Heat & Light Part 2 of 3: Researching Natural History

[@benjaminportilla9297]

Really glad to see spider husbandry moving forward as scientific understanding advances. Like you said, just because someone has been keeping animals the same way for 30 years and "they're fine" doesn't mean they're giving their animals the best lives they can, and it doesn't mean people can't be open to improvement. Really hoping to see a breakdown of how you guys are setting up the lighting and heating on individual enclosures. All I can find is your live show videos.

[@dbcustomrc]

Can’t wait for part 3. I have a curly hair sling coming next week. I want to be able to set up something that will meet the needs of my spood and help it thrive.

[@leeroyjenkins5073]

Strongly agree on critical thinking and info gathering skills being the most valuable aspect of science degrees. The issue with a lot of non mammalian husbandry I find is a lack of criteria we can point to as to why one animal is happier or ‘more thriving’ than another. Personally having plant life local to the spider in the enclosure has made a big difference for me (it takes care of most controllable captive parameters like photoperiod/substrate/humidity/temp) and I can point to consistent activity and speed at which the spider settles in as factors as to why I consider it a happier spider. Unfortunately, current criteria is more like ‘it’s alive so it’s fine’ and we widely accept the ‘pet hole’, never comes out for prolonged periods and taking days or even weeks to settle into an enclosure as normal.

[@brandimyhren6317]

Love this content it’s not boring. I’m here for all of this and where you’re headed with it.

[@alexiscondit898]

This is the information i was looking for that i couldn't find anywhere else. I've been following antiquated husbandry techniques sincei got my sling 2 years ago. I only have one spider, a Caribena versicolor, but have been keeping reptiles for 20 years. I actually bought one of your enclosures for her when she was small. Anyway, i noticed that she would bask under the led bulb a lot, which was hot to touch with your hand and wondered if i should provide her with a supplemental heat source. Since i will be upgrading her to a larger enclosure soon, I'm now sure that she would thrive with an additional heat source. Of course i will make sure it is appropriate for her enclosure size. But thank you guys for putting this information out. Hopefully it will become less controversial in the future.

[@Spyder0000]

I liked your information so much, I've returned ❤❤❤❤thanx again, my friend 😁🕷️🦗😁 oh yeah, and I've been keeping Tarantulas for around 43 years. I've had thousands of Tarantulas. Wich means beans if your both not willing to listen and learn.❤❤❤

[@Kaiyo_no_Ookami]

So happy to see this approach gaining interest. You’re doing great work here. Aside from my former discomfort around spiders, I think the main thing that put me off keeping a tarantula was the traditional Standard of Care that I saw. I have a background in animal husbandry in general. One of the main things drilled into my head by every person who ever taught me was to replicate the animals’ natural environment as best as possible. Especially with reptiles, amphibians, fish, and arthropods because they rely so heavily on their environment for basic life functions (temp, light, and humidity). What I saw with accepted tarantula care made me slightly uncomfortable in a way that I didn't really get until I started seeing your content (and podcasts with others, etc). Seeing a spider in a glass box with nothing but a little substrate, a water dish, and hide, after seeing documentaries showing the same spider in a lush, tropical habitat in the wild, never sat right with me. Now I understand why. Spiders are something I’ve only been really learning about for the past 3 years but I’ve absolutely fallen for Ts. Something I would never have expected. Lol. I'm glad that my getting interested in Ts and thinking about getting one happened to coincide with this relatively new shift in the approach to tarantula husbandry. I hope you keep at this.

[@1bhowdy]

I can't believe that I watched and listened to you two "Chuckleheads" for over one hour..... and I do not like or keep Tarantulas!! Thanks for another excellent video (even if I am a year late coming to it). You two are my favorite arachnid info sources. Hope that you are doing well.

[@jimmyburton811]

Excellent stream guys. When choosing the particular spider I wanted to care for, My first questions aside from basic set up were , what is this spiders habitat of origin ? How can I best replicate it to keep this animal at its optimal level of health ? Thank you for further elaborating on this topic. I look forward to all future info on these majestic creatures.

