Heat & Light: the two MOST IMPORTANT aspects of tarantula keeping Part 1 of 3

[@billstokesbary6143]

Learning to set aside what you have been taught in favor of proven facts is the sign of a scientific approach.

[@LarryIndvik]

So new to tarantulas. One of the issues I've had is everyone saying theres no need to mimic their natural conditions in the wild. I by no means have the experience or knowledge that both of you have but in my mind it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that a specific animal lives in a certain area because it has adapted to those conditions over millions of years. I am so happy that I stumbled onto your youtube channel. I still watch others, I dont feel you should ever get all your knowledge from one source. But you have quickly become my favorite. Thank you for what you are doing. Cant wait to see whats next

[@marshallarachnids711]

Precisely! Unfortunately there is only anecdotal evidence right now to support a naturalistic approach to arachnid husbandry, but time will hopefully bring out the more formal evidence. It's hard to change habits that appear to work for more old-school keepers who accept a certain mortality rate and blame it on things like "Sudden Avic Death Syndrome" or "natural" mortality, when in reality we are just accepting sub-par husbandry out of convenience and resistance to change. Thank you for the kind words and support 🫡

[@ProbableHobbit]

I’ve been in the hobby a long time. I think back to husbandry practices when I first started in the 90s and sometimes it seems like US hobbyists haven’t advanced very far since then. Since you guys have begun posting in the groups I’ve taken notice. Generally I don’t pay much attention to most keepers but I found myself reading your comments and being pleasantly surprised. While I don’t agree with every single one of your posts/comments, I have come to see that you’re promoting the same husbandry concepts that I embrace. I can’t tell you how refreshing that is. I am no longer very active in social media groups because so many keepers, new and old, continue to push these antiquated methods and are totally unwilling to hear about anything else. I genuinely applaud your efforts to teach them to be receptive to advancing their husbandry and challenging what they’ve been taught. For me, part of the fun of this hobby is finding better ways to keep my animals. I enjoy it. Over the years I’ve tinkered with every aspect of husbandry and my results align with what you promote. I have to confess that I initially wrote you guys off as just another hobbyist/vendor and didn’t give you a chance. I sincerely apologize for my dismissive attitude because you’ve proven yourselves to be dedicated keepers who seem devoted to improving the hobby. As far as invert KZbinrs…they’re a pebble in my shoe. I can’t stand the vapid, entertainment-type, views over information YTers. Again you’ve proven to be different and I’m impressed by your channel. I look forward to seeing more. Please forgive the sloppy comment I’ve written here. I’m recovering from a concussion and I’m still a bit muddled. 😊

[@marshallarachnids711]

Sincere thanks for the kind and honest words, Jodi! We definitely present ourselves in such a way that may ruffle some feathers in those who don't know us well, and that is totally fine with us. We're extremely passionate about the subject and we genuinely want to help keepers AND their spiders, rather than make a quick buck on a sale or reach viral status. We hope you enjoy our future content as well! 😊

[@dustinduram]

💯this is 100% the best video I have watched so far on this topic based on the biology of these animals. I’d love to do a podcast based on this topic. Or maybe even go live with a q&a so we can further dive into this topic. It’s not spoken about enough.

[@RavenAttwoode]

Love this info! I hope you are able to get back to parts 2 and 3

[@pnk1355]

Greetings form germany! I just started in the hobby and I immediately noticed that information out there is very ambiguous. Happy to have found your content!

[@danielklein6442]

The fact that my spiderling (green bottle blue) immediately pressed against the wall of the terrarium where the heated matt is attached led me to the same opinion. Great video, more keepers should think about it.

[@michaelmilo5719]

Same here, both my Ts went up to the heat when the temp was raised.

[@LindseyLumpkins]

I watched you on Tarantula Collective Podcast and started experimenting with my Tarantula setup with lights and I noticed my slings especially love the light and heat. Thank you!

[@willow.bell.illustration]

Back again! I actually just got a series of pictures to prove your point about tarantulas enjoying sunbathing. After watching your video I aimed one of my full spectrum lights for my plants towards my WC desert Aphonopelma, and he quickly took to sunbathing right in front of it. The picture I got shows how he's holding himself up sideways on his enclosure to expose his belly to it. Absolutely fascinating!

[@marshallarachnids711]

Isn't it amazing how they immediately detect those stimuli?!

[@willow.bell.illustration]

@@marshallarachnids711 It truly is, I just love arachnids 🥺😍

[@robertallan3839]

Well, that was different. Very interesting. Subscribed

[@mstalcup]

This is really insightful and helps us appreciate the circadian experience in which each species has evolved.

