Water dishes necessary?

[Introvertebrate]

I use dishes as a safety measure, but I've never actually seen one of my Ts drinking. They might be like anoles. They don't recognize the value of standing water. On arboreals, we sometimes mount the water dish up off the substrate, so they can't make a mess in it. Maybe you could mount it slightly above ground, but still low enough to reach.

 

[LucN]

Over the years, I've witnessed my Ts perusing the water dish countless times. If at all, it's an extra source to rehydrate itself if it needs to. Especially if it hasn't fed in a while.

 

[Introvertebrate]

Over the years, I've witnessed my Ts perusing the water dish countless times. If at all, it's an extra source to rehydrate itself if it needs to. Especially if it hasn't fed in a while.

You must watch them more than I do. I might have seen it once, but I was skeptical.

 

[0viWan]

I provide waterdishes in all of my enclosures and refill those every couple of days. Sometimes a waterdish gets spilled or filled with dirt shortly after a refill, which means that this T might not have access to fresh water for a while. Often these Ts go straight for a drink after the next refill. Happened plenty of times.

 

[Kada]

You must watch them more than I do. I might have seen it once, but I was skeptical.

I think there is even a thread about tarantulas drinking in the photo forum.

I'm in the camp of always provide a water dish as well. It provides zero negative and only possible positives via the animal has the choice to go drink water. Which should always be considered a basic right to any creature in captivity in my opinion.

It's also just way easier and saves time.

Edit. I see many species drinking from a dish from time to time. Some like to take their meal to the water dish. Some just hanging out, I notice, after a molt as well. Probably because I have the substrate options not so ideal. Pics or it didn't happen....

Post molt

With a meal

A proper drink

Some just like to setup camp and find their own happy medium in moisture

 

[Arachnopets]

I think there is even a thread about tarantulas drinking in the photo forum.

This one?

May I Buy You a Drink?

Here is Archimedes, my 5" G. rosea female (name was given before I found it it was a she). This was the first (and only) time I've seen her drink...

arachnoboards.com

 

[GrammastolaGuy]

Thank you all for your replies! My question was about whether this species requires a water dish, and I have no problem putting the effort into providing that. It sounds like a mixed bag but people generally provide a water dish for all species as a way to avoid any hydration issues.

 

[caddude]

I (a relative newbie of two years as a T owner) have seen mine just hang around nearby the water bowl for the moisture when the air is dry, as it it now. As two of mine are getting ready to molt, they are really liking their water source.

 

[Introvertebrate]

At what maturity level should I add a dish? I've got a 2-2.5" P. ornata. So far, I've just been spritzing some water into part of the substrate. Some distance away from her burrow.

 

[caddude]

At what maturity level should I add a dish? I've got a 2-2.5" P. ornata. So far, I've just been spritzing some water into part of the substrate. Some distance away from her burrow.

A water dish is something that I put in all of my enclosures when the spiders are about 1.5 inches. Start with a milk jug cap and keep if full.

 

[Introvertebrate]

A water dish is something that I put in all of my enclosures when the spiders are about 1.5 inches. Start with a milk jug cap and keep if full.

Thanks. Are Poecilotherias messy like S calceatums? Do I need to mount the cap above ground? I'll have to figure out how to hot glue the cap to the inside wall of the enclosure without her making a run for it. I could have planned ahead with all this, but where's the fun in that?

 

[TheraMygale]

Thanks. Are Poecilotherias messy like S calceatums? Do I need to mount the cap above ground? I'll have to figure out how to hot glue the cap to the inside wall of the enclosure without her making a run for it. I could have planned ahead with all this, but where's the fun in that?

