Spot on there mate tarantulas never care what you put them in. Fancy enclosures is for our benfit not there's lol 😂 but fancy in enclosures look very nice. But me I'm like them don't care what I live in lol 😂 I keep mine in plastic fish tanks they don't care about that either so cardboard box it is lol 😂 pmsl
"Do we really need to argue about dirt?" 🤣🤣🤣 I personally mix my own soil medium, and I find coco fiber to be an awesome material to throw in to the mix for sponge-iness.
I know this is an older video, but THANK YOU for saying the critter keepers aren't bad. I'm a scorpion keeper, but have been researching tarantulas for months. I finally got myself a stunning Juvenile curly hair, and every pretty glass, perfect cross ventilation, pricey terrarium are just too big for her right now. I ended up getting the exact critter keeper you showed. The substrate is a good 6 inches, and she's already begun burrowing and seems happy. But I've been so paranoid that perhaps I was doing her dirty not getting a "better" container. This just helped my brain knowing she's good 🖤
In my very very limited experience, I took the time to set up a gorgeous enclosure for my G. Pulchra and he just bulldozed it, and continues to bulldoze it into a new shape every few weeks. He didn't care what it looked like, just that he had the tools to express his artistic vision apparently. I've resorted to bottlecap water dishes because he's buried so many and he'll really stack dirt up on them, so I don't want to pull them out and dislodge this week's new cave system. I think it's great, he's always up to something.
Kat with her hamster: they’ll love that, ooh they’ll love that! Me with my rats: they’ll hate this- they’ll look at me like I’ve insulted them if I buy this. Haha
Me with my guinea pigs... I got them a hammock 3 weeks ago and was really excited about it. They just figured out 2 days ago how to lay IN it, not UNDER it lol
There's not just ONE WAY to a lot of things.. I wish people were more open minded to that. Clearly if someone is being neglectful and just are treating living things as toys, yeah, maybe school them. But when someone is really doing their best and constantly researching, I think we need to give encouragement to people in this community. Not hostility. Love your videos!!
THANK YOU for making this and sending the message that an enclosure that is more aesthetically pleasing does NOT mean that it’s ‘healthier’ for the Tarantula it houses. Thank you for reiterating that YES coco fiber is FINE! Always love you and your videos. 💕
for all the haters, my Cyriopagopus vonwirthi is in a large critter keeper with lots of substrate and is doing just fine. it's comfortable as ever and happy!
lol. 5 out of my 13 Ts are in critter keepers with substrate, a hide, water bowl and some moss and decorations depending on the species. I've never had any issues with my Ts, thet are ALL thriving.
Ive got 3 large critter keepers with a zebra, tiger rump&stripe knee, they are all thriving and doing amazing with these enclosures as I've provided a log hide and lots of substrate 🙃
Hilarious. I’ve worked at PetSmart for some years now and the staff generally hates those Tiny Tale dinosaur, etc. cages 😂 I hate the one reptile plant too but it’s like all we have 🤦🏻♂️ I got my first T ever (and 2 others this week, not from PetSmart mind you lol) after following yours and the Tarantula Collective videos for weeks! My A. chalcodes is in a basic Critter Keeper for now (I think the nicer acrylic one I got her is much too big right now, but I love the kits I got from Jamie’s Tarantulas for my B. hamorii sling and G. pulchra ♥️
It’s true unfortunately, now more than ever especially 😭 This video definitely gave me some confidence over my own Ts enclosures tho. It’s funny cus we have to use that same hermit crab dish for the Ts we sell in the store, but I’m using bottle caps at home for my own 😂
Hello! Erin from your Patreon here 😊 thanks for sparking my interest in tarantulas and jumping spiders! I now have 5 jumping spiders and 3 tarantula slings. 🖤🖤
@@erinisabella7646 that's epic, I only have a juvenile A. geniculata atm but am getting 5 slings on Tuesday and I'm so excited 😁😁 and hopefully in a couple of months if pairing goes successfully I will be getting 3 sling C. Versicolor off an amazing breeder i met on fb. I could and do talk about tarantulas all day 😁. Fair play for being a patreon supporter.
As a beginner keeper your videos mean the world to me. I keep my babies in a mix of peat moss and sand. Why? Because peat is cheap where I live and it's basically the same type of soil usually found in a forest. I find that it also holds moisture really well. The sand is there for some extra stability and texture. My slings seem to really appreciate it as they dig a lot and burrow. All but my C Darlingi who seems to think that she's an arboreal. Beautiful video, Kat. Stay safe and take care 👍.
Oh, the enclosures are DEFINITELY just for us. I bought my P. muranis a 3d printed/handpainted Skyrim standing stone from Etsy as a decor item that doubles as a hide since it's hollow, and Pumpkin webbed it up to Oblivion, just like the frostbite spiders in the game! I tucked the standing stone against the back corner and it created a web tunnel that leads directly down into the bottom where it can disappear into the hide. It also spends a lot of time out and about on the stone itself. Meanwhile, I went for just a water dish and some cork for my C. albostriatus, because he's a diggy boy and I wanted him to have deep substrate.
Yes! I’ve noticed honestly “fake” decor seems to be great for spiders, so many options, styles and sizes and for certain species (particularly jumping spiders) they love all the little nooks and crannies and different textures, I think it’s honestly great enrichment for them to have those kind of hides and decor to explore, that doubles when you’ve got something cool like custom items. If spiders wanted all natural they wouldn’t come into our homes and set up shop in the most unnatural place possible.
