Some Terrestrial Tarantulas That Will Burrow

[@kelvinengland3991]

I give all my terrestrials enough substrate to burrow. You never know.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hi, Kelvin! I've been trying to do the same lately.

[@sarahwilson7558]

I think it’s so funny that you put so much effort into making their enclosures look lovely and the spider goes in and basically makes it into one big pile of mud 😂

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Every...single...time. haha Thanks, Sarah!

[@RiceLegacy]

I have a hamster. It's the worst! I have to dig up its water bottle every second day

[@JB-nm1qj]

Every spider has its own personality, that’s what I love about them.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Indeed!

[@leesreptilesandaquatics6368]

I have 2 video's of my Mexican red rump and my honduran curly hair building burrows it was so cool i was able to watch them for hours making their dens

[@TomsBigSpiders]

That's awesome, Lee! glad that it's not just me!

[@rachaels8leggedwonders448]

I couldn’t agree more! The point is to keep our spiders healthy, comfortable, and “happy”. If that means they hide more, so what? ❤

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hey, Rachael! I hope that all is well! :) And I agree completely!

[@ajtheghostblood]

We should probably add “semi-fossorial” to the characteristics of some T’s (we already have semi arboreal )

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I think in the case of these guys, this is what some "terrestrials" do in the wild. And people already get mad at me when I use the term "semi-fossorial". I now say, "Terrestrial plus". Maybe "Terrestrial minus" for the ones that like to dig more? :)

[@AdsArachnids]

Theraphosa blondi are listed for sale as terrestrials from a lot of retailers over here but my Deebo has burrowed super deep. Had to dig him/her up for a recent rehouse. If the footage is any good I'll post it. I chose a Fossorial enclosure specifically for Deebo so that tells you everything, absolutely loves the extra depth.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I wonder how much of this "fossorial" stuff comes from just people wanting to save space and their adaptability? Heck, I've been guilty in the past of shorting them substrate so that I could use a more shallow container. I also wonder how many of the "defensive" New World species out there get a rep because we're not giving them room to dig? Thanks so much for chiming in, bud! I hope that all is well!

[@AdsArachnids]

@TomsBigSpiders I totally agree. The only spider I have currently who 'act up' are my Juvenile Grammostola pulchripes and my near juvenile Brachypelma smithi and I'm pretty sure a lot of it is because I haven't moved them into a truly appropriate enclosure yet due to their slow growth rates.

[@321cynth]

Thanks for such an informative idea. I will never keep a tarantula, but love your enthusiasm for this hobby!

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that, especially coming from someone who doesn't keep them. :)

[@pepperlee2313]

I have an adult curly hair she is in a 10 gallon tank with it half full of substrate and is definitely a borrower. I thought I didn't do things right for her but after watching this video I actually did do it right. Thanks Tom ❤

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hi, Pepper! My female still burrows a bit, but she doesn't have enough room. I have to get her into something deeper! :)

[@lowlee78]

Tom, thanks as always. I’m listening to your most recent ‘giving a presentation’ podcast. Perfect timing. I am reaching out to my local libraries soon to put on a story time/educational presentation for preschoolers (trying to drum up business for our school) and am hoping to involve my tarantulas and jumping spiders. I feel much more prepared to both sell the idea to the librarians and with how I want to approach the events. Much appreciation. Keep up the good work.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

That's fantastic! Please let me know how it goes. Will you have someone record it?

[@melaniezagata4402]

I think it's great you put your tarantulas well being first ! I agree with you about having more substrate for the terrestrial species. It gives them security, humidity if they want it ! More keepers should be like you Tom❤❤❤❤❤❤😊

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello, Melanie! Thank you so much. Yeah, as I spend more time keeping them, the more I'm realizing that many of them will still burrow! :)

[@BOT-ye6tj]

TS's hair is definitely the most torturous among these big guys. I need to wear gloves every time I feed it.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Those hairs are no fun!

[@katehodges1296]

I have three major older diggers, My A Geniculata, my T Blondi, and the Xenethis. Sp Intermedia. Almost all my slings burrow except my Chilean Flame who just hangs about.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thanks so much for chiming in with your experiences!

