy.

 

[Buckshot]

My Temperature varies from ca 66-73 vinter and 75 -85 summer (outside it´s from -4 to 87)
No direct sunlight.
Do you think i need any heaters or coolers? :?