I've seen some photos of people using critter keepers with really nice shelves and I won't lie the colorful lids is very appealing to me, but I still love the tarantula cribs enclosures haha
Oh yes DO! They are the most amazing creatures. We have 21 T's and would have a lot more, but decided to try to keep the number low. Now we are going to try to keep it under 30.There are so many amazing species we still want to have. Pace yourself lol!
I was watching petkos video earlier about how bad petsmarts top tips for spiders and scorpions is. Kat you always seem to upload the same time I go to bed and it's perfect time 👍
Great video idea, Kat! It's neat to see how naturalistic you've gone with your enclosures. Not that the Ts care, of course, but I agree real plants, bark, and moss is much nicer to look at. Don't get me wrong, though- no one should feel ashamed about how their enclosures _look_ so long as the Ts needs are met!
Kat can I say thank you, you out of all the T youtubers have helped me with my fear of spiders to the point I now own T's myself and I am truly grateful for that, I have watched you, dark den and exotics lair for a few years now and only discovered Dave's little beasties and tarantula collective about 5 months ago. I think you are all amazing and give different tips, I'm now subbed to about 30 different T keepers 😅😅 seeing the passion you all have definitely inspired me 😁. To all the haters please go and hate something else, the T community doesnt need your negativity in it. Seriously Kat dont beat yourself about that troll anyone with half a brain knows you are a good keeper and care about all of your animals. tbh I can imagine the trolls have never kept any inverts. Only person who can judge you is yourself. You are an asset to the yt T keeping community. I hope you and everyone else has an amazing weekend 😊
random funny story...during the heart of covid lockdowns we got this stuff called authority dog food from local food distrubutions, I guess Petsmart would donate it. Its fancier than the other brand we were giving our dogs, but they went nuts over it. So now, that's all I feed them. Also got the cat food for our cats too and they love it. They also don't poop as much eating it. Sorry for the TMI and the weird rant. Not sure why they love the petsmart food. I tried some high end stuff off Chewy, but none of them cared for that at all
Great video. The care is really more in keeping them hydrated and fed appropriately. Watching for issues as well which you do a great job. You are very good at what you do and I enjoy watching your videos. People that are trolls and start arguments should find something more productive to do.
I have the most stubborn curly hair in thee WORLD thank you very much!!! I built her an absolutely beautiful bio enclosure with moss & plants & a gorgeous stone hide I made myself, she has a whimsical living tree sculpture and after 2 wks of having her & her hiding constantly...she spent 3 nights building the most impressive dirt curtain ever, COMPLETELY entombing herself inside the hide. This curtain is a solid 1-2 inches thick!!! She also hasn't eaten since the end of Feb, it's now mid March. She's not due for a molt till Jan/Feb & she's only 3 & 1/2 yo. So I pretty much spent $100 (spider, enclosure, etc) to look into a terrarium full of plants!🤨
You really created a great presentation. So many options even for an only products from "Dollar Tree" presentation. You always make photogenic videos. My Curly Hair is always "Hi, can I come out and play?" They really are great tarantulas.
It’s obvious! They can barely see shadows in black and white …. They absolutely don’t care about the “look” of their enclosures! I totally agree with you. Thanks for the video, it’s always a pleasure seeing you and your little cute animals! ❤️❤️❤️
I fully agree with you kat as long as there is a hide and the moisture is correct to the T anything will do really. Spiders live in all sorts of places think on how many T’s have been found living inside buildings where there is no substrate.
First,great video Kat,as always. So entertaining and well thought out.You have a nice way about you.And are far prettier than Tom,Petko,and Richard to look at. Only kidding guys,only kidding. Loved the idea taking us shopping,shopping, didn't have to fork anything out.....this time.Just to jump in here. The critter keepers and other plastic cages around,enables young folks or people who don't have a lot of disposable money to spend on a new hobby, to get into snakes,lizards,tarantulas,etc rather inexpensively. Not everyone has $50 to spend for a spider and another $50 for an elaborate cage.
I love the passive aggressive video ideas you get from haters 🤣 Yes, thanks, you affected me so much. I will now cry in my critter cave of 👏🏻 NOT CARING 👏🏻 Love you, Kat!
I love that your proving the point of “Your Tarantula Does Not Care!” I have a small collection of 10 T’s, ranging from mature adults to slings. I also have all kinds of enclosures ranging from exoterras, to zoo meds, and critter keepers. Heck, I have some of my slings in converted spice jars and plastic crayon boxes I had just laying around my house. They are healthy and growing.
I just got a couple of critter keepers from my sister (she retired from tarantulas lol) and you best believe I am using them for enclosures! I also love finding my own containers to use as well. You gotta get creative in the hobby!
This is it, many different tubs can become enclosures, I remember watching petko making enclosures out of CD cases (which was ingenious) I'm always looking at tubs and such thinking to myself that would make a good enclosure 😊
@@ethanmccormack9561 yes I remember watching that video! That video definitely inspired me. It really makes the hobby fun rather than stressing out about getting a extremely expensive enclosures. Which there is nothing wrong with that, everyone’s got their own preference. 🤷♀️ like Kat said, we do it for ourselves not for the tarantulas they would care less what they stay in lol.