[@DaleBEATBOX]

What equipment do you guys use for natural sunrise/sunset dimming? I can figure it out on my own, but it would be nice to know exactly what you use so we dont waste our money on an inferior product(s). After all your one of the only people talking about this stuff, and seem really adept in this new take on the hobby. Thanks guys, great educational video 👍

[@its4yourowngood_yvfw]

Even little baby steps. I literally put a drainage layer in every tarantula enclosure. Even the small temporary ones. Now I have the opportunity to water / mist as desired without risking soggy soil in those small enclosure. Just a little tid bit I feel can facilitate customized care.

[@its4yourowngood_yvfw]

Ok so I lied. I have another example of a simple better than nothing measure. In my animal room I have a normal led light bulb that turns on in the morning after the sun has shed light into the room and then I have a full spectrum cob bulb that comes on later. Thats the room lighting. I know it's not a gradual sun progression but ya know. Its a decent but small effort to provide natural light... I keep the room heated to the average comfortable temp not exceeding the comfort zone of any animal. So then supplement heat and light goes for all as needed of course but this baseline light and temp supports each animal and the individual animals specific lights and heat element/ devices.

[@MARKYMARKSSPIDERSNBUGS]

Love this. I have been keeping exotic pets for a very long time. Back in the day everything was wild caught and technology was heating via low watt bulb in a bean tin. I have always believed in circadian rhythm being very important. Most animals even humans are affected by it. Air pressure even affects things. I am particularly interested in the effects of uv light and colours. We need more like you guys studying this. Spiders are often overlooked. Not enough research in the wild. How is climate change affecting arachnid populations? Sorry a bit rambling i have more questions than answers and not many spaces for a retired guy to start academic stuudies here in the uk.

[@Inverts4Introverts]

I've got to say, I wish everyone had this type of thinking when keeping animals. At glance, it seems very extra, but when you stop and think about the info available for lots of critters it only matches thier natural environment on the most basic level. I'm all about putting my all in making anything I take care of feel like it's not in a box but in its nature environment to the best of my ability.

[@JasonBooth79]

It does require a burrow there, but check out Grahamstown, South Africa weather for Harpactira pulchripes, day/night shifts of like 50 degrees, raining one day dry the next, but the humidity is fairly high on average, much higher than people seem to think they should be kept in captivity.

[@its4yourowngood_yvfw]

I'm as awkward as you lol. So im gonna promise this is my last comment. I'm glad you stopped to Introduce yourselves. I think you two have alot of valuable and fantastic info and ideas to contribute to the hobby. Just remember you're making a series. Approach it like a role model, or a tasteful Tarantula you tuber that actually has good, purposeful, researched methods of keeping. Take us with you on all that you do with the Ts (so to speak). I really like the internet search tips. I do alot of focusing on scholarly articles because of the joke Google is so ty. Spoon feed us. Teach as you set up or maintain and shit like that. You remind me of me sooooo much and I describe myself as annoying all the time. Im excited. And now I'm gonna shut my annoying ass up..

[@rebeccaharms3340]

No uvb was discussed, I assume this is just heat? In 6 weeks, I have acquired 4 Ts and it's been rather frustrating. Yesterday, my a/c faltered and the house got up to 84. That night, all 4 animals were more active than they've been since I got them. That's why I'm here now . 😊 Thanks for the info.

[@Gdwmartin]

Some of these questions are some of the first ones that popped into my head when I started looking into getting a Tarantula. What happens in the wild? There is a Sun in the sky...They live in hotter places than nowhere Newfoundland, were I am. Shouldn't I try to emulate some of that environment? Thanks for that.

[@ede8193]

This is very very interesting info! Great job you guys. So what i do is heat the room my 2 T's are in with a space heater, i have a Avic avic pink toe at 3" and a Versi color sling at 1"

[@marksellers6537]

About what temp do you keep your room. My avic avic seems to like it warmer

[@LarryIndvik]

Great series, very informative. I'm wondering if you're familiar with Fluval Aquasky. Do you think this would work for an 18x18x18 Exoterra bio active enclosure?

