Busting old MYTHS , enclosure size and substrate depth ?

[@jennaliu2568]

My 5yr old son is autistic and is obsessed with insects. He loves watching your channel and we have your videos playing on repeat every day 😂. He's even started copying your intro and sign off in your videos! Just saw that you have a stand at the South Western invert show - he's really looking forward to meeting you.

[@amandarobb2856]

@Jenna Liu what a heart warming message! Before becoming disabled, at one time in my life I was an Educational Assistant. I supported many students with Autism and I can completely appreciate how wonderful and helpful it is when someone we care about discovers a passion. It is great for everyone, but, using this passion to help with communication, rewards, finding something that can be enjoyed together, and expressing feelings and thoughts is absolutely MONUMENTAL! I am so happy for your son and delighted to hear he will be meeting one of his heroes! Please tell your son that someone who truly understands his uniqueness and lives in Peterborough Ontario Canada 🇨🇦 is excited for him and I wish for him (and his family too) every happiness and to keep enjoying exploring the fascinating world of insects and spiders. I am a 45 year old woman and I love it too! Sending hugs and high fives to you all. With love, and wishes for every joy. ❤️

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thats awesome please do come and say hello ❤️👍

[@daveslittlebeasties]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@susannesamuelsson2930]

This message about your son is very heartwarming to read and for him to meet Dave and Sweet Camera Lady must be absolutely a very amazing thing and it makes me happy too! I wish you a fantastic day! 🕷😊👍❤🥰🤗

[@jennaliu2568]

@@amandarobb2856 thank you so much for your kind words ❤️

[@Wobblyrage]

I was so afraid of spiders and recently got my first Tarantula. Mainly because of people like this. They really showed the positive aspects of having such a stunning creature. Dave almost makes the videos into private lessons! I love to be educated like this!

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you I appreciate that ❤️❤️❤️

[@its4yourowngood_yvfw]

Your concepts and attitude about these animals is refreshing to hear.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you so much ❤️

[@its4yourowngood_yvfw]

@Dave's Little Beasties I think this hobby has blown up and that's great, but there are folks that don't fully understand that there isn't someone with all the answers on keeping. There are more experienced keepers than others. Joining this hobby is like, " congratulations. You're now a citizen scientist!" I believe this is what grips me the most about the hobby . Iv only ever grown fonder and become more intrigued. To learn about something more and more. Causing curiosity to grow and grow.

[@mikewilliams736]

@@its4yourowngood_yvfw Ive always felt the same way about the "citizen scientist" thing.

[@karelvo]

A wise man once said "Don't forget..be calm, be gentle and love your spider." Thanks for the great video Dave... again!

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thanks for the support my friend ❤️

[@misterflamingo]

Brilliant commentary. I would add that spiders are not physiologically designed for wandering about. They cannot sustain prolonged efforts like, say, a mammal. So it is not surprising that they would be ambush predators that keep themselves tucked away. Because they are sensitive to vibrations and can't see well, it makes sense for them to be in a small hole so that they can detect danger more easily and get away from it. :)

[@gloriajackson2021]

Dave you definitely know how to explain things where anyone can understand it. Another great video!

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I appreciate that!❤️👍

[@biggtrux]

That was a very informative tour! Thanks Dave and camera Lady!

[@ThePollaton]

I Don’t keep spiders and would never think to call an expert on how they should be kept. As usual everyone thinks they know best. Love watching your videos

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Everyone has a different way so glad your enjoying the content ❤️👍

[@cermoer]

I dont understand why you dont have more followers than that , beacause for me you are the spider master ! Ty for your videos !

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you so much feel free to share our videos everywhere ❤️❤️❤️

[@johanneabelsen1644]

24:47: That place looks LEGIT haunted!😂😜 They ARE one of my favorite species, hairy hippies of the tarantula world...A very fascinating species.

[@killxrbxnny]

I should listen more to you and less to the people on Reddit haha. Very good and informative video🎉

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I appreciate that!❤️

[@colossusX1]

Your perspective on animal husbandry is great. Too many people get caught to make it “like the wild”. If one really wanted that, one would just leave all the animals in the wild. Animals are all about efficiency

[@roxystarlite4106]

As a keeper with not a lot of room for my collection it makes me feel better knowing that my spiders don't need massive enclosures to be comfortable as long as the environmental parameters are good. Thank you so much for your time and wisdom!