I appreciate your perspective on cheap vs. expensive. "$40, that's so expensive..." For me, it drives home that even pets that don't cost as much as others will still cost you money and folks need to prepare for it ❤️
Little did those trolls (for lack of a better word) know how much support and content they've generated for your channel! I absolutely _love_ it- turn it around to your advantage!! Woo! 😁
Yes... Abso freakn lootly we do haftoo argue about dirt🤣🤣. I watch alot of house flipping shows and I believe you've done great jobs on both T homes. Both are lovely🤣🤣. Tyfs God bless you
I've been using the Zilla enclosures, and I love them! I used to use critter keepers a lot, but there's just a nice aesthetic with the acrylic ones, and I love that I can make everything match. I use Eco earth on most of my enclosures, haven't had any real issues yet. Substrate wars are always going on in the hobby. I just want whatever the best option is, without the drama.
I have to many pets atm. Ima have to wait a few years but wow this is always good to know. I def prefer the glow up! I don’t think it’s necessary but I think maki g your enclosures look natural for the animal is always a benifit! Lovely video!
I just rescued a Goliath bird eater and a curly hair tarantula from PetCo. Honestly I think both enclosures are nice. Is the Tarantula Crib one nicer than the critter keeper? Yes. But it’s also about 3x the price. I would like to upgrade some of my T’s into TC enclosures. But I also have some T’s that will grow bigger than even the largest TC enclosure. I think whatever you choose to keep your T’s in is fine as long as you are meeting the T’s needs and keeping it clean.
For what it’s worth, I’ve never had mold develop in a humid enclosure with coco fiber substrate when I put springtails in there. The springtails seem to do a pretty good job of keeping that under control. The only thing I really have against coco fiber is if you put it in what will be more of an arid enclosure when it’s still moist, then when it does dry out it starts backing away from all the walls, leaving an unsightly gap (which I recall you mentioning in one of your videos).
I love it. And kinda amazing timing for a rehousing of this style. 😍 jumping spider spiderlings are the cutest little things... Couldnt resist an attempt at keeping (Though i have something other than a kritter keeper- it was designed for ants but... Student poverty 😅 and the space is still a dixie cup and then some even though its 2/3 damp substrate, with sphagna(?) moss, and fake leaves to climb and jump around on. Feeding it flightless gnats until it gets bigger)
I would say that a nice enclosure with springtails and better substrate is not only for "us". Springtails and microorganisms do not multiply in cocofibre- so the cannot eat mold or food that remained in the enclosure. Better soil/ substrate with micro organisms lead to less trouble with mold or humpback flies and so to a healthier environment for spiders and us- so I would say it's a win-win-deal to have a "better" enclosure.
The tarantula doesn't even know where it is most of the time ( im pretty sure).... It definitely won't care if it's in a critter keeper, as long as it's a big enough container.
I think it's worth adding the disclaimer that some aspects are not just for us. Some of the specific elements featured in bioactive or "naturalistic" enclosures are for the wellbeing of the animals too! When I was first starting out, I used coco fiber as my substrate, since that's the "default". I used it for two slings, both of which I had in amac boxes, sold to me by the breeder that sold the slings, with the only ventilation being drilled in on the top of the lid. The combination of no cross ventilation, 100% coco fiber substrate, no drainage layer, and having a tropical species led to mold issues developing in both enclosures at different points. When I was a beginner, I learned about bioactive enclosures, and I was really excited about the idea, but it also seemed really complicated and risky. If I had known "hey, you can just get these clay balls and this mesh cloth and set up a false bottom to prevent mold problems and simplify the whole moisture problem, and it's suuuuuper easy, and you don't have to do all the other fancy bioactive stuff!", I would have absolutely done that. After I had these mold issues, I decided to go "as close to bioactive as I could handle", which means that my Ts are now all in enclosures with a drainage layer, a substrate mix appropriate for their natural habitat, and springtails. This is a really low effort "compromise", I didn't have to do very much, yet now I don't have to actively worry about mold or fungus or standing water or humidity, because it's a lot easier to avoid problems involving those things in the first place! Once they start growing into adults, I'll phase in the isopods and live plants, which "feel" harder to me, even though I know they really aren't. You did speak to the mold issue with coco fiber a little bit in this video, but I think it's worth also speaking to some of the benefits that can come to our tarantulas as a result of our husbandry improvements! There are some very simple steps that beginner keepers can take, like the ones I could have made when I was a beginner. These steps help reduce the chances of any harm coming to our animals, and I think that should be the top priority for those of us who decide to keep these animals in captivity in the first place!
Just for the record T Kat I think Repto-soil is best. But love to mix 3 pts Repto to 2 pts Coco fiber its got a great feel and the Coco fiber doesn't form that hard surface. Just thought I'd Chime in great video as always many blessings 🙏 ❤
you and petko got me really into tarantulas and spider and that also got me into more exotic pets and I hope I can get over my fear of spiders soon, I also managed to get a male jumping spider! (Hyllus diardi) Thank you for being such an inspiration and sharing your passion!
ok and now im gonna cry cause i took a sip of my caramel macchiato from starbucks and pressed play and she grabbed her coffee from starbucks lmao we crazy coffee spooder luvin wamans
Ok Kat, I just watched your video & loved it! But the next video that loaded was your skeleton leg enclosure. Where you actually then upgraded it. It kinda shows some reasons why we like the upgrading. Watch again & see. Both the same enclosures are used. Isn’t it ironic? Don’t ya think? . Lol 😝
I usually go to Petsmart for tarantula feeders since a lot of times they’re out at Petco. I will probably have to watch because all four, three slings, one juvenile are all in pre-molt and not eating
Functionality, a bioactive enclosure is easier to maintain. Looks nicer as well obviously. Live plants though are tricky for me because they get webbed over and don't get enough light. I also mix reptisoil with coco fiber with sphagnum moss.
