- Joined
- Sep 25, 2009
- Messages
- 160
This is the first that I've posted in a little while. Bad weather timing in the fall more or less ended my exploring for the year. I'm eagerly awaiting spring and trips to the NJ pine barrens. In the meantime, I've been thinking about my enclosures, particularly for wolf spiders.
I find that no matter how well I set them up in terms of soil quality and depth, good hiding spots, humidity, and access to water, they are up against the sides of the enclosure looking for a way out quite often. Even the ones that are comfortable enough to burrow. I feel like this has to be stressful for the spider.
I've read that wolf spider territories in the wild can be limited by topographical changes. Any ideas on achieving something like this on a small scale that still provides good visibility? I try not to move things around in the enclosure too often or overfeed or bother them, but I do like to sit and observe them. I'd really like to try and simulate their habitats a little better. Going in this direction, I'm going to start collecting soil from the sites that I visit and weighing it before putting it in the oven to get an idea of how much moisture to add once it's sterilized. I want to try to excavate an intact burrow as well.
Would love to hear your ideas. I want to limit the spiders' exposure to clear walls as much as possible. I'm almost wondering if I should start by drastically reducing the vertical space between the soil surface and the lid. Any thoughts?
I find that no matter how well I set them up in terms of soil quality and depth, good hiding spots, humidity, and access to water, they are up against the sides of the enclosure looking for a way out quite often. Even the ones that are comfortable enough to burrow. I feel like this has to be stressful for the spider.
I've read that wolf spider territories in the wild can be limited by topographical changes. Any ideas on achieving something like this on a small scale that still provides good visibility? I try not to move things around in the enclosure too often or overfeed or bother them, but I do like to sit and observe them. I'd really like to try and simulate their habitats a little better. Going in this direction, I'm going to start collecting soil from the sites that I visit and weighing it before putting it in the oven to get an idea of how much moisture to add once it's sterilized. I want to try to excavate an intact burrow as well.
Would love to hear your ideas. I want to limit the spiders' exposure to clear walls as much as possible. I'm almost wondering if I should start by drastically reducing the vertical space between the soil surface and the lid. Any thoughts?