[@LadyKakizaki]

Hey Tom! Great to see a long video from ya! Please note that many of these are large juveniles/young adults so I cannot necessarily speak to whether or not this behaviour will continue into adulthood on my end, but I do have a few to add. Also, my sample size for most if not all of these is 1 so I could always just have a weirdo spider. My T. apophysis LOVED to burrow. I had to rehome him because I couldn't tolerate the hairs. My Pseudhapalopus sp. Columbia is a huge burrower but she's only about an inch. Given I got her at less than 1/4" she seems gigantic, but she really tunnels all around and piles dirt on the surface. She was in a dram vial until recently and did your typical sling burrowing, but once I moved her to a larger enclosure with more substrate, she burrowed a spiral all the way around the sides of the enclosure and cleared out the bottom, which in my experience indicates fossorial behaviour later in life. My T. verdezi was fully fossorial as a sling, juvenile, and young adult. Now as an adult she is a pet rock but she will burrow deeply when she is in premoult. My A. genic and Sericopelma sp. Santa Catalina are both completely fossorial at this point in their lives (around 4 inches) but oddly enough neither of them did much burrowing as slings or juveniles. They cleared out a little area under the cork bark and sat in there or out on the surface. Now, at their larger size, both have dug under the cork bark and completely hollowed out the bottom and piled the dirt around the burrow entrance to add more depth. I 100% agree that M. robustum is fossorial and I think it's really weird that there are people who don't think this. Mine is as fossorial as a Haplopelma and has been her whole life. My D. pentaloris is a big burrower as well. I always thought this was a fossorial species but I see many keepers refer to them as terrestrial and that hasn't been my experience. Again, granted, my sling is about an inch long if that, but I've heard from many keepers who have seen similar behaviours. Awesome video! Can't wait to see what you put together over the summer! Be well and stay hydrated! - Charlotte

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hey, Charlotte! I'll be curious to hear which of those species continue to burrow for you once they hit adulthood. Both of my A. geniculatas refuse to burrow, despite having the room to do so. However, great point with the Sericoplema sp. Santa Catalina. Mine still burrows as an adult. I forgot to add her to the list. The M. robustum thing irritates me a bit, as MANY people have said folks are calling them terrestrial. They have NEVER been terrestrial...they are a burrowing species. So annoying. My D. pentaloris burrowed until her last molt. Now she about 4.5" or so and always out in the open. That said, I HAVE heard others say that theirs will did through adulthood. I hope all is well and it's not too hot for you! Tom

[@GeorgeCardiff]

Ah brilliant stuff Tom, very enjoyable and informative and as always Tom every spider 🕷 featured in superb condition, can't wait Tom for the Theraphosa rehousings.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you so much, George!

[@dirtycorn4958]

I don't have any adults yet but my B. Emilia has always dug a decent burrow, my G. Rosea RCF dug a entire underground parking lot and keeps adding new entrances, my Bumba Tapajos is only seen in the AM when I first turn on lights and has created a volcano type entrance which is cool and a nice change from buried water dishes, and my Theraphosinae sp. Bolivia hasn't been seen since I got it out of the pill bottle....don't know much about it so maybe it is a fossorial lol. I always give enough substrate to burrow and like you said, the ones you don't see as often are a real treat to see when they show themselves 😀

[@TomsBigSpiders]

You know, my little G. rosea actually did quite a bit of burrow recently, now that you mention it. I love the volcano type entrances...they are so cool. Thanks for chiming in!

[@katharinamaier5252]

I had exactly the same experience with M. Robustum. It’s like you have a fossorial.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Yeah, that species is definitely fossorial!

[@junglethecannibal8595]

My Costa Rican zebra juvenile loves digging its enclosure changes each day allways moving soil around

[@candyscott489]

Always a pleasure to see your name come up in a video !! Thank You !!

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thanks, Candy!

[@dijax7863]

H. Pulchripes. Give them a lot of room to dig. I gave my girl a 1/2 under ground snake hide and she turned it into a permanent home. My MM has a 6 inch deep borrow that he had since he was a sling. i raised him in a 12x12x18. He's been in the same borrow his entire life. you dont need to use a eye dropped bottle to raise a sling... they dont move around.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Good tips! I've keep five, and two dug and three didn't. That said, I gave them all room to burrow.

[@starnaito]

I have a bunch of Brachys, all with enough depth to dig, but the emilia is the only one that digs burrows. I was expecting it to be out all the time like all my others, but I never see it! You should do a video about tarantulas that move dirt just for kicks... G. pulchripes would be at the top of the list! 🤣

[@TomsBigSpiders]

That's really great to know! I'm going to put my B. smithi into something with some depth, and I'll see what happens. Ha! We were just talking about that on another comment. For me, that would be my G. pulchripes and G. pulchra!