Honestly, you are so brave going into PetSmart 😂 Seriously though, that place makes my anxiety SKYROCKET. Like, just seeing their hamster line makes me feel like I'm going to implode
My only concern is that the coco fibre will mold due to the humidity. Other than that, the spiders will not care. I love how lazy they were. All part of their personality.
60 years ago I started keeping T's in gallon pickle jars laying on their sides with holes poked out in the lids with a nail, and playbox sand. My first breedings were in gallon jars and 2.5 gallon guppy tanks with home made screen lids. Some of those spiders lived 20-30 years. Today the hobbyists act like they're hand-blown finch eggs.
On top of the tarantula, being able to thrive in either set up , also depending on what the keeper can afford A cheaper, less a aesthetically pleasing or a more expensive prettier enclosure. It's more on you as a keeper for what works for you
I have to admit, ai use faunariums because they are inexpensive and I'd rather spend my money on Ts or mantids. All mine are doing great and growing fine. They don't care as long as there is nice deep substrate to dig in, a hunk of corkbark to hide under, and a water dish to put all that lovely substrate in... they live like royalty with their human slave (that's me!) making food offerings regularly and paparazzing them with photos to share with the other T slaves of the world. So ya, Life is good. 😉
Personally like the critter keepers. Most of my spiders are slings or juveniles so the larger ones for me are nice. And stackable. I worry about stacking the acrylic ones.
My tarantula sling is really enjoying the coco fiber. I can’t wait to rehouse it when it’s bigger so I can decorate its little house to appeal to my eyes 😂
I like the fact you stress, that the T dose not care about what the enclosure looks like.People get caught up in their enclosures thinking that the T will not like it.
I agree with you. The only thing that's different is that one is cheaper you get more for $40 than the other. it all depends on how much money you want to spend. and the expensive jar but more natural looks are clearly much better looking to look at. here at home, I use plastic thighs that I find at cheap shops. make holes in and they will do until it has got bigger and then I buy a little more expensive jar .
Heya Kat! I was just wondering how your two T. Albopilosus are doing a year later? I'm guessing they're both equally comfortable and thriving, but it would be cool to get a follow-up on the experiment! =)
Love your videos! Never through I would want a tarantula but you have changed my mind! As soon as I can find a Heartbutt, I will be getting one! Can't find one anywhere! 😭😭
Ahhh ye old dirt debate....... you can literally make your own substrate, let us rise above the dirt debate people! Ps - jungle mix for the win hahaha 😇🤣💕
I hope NO ONE buys that plastic-toy hamster cage thingy! that look so bad and I can tell that whoever hamster is in there, would be so miserable and shame on the pet owners 😠
Yes that's true. Tarantulas doesn't care what kind of setup you're using. They only care about where they can hide and be safe. Decoration only makes sense for you.
The T doesn't care if its in an exo terra a critter keeper or a storage tub a nice enclosure is just more aesthetically pleasing too us the keeper. 😊 👍
It is fun looking back at how we evolve as keepers over the years. I prefer the fancy enclosures...but honestly my tarantulas could care less.
Spot on there mate tarantulas never care what you put them in. Fancy enclosures is for our benfit not there's lol 😂 but fancy in enclosures look very nice. But me I'm like them don't care what I live in lol 😂 I keep mine in plastic fish tanks they don't care about that either so cardboard box it is lol 😂 pmsl
"Do we really need to argue about dirt?" 🤣🤣🤣 I personally mix my own soil medium, and I find coco fiber to be an awesome material to throw in to the mix for sponge-iness.
Maybe if we use kinetic sand then yes
I think you should do this to ants Canada
You have tarantulas?
No joke, when you pointed n said oh no at those horrid hamster cages I thought for a second "wait why are there kids toys in petsma- oh wait oh no"
Same
One of my friends no joke calls their hamster isle "The Toy Section", because that's exactly what it feels like
"Do we really need to argue about dirt??"
Lol... this is the internet. Yes, yes we do : )
Gotta know, was that “yes, yes we do” a “Phineas and Ferb” reference?
🤣🤣🤣
@@kirksealls1912 I really wish I could say "yes". If I'm being completely honest, I heard the voice of Nick Wilde (Zootopia) when I typed it.
@@brianlindsay9097 maybe we say that it’s retroactively a “Phineas and Ferb” reference 😜!
I know this is an older video, but THANK YOU for saying the critter keepers aren't bad. I'm a scorpion keeper, but have been researching tarantulas for months. I finally got myself a stunning Juvenile curly hair, and every pretty glass, perfect cross ventilation, pricey terrarium are just too big for her right now. I ended up getting the exact critter keeper you showed. The substrate is a good 6 inches, and she's already begun burrowing and seems happy. But I've been so paranoid that perhaps I was doing her dirty not getting a "better" container. This just helped my brain knowing she's good 🖤
In my very very limited experience, I took the time to set up a gorgeous enclosure for my G. Pulchra and he just bulldozed it, and continues to bulldoze it into a new shape every few weeks. He didn't care what it looked like, just that he had the tools to express his artistic vision apparently. I've resorted to bottlecap water dishes because he's buried so many and he'll really stack dirt up on them, so I don't want to pull them out and dislodge this week's new cave system. I think it's great, he's always up to something.
Kat with her hamster: they’ll love that, ooh they’ll love that!
Me with my rats: they’ll hate this- they’ll look at me like I’ve insulted them if I buy this.
