Why is sand harmful for T's ?

[matty J]

Alright you convinced me Crimson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Rogers]

This is a little side note...

I bought my first tarantula in a pet store, and it had sand as a substrate while it was in the store. The store clerk even recommended sand as a substrate... I think it's crazy how ill-informed some people are, because I generally believe that sand doesn't make for a good substrate, at least in function for the tarantula. Especially when it's half an inch deep

 

[Sheri]

Also, the pet store sands that are sold are often of a much finer grade than wild sand which is more course, and as others mentioned, mixed with other substances.

 

[shrnz]

I'm thinking that new substrate for my b. smithi will be vermiculite and I think to bank sand in one corner, what do you think about that? I contemplate that because smithi is desert T so sand won't be wrong solution? or may you recomend to use only vermiculite?

 

[Buspirone]

The "but in nature" side of these types of debates always bother me. We aren't keeping these wild animals in nature and what they do and the conditions in which they are found in nature is completely different from what is going on in captivity. In nature there are ALOT of factors altering/affecting the environments in which these animals live. In captivity we almost completely strip those elements out of the picture. It should also be noted that most of the materials commonly used by keepers in captivity has been processed, refined or manufactured in some way which isn't "natural". Many tarantulas and especially the desert species will survive for extended periods in some relatively adverse conditions, both in the wild and in captivity.

The primary issue and focus should be on what is going to be the safest and most versatile material for long term use for both the animal(s) and the keepers. Females of many species have the potential to live upwards to 30 years. Sand, by itself, doesn't satisfy enough of the criteria to be acceptable, especially when there are much more suitable options available to us and for similar or cheaper costs than that of sand.

The biggest concern with sand, IMO, is that it tends to be abrasive to varying degrees depending on the material its derived from and how it was processed. This poses a small risk of causing excessive wear to the abdomen and when you also factor in that the majority of keepers tend to overfeed their tarantulas which results in many individuals dragging that "big butt" around the enclosure you end up with a preventable and unnecessary risk of absesses forming or ruptures occurring during a molt or slight fall.

 

[shrnz]

but in smithi natural environment there're a lot of sand so I think smithi's are conformisted for that enviroment; of course for other species sand is not good, but I think if smithi in natural live on sand so it won't be bad some sand in terrarium

 

[Buspirone]

but in smithi natural environment there're a lot of sand so I think smithi's are conformisted for that enviroment; of course for other species sand is not good, but I think if smithi in natural live on sand so it won't be bad some sand in terrarium

.....but nothing. The natural habitat and range of the animal isn't exclusively sand or large piles of pure sand. Its a mix of clays, soils, large concentrations of sand, micro-flora/fauna and other organic materials. In its natural habitat the animals have the option to move away from conditions that aren't optimal or acceptable to ones that are acceptable but in captivity it can't do that. If you are concerned with the asthetics of the enclosure over the safety and well being of your pet then you are free to do whatever it is you want and most likely you won't have any drastic or adverse results from using the sand. If you want me to condone it or justify your decision for you than you need to look elsewhere because *I* won't do that.

 

[Sevenrats]

The only place that there is pure sand is the beach. The America Southwest has sandy soil but not straight sand.

If you mix potting soil, vermiculite and sand together and maybe some clay you would get something like it.

You should not use pure sand because Tarantulas don't live on pure sand.

You could make a sandy compound soil that would be great for B. smithi and G. rosea. You don't need too, but you could. As already stated, you should use really coarse sand, not fine beach sand.

If you buy a cactus plant, they are usually planted in a similar mix.

 

[shrnz]

so ok, no natural sand, so I think 75% substrate will be vermiculite and in one corner I will bring mix from sand and potting soil; what proportions should be? and it's one problem that English is not my tongue language so I don't know what exectly potting soil mean and my vocabulary gives me some not clear meaning; may it is a simple ground? about cactus plants mix, I don't think it's a good idea couse there can be manure and something like that

 

[Sevenrats]

I didn't mean to actually use a cactus soil for tarantulas but you could make your own.

Just put them on coco fiber or potting soil and/or vermiclite and forget about it.

 

[metallica]

hi, this is Bob.

Bob likes to dig!
Bob does lot like sand all over him.

Bob looks happy here.

 

[r4iney]

Metallica:

Interesting picture, what kind of sand is that? It looks really solid.

 

[shrnz]

I didn't mean to actually use a cactus soil for tarantulas but you could make your own.

Just put them on coco fiber or potting soil and/or vermiclite and forget about it.

I was used coco peat but it conglutinate; so can you more detail explain what exactly potting spoil mean?
P.S. last message photos are great, terrarium looks effectively

 

[metallica]

Metallica:

Interesting picture, what kind of sand is that? It looks really solid.

hmmm if my translation is correct... it is a lime- sand mix. tank was placed diagonal, filled half with soaking wet lime-sand mix and left to dry for weeks.the structure is soft enough to dig, firm enough not to collaps. also holds water pretty well.

 

[PA7R1CK]

Bob does look happy. What is your first language?

hmmm if my translation is correct... it is a lime- sand mix. tank was placed diagonal, filled half with soaking wet lime-sand mix and left to dry for weeks.the structure is soft enough to dig, firm enough not to collaps. also holds water pretty well.

 

[metallica]

being from the Netherlands that would be Dutch.

 

[Skuromis]

Hi metallica, lime or loam? It looks like loam (clay).

 

[metallica]

Hi metallica, lime or loam? It looks like loam (clay).

whatever you want it to be!

 

[Socrates]

whatever you want it to be!

You did it again - cracked me up!

I've gotta say, after reading Boris' book "Die Rotknievogelspinne" (Brachypelma smithi), I've totally changed my mind about substrate issues.

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Wendy
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[P. Novak]

wow heckka nice!!!!