[@kayb2556]

I love this. I am new to the hobby and wondered why people thought a dark closet is best. But curious your opinion and advice on metal screens. Is it rare a tarantula chews through the screen? Do you only keep females in the screen enclosures, with a heat lamp?

[@charliemum]

Where is part 3? I was shown this by a friend on ab and I am extremely curious, do you still follow this method ? Have you seen more long term benefits as you have carried on using it ? What do you suggest for people with larger collections? I need to see part 3 😂

[@michaelrandy8764]

As someone who has a background in biology, currently have a career in marine aquaculture, I think the T hobby relies way too much on the "good enough to keep alive" approach of husbandry, esp when it comes to temperature and lighting/ photoperiod. We should always shoot for recreating their natural habitats/ parameters. I 100% agree with what you are trying to preach

[@6330-z3p]

I have my tarantulas in around 12 to 20 degrees in winter.....they grow slower but generally are fine

[@aztecwarrior13]

Hey I'm fairly new to the hobby and just got my first C.versicolor a week or two ago so this was very helpful but what specific lights do you recommend using for tarantulas.

[@marshallarachnids711]

Hey there! We are planning on covering this in part 3 in more detail. We use the Barrina brand LED grow lights for ambient lighting and a little smidge of warmth, perfect for spiderlings and juveniles of most tropical species.

[@Spyder0000]

I remember when C.versicolor was Avicularia versicolor and EXTREMELY RARE in the hobby.LOL😂 I'M OLDER THAN DIRT!!❤❤😂😅😊

[@mackenzie1087]

is it ideal for me to keep theraposa sp here in the Philippines? my enclosures ranges 70-80 humidity and Temp ranges 86-92°F.

[@reptiletailz108]

I could be wrong but what if she was perfectly happy and once the baby's hit a certain point in their growth maybe they then need the warmer temps to grow?? I could be wrong and maybe she would have just stayed in the bottom of the cork the whole time idk if they have been seen doing this before then maybe this is perfectly normal behavior and ur temps are absolutely perfect??

[@aracnoloco]

The thing called thermoregulatory behavior when animals are actively choosing or avoiding certain thermal conditions. I have observed it most recently in some European "tarantulas" Lycosidae: in spring and autumn they were sitting at the entrances of their burrows and were enjoying the sun (observed in Lycosa tarantula in Croatia, in L. singoriensis in Austria, in Lycosa sp. in southern Portugal, in Geolycosa vultuosa in Greece and Turkey). However, I did not observe them in summer, so maybe they then come only at night out of their burrows and stay deep in their burrows avoiding the summer heat. Basically they can move between entrance (=warm or hot) and different depths of their burrows (=cooler). So their can choose from a temperature and humidity gradient. The same may apply to arboreal tarantulas, but in that case the gradient may be from the lower parts of the tree trunk to the higher parts of the canopy.

[@aracnoloco]

Tarantulas and light: I have observed a female Avicularia rufa at 33 m above ground sitting on a bromeliad and grooming itself - in the morning (approx. 9 AM). It was raining softly. I bet that at least arboreal and open area tarantulas use daylight to some extent.

[@DamienDavidO]

1:09:17 what device are you using ( you talk about halogen light) very interested in purchasing one for similar purpose.

[@davidl.7027]

You can find small 25 watt halogens. The nice thing about halogen and the fixtures for them is that they are dimmable. I like these clip ones that have a bendy neck so you can adjust height and placement of the fixture. Also the fixtures I buy from Amazon have dimmable settings and also timers. Many of them come with multiple bulbs so you can get a fixture that comes with different wattage halogen bulbs. But be careful if you are using something that is higher wattage. Be mindful and understand what you are giving to the T. If you are having to dim a 75 watt down so much that it's basically less than what a 25 watt puts out, you might as well have a 25 watt and make your adjustments from there with dimming, that way if settings are reset accidentally it can't go as higher than what the bulb can naturally put out. I find that a few inches above a spot with a 25 watt dimmed is perfect but I am aware and test how hot the spot is. Also if it's too hot for your hand, it's definitely too hot for the t

[@jeoltem]

Very informative, one complaint thou: use metric, 80 something is my oven.