Haha
MY RATS ALWAYS DO THIS I SWEAE THEY FREAKIN JUDGE ME CONSTANTLY
Me with my guinea pigs... I got them a hammock 3 weeks ago and was really excited about it. They just figured out 2 days ago how to lay IN it, not UNDER it lol
There's not just ONE WAY to a lot of things.. I wish people were more open minded to that. Clearly if someone is being neglectful and just are treating living things as toys, yeah, maybe school them. But when someone is really doing their best and constantly researching, I think we need to give encouragement to people in this community. Not hostility. Love your videos!!
THANK YOU for making this and sending the message that an enclosure that is more aesthetically pleasing does NOT mean that it’s ‘healthier’ for the Tarantula it houses. Thank you for reiterating that YES coco fiber is FINE! Always love you and your videos. 💕
for all the haters, my Cyriopagopus vonwirthi is in a large critter keeper with lots of substrate and is doing just fine. it's comfortable as ever and happy!
lol. 5 out of my 13 Ts are in critter keepers with substrate, a hide, water bowl and some moss and decorations depending on the species. I've never had any issues with my Ts, thet are ALL thriving.
Who's hating...no reason to create unwarranted drama!
@@anthonylawson518 you just have missed it all.
@@thedylangirl I read the comments and didn't see anything....🤷♂️
Ive got 3 large critter keepers with a zebra, tiger rump&stripe knee, they are all thriving and doing amazing with these enclosures as I've provided a log hide and lots of substrate 🙃
Hilarious. I’ve worked at PetSmart for some years now and the staff generally hates those Tiny Tale dinosaur, etc. cages 😂 I hate the one reptile plant too but it’s like all we have 🤦🏻♂️
I got my first T ever (and 2 others this week, not from PetSmart mind you lol) after following yours and the Tarantula Collective videos for weeks! My A. chalcodes is in a basic Critter Keeper for now (I think the nicer acrylic one I got her is much too big right now, but I love the kits I got from Jamie’s Tarantulas for my B. hamorii sling and G. pulchra ♥️
Petsmart employees aren't the bad guys! I should have mentioned that - it's the company. I have heard so many employees quit out of frustration
It’s true unfortunately, now more than ever especially 😭 This video definitely gave me some confidence over my own Ts enclosures tho. It’s funny cus we have to use that same hermit crab dish for the Ts we sell in the store, but I’m using bottle caps at home for my own 😂
Hello! Erin from your Patreon here 😊 thanks for sparking my interest in tarantulas and jumping spiders! I now have 5 jumping spiders and 3 tarantula slings. 🖤🖤
Can I ask what slings you have? 😁😁
@@ethanmccormack9561 I have 2 T. albo slings, an A. avicularia and I just picked up an A. semanii today! And I have 3 P. regius and 2 P. audax 🕷
@@erinisabella7646 that's epic, I only have a juvenile A. geniculata atm but am getting 5 slings on Tuesday and I'm so excited 😁😁 and hopefully in a couple of months if pairing goes successfully I will be getting 3 sling C. Versicolor off an amazing breeder i met on fb. I could and do talk about tarantulas all day 😁. Fair play for being a patreon supporter.
@@ethanmccormack9561 that’s awesome! I’m hoping to get a C. versicolor sling eventually, hoping prices drop a bit on them!
As a beginner keeper your videos mean the world to me. I keep my babies in a mix of peat moss and sand. Why? Because peat is cheap where I live and it's basically the same type of soil usually found in a forest. I find that it also holds moisture really well. The sand is there for some extra stability and texture. My slings seem to really appreciate it as they dig a lot and burrow. All but my C Darlingi who seems to think that she's an arboreal. Beautiful video, Kat. Stay safe and take care 👍.
You’ve seemed really happy/upbeat lately:) glad to see it!
Oh, the enclosures are DEFINITELY just for us. I bought my P. muranis a 3d printed/handpainted Skyrim standing stone from Etsy as a decor item that doubles as a hide since it's hollow, and Pumpkin webbed it up to Oblivion, just like the frostbite spiders in the game! I tucked the standing stone against the back corner and it created a web tunnel that leads directly down into the bottom where it can disappear into the hide. It also spends a lot of time out and about on the stone itself. Meanwhile, I went for just a water dish and some cork for my C. albostriatus, because he's a diggy boy and I wanted him to have deep substrate.
Skyrim is my favorite game and I LOVE THIS IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This sounds super cool! I‘d really like to see it!
ohh maybe do Mephala theme one xD
Yes! I’ve noticed honestly “fake” decor seems to be great for spiders, so many options, styles and sizes and for certain species (particularly jumping spiders) they love all the little nooks and crannies and different textures, I think it’s honestly great enrichment for them to have those kind of hides and decor to explore, that doubles when you’ve got something cool like custom items. If spiders wanted all natural they wouldn’t come into our homes and set up shop in the most unnatural place possible.
My tarantulas live in plastic fish tanks u could put the in a card box and they wouldn't care love the video hugs from Scotland 🏴
I've seen some photos of people using critter keepers with really nice shelves and I won't lie the colorful lids is very appealing to me, but I still love the tarantula cribs enclosures haha
Bro this isn't a petsmart enclosure, there's too much substrate...
omg just starting this & i’m already READY
That's it, I'm getting a tarantula.
yaaaaay you definitely should ^_^
hell yeah. matterfact get a bunch of tarantulas
Oh yes DO! They are the most amazing creatures. We have 21 T's and would have a lot more, but decided to try to keep the number low. Now we are going to try to keep it under 30.There are so many amazing species we still want to have. Pace yourself lol!