[@keishajones1921]

You are by far my favorite. I look forward to summers when you have more time to put out more content. You have helped me to be able to handle the collection and to give me courage to get more advanced species. I just got a Xenesthis Immanis, I also messed up and got my first old world, cause I wasn't paying attention. Cyriopagopus lividus aka Cobalt Blue, from what I have been reading probably not the best first Old world to get..LOL I wish I had paid better attention to your care guides when I got my Columbian Giant Redleg, cause I dried her out and than drowned her (mind you it was not on purpose)

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you so much, Keisha! I really appreciate that. Congrats on your X. immanis. I'm so sorry to hear about your Colombian Giant Redleg. :(

[@joshuarosenblatt]

“dirt turret”. Great name for a band 😂

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Oh, man...it really is! hahaha

[@michaeltaylor2449]

Some really STUNNING Ts there Tom I have an Eupalaestrus Weijenbergi sling thats dug down deep its only a tiny sling in a sling pot but its right down to the botton the sub is all webbed up at the top of the sling pot crazy how its so small but moved all that sub

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello, Michael! Wow, that guy has really been busy, huh?

[@Christinas_creatures]

All 3 of my Aphonopelma love to burrow. My hentzi stays out most the time but still has a burrow. My seemani stays in her burrow 95% of the time. The chalcodes is in between.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thanks for chiming in, Christina! Hopefully, more folks start giving their Aphonopelma species space to dig!

[@reinhardtguntherherbst8509]

She is also an excellent feeder

[@TomsBigSpiders]

She sounds like an awesome spider, Reinhardt!

[@helenpatterson5616]

I have two homeomma species chilensis and both enjoying digging burrows. One has a deep burrow that she retreats to. The other remains mostly out in the open.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

That's great information! Back when I had my adult females, one of them dig quite a bit of burrowing.

[@reinhardtguntherherbst8509]

There is another species that, as far as I know, you haven't done a video on yet. The Mexican Black Velvet( Brachypelma shroederi) my female digs every time! She burrowed when she was a sling, sub adult, now also when mature she continues burrowing when I move her. She makes a burrow.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thanks for chiming in! I definitely have to get one of those!

[@lynnettecook6973]

I have a G-Pulchra and s/he doesn't dig at all. S/he stays on the surface, doesn't even like going in the hide. S/he is the only one of my T's that have not rearranged their decor! Guess I do a terrible job of setting up enclosures, they always redo them. Good to see your video, miss them!!!! 🙂

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Mine does the same thing, Lynnette! haha It just bulldozes all of the time. haha

[@thomasbazin1529]

Hey Tom! 🤟 Great video, I love the philosophy! Just give all terrestrials enough dirt to dig! Imo, it will be either neutral in the worst case, or beneficial for your spider AND yourself. Higher chance of survival if you go for extended holiday, less stress for you, knowing that your spider's got a place to retreat with decent moisture. Funny thing: now the temps are shooting a bit higher (was about time... in Switzerland), I finally sprayed my 0.1 Pampho mascara's enclosure heavily. First thing she did, come up on top and weave web all around in the edges. I wouldn't interprete it as her being happy, but the reaction was instant (she never bothered webbing), so it can give a clue. She still retreats instantly when I touch the shelf, but also still grabs any prey that enters her burrow without hesitation. She's expanding her burrow again. Back then she dug ~45° down, to the bottom corner of the enclosure and around it, now she's expanding 45° flat towards the middle. Thank you so much for featuring 2 of your Pamphos, they look absolutely awesome! And all the other (NW) terrestrials, too. Hope it soon becomes mainstream to keep these beautiful, calm-loving Ts, in deeper sub. ;) (I've got unsexed T blondi and P cancerides, 1 each, ofc they'll get the same treatment in terms of available dirt to dig in 😜) Cheers mate, enjoy Summer break! (And make a lot of videos about your findings! 😜) Thomas

[@dankauffman8568]

Thank you Tom ! Gonna have to get back to you on this one . Outstanding !

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thanks so much, Dan!

