How To Set Up a Desert Habitat w/ Zoo Med Excavator Clay
Вставка
- Опубліковано 22 гру 2024
- In this video I am breaking down how I set up an enclosure for a desert scorpion, specifically the Giant Hairy Desert Scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis). I show you how I use Zoo Med Excavator Clay and the Cavern Kit to create stable, dry tunnels for the scorpion to dig out and make its burrows as well as some basic care and husbandry guidelines for desert scorpions. Check out the links below for a list of all the Zoo Med Creatures items as well as the link to the Zoo Med Cavern Kit if you want to set up your scorpion habitat. 🖖💚🕷
Zoo Med Cavern Kit: amzn.to/2X6bFSh
Zoo Med Creatures Supplies:
www.amazon.com...
💥SUBSCRIBE💥 to see more helpful videos about keeping 🕷tarantulas🕷:
goo.gl/UAySKx
If you'd like to support the channel:
Patreon:
/ the_tarantula_collective
🕷👀Visit My Website👀🕷: www.thetarantu...
🎧LISTEN🎧 to the Exotic Pet Collective 🎙PODCAST🎙 on Spotify:
open.spotify.c...
💀Subscribe to the Exotic Pet Collective💀 on UA-cam:
/ @theexoticpetcollective
🕸Tarantula Collective Merch🕸 :
www.shop.thetarantulacollective.com
🕷Care Sheets🕷:
www.thetarantu...
---------------------------------------------------------------
Tarantula/Invert/Reptile Dealers Worldwide (with some discount codes):
www.thetarantu...
---------------------------------------------------------------
Affiliate Links for different items I use (This contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links):
Get 10% OFF the BEST Tarantula enclosures in the hobby NOW when you use the code TTC10 at checkout!
www.tarantulac...
All the substrates and natural products I use come from THE BIO DUDE! Use my link to help support this channel: www.thebiodude...
Check out the amazing selection of tarantulas from the Spider Shoppe and save 10% when you use my affiliate link here: spidershoppe.c...
Order your next tarantula from Microwilderness and use the code TTC10 to save 10% off your order:
www.microwilde...
Use my affiliate code TTC10 to save 10% on your Ty Dye Exotics orders at tydyeexotic.com/
My Amazon Storefront (lists of everything I use! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases):
www.amazon.com...
Join me on facebook:
/ thetarantulacollective
Follow me on instagram:
/ the_tarantula_collective
Follow me on twitter:
@theTarantulaCo1
Join the Dischord Server:
/ discord
Follow me on Tik Tok:
/ thetarantulacollective
Please send any letters or packages to:
Richard Stewart
47 Washington Ave
Ste. 245
Wheeling, WV 26003
If you are shipping a live animal, please email me first at richard@thetarantulacollective.com.
If you would like me to review your product or business, please email your request to thetarantulacollective@gmail.com
[The Tarantula Collective is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com]
#tarantula #TarantulaCollective #scorpion
Thanks for checking out this weeks video! I appreciate all the support! If you want to check out some of the items I use to make this enclosure (and the whole Zoo Med Creature line of products), I put them all on an Amazon Shopping List so you can get a better look! These are amazon affiliate links,, so if you purchase something a small percent will come back to help support the channel: www.amazon.com/shop/the_tarantula_collective?listId=1069O1RERBTKH
Love n Hugs and Yay 40k
If u would like me to help you with this scorpion I will save some of my SSI and help you with your possie
Pp
You could spin the stick the tighten the string to the tub then spin the other to release it
So I actually have this creatures tank. It's nice little 6 gallon low pro tank. It's prefect for like roaches, isopods, millipedes, and such.
Just ordered a desert giant scorpion. Because of this video I ALSO ordered the Excavator Clay Substrate.
The moment when he mixed clay with water with that lil showel and metal music in the background was awsome,nice enclousure btw :D
Lol....awesome. thanks
Fr
Me: Makes pet scorpion the most beautiful enclosure and burrow I’ve ever made.
Scorpion: Nah, I’m gonna make my own.
You can’t stop that scorps sigma grindset.
I dont think I'll ever have a scorpion but I do enjoy watching the little guys. But who knows. I never thought the hubby would cave on tarantulas but here we are with our little T. albo that we've had for almost 9 months. ❤🕷❤
I didn't know Zoo Med even made that kind of stuff. It looks really cool and is awesome that you get to put your own personal touch on the enclosure.