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you for supporting our channel ❤️

[@nonconformist4887]

I dnt own a spider or ever have but I come here bcuz Dave does an amazing job teaching, explaining, housing , care everything for these animals that I didn’t know much about before watching him. I think it’s safe to say this channel is second to none when it comes to arachnids. Great job sir and continue doing great things much respect from Philadelphia

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you so much for your kind words my friend ❤️👍

[@mellyg8761]

Dave, you personally, have introduced me to these amazing creatures. Virtually everything I do I’ve learned from your videos. I now have 17 of these beauties. All of them are thriving! I’m having such a wonderful time with this hobby. Thank you. For sharing your knowledge via videos. Camera Lady adds such a fun, warm component to the channel, and is always a delight.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Wow, thank you❤️❤️❤️

[@adventuringchemist]

What I love about your videos is the why. Don't just dump your fossorial in a deep tank, think about why. I really appreciate that approach.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you 🙏

[@trala8911]

“But we’re not in the wild” This made me really think again about some of the things I’ve learned and been told. I was also pleased to hear your reassurance that rehousing isn’t so stressful for a spider. I need to rehouse my little jumper but I was fretting about her losing her nest.

[@robertherberg9595]

Your spiders always look healthy.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you my friend ❤️

[@naomijones3731]

Everything you say makes perfect sense to me, and to my 10 year old granddaughter...who hangs onto your every word. Brilliantly explained Dave, thank you.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you ❤️👍

[@mwmikeyweisser]

I really appreciate this. You aren't dogmatic about how to keep tarantulas, you recognize that it isn't a one-size-fits-all endeavor and you focus on how to keep your tarantulas strong and healthy. I've learned a lot from your channel and as a relatively new tarantula keeper, you are my go to guy.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thats awesome hank you my friend ❤️👍

[@fullonsociopath]

Two things I would point out: Part of this idea of them needing space comes from the revolution of the fish and reptile hobby. For years people kept potentially large fish in tiny aquariums, and things like ball pythons in 20 gal enclosures their whole life. This was shown to be very wrong for fish, and also some reptiles. That revamp is likely what people are trying to mistakenly apply to these critters. Secondly, a wild T that digs a three foot burrow also encounters other creatures in the soil that it can feed on without coming to the surface for a long time. In your house, they can starve without ever coming up to get that cricket you dropped at the top of their home, simply because you don't have a full ecosystem in the soil provided for them. Great video, Dave. Thanks for sharing.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Your correct in the way many of these facts have come about through fish and reptiles , but I disagree with your concept of needing a full eco-system in a captive setting and no spider will starve itself becouse it wont leave its burrow 👍

[@reneeturcottecicigoi9435]

@@daveslittlebeasties Exactly. Basic instinct and survival will kick in and the spider will search for food. Just like every other living being on this planet

[@pobinr]

Can't be that stressful be that stressful rehousing spiders. They don't have to deal with estate agents & solicitors 🤣

[@daveslittlebeasties]

😂😂😂😂

[@laurendobelbower2713]

Preach! What a thorough and articulate explanation of why we should NOT anthropomorphize our pets👍🕷🕸

[@mikewilliams736]

I always make fun of my dad's reaction to me keeping tarantulas. He said it is cruel because "think of the space they have in the wild". Thank you for making the perfect reponse video for that claim.

[@MARKYMARKSSPIDERSNBUGS]

At last someone making sense. I first started keeping spiders in the early 80s and just this morning ive had exactly this discussion. Ive just been outside and measured i have a segestra florentina that has been in the same 1cm hole in my shed frame for 2 years, doesnt mean she would need a shed to live in if i wanted to keep her indoors.

[@barbhelle5481]

That was a lot of good information. I liked it when you let us know that spider's can make a new home. They are fast at making homes when they want.