[@dynexell]

I agree with you..i just started with this hobby and find out that my CGK (1 inch) and my Curly Hair (4 inch) did dig up for burrow and mostly spend their time inside…

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Glad to hear that it's not just me!

[@tyronenorbrey6096]

I watched this video just to see if my tarantula was on this list…it burrows a lot, & makes those mounds. I was pleased to see that my T. Vagans was on the list

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hi, Tyrone! It sure is!

[@tyronenorbrey6096]

@@TomsBigSpiders It was much needed information because every video that I’ve watched they never mentioned them being burrowers

[@Tarantulautist]

I have a curly hair and a t blondi both mature females and they burrow. My curly hair never comes out. I regret giving them deep substrate lol.

[@timoconnor2618]

Have 2 adult curly hairs, never burrow. Always out and about, fun to watch them

[@abree_bellatrix]

Hi there! May I know what substrate or mixture of substrate you prefer to use for a tarantula that may want to burrow ?

[@Tarantulautist]

​@abree_bellatrix I use zilla jingle mix. Mix with leaf litter and sphagnum moss. I keep my Ts in bioactive enclosures. I use springtails and a mix of powder orange and dairy cow isopods

[@Tarantulautist]

​@@timoconnor2618mine comes out rarely. And any inkling of my presence she will bolt into the burrow. I wish we could share pics on KZbin lol

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Ha! I'm lucky that I have so many, I don't mind if I don't see some of them as often. haha

[@christophersamuelson451]

Thanks for another great video Tom. Always informative info. Sent you mail on TBS website. Regards, Chris

[@TomsBigSpiders]

When did you send it, Chris? I thought that I was all caught up.

[@geoffreymedeiros1022]

Hi Tom! I'm just looking at this video now and honestly, all of the Ts you mentioned are all potential burrowers but there are 2 species that I currently have that are quite rare that are also big burrowers as terrestrial species which are the S Hoffmanni and Megaphobema mesomelas, they both created quite the burrow :)

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hey, Geoffrey! Those are two awesome species. I have the S. hoffmanni, and that species is definitely fosorial, which is why I didn't include it in this list. And it sounds like the M. mesomelas is a lot like the M. robustum in that it, too, likes to dig. Very cool!

[@MOONOVERMIAMI]

Hello great video information Tom

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you so much, Moon!

[@vanessasmith5227]

I've noticed that many of my terrestrial tarantulas love to dig too, so I've started to ensure that have a couple of extra inches of substrate. 3 weeks ago I rehoused my Phormictopus sp Dominican Purple, as it was skittish in it's grown on sling pot. Transferred it to an 8"×8"×8" exo terra, with built up substrate at the back of the enclosure. It's been so much happier, very calm and has excavated a sizeable burrow too. I'm tending to buy only Reptile Growth enclosures now, which are the Barbarous Growth in the US, as they are great for housing both terrestrial and fossorials, the leaving the arboreal ones as Exo terra/Komodo. Over 100 tarantulas now, plus the true spiders, mantids, scorpions, millipedes, cockroach and isopods on top 😅😂 I think I might be hooked!

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hey, Vanessa! I wish my P. sp. dominican purple would burrow. I gave one of them room, and she filled in the starter burrow. Luckily, bothy of my females calmed down after their last molts. I LOVE the Reptile/Barbarous growth enclosures myself. I've got close to a dozen of them now. And you are definitely hooked! haha

[@stuartbaillie3083]

Hey Tom we recently rehoused our juvenile female Phormictopus Atrichomatus with extra substrate and she dug it out fairly deep.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello, Stuart! I'm so glad to hear that it's not just me! My recently rehoused one hollowed hers out as well. :)

[@Timefortracy]

My Chaco golden-knee is a MAJOR burrower! A total bulldozer haha

[@TomsBigSpiders]

My weirdos just move dirt around and never really build burrows. haha

[@UncleBurntApostrophe]

Good stuff Tom, thanks for sharing! 👍

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thanks so much!

[@kevsmodellingcorner]

Just got one and yep its burrowed to the back left hand corner, right to the bottom of 15cm deep sub 😂😂 woke up one morning and saw a big pile of dirt, its a juvvy, so hopefully itll grow out of it and stay on show abit more as it grows 😁👍

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Ha! That's awesome!

[@robertgray6577]

Love the videos .always informative and helpful.many thanks 👍🕷️🕷️

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you so much, Robert!