[@its4yourowngood_yvfw]

I wouldn't make apologies or edit anything for people uninterested. I've been moving around the tarantula community very gently because people aren't agreeable with how I think about this. There isn't alot of people that enjoy continued learning. There's an belief that someone has got this all figured out and I just gotta listen to the best of the above and beyond care guidelines ( or not lol). Some people more than others just naturally or by learning/ experience/ trade ect. know that there's always more to learn. And in this case here, we don't know definitively jack shit.

[@its4yourowngood_yvfw]

Needless to say, I'm excited that you're making videos on the topic. I'm inspired to dig into my animals individual natural living more in depth. I also hope this progressive keeping practice becomes the thing to do as other exotic hobbies have going.

[@wiz_witty]

See I couldn’t find any video/keeper that would just straight up say what temp what humidity so I looked up where they came from and the people at the store acted like I was wrong lol. I watched videos of them in the wild and Built my pink toe T his terrarium based off that. He’s a very happy spider imo. & In middle school we would go to Omaha zoo such an amazing zoo better than San Diego zoo

[@mackenzie1087]

more like this.

[@e.sunshinemccoy45]

where do I get a heating system for a dwarf tarantula? I don't want to cook them, Lil pumpkin patch dwarf tarantula.

[@e.sunshinemccoy45]

I guess could we get a guide of the heat / cool sources you use. I have seven and some of them and would like to give them the best enclosures possible.

[@marshallarachnids711]

@@e.sunshinemccoy45 Hi there! you can catch our next scheduled stream on Jan 4th as we dive into part 3! However, generally speaking we recommend Barrina LED T8 grow lights for both heat and light. If more heat is necessary, we use mini halogen basking lamps on dimmer switches (25w - 50w) to control heat output. As always, make sure you are measuring the output of any heating element with a temp gun or thermometer. Never guess : )

[@jenniferdailey2826]

Slings?

[@marshallarachnids711]

Yes, we will acknowledge how this all pertains to spiderlings in part 3!

[@its4yourowngood_yvfw]

It's hard to explain to people on how they should interpret the natural environment and translate that to an enclosure. Thats why there's guidelines. There's people who need a care guide. Understandably. Im not an expert or professional. Nor do I have years and years under my belt, second gen., non of that. I have been keeping Reptiles and inverts for about 5yrs. I do however have an insatiable interest in learning, seeking knowledge because im fascinated by the awsome and unknown. I have always been odd in the way that knowbody shared my fondness of the creepy crawlies. ALL my life. I dont think this was " learned " or introduced to me. There are people who definitely deserve to enjoy keeping but aren't gonna be doing extensive research. That's ok if you catch my drift. But does leave select enthusiast and scientists ect, with making a point to document and share.

[@hayleyknighten2416]

I understand that you deal with a lot of people that want to argue with you but the approach to this video feels very defensive and somewhat condescending, like you already expect the audience to disagree. Maybe change your approach if you want more people to be receptive to your message. I agree with the information you provided 100% and still struggled to finish this video.

[@aracnoloco]

Nowadays "critical thinking" = believing in conspiracy theories LOL

[@dazspurs9899]

My spiders have been doing just fine with light coming though the window and heat mats,had them over 10 years now you overthink and overcomplicate keeping invertbrates as pets and put people off the hobby

[@mrpuggerson]

Every time she starts talking you talk over her so much, wtf is up with that? It’s like you TRY to drown her out and not let her speak

[@marshallarachnids711]

@@mrpuggerson we were both very nervous and probably not as prepared as we could have been for this video, as we wanted it to be mostly casual, so no need to worry there - we appreciate the concern 💜 (coming from Jess)