[@Ze-Germanzuk]

"Spiders are not emotional creatures" Thank you! I've been saying this for years in the snake community and so many people argue about the size of caging and feeding habits etc and bring emotions into it. I've given my snakes huge enclosures and they refuse to feed for weeks, I give them smaller enclosures and they feed every week without fail.... But people will still tell you you're wrong. In my eyes a feeding snake is a happy snake 👍 Thanks for the vids as always you're the person that got me into inverts and can't wait for this year's UK shows, S.E.A.S is coming up this month!

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Unfortunately I cant get to SEAs hope you have a great day , my next one will be Taunton and this time we have a table ❤️

[@robertallan3839]

That was fantastic Dave. Your a real asset to the hobby! More like this please. A related story: I have an Asian Fawn and read online it was fossorial and setup the enclosure 3/4 full of soil. I even started a hole in the corner I wanted it to dig. It wouldn't dig and just totally webbed up the top of the enclosure, which didn't didn't work very well because how I had it setup. I read somewhere else they are terrestrial so rehoused with just 1/4 substrate and loads of anchor points. It didn't web at all and just dug a hole!

[@daveslittlebeasties]

They are all different 😂👍

[@karelvo]

A suggestion for a future topic. An in depth video on how to care of the smallest of slings.

[@albarosewilliams7443]

This is a fascinating video. You have such a vast fund of knowledge that you so generously share with the world. You are amazing. Thank you and Camera Lady.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you so very much ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@hollishan]

Dave, you have the most informative and educational videos out there. You are also a pleasure to listen to! So much valuable information and great solid advice (like keeping our own emotions out of it). Looking forward to the next one! You're the best!

[@mellyg8761]

I agree completely! Well said!

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Wow, thanks!❤️❤️❤️

[@Rlk-l9x]

This also happens in the tropical fish hobby. I have aquariums and have been in the hobby for decades. I’m stunned when, on fish forums, someone asks, “Stocking ideas for my new aquarium?” I’d have at least 15 follow up questions, and everyone’s answer is different. That person isn’t going to learn anything from those answers because those are fish those people like.

[@IanTarrantula]

Couldn't have said it better myself Dave. I gave my GBB room to dig. Made a pre-made starter burrow. Above that hide there is a large plastic bushy type plant. Instead of digging, she has also decided to web above all in the plant. I personally prefer to give my balfouri communals plenty of substrate to give them the opportunity to dig if they want to, which all of my communals have done. Also plenty of webbing too and they come out quite often.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

They are all different which is why we need to learn what our personal spiders need and adjust our care to that , its not a Black and White hobby 👍❤️

[@rebel4466]

You're 100% spot on. I still prefer people worrying a little too much over worrying too little. Some setups you see on the internet are horrible. As a rule of thumb, I'm using "3 times the legspan in all directions" for enclosure size. That covers most of the needs of all kinds of species. What also has to be kept in mind is experience. Like with aquariums, a larger enclosure with more substrate will be easier to maintain for a new hobbyist. It's also more forgiving if mistakes happen while misting/watering. Another positive for new keepers is more space when feeding the spider. Fast movements of the spider won't lead to escapes as easily. But most of those things are better for the keeper and not very interesting for the spiders themselves. They're opportunistic and will make many things work if there's food and water.

[@TxChexmix]

Come now Dave, the internets is where opinions fly freely even tho we have no clue what we talk about 😂. I personally don't keep spiders but find your videos very informative, educational, and sometimes comical.. keep the content coming. Very much enjoyable. Hope you and camera lady had a good holiday season

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you and yes we did hope yours was good too 👍❤️

[@itssassysarah]

I’m very empathetic and I love animals but when you said about the spider being homeless I have to admit I chuckled. I’ve literally rehoused spiders and seconds into being there seen them start webbing up. 99.9% of spiders really couldn’t give a damn, as long as the food and water is still available it’s happy days.

[@timmysailorvenusfan23]

Your videos are incredible I love watching them

[@johanneabelsen1644]

Same!!

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you so much!