[@spydermama9513]

I love some of those enclosures. Container wise Om interested in some of those.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

That's awesome!

[@theresafeeney2756]

I am terrified of spiders especially the tarantula. I love watching videos about them because they’re fascinating creatures. Maybe my fear will go away someday but I don’t know if I would want one as a pet. Can they go for long periods of time without eating and can they eat their silk? I read that about other spiders but not sure about tarantula. Your spiders do have some striking vibrant colors. Thanks for sharing!

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I used to be terrified of spiders and tarantulas as well, and I got my first in the 90s to help me get over it. It took a while, but it worked. :) Tarantulas generally don't eat their silk, but there are spiders like orb weavers that will create huge webs at dusk and then eat them in the morning to recapture the proteins. And, yes...tarantulas have slow metabolisms, and many can go months or longer without eating. Someone had a rose hair tarantula that went a year and a half without eating and was just fine! Thanks for commenting!

[@JB-nm1qj]

I had a fear of spiders for a long time but also a fascination since I was young, I started handling jumping spiders and now the fear is gone. The tarantulas are incredible spiders.

[@AverageCanadianStinky]

fossorial species that won't burrow, my Hysterocrates laticeps.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Ha! There's always the oddballs!

[@Lisa-eu9fy]

Awesome video as usual!!!🕷🕸🕷🕸🕷🕸🕷

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you so much, Lisa!

[@kevsmodellingcorner]

My nhandu chromatus oops vitalius as made tunnels at the bottom of the enclosure, its a juvvy but didnt think it would do this, spends 50/50 in both areas

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Ugh. I keep messing up the new genus as well. haha My adult V. chromatus actually hides in her burrow quite a bit.

[@tsizzle9158]

My T albo female does not burrow a lick. But my make albo was a coal miner. Funny how it differs. My T verdezi has the most intricate tunnel system I've ever seen!

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Yeah, I have a female T. albo that burrowed, a male that did not, and another male that burrowed until her matured. haha

[@RipDeuce2]

My B. Klaasi burrows I haven’t saw it since I’ve had it.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

How large is yours? Mine used to, but she more out in the open now.

[@RipDeuce2]

@TomsBigSpiders it’s about 3 inches.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

@@RipDeuce2 She may outgrow the burrowing. Mine stopped when she got to around 4" or so.

[@ImGrimFPS]

Hey Tom! Great video as usual! I was curious, what is your favorite terrestrial T overall??

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you! And I honestly have NO idea. haha

[@Jim-o1g2j]

Tom as I said in an earlier video. You show so much respect to your tarantulas. No wonder they thrive under your care. I am having the opposite problem. My tarantulas are climbing the walls. I’m going to change the mix of their substrate to see if this helps. I’ve taken items from the enclosure which has not worked. Any thoughts?

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. Is it really hot and or humid where you are? When summer comes, and my tarantula room is really warm, many of mine will climb the walls a bit. Are you using coco fiber? If so, did you pack it down? They hate fluffy substrate. If they are arid species, they don't like moist substrate and will not walk on it. Could it be any of those?

[@leesreptilesandaquatics6368]

Alot of my tarantulas burrow ive done alot of videos on tarantula behaviors day and night very fascinating the things they actually do.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

You bring up a good point in that a LOT goes on after the lights go off!

[@thomasgorman8447]

Hey Tom, its Tom, I have a T Kahlenbergi and several T Albos that have at least 6 inches of substrate and have burrowed all the way to the bottom, it just seems like its not deep enough, just amkes me wonder how far down these guys go out in the wild with unlimited depth 🤷. And not just for my species but others as well. Love the videos btw always informative and knowledgeable, much appreciated 🫡

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hi, Tom! That's a really good question. I know some species will dig down several feet, but I'm not sure about the T. kahlenbergi! Thank you so much!

[@shadymattuk]

That beard should earn you free Pantera shirts for life 🤘🏻

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Bahahaha Thanks!

[@JJDigitalartStudio]

I do love your T's. They are all so fascinating. I love purple and blue T's best. But the browns and blacks are good too. Hi Billie. Happy Father's Day Tom late.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you so much, Joyce! And I love the purple ones myself. There is just something so beautiful about a purple tarantula! I hope that your husband is doing well.

