The 6th enclosure creation L. parahybana

[TalonAWD]

Yet once again I am here to let you guys know on yet another creation and this time for my Female L. parahybana. Now this is a remake of enclosure #2.
Heres the Link to all my other enclosures for your viewing pleasure.

Since my 6" A. geniculata died of DKS I replaced her with a L. parahybana 3" female. I took the enclosure and did minor redecorating to provide more space.
Since this tank was already perfect in that floor space was important originally, I removed the front tree center piece and removed the third floor. I then joined the second floor to the third floor starting point into a transition. This provided the ultimate space for this enclosure. For the cave I knew that the original design did not maximize the cave. I still had a little more room to expose. So I dug out more of the cave to extend to the rear wall. I also made it deeper as in my original design I had a floor inside the cave. This was to give the T room to dig alittle and make a downward sloping cave. Removal of the tree centerpiece made the entire 12" of floor space free for her to stretch out as an adult.

Many will have their doubts as to if this enclosure would be big enough. I say yes with experience. I had a 10" L. parahybana 8-9 years ago and made this super big enclosure for her at 24x24x12. It had a waterfall and everything. But all that girl did was stay in one spot and occasionally moved to another spot. It was almost a waste and definately overkill. It was more for my enjoyment rather than hers. And 3 years ago I had a 7" Male L. parahybana that was in a 5 Galllon tank. He was fine there as well.
Heres the old OLD 10" girl "Super" enclosure that I made 8-9 years ago.

So heres the new redesigned 6th custom enclosure.

Heres where I made the transition. (removed floor behind the branch)

Heres the lucky girl.

Her At home

She has already took to the enclosure really fast. As predicted she made a little mound at the entrance of the cave so that she has a downward slope. This also made the cave really dark inside. She is always out now and seems to enjoy her new home. I'm very happy with the results.

 

[x Mr Awesome x]

I genuinely hope that you never ever stop making these wonderful and awesome enclosures. My fiance and I are inspired, to say the least! Keep up the great work!
-ben

 

[ghordy]

Your enclosures are inspiring. I took your lead on the exo terra enclosures and starting designing my own. I just finished up the top, removing the screening and replacing it with plexiglass and vents.

 

[TalonAWD]

Thanks guys for the compliment. I'm so glad to hear that my work will help others.
Over the weekend I went camping and looked at some nice driftwood out on the mountains but did not collect some. I may do another enclosure as I am considering keeping another T. As soon as I know its female .

I love making these things. I'm already trying to idealize a new design. The Exoterra enclosures, though a bit expensive, are real nice as "Display" enclosures. I would never get one for a species that stays hidden all the time. And as I have done just recently, can even be used to breed (GBB enclosure). I have heard many negatives when I started these enclosures in the very beginning, how it won't make good homes.

I like that theres a lock on the doors and easy access throughout the entire tank through these big doors. Ventillation is good with them as well.

 

[Londoner]

Thanks guys for the compliment. I'm so glad to hear that my work will help others.
Over the weekend I went camping and looked at some nice driftwood out on the mountains but did not collect some. I may do another enclosure as I am considering keeping another T. As soon as I know its female .

I love making these things. I'm already trying to idealize a new design. The Exoterra enclosures, though a bit expensive, are real nice as "Display" enclosures. I would never get one for a species that stays hidden all the time. And as I have done just recently, can even be used to breed (GBB enclosure). I have heard many negatives when I started these enclosures in the very beginning, how it won't make good homes.

I like that theres a lock on the doors and easy access throughout the entire tank through these big doors. Ventillation is good with them as well.

Nice job! I like exo-terras for display tanks aswell. Mine only house arboreals though. One day I'll get around to taking your lead and creating one that's safe for terrestrials...one day lol.

Edit...That's a good looking lid you've made ghordy!

 

[ghordy]

Nice job! I like exo-terras for display tanks aswell. Mine only house arboreals though. One day I'll get around to taking your lead and creating one that's safe for terrestrials...one day lol.

Edit...That's a good looking lid you've made ghordy!

Thanks! What do you mean when you say safe for terrestrials? The only limitation I can tell is the substrate to height ratio in case of a fall. You're limited by the doors in the front as to how much substrate you can put in.

 

[Londoner]

Thanks! What do you mean when you say safe for terrestrials? The only limitation I can tell is the substrate to height ratio in case of a fall. You're limited by the doors in the front as to how much substrate you can put in.