[@petegriffin8149]

Dave it's a real honour to receive your advice mate, I can't tell you how invaluable your channel is, your methods and advice have brought great results.. thankyou. 👍😃👍

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thats great to hear my friend ❤👍

[@andycampbell6032]

Information has changed quite a bit as far as husbandry goes. 25 years ago when I got my first rosehair the concensus was a couple inches of vermiculite for substrate in a 10 gallon aquarium with a screen lid and a bowl of water with a sponge in it. I am thankful that isn't the concensus any longer. I shutter to think just how miserable my rosehair was all that time.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

You would be amazed how many still think like that 😭

[@Isorarepods]

Love your videos. Thank you for giving your perspective on enclosures. So many people think you need 2-3x the leg span for them to be comfortable but then they use 1/4 of the enclosure lol

[@tarantuhalla]

True. A lot of friends asked, if the enclosures I use aren't too small my the spiders. The longer you are in the hobby, the more you learn about those creatures. You mentioned balfouri communal... that is propably my next big T project, and I surely will document it on YT. BW from Zabrze Marc

[@daveslittlebeasties]

That would be awesome my friend 👍

[@silverknightchriscarter3512]

Excellent video Dave , thank you for all the helpful info

[@Chickenandfriends-dj4vt]

A lot of excellent advice here Dave! Our critters thank you!

[@daveslittlebeasties]

You are very welcome❤️❤️

[@Hayley0412]

Wow, that video has made me feel one hundred and one percent happy, all of the information you explained was a great relief! I have been so worried about getting a spider because if I did something wrong it would be take five minutes for someone to say, you didn’t do that right, enclosures are too small, you are using the wrong substrate, I have seen all of these comments under some great spider enthusiasts. Gaining the confidence is because you have made me feel so much better, so thank you to the Beastie room! ❤️

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thats awesome you spider will let you know if it right 👍

[@Jeremiah_Johnson139]

Great video, as usual, Dave. You provide excellent information about the hobby. I dont keep spiders, but what you're talking about is a life and generational philosophy that has spread across just about every hobby in the world, as a result. I think the only "wrong way" is telling other people their way is wrong. It might be 'different' than you (figurative you) take care of yours, but it's not necessarily wrong. There's a simpler philosophy; "stay in your lane". If you find something that's a good idea, and helps you... great! Adopt it! But don't turn around and assume you know better, and berate someone who does things differently.

[@TruckerJim1981]

Great video Lots of tips and know how . Your a credit to the hobby . Ps your A.geniculata ( display ) looks fantastic

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Wow, thanks! 😊

[@rogerchainsawharris584]

100% spot on! I kept a G.pulchripes in a 5 gallon tank, with less than 2 inches of substrate, a flower pot hide, and a water dish for almost 19 years.

[@V-skeptic]

Brilliant. I agree. Necessity dictates what they do. Same with all animals, including us.

[@MrScuba1972]

Great video, small thing but thank you for moving the Beasty Room sign up above the caged animals. It looks keen and uncluttered. Small thing but on video looks very professional:)

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I run out of room for a while 😂😂😂

[@lisafosc]

Awesome video as always. I keep forgetting to thankyou for the fruit fly video, was super helpful, it was the powder mix I was using that was the problem here, and following the instructions made it too wet . Thankyou xxx

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Awesome glad to help 👍

[@marie-louisesegerlov8625]

Great video and that's why I don't will do spiders!

[@alexanderfox4825]

I have done everything you say in your videos and all my spiders are doing really well :) Winnie still hides all the time though lol. I have NEVER seen a spider so afraid of everything like Winnie is. I know I have done something wrong, I just don't know what. But she is feeding and she is growing :)

[@daveslittlebeasties]

So nice of you ❤️ some are just very shy its probably nothing you have done 😊

[@fionnsgirl17]

Thank you so much Dave! I love your no nonsense approach to keeping and your gentle demeanor.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I appreciate that!❤️

[@abfmkarin]

PS i love when you tell the overdramatising pple the example with the destroying a spiders home in the garden 🤣😂👍👍

[@judycook4314]

It’s sad that you felt it necessary to make this video! I’m in the group of people here that does not have spiders but am very interested in what you do. I always appreciate that you answer questions and I try to phrase them politely. I respect your years of experience, and can tell that after observing what might be improved upon, you make adjustments. It appears to me that you have things figured out, based on where the spiders come from and their habits. The internet is brutal! Keep keep up your good work!