[@TheCreatureCavern]

I appreciate your take on this. Can't wait for part 2. Will be nice to learn more!

[@TheCreatureCavern]

Just realised part 2 was streamed 💀 gotta find time to watch that

[@marshallarachnids711]

Part 2 is up! It was livestreamed a bit ago and is now available for watching. Forgive us for the many tangents, lol! kzbin.info/www/bejne/n36yeoSrapKkd5o

[@china_sickness7005]

I will watch this video as open minded as possible, but I will have counter points. First off, I don’t own that book. I don’t believe anyone should be keeping tarantulas based off the word of one individual’s opinion. A large part of my husbandry tips come from Tom Moran. I’m sure you know who he is. He’s kept tarantulas for twenty years or more. He’s far more experienced than anyone else I’ve found online. He’s my main source but I do other research before I buy a species. Why I personally don’t agree with supplemental heating as a necessity is because of my personal observations. The room my tarantulas stay in can get up to 84 in the summer and as low as 67 in the winter. I try to keep it in the low seventies during winter though. My observation is that it doesn’t affect the tarantulas’ activity. They act normal. They feed normally. They are just as active at 67 as they are at 77 degrees. The only thing that I know for a fact is that lower temperatures slow their metabolism and make them grow slower. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing though. I understand that there’s a difference between surviving a thriving, but my observations of my tarantulas tell me that cooler temperatures aren’t a huge deal. When it comes to lighting, I open windows in that room every day. Their enclosures have semi direct sunlight exposure. They don’t hide from it. They are less active in the day which is to be expected, but the natural sunlight doesn’t make them stress. I’m willing to change things, but I need concrete evidence that the way I’m doing it now is absolutely harmful to my spiders. That hasn’t been observed, but I’m still going to be open minded

[@ryanmarshall6861]

Hi there! Thanks for watching and commenting :) We are actually hoping to sit down with Tom and have a discussion / debate about his approach to husbandry and the information he delivers. While we know Tom loves his animals and is a great educator, his practices (much like the author of the book) lack a fundamental understanding of poikilotherms and the relationship they have their respective environments. As mentioned in the video, tarantulas are very resilient and adaptable. It is evident that this is taken advantage of in captivity and behaviors are often misinterpreted. My advice to you is to do an experiment with your animals, and prove this to yourself. Give them a proper thermal gradient (ambient temperature of 70 - 76) of only +10F and watch their behavior. All tarantulas will exhibit thermoregulatory behaviors. Another key point we are trying to make is tarantulas are unique down to the individual species. Tom and Stan’s work use blanket statements and approaches that hobbyists apply to all species. For example, many species will never see temperatures below 70F in nature. While they will survive in captivity and may carry out “normal” biological function if exposed to temps below 70F, it is without question poor husbandry practice to ignore natural history and assume the spiders are fine. It is unnatural for most (not all) species to experience a slow In metabolism for an extended period of time while being denied access to those daily increases in temperature. Lots to unpack here, and we are just getting started. Plenty more to come :)

[@reptiletailz108]

Im so glad that I am someone who is always paying attention especially with a new animal I've never kept yet now I've done a ton of research and come from being petrified to fascinated and then obsessed and now I'm getting ready to go pick up my 3rd t ever and I'm super excited recently noticed that when I moved the t's Into my other reptile room I found them on the side of there enclosure when in the line of the ceramic heat emitter lol which was around 72 to 74 ish and my room was like u said 69 to 71 now mind u I keep beardies and leopard geckos prior to getting any tarantulas so they are currently in brumation so I don't have my normal lights on I have a che for my bugs to maintain them breeding my (roaches and superworms) while my baby's sleep to get a good boost and during this the t's were in the same area just so I cud keep them warm I didn't however expect to find both of them pressed against there enclosure side to get the warmth An they were in my downstairs reptiles room which they were next to my leopard geckos heat mat so they boosted a few degrees to around 73/74/72 so when I put them back down they relaxed in there lil hammocks instead of having to stay on the side to get to the temp they wanted and I'm brand new to this but having knowledge in reptiles and just exotics and heating and all that jazz my instinct kicked in I guess

[@zacharykaminski4851]

Love that you base your care off of multiple sources and focus on the behavior of your animals. Providing heat is to be used on an individual basis for each individuals needs (if your room is hot then dont make enclosures more hot/ use less heat to still provide a gradient) however by nature they will move in and out of heat in the wild (personal observations). Adding heat is not for everyone currently but it does provide animals with choice which inproves wellbeing. The change in temp from winter to summer isn’t noticeably changing their behavior because there is no gradient in the enclosure for them to regulate their body temperature with. I can almost guarantee if you were to provide a gradient their behavior would change. I dont want to come off as rude and im not saying you’re wrong. This is not a dig at you but rather the top comment after mine and want to explain further. I just think that we should strive to better welfare as much as possible as often as possible. Providing heat will allow for that added welfare. They are your animals and hence your responsibility the best care for your animals is what you feel is best based on your research and experiences.