I love the Excavator clay. I use it for my dragons, leopard geckos, and scorpions. You can add regular sand, coco fibre, or Pete moss, for different species.
I also added gravel, rocks, and grass tufts in it. It’s fun to use.
Thanks for the info! How much sand and coca would you add to it? I have sand and coca fiber and a 10 pound bag of clay.
I’m planning on making a bearded dragon enclosure it’s 40 gallons how much did you use for yours? I’m using 32 pounds and I’m thinking about getting more because i wanna make a climbing wall on the back of the enclosure
Would you ever do list of top beginner Scorpions? I am looking to get one, but am kind of not sure where to start.
Heck Yeah, that is a great idea..I will definitely do that.
If you're in the US, the easiest will be something in the Heterometrus species. H. petersii is the most common at pet shop - classic black shiny tank of a scorpion. Pandinus family were once common (Emperors) but are far less available - if you can find an Emperor (P. Imperator), they're also super chill and easy. Same care as the heterometrus, a nice 10gal tank and some eco earth is pretty much all you need. Pandinus Cavimanus (red claw emps) are still floating around the hobby trade also -- a tad more defensive than the emperor and slightly smaller, but have really cool red claws when they reach adulthood. If you would like a free H. petersii sling (about a month old), send me a PM. I have 16 from an unexpected birth :)
I’d try Asian forest but if you want a desert species get a desert hairy. I started with a flat rock which is also a fine one to start with.
You can add in some blue death feigning beetles as clean up crew. They will keep the burrows nice and clean, and they won't harm the scorp (nor will the scorp harm them -- they're bug bros). You can also add a small pane of glass (lowes/home depot) down the midline to divide the enclosure in two. H. arizonensis and spadix (black back variant) don't need tons of walking room like the Heterometrus/Pandinus species. You can easily keep two in a 10gal size enclosure by splitting it in two pieces. You can also "discourage" burrowing in the center by adding another small piece of glass embedded in the clay along the long axis. If you do that, and make them a "starter" burrow near the front of the enclosure, they'll likely make it their permanent home. That way you can still observe them in their burrow.
I love watching this guy set up enclosures.
You have a very nice speaking voice, your filming is amazing, I’m definitely going to have to follow you !
This video randomly came up on my recommend list and I couldn't be happier. My two favorites exotics are tarantulas and scorpions so the fact that you specialize in both is amazing!!
Used the same stuff to create a burrow for my chilean rose, used a party ballon to create a u shaped burrow with the bend pressing up against the side of the tank so i could see all the way in. Its great stuff.
That enclosure was so sick!! Great job man! Total work of art!
Just discovered this channel because I got my first scorpion! Seriously awesome videos man, informative, entertaining, and super cool!!!
Your timing couldn't be any better I was looking all night for this particular video because I just brought one home thank you for the information I needed to set up the tank And I will share the information with the dealer I purchased my scorpion from they had it in an enclosure that is very wet
Ok so I lost my phone but now I’m back and ready to binge watch the videos I missed can’t wait 😊🥳❤️...... great vid btw x
YES!!! I just got one last week, and been trying to find good videos on how to build him the perfect setup! Thank you for the perfect timing yet again AHAHAH
Just checked this out on fb so thought I would watch it again on UA-cam. This set up is awesome Richard and I will definitely be having a go with the excavator sand. My desert scorp needs a bit of a makeover lol. Hope you and the family are keeping well and safe. Keep them videos coming brother.
Could you do a top beginner scorpions? I've been looking into getting one, but I'm not sure where to start...
Some Heterometrus spp (not all as some are a little meaner) Hadrurus spp, Hadogenes spp (my personal favourite, big and very weak venom) and of course Pandinus spp Emperror ect.
I love your a little videos you explain it better on each species of tarantula or scorpion
Richard , you should make a video on the best tarantulas for bioactive enclosures
I just picked one up yesterday he's so chill
I am a first time T owner and am loving invertebrate care and ownership. I have a little Honduran Curly I have named Io. I have been interested in scorpions for a little bit and this was a species I wanted to take a look at and this clay/cavern kit seems great for others species besides scorpions for custom hides.
Have never used the clay stuff but seen a few that have. Love the final look of the enclosure.