Those species could use an elevated bowl and a bottom bowl. Just in case. Elevated seems to be natural to them, especialy if they are comfortable in their enclosure. If you want to offer water as a safety net.

the bottom bowl is a saftey net.

from what i have read, they enjoy drinking on enclosure walls and accessories. Wall suckers 0_0

someone i know from reference, who keeps these, and is very knowledgeable, will spritz some droplets to make sure they drink in case they dont take to bowls.

i dont remember name, but once i do i will post here: there is a member who drills in cork, and uses that to support a bowl instead of glueing it.

i love it.

of course, bowl needs to be big enough for tarantula carapace. Otherwise its useless.

Tarantula Controversies – Should You Give Tarantulas Water Dishes?

Recently, I sat down to write an article about some of the divisive, hot-button topics that dog the tarantula hobby and often ensnare uninitiated keepers in heated debates. These are subjects that …

tomsbigspiders.com

 

[Kada]

Thanks. Are Poecilotherias messy like S calceatums? Do I need to mount the cap above ground? I'll have to figure out how to hot glue the cap to the inside wall of the enclosure without her making a run for it. I could have planned ahead with all this, but where's the fun in that?

I have seen all my pokies drink from ground based water dishes. I'm not against providing water droplets or providing arboreal dishes at all. but I think every spider should have 24/7 access to a water source, at minimum. I find pokies less "messy" than calceatum or maculata in that they tend to dig around less if given sufficient space. or, flick dirt around less haha, they still dig a bit. In smaller tanks they still fill the dish with dirt. But I find pokies go out more and are easier to explore and find their dish, so it's less of a "problem".

Personally, I'm not willing to make sure water droplets stay in place 24/7 by checking 10x a day every day to make sure its still available in every single enclosure, that makes water dishes essentially proxy in my opinion. they last for a week usually, unless buried. Anything extra may well be great. But we can't forego the basics of having water as a basic right. I view a water dish as important as cork bark or substrate. Actually, even more important. I give all my spiders the option of a permanent water source. Since the time they are separated from egg case or mommy. But I come from an ethical base rather than an economical one. I don't hate on people that don't provide one, but I very much disagree with the usual excuses some choose not to use one (usually time based on large scale...= money)

 

[HoneyOilers]

I’ve got a question on this, I’ll attach a picture of needed, but my Lasiodora Parahybana is in premoult and I have been filling her water dish daily as I check on her, and her dish is right outside of her hide, should I give her more distance or keep it right there?

 

[Introvertebrate]

I’ve got a question on this, I’ll attach a picture of needed, but my Lasiodora Parahybana is in premoult and I have been filling her water dish daily as I check on her, and her dish is right outside of her hide, should I give her more distance or keep it right there?

I'd allow her a clear path out of her hide. She'll find the dish no matter where you put it.

 

[darkness975]

I’m sure this question gets asked frequently but I’m new to the hobby so humor me. I recently got my first G. pulchripes, a male and female, and they always fill their water dishes with dirt. I’ve read that this species doesn’t need a water dish and can get their water from their prey. Does anyone have experience raising this species without a water dish? I attached a picture of the female. It cracks me up that the most “docile” species I own wants to murder me!

Always provide a water dish.

 

[HoneyOilers]

I'd allow her a clear path out of her hide. She'll find the dish no matter where you put it.

Duely noted, I figured it might have been a good move for premoult and the positioning gets a little dribble down into the hide when I overfill it but I’ll give her some room

I'd allow her a clear path out of her hide. She'll find the dish no matter where you put it.

 

[Arachnophobphile]

DISCLAIMER:
This is all untrue and bad advice


Water dishes BLAH......no need
I take a full glass of water in my mouth and project it directly into my T's mouths.

The bonus is I get new piercings in my lips for new rings.

 

[Stu Macher]

I always have one. Even with desert/arid sp. I've seen quite a few that will hang out near the dish. Often the case when they are in premolt or depending how dry the air is. Disposable cups or soda caps is an easy fix. If for nothing else give your T some entertainment lol

 

[Introvertebrate]

picture was attached

Is it me or does that dish take up 3/4ths of the real estate? Can you find something smaller? I like to allow tarantulas a place to spread out on the substrate. That's where they molt. Terrestrials anyway.