Tarantula Burrows Inquiry

[Raghild]

So I general set up my enclosures to encourage my tarantulas to borrow up against the edge, so I can see into the burrows.

Let's me peak in on them even when they're in premolt without disturbing them.

I'm about to rehouse some of my tarantulas, and was wondering if anyone else has used something similar to this? And if so, what the results where?

I have some abs plastic sheets that I'm considering using to mold into a similar concept.

The tarantulas in question are b. hamorii, g. pulchra, a. moderatum, d. pentaloris, and t. vagans.

I'm considering trying it out with the d. pentaloris and the t. vagans first. Those two are the ones that stay underground the most. They are both quite skittish and hide during the day, and tend to only come out at night.

Thinking if I make the mold larger than it needs to be and fill it with substrate, it will allow them to enlarge their burrow as they grow.

 

[Gevo]

It’s an interesting concept, but I’ve never heard of it being used. It does remind me of a zoo or other similar place I read about with a G. rosea tarantula kept in a round, tube-like enclosure so that kids and other visitors could poke their heads up from underneath and see her wherever she was, but that’s an example of how zoos and education centres are going to set things up for maximum visibility, with visitors in mind. When a tarantula is an attraction, they can’t be hidden from view for months.

I know you wouldn’t be using the exact same thing as shown, but I’d want the “ramp” leading in to be dirt so they can more easily grip it and feel safe if they need to dart for cover.

I’ve positioned the cork bark in my enclosures to encourage burrowing against the wall. It worked last year when my B. hamorii and G. pulchra were burrowed, but the hamorii has since dug out a second chamber further back that I can’t see, and the pulchra has rearranged his burrow entirely so that the next time he barricades, I won’t be able to see in. I did put up some “privacy cards” in front of their burrows so they wouldn’t get as much light coming in while they were tucked away, hoping that would help them keep things as they were but at the end of the day, tarantulas are going to tarantula. I also don’t want to stop them from exhibiting their natural behaviours, so if they want their burrows away from the sides, I’d personally rather give them that choice.

It is an interesting idea, though, and I can’t see it being inherently harmful, so if you do try it, let us know how it goes. Just be prepared to abandon it if it seems to be causing more stress.

 

[Raghild]

It’s an interesting concept, but I’ve never heard of it being used. It does remind me of a zoo or other similar place I read about with a G. rosea tarantula kept in a round, tube-like enclosure so that kids and other visitors could poke their heads up from underneath and see her wherever she was, but that’s an example of how zoos and education centres are going to set things up for maximum visibility, with visitors in mind. When a tarantula is an attraction, they can’t be hidden from view for months.

I know you wouldn’t be using the exact same thing as shown, but I’d want the “ramp” leading in to be dirt so they can more easily grip it and feel safe if they need to dart for cover.

I’ve positioned the cork bark in my enclosures to encourage burrowing against the wall. It worked last year when my B. hamorii and G. pulchra were burrowed, but the hamorii has since dug out a second chamber further back that I can’t see, and the pulchra has rearranged his burrow entirely so that the next time he barricades, I won’t be able to see in. I did put up some “privacy cards” in front of their burrows so they wouldn’t get as much light coming in while they were tucked away, hoping that would help them keep things as they were but at the end of the day, tarantulas are going to tarantula. I also don’t want to stop them from exhibiting their natural behaviours, so if they want their burrows away from the sides, I’d personally rather give them that choice.

It is an interesting idea, though, and I can’t see it being inherently harmful, so if you do try it, let us know how it goes. Just be prepared to abandon it if it seems to be causing more stress.

I definitely try to balance my wants against the needs of the tarantulas. I like to build aesthetically pleasing enclosures that also meet the needs of the inhabitants.

I used abs plastic sheet to build a similar type of burrow for my bearded dragon that I could look into from the side of his enclosure and it worked really well. But I hadn't ever seen it done for tarantulas outside of zoos.

The bearded dragon used his a lot when he was a baby, but now that he's grown up, he almost never does, but it still looks neat.