Yeah that's what I meant. I feel a little uncomfortable having the sub height restricted by the doors. Talon's enclosures have multiple levels so there's not much of a drop from most areas inside .

 

[TalonAWD]

Yeah that's what I meant. I feel a little uncomfortable having the sub height restricted by the doors. Talon's enclosures have multiple levels so there's not much of a drop from most areas inside .

That is one of the reasons for making levels. I only make enclosures for terrestrials (my tarantula type preference) and know they will explore. The levels also makes for more walking space and therefore making the enclosure seem bigger.
My L. parahybana really took to this home real nicely. She looks real comfortable with the setup.

Don't let the doors limit the way you can setup the enclosure. With the foam and other props you can make a floor right in front of the doors. I may do this next time.

 

[DDaake]

Great job, a good background makes all the difference. D

 

[TalonAWD]

I took a look and I'm so excited... Molt time is near!

 

[AllieCat]

Awesome enclosures!! So, do most of the terrestrials explore a lot?? I would love to make a similar type enclosure using the exo-terra but would hate to spend all the time and money if they mostly hang out in the cave!! LOL! I would LOVE to do this for my G. pulchra if it turns out to be a female!!!! She (hopefully) is only about 2 1/2 inches now and is in a KK so doesn't have a ton of space to wander....so I wonder if she would wander

Do you have a 'supplier' for the exoterras? What's the cheapest you have found them, if you don't mind my asking?

Thanks!!!!!

 

[TalonAWD]

Awesome enclosures!! So, do most of the terrestrials explore a lot?? I would love to make a similar type enclosure using the exo-terra but would hate to spend all the time and money if they mostly hang out in the cave!! LOL! I would LOVE to do this for my G. pulchra if it turns out to be a female!!!! She (hopefully) is only about 2 1/2 inches now and is in a KK so doesn't have a ton of space to wander....so I wonder if she would wander

Do you have a 'supplier' for the exoterras? What's the cheapest you have found them, if you don't mind my asking?

Thanks!!!!!

My next one may be for a G pulchra. I have 3 of them and hope one is female. I tend to choose terrestrials that have a reputation of being out in the open. So G. pulchra may be a good candidate. When i make the hides, I make it so that I still can see inside (with a flashlight) easily. Wide.
When I buy the Exo-Terras, I just got to Petsmart or whoever has one. They are usually around $60 so its not cheap.
In the begining, the terrestrial will explore but after getting aquainted with its environment, exploring usually stops. If they are constantly exploring than they are not at peace so you don't want that. But what all of mine do is stay and rest at visable spots in the open, making them perfect display T's.
When they do this, they are happy and confortable.

And to make it more natural, they have daylight and night time. I use White LED's with a timer to simulate day/night cycles. It makes their world predictable. This is also very expensive at $50 for a set of 4. Each enclosure gets 4.

 

[TalonAWD]

Just wanted to update with the Spermathecae results. Confirmed 100% Female!!!!

She came out to say hello with her new suit. How I missed my L. parahybana!!! No more Bare booty!

She was this big. Now possibly 4"

 

[Mattyb]

Very nice.

 

[TalonAWD]

Figured I'd post this.

This use to be my A. geniculata's (RIP) favorite spot when she was alive. I guess the LP thinks so as well as I have seen her here many times.

 

[x Mr Awesome x]

I love shots like this where the flash is reflecting off that set of eyes. I have many!
-ben

 

[scottyk]

Nice setup! :clap:

I have several L. parahybana growing out, and two of them are getting big enough to be a molt or so away from moving into a permanent enclosure.

Unfortunately, they both seem utterly obsessed with destroying thier molts, so I haven't been able to sex them yet. I'm hoping to set at least one of them up in a nice display like yours. keep up the good work and keep posting pics....

Scott

 

[TalonAWD]

I figured I'd update this thread with my L. parahybana ("Laily")........and her boyfriend ("Beasty") sharing the space. This shows how big the enclosure is for them as some would think its not big enough.

 

[pwilson5]

when you say "sharing" are you breeding them? or housing communally? lol

im guessing breeding... but thought id ask

 

[BrynWilliams]

Male plus female usually equates to breeding so I'd definitely say it was that. Quite what Talon plans on doing with several thousand spiderlings is another story

when you say "sharing" are you breeding them? or housing communally? lol

im guessing breeding... but thought id ask