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you , polite conversation will never go unnoticed and all questions are good questions provided they are put forward politely , we appreciate your involvement and participation in the channel ❤️❤️❤️

[@susannesamuelsson2930]

👋😉 Great video as usual Dave and Sweet Camera Lady, a very informative video! Take care and I love the saying "it's proof in the pudding"! In Sweden we say "själva pudlens kärna", ( the core of the poodle 🐩 😀)! Hugs ❤ 🥰 🤗, Susanne.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

❤️❤️❤️

[@bernadettelinfoot]

I really like it when you say to keep human emotion away from spiders or any animal really. I see human emotion a lot with dogs cats and whatnot. To be honest it's one of my pet hates. Anyway I watched this video for the umptiest time because it's a lot of food for thought

[@daveslittlebeasties]

❤❤❤

[@Starrshine1701]

You are so wonderfully logical it’s just brilliant. The whole spider world needs to think like you.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you 🙏 ☺️ ❤️

[@lucnadeau2821]

Very helpful information as always, Dave. I have to say that I'm actually surprised that people outside the hobby are criticizing your work. If you don't know what you're talking about, you're better off not saying anything, otherwise you end up making a fool of yourself. That's my view on it. Stay safe and thanks for sharing :)

[@shelleoshelle7252]

Well done you two! I really appreciate the time and effort you spend sharing these things with us. Sending love and light from here.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you ❤️

[@ariframli1343]

What about arboreals and pokies? Do more on those!!

[@TarantulaRookie]

Only downside to this video, it won’t reach far and wide enough Great information as always Dave, even if only to raise the conversation amongst all keepers 👍🏼

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you buddy feel free to share wherever you like 😂👍

[@julierobertson148]

Found this video both interesting and very informative. Really appreciated your remarks about imposing human assessments on the spiders. You would certainly expect them to act differently in the wild than in a comfy beastie enclosure where all their needs and desires are met. (However much they'd crave to do it in the wild, it's not a survival advantage to lounge out in the open in a predator-rich environment.)

[@nugget130884]

Fully agree especially depth. I got a T Apophysis last summer and put her in an enclosure designed to encourage her to make a deep burrow - I got a 30x50cm tub, put a big hole in the bottom and put that over a 50cm tall glass vase, then I put a heat cable round the top of the tub to create 26-7c in the tub. In the wild they dig down to get cooler (apparently). Now months later I take the cover off the vase and nothing, NO digging at all. Moral of this story = you can try to force a spider to dig but you definitely can't make it!

[@irvingcobian]

You make such total sense Ive always thought like this. If only the fish community was able to hear this.

[@annesmith708]

Great video and I'm not all the way through it. I have had my spider collection for a bit over a year now. I researched T requirements, species, etc., for months. One of my first spiders was an OBT. Past tense as I was responsible for its demise. I read "DLS and enclosure size should be 3x that size". Wrong. Garden spiders make webs between plants. You usually find the other kind wedged in a tight crack somewhere. Tarantulas need to feel safe, swaddled in a web lined hidey-hole, wedged in a crack in a tree, tucked behind a dirt curtain. You see this with fossorial spiders using a bit of webbing to close up the burrow door when they've retired for the day. We shouldn't anthropomorphize spiders. That's wrong. We do, however, share two emotions with them and those are the need to feel safe and fear. Let's work on fear for a moment. I have a fear of urticating hair (allergies) so I only keep old world T's. Perhaps it is a keeper's fear that encourages them to place their spider in an enclosure that is miles too big for it? Imagine yourself as a tree dweller suddenly dumped at one end of a football stadium with the closest tree being behind the goalpost on the other side. And, your water dish is on the ground somewhere where you can't find it. Not good. And, your food scampers around at a high rate of speed. Also not good. Here I am anthropomorphizing... put the spider couch in an enclosure just big enough for it. Park the water on the end table, dump the food on the other end table. Your spider can lean over and get what it needs and a year from now you can rehouse it. Pretty simple. Remember your paint brush, soft hair please. And, don't be too generous in your enclosure upgrade. I learned the hard way.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