Well I guess I'm gonna have to start doing some research. Lol.
@@Startafnwar can never do too much of that
I was watching petkos video earlier about how bad petsmarts top tips for spiders and scorpions is. Kat you always seem to upload the same time I go to bed and it's perfect time 👍
Great video idea, Kat! It's neat to see how naturalistic you've gone with your enclosures. Not that the Ts care, of course, but I agree real plants, bark, and moss is much nicer to look at. Don't get me wrong, though- no one should feel ashamed about how their enclosures _look_ so long as the Ts needs are met!
I think this is my favorite video so good, amazing, a real chefs kiss
Kat can I say thank you, you out of all the T youtubers have helped me with my fear of spiders to the point I now own T's myself and I am truly grateful for that, I have watched you, dark den and exotics lair for a few years now and only discovered Dave's little beasties and tarantula collective about 5 months ago. I think you are all amazing and give different tips, I'm now subbed to about 30 different T keepers 😅😅 seeing the passion you all have definitely inspired me 😁. To all the haters please go and hate something else, the T community doesnt need your negativity in it. Seriously Kat dont beat yourself about that troll anyone with half a brain knows you are a good keeper and care about all of your animals. tbh I can imagine the trolls have never kept any inverts. Only person who can judge you is yourself. You are an asset to the yt T keeping community. I hope you and everyone else has an amazing weekend 😊
random funny story...during the heart of covid lockdowns we got this stuff called authority dog food from local food distrubutions, I guess Petsmart would donate it. Its fancier than the other brand we were giving our dogs, but they went nuts over it. So now, that's all I feed them. Also got the cat food for our cats too and they love it. They also don't poop as much eating it. Sorry for the TMI and the weird rant. Not sure why they love the petsmart food. I tried some high end stuff off Chewy, but none of them cared for that at all
Great video. The care is really more in keeping them hydrated and fed appropriately. Watching for issues as well which you do a great job. You are very good at what you do and I enjoy watching your videos. People that are trolls and start arguments should find something more productive to do.
I love how natural your enclosures look now! Especially making a lot of them bio active is awesome! Bravo!!!
I have the most stubborn curly hair in thee WORLD thank you very much!!! I built her an absolutely beautiful bio enclosure with moss & plants & a gorgeous stone hide I made myself, she has a whimsical living tree sculpture and after 2 wks of having her & her hiding constantly...she spent 3 nights building the most impressive dirt curtain ever, COMPLETELY entombing herself inside the hide. This curtain is a solid 1-2 inches thick!!! She also hasn't eaten since the end of Feb, it's now mid March. She's not due for a molt till Jan/Feb & she's only 3 & 1/2 yo. So I pretty much spent $100 (spider, enclosure, etc) to look into a terrarium full of plants!🤨
Omg shopping asmr you’ve given me heaven and the fatality edit had me geeking lol
You really created a great presentation. So many options even for an only products from "Dollar Tree" presentation. You always make photogenic videos. My Curly Hair is always "Hi, can I come out and play?" They really are great tarantulas.
It’s obvious! They can barely see shadows in black and white …. They absolutely don’t care about the “look” of their enclosures! I totally agree with you. Thanks for the video, it’s always a pleasure seeing you and your little cute animals! ❤️❤️❤️
I fully agree with you kat as long as there is a hide and the moisture is correct to the T anything will do really. Spiders live in all sorts of places think on how many T’s have been found living inside buildings where there is no substrate.
First,great video Kat,as always.
So entertaining and well thought out.You have a nice way about you.And are far prettier than Tom,Petko,and Richard to look at.
Only kidding guys,only kidding.
Loved the idea taking us shopping,shopping, didn't have to fork anything out.....this time.Just to jump in here.
The critter keepers and other plastic cages around,enables young folks or people who don't have a lot of disposable money to spend on a new hobby, to get into snakes,lizards,tarantulas,etc rather inexpensively.
Not everyone has $50 to spend for a spider and another $50 for an elaborate cage.
I love the passive aggressive video ideas you get from haters 🤣 Yes, thanks, you affected me so much. I will now cry in my critter cave of 👏🏻 NOT CARING 👏🏻
Love you, Kat!
I love that your proving the point of “Your Tarantula Does Not Care!” I have a small collection of 10 T’s, ranging from mature adults to slings. I also have all kinds of enclosures ranging from exoterras, to zoo meds, and critter keepers. Heck, I have some of my slings in converted spice jars and plastic crayon boxes I had just laying around my house. They are healthy and growing.
I just got a couple of critter keepers from my sister (she retired from tarantulas lol) and you best believe I am using them for enclosures! I also love finding my own containers to use as well. You gotta get creative in the hobby!
This is it, many different tubs can become enclosures, I remember watching petko making enclosures out of CD cases (which was ingenious) I'm always looking at tubs and such thinking to myself that would make a good enclosure 😊
@@ethanmccormack9561 yes I remember watching that video! That video definitely inspired me. It really makes the hobby fun rather than stressing out about getting a extremely expensive enclosures. Which there is nothing wrong with that, everyone’s got their own preference. 🤷♀️ like Kat said, we do it for ourselves not for the tarantulas they would care less what they stay in lol.