[@santosprieto8952]

Looking forward to part 2. 👍

[@reptiletailz108]

2. Min in and I'm already impressed

[@aggsolodl]

I am getting into the hobby at the moment, preparing spaces for the T's ill get. As i live in germany and it gets very cold in my area in the winter months, but really almost anytime of the year compared to what these animals are used to, this topic is important to me. I've been waiting to get them because of my uncertainty about this for quite some time now and am really happy to find this video, that backs up my general feelings about it with science. Thank you! What lamps are the ones the T is sitting under in the Video, or some that you would recommend to use?

[@PorciniOmelet]

Thank you thank you thank you the "if you're comfortable your tarantula is comfortable" this is so stressful for me. I get uncomfortable around 70° but I know my Ts need to be warmer than the mid to high 60s that I prefer.

[@YeetusTheFeetus888]

Im sp happy i came across your channel, ive had my girl for around 9 months now. I was always unsure about how to make her happy. Shes alive and well but i want her to thrive in her enclosure. This information will help alot, thank you for what you do!

[@marcuslindsay713]

I wished I watched this video sooner. I had no heat and light for my spider for almost 2 years. After coming home from Japan, I realized the climate in her habitat was vastly different from her natural habitat, and even though I wasn't in Brazil, the heat and humidity I experienced prompted me to turn her habitat into something that seemed more like Brazil. I got heat, made a false bottom, a small plant, a light, and springtails. I was shocked! She went straight for the warmest place in her enclosure! She was way more active, she would literally sit on the side of her enclosure where I placed an 8w heat lamp. I was shocked to read people literally saying she would "cook herself." I've manage to keep the temperature of her habitat around 75f with around 80% humidity, the light is time for 9 hours a day automatically. I'm sure I will learn more, but she uses heat almost like a reptile. She's way happier.

[@zacharykaminski4851]

Absolutely love this! Keep preaching the word of constantly improving the husbandry we provide our animals. Tarantulas are ectotherms and hence need heat. Surviving is not thriving.

[@vl4433]

Such great info, really hoping for part two sometime soon!! Been brainstorming ways of bringing the right light and heat cycle to my T, thinking small low wattage led lights may provide safe heat since it’s an acrylic enclosure? Would love to hear the specific products you utilize in the next video. I hope you are doing well!!

[@DamienDavidO]

I stumbled across this video and really like the information you provide. Get back to posting it great content .

[@willow.bell.illustration]

I love this. I came into the hobby 10 years ago and recall this book being high on my purchase list. I remember even back then I was learning that animal hobbies evolve and learn better ways to care for their creatures. So I appreciate this take.

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

This is really interesting! If you two would be interested in jumping on an episode of the podcast to discuss this further, please let me know! 😀

[@tjarkmeemken2790]

Thank you! This is such an important topic. I´m pretty new to tarantula keeping, but keep mantids for some time. My animals ALL get contolled heat and full spectrum light, for the reasons you metioned. My tlitocatl albopilosum comes out, finds the heat mat and basks. When she´s warmed up she will retreat into her burrow. Can´t wait for part two! Definitively subscribed 👍 Greatings from Germany

[@boognish.]

This is easily explainable. From the 1970’s through the early 2000’s information was shared mostly in pet shops. Shops owners would hear feedback from keepers. People would return to the shops reporting deaths. Shop keeper asks what the set up consisted of. Common thread of death; heat source, light source, etc.. Whose tarantulas didn’t die? The ones who kept them at room temperature. Case closed….

[@tammymcpherson4451]

As a fairly new keeper (3years) I cannot say how much this video spoke to me. Thank you very very much for this video. Biology in care is a must!

[@gardenlifelove9815]

Love this video, I've run into sooo much ignorance that I stopped collecting reptiles altogether, but I still keep T's due to some being endangered and I breed them.

[@jimmyburton811]

Thank You so much for making this video. With cooler temps upon us I needed a way to keep my Phormictopus Auratus warm without having to use a space heater. I purchased a heating lamp (came with one 50 and one 25 watt bulb) you put in the link and found the results exactly as you state here. I set light to med temp. (using 50 watt for winter), and she comes out to bask in the morning , on warmer days she does not. When she has had enough heat she moves to her hide or underneath some foliage. I look forward to more informational videos from You , thanks again ! Subbed

[@jimmyburton811]

Quick follow up , with the increased heating & lighting , my spiders energy levels are way up. She is so much more active , even while in premolt in the middle of Winter. You Rock ! Cmon Part 2 !