A very good explanation ❤

[@mattdawsonY0]

I've only been in the hobby for about 6 months, however by absorbing myself with your catalog of videos I've got the confidence of a keeper that has been doing it for years. Now, I am not new to keeping exotic pets, so I've got a good grasp on animal husbandry, but your videos sure give me that sense of reassurance that I'm doing things correctly. I recently picked up my 5th tarantula (Megaphobema Robustum). Also, I love that you have a very common sense and unbiased approach to everything. Yes these are animals, however they don't have the intelligence or emotional awareness of a cat or dog. They operate on basic natural instincts. I had to explain that to my wife when thought I was being cruel by keeping them in such small enclosures. Thanks as always Dave!

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Happy keeping my friend ❤👍

[@donaldretallack9743]

Class is in session. Always learning thanks to Dave little beasties

[@terriwalters3075]

Cheers Professor Dave (& camera lady 😁)👍, another great video. I really enjoy your video’s and the catch phrase got me from the start. I won’t be having them for pets! The Huntsman’s get relocated when they show themselves inside, I can only stay calm when they don’t run back up the broom handle. Funnily enough though, I find the Beastie room relaxing and fascinating. Congrats on the subscription numbers rising to! Keep enjoying what your both doing. I’m from Darwin Australia, so yes we have plenty of spiders and snakes to deal with 😬😁 (all relocated👌).

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Welcome my friend ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

Nice job, stifling your displeasure. Some people might think it's macho handling spiders, but it's reading your own comments sections that is the real measure of man lol. Jk, you do an awesome job and provide a wonderful service. I wish I had youtube when I was young. It's amazing.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you 🙏 😊

[@maiabones]

THANKYOU Seeing other keepers banging on about space and substrate depth always made me feel like I was treating my spiders poorly, but I was going by the exact philosophy you're espousing here: give them what they need by learning why they behave in these ways, and fulfil that need.

[@dustinjames6662]

Can't stand those people. Keep it up Dave.

[@dldarby82]

I lost a T. vagans to a mesh top, now I use the rigid metal mesh (not that flexible window screen stuff, and I haven't had an issue since.

[@angelataylor4540]

I completely agree with "stop giving human emotions" I feel that's true for all animals as they all follow their urges and impulses, a wild cat doesn't think about its prey they're preditors and they're hungry their pray is afraid and it runs away. Very basic not considered before hand. As long as all kept animals are eating and healthy your giving them exactly what they need.

[@periplanetamissionary]

In regards to emotion I do believe that a majority of invertebrates can feel some of the basic emotions, notably fear, anger, and happiness/contentment. Any one who's seen the threat displays cannot doubt the invert is afraid or angry, and a normally timid invert sitting proudly out in their enclosure could be interpreted as being happy/content. I've also seen various inverts kill a food item that they found annoying, and promptly place it in the garbage pile. I don't believe they feel things such as sadness or higher emotions like love, however I believe a majority of invertebrates aren't merely automatons either.

[@rosssutton3564]

My curly haired was playing with her food and the super worm managed to burrow, you could see the disappointment in her eyes🤣

[@biggusdickus2166]

they are closer to automatons than us in behaiviour imo. I care for water tigers every summer. they have 3, count em, 3 behaivours. feed, flee, and pupate. thats it. As beetles they are a bit more interesting. Turantulas have a few more behaivours than that but the reality is they cannot learn like we can. All the responsibility is on the owner to figure out what the animal needs to carry out its preformed behaivours.

[@mjoverocker6072]

If i were to get a tarantula, i would definitely do things like you do, except for breeding them lol

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Go for it!❤️

[@biggusdickus2166]

you can get spiderlings for 15 dollars and feed them a 1 cent mealworm once a week. a plastic shoebox at the dollarstore costs 5 dollars, as dave has shown substrate is free in mother nature. Go get one youll love it

[@ShugPhD]

Amen to all that about not anthropomorphizing the spiders. Same thing happens with bees but we have to remember that their minds aren't anywhere near the same as our minds

[@paulheyn4423]

Thanks for everything you do brother appreciate it and good work on the camera camera lady

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Much appreciated

[@sniperbob4737]

Good argument Dave - depth of substrate which equates to Environmental Conditions in the wild, is not necessarily the same as that required in captivity e.g. a damp burrow is required, therefore likely deep in arid conditions.

