Tarantula vacation home.

[Swellbow]

Anyone got any tips on types of surfaces that tarantulas can't climb? I have a Mexican redknee and I have an idea for a kind of play area/tarantula getaway.
I've been thinking of getting a kiddie pool and filling it full of dirt, rocks, maybe even a lil water feature, ECT basically just trying to create a wide open natural environment for her to explore when she's not in her normal tank, the only problem with that is I'm sure she would be able to climb right up the sides and escape (I plan to put this in my basement but I still don't want her escaping into my house) so does anyone have any tips for surfaces she can't climb or something safe I could put on a surface to keep her from climbing it? Maybe a type of seed oil or something, like that?

 

[Wolfram1]

don't use oils or any other substance to prevent them climbing, they rely on their setae to climb even glass

not to mention that idea is horrible, if you want them to have a larger enclosure just give them a larger terrarium.

they are not animals that like to be ripped from their den/burrow only to be trust into a short term play/adventure area.

it is entirely counter productive as it will stress them out for no reason without any benefit.

 

[Ratmosphere]

I can't picture the type of enclosure you are trying to create. Are you saying you want to have a normal tank, and then a play area like a dog would have? Tarantulas DO NOT need a play area and will be stressed if you swap them from enclosure to enclosure.

 

[Mustafa67]

Anyone got any tips on types of surfaces that tarantulas can't climb? I have a Mexican redknee and I have an idea for a kind of play area/tarantula getaway.
I've been thinking of getting a kiddie pool and filling it full of dirt, rocks, maybe even a lil water feature, ECT basically just trying to create a wide open natural environment for her to explore when she's not in her normal tank, the only problem with that is I'm sure she would be able to climb right up the sides and escape (I plan to put this in my basement but I still don't want her escaping into my house) so does anyone have any tips for surfaces she can't climb or something safe I could put on a surface to keep her from climbing it? Maybe a type of seed oil or something, like that?

What am I reading?

 

[Andrew Clayton]

Anyone got any tips on types of surfaces that tarantulas can't climb? I have a Mexican redknee and I have an idea for a kind of play area/tarantula getaway.

I've been thinking of getting a kiddie pool and filling it full of dirt, rocks, maybe even a lil water feature, ECT basically just trying to create a wide open natural environment for her to explore when she's not in her normal tank, the only problem with that is I'm sure she would be able to climb right up the sides and escape (I plan to put this in my basement but I still don't want her escaping into my house) so does anyone have any tips for surfaces she can't climb or something safe I could put on a surface to keep her from climbing it? Maybe a type of seed oil or something, like that?

Why not just build it a medieval style castle, with a moat. Make it a balfouri communal, have the draw bridge set up so when it goes down it releases the crickets.
I'm sure we can think of more

What am I reading?

I'm thinking the exact same here
This has got to be someone winding us up.

 

[BoyFromLA]

It is important not to get confused or think of it as cats or dogs.

Tarantulas do not need any of the things you’ve mentioned.

What it needs are:

• Food source
• Water source
• Suitable housing
• Hides
• Monitoring / observing

 

[Introvertebrate]

It is important not to get confused or think of it as cats or dogs.

Tarantulas do not need any of the things you’ve mentioned.

What it needs are:

• Food source
• Water source
• Suitable housing
• Hides
• Monitoring / observing

What, no Netflix?

 

[BoyFromLA]

What, no Netflix?

You mean Web flicks?

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

If you want to create something for your T, do it in their home enclosure. They don’t see so well, so pulling them out of what they know and sticking them somewhere they don’t know that could have predators in it will be stressful. I have a 4” genic in a fully decked out 12x12x12 (with a ton of substrate) and I see him occasionally on somethings and often on others.

 

[viper69]

No- just no

 

[Hardus nameous]

This would basically be rehousing the tarantula every time you move it. The spider would think it was being attacked, then be disoriented.

Please do not expose your spider to any types of oil. That could be disastrous if it coated the book lungs.

If a surface is so smooth the tarsal claws have nothing to grip, the tarantula should not be able to climb it. Bear in mind we're talking NASA space telescope mirror smooth, no commonly available materials come to mind.

Rather than a play area the tarantula would most likely prefer if you threw in a roach, turned off the lights, close the curtains and go to Vegas for a few days.

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

A play area for a tarantula sounds like a cute and fun idea, but it is so bad. There are four general aspects of tarantula behavior one needs to understand for successful keeping:

1. Sedentary- Tarantulas do not have an efficient cardiopulmonary system which allows for long periods of aerobic activity. They don't need exercise and certainly don't need play time.
2. Reclusive- Tarantulas have an instinct to stay hidden. Compared to other animals, even the largest tarantulas are small and avoid confrontation at all costs unless they encounter something smaller than themselves which they can eat. Make sure your tarantula has a place to feel safe, secure, and out of sight.
3. Solitary- Tarantulas don't play well with others and prefer to be by themselves. Don't schedule play dates with your tarantulas.
4. Nocturnal- Tarantulas are mostly active at night when the lights are off and nothing can see them. The darkness makes them feel safe and secure.

These points might seem obvious, but I'm regularly surprised on how difficult it seems for some to wrap their heads around it.