[@marshallarachnids711]

That is fantastic to hear! So glad your spider is thriving in your care :) Parts 2 and 3 are coming within the next 2 weeks!

[@Ellaterra]

I’m looking forward to part two as well! I always wondered why I can grow both hardy and sensitive plants with full-spectrum grow lights in my home, but then receive advice that any type of artificial light for T’s was harmful.

[@sethirium9542]

My spiderlings are being held in tiny DIY paint cups , I got a large heat mat so how should I attach it? It has a temperature gauge rod Should I attach it on a wall and put the cups close to it but not actually on it aswel as putting the gauge on the mat itself ?

[@china_sickness7005]

I said I’m another comment that I don’t own the book nor do I care about its contents. My research comes from keepers with years of experience who have raised many species at least 3/4s of their average lifespans. I fully agree that it’s important to know the temperature of the room where tarantulas are kept. My house gets as low as 65 or lower in the winter, and I don’t like that for my tarantulas. So, I keep the room door closed and I have a space heater that keeps the temperature rage at 70-74 during the winter. Sometimes the temperature can drop to 67, but that’s not really doing harm over a short period of time. I keep a thermometer in the room all the time so I always have an accurate reading on their environment. I do think that is very important. Also, I do expose my tarantulas to direct sunlight through windows during the day. They don’t hide. They don’t care. I think it is important to establish a day and night cycle for them, but I don’t see the light as a benefit beyond that. It definitely isn’t a harm though

[@apophisprime7135]

Well... I guess my gut feelings when I first got into tarantulas was accurate. I pull my blinds up and open my windows for fresh air and sunlight in the summertime. I'll turn the AC off and let the room get up to 86° F sometimes. I've done that despite what I've been told by other hobbyist. I've just never advertised it because I didn't want to hear anything about it. People love to throw stones in this hobby. My T's have never shown any adverse reaction to it. They seem to do well. In fact my Avicularia species in particular seem to perk up. It's just something that feels right to me. After watching this video, I'm going to look into timers and heat for the wintertime. The room is between 65° and 70° then. Thanks for taking the time to make and post this informative video. I just subscribed.

[@SteveMcT]

Very interesting. Looking forward to more info.

[@charliemum]

Can't wait to see more from you 2. My little boy was called Marshall, unfortunately he is no longer with us but he is the reason I started as a tarantula keeper so seems like fate to find this channel, great job can't wait to see more 😊

[@sarab4841]

Anxiously awaiting the next video. Please post a favorite products list.

[@creativecolours8429]

I have a mexican red knee, im confused…i know i need heat mat but do i need a thermostat? I have temperature and moost meter in the aquarium but do i need a thermostat too?

[@Jules_marieCA]

Hi there, I have a Chilean rose hair in 20 gal arid bio active. What bulb do you recommend for heat for him that is accurate enough to heat his hot side and not too hot that he can get to him cold side? I can put it on a bulb hanger that hangs over his enclosure so I can properly adjust as needed.

[@jasonashdown7358]

Finally the write, information, well done sir

[@kellygrajek]

Im a new keeper. Got my Versis from you and they love the incandescent lamp i keep on the shelf they are kept. They will routinely come out and bask where its warmer. I know its not too much because it was checked first. But the track by Burning Spear "the Sun" routinely plays in my head as I walk by and see them clearly warming up. I know to never put them directly in the sun in acrylic though. Common sense stuff plus seen how you keep them.

[@Spyder0000]

What I wrote was just an example of the fact that much of the older information could use another look!!❤❤

[@sam95000]

Love seeing a comprehensive video on progressive husbandry with sources and results. The tarantula community is behind. The reptile community is finally, slowly, getting away from the "we did this thirty years ago" bs. It's time for it's sub-hobbies to do so as well.

[@sam95000]

I'm excited to see more videos. I have trouble watching other tarantula KZbinrs. They're loud and not very informative. I enjoy this style and your personalities.

[@warren9719]

this is very very interesting can`t wait for part 2 great work😎👍

[@Ujuani68]

SO glad, that you adressen the slightly arrogant tone, that this book takes on, every now and then! I thought, it was only me.😄

[@michaelandrus19]

Great job.

[@bethstinycritters]

Is there going to be a part 2?