[@LadyCJ]

A great informative video as per Dave, I loved it! I've only been keeping Ts for 18 months and what I've learnt is all from you 💙 Keep up the fantastic videos 🖤🕷️

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you so much ❤️

[@thedanidollchannel3409]

One of my favorite videos. This was so eloquently explained, makes perfect sense. Really really good info

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Awesome, thank you!👍

[@Joe-rm8rs]

Absolutely a great video Dave, your explanation of topics is such valuable information! I’ve been keeping spiders since the mid-80’s and after finding your channel I’ve had better results by using some of your methods! I am glad you mentioned emotions I try to keep those out of the equation and just concentrate on what is best for the spider itself. Your knowledge and advice is priceless and has helped me grow on some fabulous spiders , tarantulas and true spiders as well! Thanks so much for these type videos Dave and cheers to you and camera lady!!🕷

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you my friend 👍

[@spencergay8283]

One of your most informative vids to date.

[@simonhogg6674]

So now I need to find the best environmental parameters for my D. Pentarolis

[@Heatseeker872591]

That's an excellent video Dave . For substrate depth I have always aimed to give mine a fair amount. I keep terrestrial species which are only oppurtunisitic burrowers anyway and I have yet to see one in my collection try and make a burrow . The only reason I give them a fair amount of depth is so that it's closer to the ceiling of that enclosure so that the spider cannot reach up and climb ( terrestrial species can't climb very well especially glass but can continue to try and do so anyway ) where it could slip, fall and Injure itself .

[@IamValak-j9e]

with my pokies i start with a sling pot, then move to a deli pot, then to a tall pot and finally a tank

[@tinkfinch1674]

I love how you never say what someone else is doing is wrong. We all do things differently. But you must hold your head in your hands and shake it from side to side with some of the questions I have read in your comments. Some would have me banging my head on your desks. I don’t know why I think this but did you work in a zoo or other animal park? I swear your the David Attenborough of the spider would. Excellent work by camera lady as always and thanks for the information. I know I will never keep spiders but, a few people I have spoken to I have told about your channel and one even came back to me and thanked ME ! For the heads up on your channel. “The best channel for spider information they have ever seen”. X

[@daveslittlebeasties]

That’s amazing I’m grateful for you sharing our videos and yes I worked in the zoo world for many years ❤

[@tinkfinch1674]

@@daveslittlebeasties it shows that you worked in this kind of environment. Your knowledge and respect for others opinions even if theirs is totally wrong. Shows your a balanced caring human. I’m so glad I came across your channel. I am as I have stated before shit scared of spiders and I am trying with the help of your channel and the Spider-Man’s channel I feel I’m coping better. I hope to travel to Australia to spend a month with family in Adelaide. I always look forward to my Daves little beastie fix. I’m the hope it will fix my fear of spiders. X

[@daveslittlebeasties]

@@tinkfinch1674 Dont over think them and you will be fine ❤👍

[@kylodon]

Another great video! Your videos brought me back to the hobby after about a decade off and I'm absolutely loving it again! I have 6 beasties now all between sling and sub-adult and I'm having so much fun watching them develop. The feeling of pride when a sling takes down it's first live prey brings a tear to my eye 😂

[@daveslittlebeasties]

That is awesome!❤️👍

[@stadiumarcadium2351]

3:10 this is why i dont keep tarantulas, but at the same time i dont tell what others should and should not be doing but i follow the channel because i am fascinated by the animal kingdom.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

❤️❤️❤️

[@charliemum]

Very informative, I like that you included that just because the books n info say they burrow doesn't mean they will do that . I fell for the same mis information with the gbb got my sling and set her up with burrowing space but also alot of web space on the surface because I had been told they also web. She never once touched the sub made her web cloud and stayed on it , so for her juvenile enclosure I set her up with lots of space to web and only a few inches of sub and she's made a huge web castle this time often sits out on display and is probably the best webbed enclosure I have included the arboreal tarantulas I keep, there isn't a cm that isn't heavily webbed 😊 spiders definitely don't always do what's expected of them bout time someone mentioned that . Great vid as always, Dave, Camera Lady looking forward to the next one 😊