[@JJDigitalartStudio]

@@TomsBigSpiders Very painful but getting a little better everyday. As a man you must understand that any operation of the groin affects parts of the body women do not have. We went to the doc and she said he is doing great. She suggested a better way for him to lay and sit. It is getting better everyday. Thank you. God bless you and Billie and your family. :D

[@AverageCanadianStinky]

sericopelma santa catalina burrows a bit. sometimes tunnel sometimes bulldozed.

[@kevsmodellingcorner]

Good to know got a 10cm juvvy on the way, Im gunna add another bag of substrate now I know that, cos not alot of info on these on the internet 😊

[@chiknfriends]

Mine has DEFINITELy been a huge burrower. I just got mine two weeks ago and it's made an enormous tunnel.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Ahhhhh...good one! My Sericopelma sp. santa catalina burrows as well!

[@joannegalway1226]

Hi Tom, hope you’re well and had a great Father’s Day. Brill video once again there Tom. Just goes to show, you don’t want to follow the rules so much with certain Tarantulas, and a lot like to get down and dirty instead of sitting out in view all the time. And be happier for it! I’m sure you’re ready for Summer Break, I know I am, as I live close to a Primary School and High School, so have increased traffic during term time. So it’ll be nice and quiet here for 9 weeks 😂😂 Well, take care, and have a great rest of your week 😊😊

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hey, Joanne! Thank you so much! Yeah, I think that a lot of species do just fine in standard "terrestrial" enclosures, but it doesn't hurt to give them some extra room if they choose to dig. And, you might end up with a more relaxed spider. :) And I sure am...it was a VERY long and stressful year. Congrats on the lighter traffic! haha Hope all is well!

[@williamneill5441]

As always, great video! Question: how do you maintain moist, deep substrate? You mentioned allowing the top layer to dry out while the deeper layer remains moist. How do you acheive those conditions without over saturating?

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you! And this video should explain it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYKWeJ2nmp2LfKssi=bH2GmRIlr91sNZ3W

[@AverageCanadianStinky]

that pampho looks identical to my antinous, who also like to burrow.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Yup, it looks very similar to mine as well.

[@jamesprice7470]

Hey Tom great video and a very interesting one.my a seemini is definitely forsorial she lives underground the only time she comes out is for a drink and thats it.all of my pamphobeteus AF s will stay in there hides.although my p sp antinos does come out.ive got an obt who lives in her burrow and only coming out at night. Buy most of my brachypelmas stay out in the open. But my chilobrachys sp kaeng krachan who is suppose to be forsorial is not bold as brass.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello, James! I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who has a burrower! :) The same goes from the my pamphos. And that is hilarious about the Chilobrachys sp. kaeng krachan! haha I hope all is well!

[@prixalternative4201]

Wow 👍👍

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thanks!

[@justme2845]

I didn’t get mold but I have flying bugs how do I get rid of them? They are like fruit flys.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Oh god...the gnats? I had issues with those several years ago. The good news is, they don't hurt the spiders. The only way I got rid of mine was to add predatory mites to the enclosures. They swept through, killed all the gnat eggs and larva, and then died off when there was nothing left to eat.

[@discospiders]

I have 5 M robustum and all of them would dig to China if they could 😂

[@TomsBigSpiders]

All of mine did the same thing. The M. robustum has always been fossorial, so I'm not sure why folks are keeping them on shallow substrate.

[@ThomasTheArachnerd]

Is Pamphobeteus Antinous a different species from Arana Pollito?

[@TomsBigSpiders]

At this point in time, yes.

[@ThomasTheArachnerd]

@@TomsBigSpiders ahh no wonder Antinous are way cheaper than Arana Polito. Thanks for the info 😁👍

[@RealMelodyBlue]

Why is the Amazon Blue Bloom wearing a punk spike hairdo??

[@kevsmodellingcorner]

Its been listening to Tom music for too long 😂😂

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Bahahahahaha I think that Kev nailed the answer. :)

[@ZaryaTheLaika]

Guess the next challenge are species that occupy all three niches (joking tone)

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Like the OBT? Some dig, some web on the surface, and others climb! :)

[@clnfreakone8486]

Thank you for the videos and podcast … I was wondering if you have ever seen behavior difference in males vs females for example burrowing or not burrowing or maybe webbing vs not webbing … you would think if it’s a female it may burrow or web more 🤷‍♂️ just a thought I have 2 P. murinus one digs like crazy other webs on top and is out all the time they have molted within days of each other and are the same size and same enclosures