I appreciate your perspective on cheap vs. expensive. "$40, that's so expensive..." For me, it drives home that even pets that don't cost as much as others will still cost you money and folks need to prepare for it ❤️
Little did those trolls (for lack of a better word) know how much support and content they've generated for your channel! I absolutely _love_ it- turn it around to your advantage!! Woo! 😁
I'm impressed at how calm those t albos were! Mine are absolute maniacs lol
Yes... Abso freakn lootly we do haftoo argue about dirt🤣🤣. I watch alot of house flipping shows and I believe you've done great jobs on both T homes. Both are lovely🤣🤣. Tyfs God bless you
Love this. There are so many good ways to keep tarantulas. You have to find what works best for you.
Hahaha! You tickle me Kat!! Happy Ts regardless. Very few of us old-timers haven't used Critter Keepers. Some of us still do! ❣️
I've been using the Zilla enclosures, and I love them! I used to use critter keepers a lot, but there's just a nice aesthetic with the acrylic ones, and I love that I can make everything match. I use Eco earth on most of my enclosures, haven't had any real issues yet. Substrate wars are always going on in the hobby. I just want whatever the best option is, without the drama.
"Wow you can already tell there are differences going on" LOL I almost peed my pants.
I have to many pets atm. Ima have to wait a few years but wow this is always good to know. I def prefer the glow up! I don’t think it’s necessary but I think maki g your enclosures look natural for the animal is always a benifit! Lovely video!
I love these type of videos 😂😂
You are becoming one of my regular goto’s to watch!! 🕷🕸 loving the content!!! Maybe one day I’ll rescue a spidey 🤔
The dog in the background is very very smol cute and adorable
critter keeper only matters if you need more humidity, they dry out fast in my town. So just do the right T in it, I keep a Desert Blonde in one.
I just rescued a Goliath bird eater and a curly hair tarantula from PetCo. Honestly I think both enclosures are nice. Is the Tarantula Crib one nicer than the critter keeper? Yes. But it’s also about 3x the price. I would like to upgrade some of my T’s into TC enclosures. But I also have some T’s that will grow bigger than even the largest TC enclosure. I think whatever you choose to keep your T’s in is fine as long as you are meeting the T’s needs and keeping it clean.
For what it’s worth, I’ve never had mold develop in a humid enclosure with coco fiber substrate when I put springtails in there. The springtails seem to do a pretty good job of keeping that under control.
The only thing I really have against coco fiber is if you put it in what will be more of an arid enclosure when it’s still moist, then when it does dry out it starts backing away from all the walls, leaving an unsightly gap (which I recall you mentioning in one of your videos).
Yes that gap bothers me so bad smh
@@tarantulakat you’re one of the cool kids for sure, I had to Google “smh!” 🤦🏻
"Even Tom Moran uses critter keepers" 😂😂 that made me laugh
I love it. And kinda amazing timing for a rehousing of this style. 😍 jumping spider spiderlings are the cutest little things... Couldnt resist an attempt at keeping (Though i have something other than a kritter keeper- it was designed for ants but... Student poverty 😅 and the space is still a dixie cup and then some even though its 2/3 damp substrate, with sphagna(?) moss, and fake leaves to climb and jump around on. Feeding it flightless gnats until it gets bigger)
I would say that a nice enclosure with springtails and better substrate is not only for "us". Springtails and microorganisms do not multiply in cocofibre- so the cannot eat mold or food that remained in the enclosure. Better soil/ substrate with micro organisms lead to less trouble with mold or humpback flies and so to a healthier environment for spiders and us- so I would say it's a win-win-deal to have a "better" enclosure.
The tarantula doesn't even know where it is most of the time ( im pretty sure).... It definitely won't care if it's in a critter keeper, as long as it's a big enough container.
props for trying to prove a point and maintaining a somewhat cool head through it
I think it's worth adding the disclaimer that some aspects are not just for us. Some of the specific elements featured in bioactive or "naturalistic" enclosures are for the wellbeing of the animals too!
When I was first starting out, I used coco fiber as my substrate, since that's the "default". I used it for two slings, both of which I had in amac boxes, sold to me by the breeder that sold the slings, with the only ventilation being drilled in on the top of the lid. The combination of no cross ventilation, 100% coco fiber substrate, no drainage layer, and having a tropical species led to mold issues developing in both enclosures at different points.
When I was a beginner, I learned about bioactive enclosures, and I was really excited about the idea, but it also seemed really complicated and risky. If I had known "hey, you can just get these clay balls and this mesh cloth and set up a false bottom to prevent mold problems and simplify the whole moisture problem, and it's suuuuuper easy, and you don't have to do all the other fancy bioactive stuff!", I would have absolutely done that.
After I had these mold issues, I decided to go "as close to bioactive as I could handle", which means that my Ts are now all in enclosures with a drainage layer, a substrate mix appropriate for their natural habitat, and springtails. This is a really low effort "compromise", I didn't have to do very much, yet now I don't have to actively worry about mold or fungus or standing water or humidity, because it's a lot easier to avoid problems involving those things in the first place! Once they start growing into adults, I'll phase in the isopods and live plants, which "feel" harder to me, even though I know they really aren't.
You did speak to the mold issue with coco fiber a little bit in this video, but I think it's worth also speaking to some of the benefits that can come to our tarantulas as a result of our husbandry improvements! There are some very simple steps that beginner keepers can take, like the ones I could have made when I was a beginner. These steps help reduce the chances of any harm coming to our animals, and I think that should be the top priority for those of us who decide to keep these animals in captivity in the first place!
So happy I found this channel💞
Kat flexes her husbandry skillz.... boss.
You cute.