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you so much ❤️👍

[@daft4682]

This is your single most useful video and I've watched most of your videos. Please brother, you're onto something so useful here and so lacking in ytube. Pls start making vids talking about exact enclose sizes and stetups for various species. Your rehousings are great but I want more details on the exact enclosure, and seeing the established tanks is so useful. It's hard to picture when you add them to a fresh home. I would love to see how to make a nice display enclose for avic for example, but don't know if 8x8 is okay or if I need 12x12, and do I need 14 or 18 tall, etc. Planning future enclosures for my slings has been the most stressful part of this hobby for me. Thanks for all your content!

[@spottedbull]

Many thanks Dave. Great information. I always learn something from your videos.

[@wastelandsniper789]

I don't like anthropomorphizing animals. I don't refer to any of my pets as "furbabies" (I HATE that word). My dogs and cats are pets, not children. Doesn't mean I don't love them or that I don't think they love me, it just means that I understand that they love me in their own doggie/kitty way. With spiders it's even more ridiculous to think they care, since they literally don't have the brain parts that enable anything close to that level of feeling. Doesn't mean you can't (or shouldn't) treat them with respect, but they really shouldn't be treated like they are human and have our same hang-ups or emotional requirements. I hated ruining my C. versicolor sling's web, but the darn thing kept webbing up a corner of its enclosure that included the lid, so I got it an enclosure that opens on the side and it still webbed up a corner that included the door, so I had to completely destroy the web and basically push Rebel (seems an apt name) to the back of the enclosure where all the anchor points I had put in were. It took the hint and finally webbed up where I'm not going to destroy its web. In any case, it really didn't seem to care that it had to keep fixing its web in the previous enclosure, it was more that I felt bad about messing it up that caused me to change the enclosure. One of my favorite quotes on the subject is from tarantula kat, where she was responding to somebody who sent a very dumb message condemning her for her keeping and treatment of tarantulas and at one point said the spiders must be bored. Kat responded by showing one of her tarantulas that has been sitting in a corner for several days and saying, "She's been sitting here not moving for five days. Seriously, if anybody is bored it's me watching her."

[@albarosewilliams7443]

I really enjoyed listening to you. I really enjoy your teachings. I almost forgot about your video this morning. I've been sick with covid - lucky me. Thank you for all your efforts. Love your shirt.

[@reneeturcottecicigoi9435]

I hope you feel better soon 😊

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Welcome back! hope you feel better soon ❤️❤️❤️

[@stevepwn]

jumping spiders are the same way. mine would just sit on their webbing all day but if they were hungry they would go roaming around.

[@chrisfromsouthaus2735]

2:49 To be fair, I've never murded anyone, but I've got some pretty strong opinions on the subject.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

👍👍👍

[@rasputinsliver3196]

Dave, I'm not in the hobby myself. But I really enjoy your videos. In great part because of your practical philosophy regarding it all. Practical AND with great appreciation of your li'l critters. You keep doin' whatchyer doin'. Seems to be a successful model. 🇺🇸👍😉👌🇺🇸

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you appreciate your support my friend 👍❤

[@DoorsToHideBehind156]

Great points Dave. One thing that I had in mind when you were talking about with substrate depth is dark dens channel. He recently gave his tarantula the opportunity to burrow several feet down into the substrate to see what would happen, and indeed the spider made a huge tunnel all the way down to the bottom. So if given the opportunity they will but certainly don't need it.

[@marlenjeangraulau2221]

Best man 💪👍‼️ Thank you Dave 🙏🙏 Regards from Germany Jean 🙂✌️

[@daveslittlebeasties]

❤️👍Glad you enjoyed it

[@aidenstarkey433]

Excellent video dave, I definitely agree people are going over zealous with their spiders of which have been thriving on earth for millions of years. That h gigas I have is in a fair size enclosure with enough top soil to feel safe and a water bowl not a swimming pool and a sun lounger with soothing yoga music then you get people who build sub aquatic environments just astounding