This was my first time, and I really like it
Of course you can probably get clay for free just bu walking out in your backyard.
the Tarantula Collective the ground is so hard out here, even if I soak it for a week, it doesn’t reach down to be able to dig much up 🤣 It’s another reason house pipes are not as far down as they should be, no such thing as cold tap water. It’s warm or hot 🤣
Thank you so much for this video! I have had my little dude for a year now and I’m still trying to figure out how to create a substrate where he can borrow! You’re awesome 💪🏼
If you buy those long skinny balloons that are used for balloon animals, they work really good for making scoprion tunnels . Once the clay sets you can just pop them and pull them out. And it makes it easier to make burrows against the glass you you can peek in on the scorpion.
It also for sure takes longer to dry when its layered like that. I used the 20 lbs bag for a leopard gecko enclosure and some areas were a few inches thick, and even with a heat lamp used to speed up the drying, the deeper layers took nearly 2 weeks to finally dry. It was a maddening waiting process.
This is cool, I live in Arizona and I'm planning on doing a Jurassic Park themed scorpion enclosure
Sounds awesome!
Love the scorpion content you got me interested in Asian Forest scorpions and that led me to buying a Honduran curly hair, to a spidering Chaco golden knee and vinagroon
Cool setup and scorpion! Just make sure you don't leave the black light on all the time. It stresses the scorpion out if there's uv on it all the time. You probably already know, just thought I would mention it. It's really cool to occasionally turn it on when he's out though, it is beautiful how they glow! I've got about 60 scorpions, and it still amazes me when I shine my black light on them! Never gets old.
I don’t have any scorpions right now. But I just wanna watch the video and support you :)
So satisfying to watch
Good handy video Richard, looking into getting a desert species soon. 👍
From philippines! Watching always your videos.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge about this beautiful creatures. This help me a lot in my new found hobby. Making enclosure taking care of them really are relaxing and give satisfaction..Keep it up!!
I love me some excavator clay. I use it in the mix for my arid tarantulas and it does a great job making the burrows nice and sturdy. Try mixing it with Terra Aranea sometime.
Cool tip, thanks...I will try that
Ive been thinking o trying that clay with a desert species of tarantula, still not decided but it looks like good stuff
Sorry I have been missing lately. I've had problems with my ears and Vertigo. Love all your videos, Richard. Love to your family. Hugs to all
I'm so sorry to hear that..that's is no fun at all. I hope you start feeling better soon!
I need to look and see if you’ve done a rehouse yet for this little guy! He’s so cute! ❤
Aw! That looks so nice! I got some of that Excavator clay at a show. I used it to make a substrate mix for my Nicaraguan Curly Hair who lives in a partial clay based substrate in their natural habitat according to Birdspider. I mixed Bio Dudes bioactive substrate with some Coco Fiber and Excavator clay and moistened it a bit with water and it turned out to be a pretty good mix. She hasn't attempted to burrow but if she did the works would hold together for her with that combination which is what I was shooting for. I love the look of your setup!
This enclosure looks sweet! Super aesthetic!
Another great scorpion based video! I really like the dual substrate usage. Looks like I'm Amazon bound after watching this.
Hello, New fan here! I currently have a leopard gecko and a corn snake and looking to add to the family so I was looking at getting one of these! This video helped out A LOT but if possible, you should DEFINITELY do a care guide for a Desert Hairy Scorpion because Id love to hear your take on caring for one. Like what's the right temperature? Right tank size? Right food? etc.. Definitely would love to watch that video.
Been wanting to try making a burrow type thing similar to this for my forest scorpions
That turned out awesome!
Great enclosure and vid buddy I’m thinking of putting WiFi cam in an enclosure hide for some awesome footage can get night vision ones
I’ve been using this stuff for years now! It’s pretty great. Does break down and need to be redone after 4/5 years tho.
my favorite scorpion by far..
noice ❤️. just made me even more excited.. waiting for my Giant Dessert Hairy 🦂🦂
Looks like a setup a G. rosea would enjoy, mine hates anything with coco fiber in it so i used red clay sand and its burrowed a nice tunnel. Clearly more at home.
You should do a video on how tarantulas molt, and when, and what you shouldn’t do once they molt. It would really help me and other people
Thats cool. Im currently making a desert scorpion enclosure with the same substrate and the excavator clay.