[@TomsBigSpiders]

The only real difference is that mature males will abandon their burrow to go find a lady. Up until that point, I really haven't. My four P. murinus are sac mates in identical enclosures with identical setups. Two webbed heavily on the surface, one burrowed a bit, and one is a weirdo who sits out in the open. haha

[@clnfreakone8486]

@@TomsBigSpiders I was thinking more sling stage

[@TomsBigSpiders]

@@clnfreakone8486 Sorry, I didn't explain myself clearly. I know that you meant slings. I was saying that the only time I've noticed a difference is when they are adults. I've noticed no differences in the way male/female slings behave.

[@wild2dbone]

First, hey Tom terrestrial tarantulas are the best

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thanks!

[@kvltovfreki6020]

I know that this kind of terminology is sorta divisive when it comes to the arboreal side but I wouldn't mind a "semi-fossorial!"term for this end of the spectrum, which I guess if the whole thing is a spectrum ion which species can fall into, then I would say that the usually terrestrial but described as semi-arboreal or semi-fossorial are sort of specieas that can be a spectrum withjin a spectrum, maybe I am overthinking this as I type at like 5am lol

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I think that the problem is we label ones as terrestrials that actually burrow in the wild. This can cause confusion, as folks take that to mean that they don't need deep sub. The longer I've been in the hobby, the more I'm finding "terrestrial" species that will dig a bit right on through adulthood. Haha Get some sleep!

[@808flocko7]

What kind of substrate are u using there ?

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Some is Bio Dude Terra Aranea and some is my own mix of peat, coco fiber, and sphagnum.

[@briancuprisin4571]

Tom, so what I'm hearing is that these are not fossorial tarantulas, but rather semi-fossorial tarantulas. And I say this deliberately, knowing the chaos and cosmic entropy it has the potential to cause within the tarantula community. 🤗 To be clear, I will always push back on the people who complain about the "semi" terms being used to describe various tarantulas' ideal enclosure setups. The way I figure it, if some people can't take a few minutes out of there lives to think about and understand these terms and how they apply, then those people have no business keeping tarantulas in the first place and at the risk of sounding elitist, I will never worship at the altar of expanding the hobby if it means catering to people who are too stupid to understand something as simple as "semi-arboreal" etc.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

STOP IT, BRIAN. You KNOW what you're doing!!! BAHAHAHAHAHA Yup, I agree completely. I've actually had people email me to tell me that I "need" to stop using the term "semi arboreal" to describe tarantulas because people are putting their spiders in super deep enclosures, and I'm helping to "kill tarantulas". Excuse me, but it's not my fault that people can't understand what I'm explaining. I always give the specs for the enclosures that I'm putting my "semi arboreal" spiders into. Do they not pay attention to that part? So irritating! Such is my life...haha Hope all is well!

[@abree_bellatrix]

Someone pleeeeease help me with an amazing Fossorial substrate mixture that doesn’t mold as easily. I’m reading so many different opinions and I’m a little overwhelmed. 😂 Thank you in advance! 🙏

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Are you getting mold or that yellowish fungus that can turn into giant yellow mushrooms? If its that stuff, it's everywhere, and I've had it pop up in just about every substrate mixture I've tried. The good news is, it's 100% harmless to the spiders. If it's fluffy white mold, that's a combination of substrate that's too moist, lack of ventilation, and food remains being left around. I currently use a mix of coco fiber, peat, and vermiculte, and it's been pretty mold/fungus free.

[@saulgoodman3293]

Tom. What is your diet? Your cognitive function and quick articulation of words is kind of amazing. You never pause or say “um”. You just speak clearly, quickly, and concisely. Are you a carnivore? Or are you just on aderall? Why are you so good at speaking?

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Wow, thank you, Saul! I'm a teacher by trade, and I personally find it destracting when someone is talking and uses a lot of "ummms". I practiced pausing instead of saying "um" in those spots where I need to think of a work. Over the years, those pauses have become shorter and shorter to the point where they are not that noticeable. If you look at my older videos, I tend to "um" my way through them. It helps that I also teach lessons and record a weekly podcast (more practice speaking). And no aderall for me, but I DO eat a lot of meat in my diet. Thanks again!

[@saulgoodman3293]

@@TomsBigSpiders that makes a lot of sense my good man! Thank you for answering me.