Tarantula Enclosure lighting

[sasker]

It's circadian rhythm that is being referred to, the changes in body chemistry and metabolism that occur over a 24 hour period.

Has this actually been tested on tarantulas? I am a bit skeptical about this, given that tarantulas spend most of their days in a pitch dark burrow anyway, only to jump out when prey gets near the entrance (be it day or night).

 

[Dave Jay]

Has this actually been tested on tarantulas? I am a bit skeptical about this, given that tarantulas spend most of their days in a pitch dark burrow anyway, only to jump out when prey gets near the entrance (be it day or night).

Most organisms do, so I'd be very surprised if tarantulas don't have one. I was just pointing out that is what people were referring to rather than just whether a light is on or off. I don't think you need direct light for an animal to develop one, even with curtains closed the ambient light varies from day to night and that is probably all that is required. I have no way of knowing really, I suppose a study/experiment may have been done but I don't feel like doing the research myself, I wasn't looking to get into a debate about it. Research is too hard on a phone, maybe I'll look into it when I'm on pc.

 

[Whitelightning777]

I've observed this personally. If I turn on the lights in the morning and then feed, my versicolor it's far more likely to take the feeders faster.

My Versicolor typically drinks from the water dish only at night unless it's going to molt. At night she typically walks to and from the water dish and around the top but not upside down.

On the other hand, if I throw a cricket into my P straita enclosure either dark or light, it typically takes it 6 to 12 hours to find and eat it. If I put it in with the lights on and then turn them off, it's consumed in under an hour in many cases very seldom more then 2 hours later.

I've also observed my P striata engaging in what can only be described as a spiral shaped grid search when the lights are off. Of course, I use red heat lamps that I also reduce power to at the same time. It's almost like she's walking on an invisible DNA double Helix. She does this grid search whether or not there's a feeder. Usually this takes place 30 minutes to 2 hours after the lights are turned off.

My L klugi on the other hand simply doesn't act all that differently aside from moving away from her usual location in the frog moss to the top of her hide or sometimes in the corner on the cold side.

 

[cold blood]

Ts have no light requirements...less light simply means they hide less. The only light my ts get is from my flashlight.

 

[Whitelightning777]

That's true. Temperature has far more influence. I've found that lightning changes can sometimes stimulate more feeding for a finicky eater.

Of concern was the introduction of an unknown heat source, which meant that no precautions will be taken.

 

[Whitelightning777]

I've noticed that if my tarantulas are ignoring a feeder given during the day, providing darkness helps. If you just leave your room lights on days at a time, the tarantula will fast.

When cages are heated, sometimes shutting everything off for a night allowing it to cool down can get them to eat.

Usually I try to stimulate a feeding response before just giving up and removing a feeder unless I notice premolt.

They also can't see redlight at all so I take advantage of that when watching them. Using enclosures that allow for very high visibility without having to open them is also on my opinion very important.

 

[Adroctonus Mauritanicus]

The spiders well-being is my first priority so I will remove the lamp . I guess I'll shine a light on it when I want to take a look at it!

I’m new to the hobby, and I have a rechargeable led flashlight from T-Mobile to look at em.

 

[Brewser]

Low Light or No Light imo
Nocturnal by Nature.