Just for the record T Kat I think Repto-soil is best. But love to mix 3 pts Repto to 2 pts Coco fiber its got a great feel and the Coco fiber doesn't form that hard surface. Just thought I'd Chime in great video as always many blessings 🙏 ❤
Really cool comparison vid!
you and petko got me really into tarantulas and spider and that also got me into more exotic pets and I hope I can get over my fear of spiders soon, I also managed to get a male jumping spider! (Hyllus diardi) Thank you for being such an inspiration and sharing your passion!
Yay new video >.< I got my coffee ready
ok and now im gonna cry cause i took a sip of my caramel macchiato from starbucks and pressed play and she grabbed her coffee from starbucks lmao we crazy coffee spooder luvin wamans
Ok Kat, I just watched your video & loved it! But the next video that loaded was your skeleton leg enclosure. Where you actually then upgraded it. It kinda shows some reasons why we like the upgrading. Watch again & see. Both the same enclosures are used. Isn’t it ironic? Don’t ya think? . Lol 😝
I usually go to Petsmart for tarantula feeders since a lot of times they’re out at Petco. I will probably have to watch because all four, three slings, one juvenile are all in pre-molt and not eating
Functionality, a bioactive enclosure is easier to maintain. Looks nicer as well obviously. Live plants though are tricky for me because they get webbed over and don't get enough light. I also mix reptisoil with coco fiber with sphagnum moss.
Honestly, you are so brave going into PetSmart 😂 Seriously though, that place makes my anxiety SKYROCKET. Like, just seeing their hamster line makes me feel like I'm going to implode
My only concern is that the coco fibre will mold due to the humidity. Other than that, the spiders will not care. I love how lazy they were. All part of their personality.
Good for you! Spot on! 90% of what the deli-cup cowboys obsess about DOESN'T MATTER! Another great vid...
60 years ago I started keeping T's in gallon pickle jars laying on their sides with holes poked out in the lids with a nail, and playbox sand. My first breedings were in gallon jars and 2.5 gallon guppy tanks with home made screen lids. Some of those spiders lived 20-30 years. Today the hobbyists act like they're hand-blown finch eggs.
On top of the tarantula, being able to thrive in either set up , also depending on what the keeper can afford
A cheaper, less a aesthetically pleasing or a more expensive prettier enclosure. It's more on you as a keeper for what works for you
I jus got my first tarantula 6 mo ago mexican red rump.. he burrows alot i like feeding it through the whole it made..
Awww, you remind me of my daughter, her favourite colour was purple 💜 also
Oh! And you even mention the plastic plant!! Hahaha
Oh God, seeing that "you need to leave" meme. That legit happened in the town that I went to high school in.
I have to admit, ai use faunariums because they are inexpensive and I'd rather spend my money on Ts or mantids. All mine are doing great and growing fine. They don't care as long as there is nice deep substrate to dig in, a hunk of corkbark to hide under, and a water dish to put all that lovely substrate in... they live like royalty with their human slave (that's me!) making food offerings regularly and paparazzing them with photos to share with the other T slaves of the world. So ya, Life is good. 😉
Personally like the critter keepers. Most of my spiders are slings or juveniles so the larger ones for me are nice. And stackable. I worry about stacking the acrylic ones.
Do you use lights for your tarantulas pothos or is the light from the room enough?
This reminds me about fish keepers and decoration debates.
Great vid kat...quickly proved a point..
My tarantula sling is really enjoying the coco fiber. I can’t wait to rehouse it when it’s bigger so I can decorate its little house to appeal to my eyes 😂
YAY!!!!!!!! THANK YOU FOR THE SHOUT OUT!!!!! ( MILINA)
Great videos! Glad to be a new sub!
Thank u kat the T don't care as long as it's fed and not bothered lol I have Ts in critter keepers and they are thriving
I like the fact you stress, that the T dose not care about what the enclosure looks like.People get caught up in their enclosures thinking that the T will not like it.
I agree with you. The only thing that's different is that one is cheaper you get more for $40 than the other. it all depends on how much money you want to spend. and the expensive jar but more natural looks are clearly much better looking to look at. here at home, I use plastic thighs that I find at cheap shops. make holes in and they will do until it has got bigger and then I buy a little more expensive jar .
Heya Kat! I was just wondering how your two T. Albopilosus are doing a year later? I'm guessing they're both equally comfortable and thriving, but it would be cool to get a follow-up on the experiment! =)
The one on left with glass water and real plant looks classy.
Wow, we got people doing gang wars over dirt? Lol
Kat you should totally get a tan jumping spider there so cute and get about 1 inch big and are super easy to take care of
Love your videos! Never through I would want a tarantula but you have changed my mind! As soon as I can find a Heartbutt, I will be getting one! Can't find one anywhere! 😭😭
Newbie here… I’m not a spider fan but I’m definitely intrigued with your Chanel
Did you ever do an update on this? Really fun video!
Do we need to argue about dirt? LOL that had me cracking up.
Ahhh ye old dirt debate....... you can literally make your own substrate, let us rise above the dirt debate people!
Ps - jungle mix for the win hahaha 😇🤣💕
Not going to lie, I have the same exact hunt for my juvenile Arizona blonde.
I hope NO ONE buys that plastic-toy hamster cage thingy! that look so bad and I can tell that whoever hamster is in there, would be so miserable and shame on the pet owners 😠
Yes that's true. Tarantulas doesn't care what kind of setup you're using. They only care about where they can hide and be safe. Decoration only makes sense for you.
Both enclosures are great. I have a ton of kritter keepers in my collection
The T doesn't care if its in an exo terra a critter keeper or a storage tub a nice enclosure is just more aesthetically pleasing too us the keeper. 😊 👍