[@marshallarachnids711]

Part 2 is up! Initially livestreamed, so forgive us for the many tangents, lol! kzbin.info/www/bejne/n36yeoSrapKkd5o

[@esechanchez]

Brilliant like always 😎👌🏼 A humidity related series would be greatly welcomed imho. Along with heat sources the next big debate source...

[@dlegarern1]

It only makes sense they would benefit from light and heat. IMO they would also benefit from exposure to some form of UV if for anything proper circadian rhythm We just don’t have the research but the anecdotal data definitely points towards benefits Great video. You should consider publishing a handbook ❤

[@skarapeacetalon2800]

There's a very large problem i find in the pet community in general, (though no one gets it as bad as our arthropod friends) where people simply ignore the difference between a surviving animal and a happy thriving animal. I think a lot of it comes from the fact people just don't acknowledge these creatures feelings, behaviors, individual personalities and intelligence. No matter how small or large an animal is they have a complex biological system and they can feel often times much more than we can. Animals feel pain, animals have intelligence and people are just ignorant.

[@marshallarachnids711]

Very good points! We do believe it also stems from misunderstanding and misinterpretation of what a 'thriving' invertebrate looks like. We're used to vertebrates like mammals and reptiles being mostly able to show you when something is wrong, but we assume the spider is thriving simply because it is eating and not dying (yet).

[@Dayisnear]

Have had this video in my watch later list, because I knew I wanted to rewatch this one and have to state: thank you (both) for this! Am a new tarantula owner and this has been a bit of a pet peeve of mine. I hear the same thing due crested gecko and lighting/uvb "because they are nightactive" in my head that is true but also, they do recieve some light in the wild from shadows, and have gotten some bleep for giving my cresties light and uvb as well as extra heat I do the same with my T...granted they're adabtable, but if we got the means of supplementary lights and such...& as well as keeping a close eye on the stats (obviously)... I'll leave the rant there and claim that I ahree, time to let go of old myths and while the book is good, some information needs to be upgraded the more we learn about them

[@whiteyaksha7232]

Being from the UK, which 11months of the year its cold, seeing this is *REALLY* reassuring. I'm on the cusp of getting my first T and I needed this kind of info. Of I go to watch part 2 and 3. 🕷🕸👌🏻

[@jenniferdailey2826]

Also can you talk about slings?

[@marshallarachnids711]

We will add some information in part 3 about how this all pertains to spiderlings. Thank you for the suggestion!

[@hvboy2131]

Its 16 degrees celcius in my room and i feel fine with it but a tarantula i will be getting needs 25 celcius. Finally someone cleared my mind out of these rumors that Heat soruces fry tarantulas.

[@Sapphiresenthiss]

As a tarantula keeper myself, I'm beyond happy to see more and more people listen to actual advice and not the 'they comfortable if you are' bullshit. Best of luck to you and your pet!

[@heartlessinc]

So…..I’ve thought about turning my ceramic heater on above my jumper enclosures because I always read that jumpers are always found on the sunny side of buildings……light is why I thought they did that…..but for awhile now I suspected they do it for the warmth of the surface…….might just try and add those in and observe my results……any thoughts ?!?

[@marshallarachnids711]

We highly recommend experimenting with manipulating temperatures and thermal gradients (safely, of course)! We're also highly interested in hearing results of others' experiences with adding heat and thermal gradients, so let us know how it goes! If you're referencing P. regius, it makes a lot of sense to provide a wide thermal gradient for this species considering they are native to the Southeast, particularly Florida, where temps obviously reach 90* and over in the warmest months.

[@heartlessinc]

@@marshallarachnids711 I’ve always wondered that because the whole Florida native thing……all over is saying 79-80 degrees over that’s too much…which is probably true when it comes to ambient temps and overall enclosure temps……but I bet a nice 80+ degree surface with -75 degree air temp would be mighty beneficial What made me think of this was I don’t handle my jumpers (probably should) but I’ve notice the couple times they have managed to end up on my hand when feeding out of a handheld dish…like the first thing they did was immediately drop…..kinda hug where they are on me……and are then almost impossible to move without pissin off a little ! Lol ! So o then thought maybe they don’t migrate towards the sunny side for the light …but the warm surface to heat there little tummies on……which is also why a lot of jumpers I see, on vids and in my collection, are always at the top of the enclosure where the light is probably trying to do just that !!

[@shahzebnasir4692]

What a fantastic video! Thank you for this and yes, I've always felt you should try and replicate nature and their wild habitat as best as you can regardless of whatever animal you have. The lack of scientific evidence argument is very weak considering there isn't much scientific research being conducted on tarantulas to the point we still don't even know if Poecilotheria venom is medically significant to humans or not.