But I definitely know there is always the chance that they decide to just live somewhere else

Had a c. versicolor once ignore every piece of decor and anchor points to web directly on the glass in the one spot that effectively webbed shut the top opening lid and the front opening door at the same time

Can encourage and provide options, but at the end of the day they do what they want

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I don’t know how well it would work but I recal seeing one video of fish using it. Would the t bury it if it didn’t like it ?

 

[kingshockey]

idea of its good what i have noticed with all of my ts that like to dig fossorial or not. they will always use up all available space to extend their burrows underground around the cage limits the so the t vagans might use your idea at first only to later just ditch it once it discovers its a dead end unable to extend its burrow as it grows

 

[viper69]

Never used it

 

[chippedtooth]

I did something similar, using bark. The tarantula ended up just filling it with substrate. To help get the T comfortable i did cover the den with a piece of black paper.

 

[cold blood]

So I general set up my enclosures to encourage my tarantulas to borrow up against the edge, so I can see into the burrows.

Let's me peak in on them even when they're in premolt without disturbing them.

I'm about to rehouse some of my tarantulas, and was wondering if anyone else has used something similar to this? And if so, what the results where?

I have some abs plastic sheets that I'm considering using to mold into a similar concept.

The tarantulas in question are b. hamorii, g. pulchra, a. moderatum, d. pentaloris, and t. vagans.

I'm considering trying it out with the d. pentaloris and the t. vagans first. Those two are the ones that stay underground the most. They are both quite skittish and hide during the day, and tend to only come out at night.

Thinking if I make the mold larger than it needs to be and fill it with substrate, it will allow them to enlarge their burrow as they grow.

View attachment 485249

you dont want to create a huge cavern, give them a burrow along the edge and let them build how they like....I like to bisect pvc and place it open side against the glass...this gives a burrow down against the glass.....what they do from there is up to them.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I set starter burrow up with a cup with the end cut off or cork bark half round .

 

[Raghild]

you dont want to create a huge cavern, give them a burrow along the edge and let them build how they like....I like to bisect pvc and place it open side against the glass...this gives a burrow down against the glass.....what they do from there is up to them.

There's no plans to make caverns. I think I noted in my original post that I was planning to fill them with substrate, so they would still have to dig a burrow out to their preferred size/shape.

The picture was just an example of the concept of an open side to the glass. I would be making them from abs plastic.

I'm going to be sculpting some terrain for the new enclosures, and a burrow mold beneath the surface would be a pretty straightforward addition.

My pet enclosures tend to turn into art projects I just prioritize the needs of the pet over an aesthetic choice whenever there is a direct conflict between the two. So was wondering if other people had tried such a thing.

I set starter burrow up with a cup with the end cut off or cork bark half round . View attachment 485269

Yeah, I should have clarified in my original post a bit better.

The inquiry isn't because of any complication with providing burrows. It's more of an art project for me.

I just wasn't sure if it was going to result in the visual that I am hoping it will, or if people had tried to use similar concepts and how their tarantulas responded.

I always aim to make sure my aesthetic choices don't run into conflict with the needs of the enclosure inhabitant(s), and also fully accept that at the end of the day, living animals have a mind of their own and may not always act as predicted.

 

[TheraMygale]

you dont want to create a huge cavern

That was what i wanted to say. So anything else from there can work. Given the tarantula choses that burrow. It might now.

The extra work is up to you.

By doing that, you also risk never seeing your tarantulas again.

I made mini starter burrows for my D pentaloris. They never leave that small dent. But I see them, because my enclsoure is the burrow.

I made canyon valley like structures. One of them is just a small hole with straws and fake plants.

 

[Matt Man]

I have done it using natural materials and just encouraged it to dig there. I never did it on the front, always on the backside because too much ambient light (good for you) is probably gonna make the T never 100% comfortable in its burrow. One dug to the front and it would up there anyway. But I like the area to be darker as it probably makes it feel more like a burrow (who knows how light sensitive they are) Then when I want to check, I just rotate the enclosure, check and rotate it back. For burrowers, I resign myself to not seeing them everyday, and make it special in my head when they come out. It's all about setting up your own expectations

 

[Mike41793]

I wish you luck and definitely post back with pics if you have any success. But anytime I've tried to get creative with an enclosure like that, the spider seems to sense it and mickey mouse something on the opposite side of where I was hoping it'd do something lol