Ventilation: Metal mesh vs holes

[Cazador]

I'm looking to buy some enclosures from DreamCo and can't decide what I want for ventilation.

I know Ts don't need tons of airflow but the amount/size of their laser cut holes doesn't look like enough? I'm also paranoid about fungus. As for the mesh, I've heard tarantulas can theoretically get snagged in the mesh or even bite through it, but it seems to be rare. So which is better, metal mesh or drilled/laser cut holes?

https://dreamcoplastics.com/collections/enclosures/products/large-enclosure-10x10x16

 

[cold blood]

I know Ts don't need tons of airflow

This actually depends on the species.....some, like Avicularia, require excellent airflow....others require very little.

I'm also paranoid about fungus

You shouldn't be, its harmless.

As for the mesh, I've heard tarantulas can theoretically get snagged in the mesh or even bite through it, but it seems to be rare

Ts getting their tarsal claws caught in mesh is not uncommon and its far from just theoretical...chewing through is rare, but still a very real possibility.

metal mesh or drilled/laser cut holes?

Drilled holes, hands down

 

[Ungoliant]

or even bite through it, but it seems to be rare.

chewing through is rare, but still a very real possibility.

I think it's less likely that tarantulas actually chew through the mesh and more likely that they either pry it from the frame or cause the metal to fail (due to metal fatigue) by repeated bending.

Either way, it's an easy risk to avoid.

 

[Dorifto]

Not only chew, I found my Pulchra hanging from one leg twice in my old enclosure. If the T is big enough can make a hole in less than a second. My geniculata ripped the mesh without any problem.

solution: Glass enclosures xD

 

[CommanderBacon]

I found my T albo dangling upside-down from a small mesh vent in her enclosure lid and that freaked me out. There wasn't a high chance of fall damage, since her substrate was pretty deep and she was only about an inch above it, but she could have pulled her leg out, and seeing her helpless and upside down with her little claws stuck in it soured me against mesh forever. I hates it.

Also, she chewed the vents up. I'd think chewing on metal is probably not good for tarantula fangs.

 

[Kitara]

I'm looking to buy some enclosures from DreamCo and can't decide what I want for ventilation.

They do custom builds so just request more holes.