[@DrewDizzy007]

I've had tarantulas for 10years now. I may be wrong, but through my experience a small heated red light, with a regular natural daynnite cycle, has always worked. And they've thrived. I live in Ohio. Winters are cold. The light is only if I feel the tank is cold. At night. I use a space heater to keep their space regulated.

[@calliew311]

What about desert Ts that live in burrows in the snowy winter? They obviously live in 100 degree days, but in a cool burrow, and they live through a cold winter. How do you reconcile that with the heat you say they need?

[@marshallarachnids711]

Great discussion topic! Seasonal changes are not something we covered in depth in this video, but that's the simple answer. The weather doesn't STAY hot nor does it stay cold for these particular species. The spiders have very complicated biological clocks that tell them when the days get shorter it's time to begin hiding and conserving energy for the winter or unfavorable season. We also replicate cool, warm, wet, and dry seasons for our spiders. Seasons is a topic we will cover in future videos :)

[@esechanchez]

In addition to the previous response, external cold weather does not always imply a cold burrow. Even with freezing temps outside, burrows can stay several degrees warmer than outside temps. Here a lot of things can play a big role, like the amount of energy stored in the soil, chemical reactions/composting from the decaying matter... etc While burrows stay cooler on hot days, they can also stay warmer in colder days. Not mentioning that those Ts have a different kind of metabolism, temp ranges and needs. Hence why a lot of them are really slow growers compared to tropical ones. Also, and don't know why, but always people forget about the sun, even in cold days, it could heat them up. Didn't you ever put yourself faced toward the sun in a very cold day to heat yourself a bit?

[@Inverts4Introverts]

These are all the same problems I have with centipede care guids as well.

[@sharonbrecker9194]

I think you gave keepers food for thought I know I have a few things to think about and some variations I can maybe do. I just think instead of quote unquote heating lighting systems work if ur t room is in a basement or if you live in very hot or cold and even very humid as in the way we care for our T's. To be blunt or plain depending on the animals environment it will depend on what or any conditions need changing. I definitely agree about natural spectrum lighting I have optimal mid morning early afternoon natural light and use artificial till evening and dark completely at whatever that time is except for small area lighting and even have used non heat red bulbs to wat h observe my t's without interference of light at night. I am intrigued and think as a rule we as a hobby should be more open minded about our common grounds and conditions in which we care for our inverts and all creatures. Thank you.

[@Spyder0000]

I have to agree with you on this, I love and keep Pelinobious muticus ( King Baboon Tarantulas ) they are my favorite tarantulas of all, there is alot of old information out about them. I have noticed MANY DIFFERENCES in the way these Tarantulas like to thrive, my King Baboon Tarantulas grow larger and faster than people say is normal. There are, I believe, many things that differ from what is normal and what other species prefer for living and thriving in captivity. After all, if there are no bonuses for them living with a caregiver, then they may as well be in a tiny "natural" space.❤❤❤thanx for letting people know this information your sharing ❤❤❤❤❤

[@tarantula_xing]

Should I get a small heat lamp for my Ts or are my thrive lights enough? They seem to be doing well.

[@marshallarachnids711]

The answer to that depends hugely on the species you keep and your local parameters. We'll be going over heating elements and applications in Part 2 :)

[@grindeyyyyy]

They're nocturnal so whats the point in lights, if you're comfortable in the heat with no layers so are they

[@marshallarachnids711]

did you watch the video?

[@grindeyyyyy]

@marshallarachnids711 my comment was for the video title haha, I hadn't watched at that point

[@Bulldoghustle]

I've watched both parts i totally agree. Coming in as a newbie and only have had reptiles..i think there is not as much research on Ts as there is on reptiles. But i thought sane thing the sun rises and the sun descends. In nature they can choose to escape from light if they want to.. i don't think undermat heating is good idea..but i think light above and a way to escape is good idea. I know my Ts have been seeming to enjoy the different day variables i have been exposing them too. Even my p.murinus has come out of hole to hang out!. Any thoughts on UVB yet..please post part 3 soon! Thank you

[@jenniferdailey2826]

Instead of a light can you just use sunlight and monitor the temperature of the enclosure? I am getting 2 tarantulas next week one is from the Dominican and the other Mexico originally

[@Sapphiresenthiss]

I'd *never* risk it with direct sunlight. No matter the species.

[@marshallarachnids711]

We would definitely not recommend utilizing sunlight, especially from a glass window, as the temperatures can fluctuate quite a bit depending on the angle of the sun and can cause VERY hot spots.

[@420nathan69]

Can you and Trace write an updated tarantula bible?

[@JasonBooth79]

I turn the lights(light strip over enclosures) on low when I get up, turn up when I leave, down when I come home and hopefully off when I fall asleep, I don't forget very often lol. It's not perfect but it seems to work, and I enjoy seeing the different sun-up and twilight behaviors, and do get to see all my spiders more often that way I think. My hmac is out in the morning and evening light and sometimes for awhile during the day. I never saw her when I simply turned the lights off and on. Also... good luck getting any spider to the "temperature you are comfortable at". It would have to sit at the exact same spot in the room you do. I like 73f, the room is that where I sit, but ranges from 65 in the coldest part of the room on the floor to probably close to 80 up top in the warmest, and varies in scope based on how close to windows, vents, etc. as with any room. I try to place my critters accordingly. My H. antelucana was trying to sun her sac, so I obliged her, just a sliver for an hour, but now I fear I may have not compensated with enough moisture, because it got pretty dry and the sac looks kindof dry. Anyways, thank you for these, I just discovered you today!

[@IRepko]

Come back!

[@1bhowdy]

Hi Guys! So much great information in all of your videos. I feel that I would be comfortable with a pet tarantula now. (although I will stick to my jumpers and for now a few mantids) If anyone has not seen Ryan's acrylic enclosures ... believe me that you should check them out. I have many of them for my jumping spiders and they are the best on the market Bob Howdeshell / Maryville, Tennessee

[@Scurgy]

I have curly he has escaped 3 times. Cat at fault the first time, bought a hard heavy metal screen lid it was lifting or squeezing through even weighed down. Found it by the dryer that had been running. I watch a lot of T content (I have six problem child)so rush bought a new enclosure I like but don't love because no cross vents (was planning to drill the glass) don't want a dead T. Added a uvb for light and a bit of temp grade...still climbing glass. Of course scared of putting a reptile bulb on him...so with that looking for a lighting/heating solution(or brand) thats not for a boa or beardy.

[@deannacorey5650]

Versicolor...basking??? She is up at the top of her enclosure as most arboreal Ts hang out. She may or may not be basking

[@DrezzyEFTP]

Tarantula Collective, Exotics Lair, & Tom Moran, where yall at? Do yall agree with this video?

[@Inverts4Introverts]

It's been 8 months.. help uuuuussssss

[@ciranium4190]

Trying to explain the necessity of full spectrum lighting to people stuck in the old ways is a painful full time job

[@Kaiyo_no_Ookami]

(No part 2? I was looking forward to that.) I’m absolutely… just shocked. I’m a bit new to tarantulas (though, not other spiders). Just learning in preparation for maybe getting one some time next year. However, I have a fair amount of experience caring for other various animals; mammals (from farm animals to pocket pets), birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, and some insects/invertebrates, both at home and/or professionally. I was taught that the FIRST rule of Animal Husbandry is, “Replicate the animals’ natural, native environment and conditions as closely as possible. No exceptions.” And, “Surviving is not the same as thriving.” I cannot get my head around the idea that tarantulas are somehow super-spiders that are the exception to the rule. That’s baffling to me. No reptile keeper worth their salt would even consider denying their snakes heat and light, regardless of whether they’re diurnal or not. And no aquarium keeper would dare stick a tropical reef fish into a Mexican Tetra (blind cave fish) setup and expect it to do well (or live). Even crickets get the benefit of supplemental heat in my state. Many businesses also provide them with light, like any other invertebrate in their care. Utterly mind boggling.

[@heartlessinc]

HAHAHHA !!! I honestly think I woulda stop reading that book at that point !!! Because the whole warm blooded cold blooded thing would be enough to dismiss that !! Omg !! As I typed this you said the all T’s are the same !!!! I’m burning that book at that point !!!!!

[@heartlessinc]

So…..I should keep my equator native species at the same temp and humidity as my Phiddipus Audux ?!? HAHAHHA !!!! Wow !!

[@bartgar7412]

One thing is having the sun as your light and heat source which is millions of kilometers away from us and to which species have adapted over time and another thing is a heat lamp placed very close to the ceiling of an enclosure. It isn't necessarily true that the tarantulas are standing right next to these heating lamps because they like the heat, it could simply be because just like many other invertebrates they are attracted to light. Generally speaking, tarantulas are animals that in nature will mostly stay in the safety of their burrow or in its vicinity, and they won't be going out just to catch some sunlight exposing themselves to predators such as birds. One of the benefits of a heating lamp is that if you keep your Ts in a room that is too cold for your average tarantula you could use them to provide some heat. In conclusion, I believe that your tarantula will grow up perfectly fine without a heating lamp, but feel free to care for your tarantula the way you believe it's best, there shouldn't be any guide that dictates exactly what to do and what not do so stay open-minded and willing to learn!

[@davidl.7027]

It wouldn't make sense that the tarantulas are just attracted to the light if as you stated their instinct is to burrow and hide away from the light. Both things can't be true. So there has to be more going on than they are just simply moving towards the light source and not actually basking. You prove that point in your comment actually. If it isn't the light source since as you put it, tarantulas wouldn't just sit in the open subject to being preyed upon by predators and their instinct is to burrow into the safety of darkness, than it would make sense that these tarantulas in the enclosure are moving towards the heat source and not necessarily the light. I have a p metallica that at least once a day goes to the side of the glass where I have a small heating pad on the side. She spends a good amount of time there and will then go back to her burrow when she's ready too. I have grow lights for her enclosure too since it's bioactive. Although she spends 90% of her time in her cork bark, normally on the backside as they are known to do, she is often found out during daylight hours and chilling on that heat pad side of the enclosure. This tells me by her behavior that she appreciates that heat and doesn't mind the light.

[@tarantula_xing]

There goes the book throw again 😆

[@magdalenazielinska3723]

Too many people are still uneducated! I joined Facebook groups to ask a question about appropriate heating as wanted to hear what other hobbyists have set up to give me an idea , and was so quickly told by everyone that it is not needed etc never use heat. I got my Animal Care diplomas at college, so I have at least slight knowledge on most animals, but new to keeping T’s. And immediately found the community to be a red flag as seemed very uneducated. If you know anything about where tarantulas come from, I felt like it was basic knowledge to know stuff like this and connect the dots - they need adequate conditions to not only live but thrive. They will live at room temperatures but won’t thrive. Appropriately setup heat source won’t burn them. Give hot and cold side to thermoregulate. It’s super simple, then I was told tarantulas don’t even thermoregulate? I can clearly see the tarantula community is very misinformed. It’s upsetting to witness really. That being said I really hope a lot more people see the scientific researches and change their husbandry for the better! Thank you so much for this video, and I can’t wait for more.

[@halfxdead]

"If you're comfortable then they're comfortable" I've never agreed with that. I'm comfy in 55°f with a light sweater. I don't think they make sweaters for T's....

[@its4yourowngood_yvfw]

While husbandry for exotics has been developing better and better standards, parroting is always an issue. Especially with an animal that is under studied. People don’t even realize that lots and lots of information that they share as fact, in fact is not. People don’t understand that “ALL the everything’s” haven’t been studied ,documented, tested and stamped. Consider yourself a citizen scientist folks. And for my next schpeel, care and husbandry’s are developing, or maybe husbandry requirements to hard to achieve? Let’s all just rewrite them based on what I feel helps ME thrive. Sounds like gold. Golden like showers. Good grief. That’s all I’ll say about that. Thanks for the video. The content is appreciated.

[@davidtwig9970]

Bro it’s not basking it’s cooking itself

[@ryanmarshall6861]

My friend, This entire video explains how and why the spiders don’t do that :)

[@Sapphiresenthiss]

@@ryanmarshall6861 Unfortunately - you ain't fixing the brain of the 'if you're comfortable they're comfortable'/'it's cooking itself' 90s religion followers. They know better.

[@lemonpartyfan457]

Be careful comparing these animals to others. Amphibians and reptiles can flat out die without proper humidity and heat and light care. This is obviously less so with Tarantulas. Also just to be clear, the sunlight drawing idea needs work. This is heavily dependent on where the animal lives. Animals in middle or lower or ground sections of the rainforest don't get as much direct light as this implies. Dart Frogs for instance, will actually avoid UVB, because the trees would block it out in their habitat. UVB also causes issues with tadpole growth and reproduction.

[@oblivionchaos8985]

LOL exotherm not echo therm

[@charliepalfrey2205]

So much waffle

[@BOOGiNS]

That's exactly how I keep my t's. I keep them in my closet so it can be dark at night. But during the day I have a heat lamp that shines in a general direction at them from a distance and I have a thermometer propped with the enclosures to monitor the temps. It gets down to 68-70 inside RN in the winter and I bring it back up to 74-78 degrees during the day. They don't mind the light. They actually come hangout in it. Or some will crawl to the back of they dont want it. But another thing to consider is heat increases humidity as well. So some people that may be struggling with humidity that keep their t's at a lower temp, may find raising the temps will increase the humidity also.

[@cadirgemont5900]

Sitting here with a ackie that like a 147f basking spot.. comfortable? 😂😂