Clay is great. I often use it for tarantulas. For baboons and B hamorri and speicies like that
Awesome setup! clays are perfect for scorpion enclosures and what a beautiful scorpion species, I wish I had one.
Absolutely awesome enclosure Richard, I’ve been looking for some good clay I’ll try that one
Thanks
It looks great! The only problem with pure excavator clay is that it sets very hard and the scorpion may not be able to burrow through it, i did around a 1-3 ratio of excavator clay - sand/coco fibre and it holds like a champ with probably 1m+ of burrows in the viv now.
Hmm... I did 1/3 excavator clay to sand (that is 1 part clay, 2 parts sand, which is what I read elsewhere), and it still seems too hard for the scorpion or my fingernail to dig when hard. Do you mean 1 part clay, 3 parts sand?
I also started a burrow under a long thin dried out palm branch, so it at least has that as a burrow, and if everything else collapses, at least it has one solid place to hide.
I'm feeding all my arachnid babies while I watch this video 🤘 I can't think of a better thing to do with my Tuesday!
Epic! Now i wanna get a scorpion!!
Hey richard could you do a video on the deathstalker how you set it up and keep it
This set up was a+!
that looks SICK , nice work man
I have two Camel Spiders they R very fascinating and aggressive but so cool to watch
Plz make more diy enclosure videos, both tarantula and scorpion!
Brilliant,,really enjoyed that mate,,👍🏴🇬🇧
that is one cool setup. inspired me so much im gonna do something similar for mine.
That’s looks awesome Richard.
Great setup
Great vid, but just a heads up...any time you use a heat pad like that, you should always use some type of rheostat or thermostat. Those will get full power all the time if just plugged strait in with nothing to regulate the power input, and they can get way too hot for the animal, and they will burn out way faster. I have been keeping and breeding snakes for over 30 years, and I know snakes are different than inverts...but the tools still work the same(just a troll tip, for all you trolls)....but you can buy them really cheap, or even build a type of dimmer with parts from Home Depot(ect) for about 15$. Anyways, great Vid Rich, as usual...and keep up the good work. I do not even own any inverts, but I live your attitude, outlook, and your great content. I learn a lot from you and appreciate your hard work brother. Thanks for your hard work and awesome content. Great vid!
I thought I mentioned in the video I would be using a thermostat for the heater. There is one in the enclosure though I know I didnt film myself putting it in there. Maybe I cut the part of me talking about it out of the video for time, I will have to go back and rewatch.
I like your taste of music, Richard
Would be kinda cool to put a lightly packed layer in the terrarium and let the scorp run round on it and dig it’s own burrows
Ooh, that’s smart! Or maybe a pocket of substrate under the clay so the scorp can find and dig it’s own burrows there?
Love your channel! Have a blessed day and stay safe!!!
Awesome video and setup! I'm preparing to get my first scorpion - a Desert Hairy! I plan to make my setup pretty similar to yours. Should I include a thermostat switch for the heat pad? My room stays around 70F during the day but cools down at night. If so, where should the probe be placed?
Thanks for all the awesome content! Definitely getting me excited for my first critter 🤘
Looks great! I wish they weren't price gouging the Excavator Clay on Amazon. I used to buy a 10lb bag for roughly $10. Now it's like $25. I wish I could find it in my local pet store. :(
Yeah, it is insane. I got some on chewy for like $12
You have a whole setup!! What all do you have in the background????
I would have done a nice false bottom set up for that hadrurus it looked like it was in pre-molt they need that nice humidity gradient for a successful molt
This is BEAUTIFUL
Great setup richard! Ive never used that clay substrate as of yet but i know a lot of people use it for M.balfouri setups and all give positive feedback!
Will have to have a go 🤘🤘
Sounds great!
I'm curious, is a 20 gallon tank a good enclosure for a Deathstalker? I have an old 20 gallon I'm looking at using and I figure that would provide some room for live cacti or other small succulents, and plenty of natural hiding areas (bark pieces, small rocks, etc), plus plenty of room to roam and find a good spot to dig a burrow. Plus the walls are high enough that the animal would never be in sting range, which is a nice little extra.
I'm using that clay with me P. muticus and she love it.
She finally can do her caves without any collapse.
Hello I am a new tarantula owner, One topic that I would suggest you make a UA-cam video which I think would benefit a lot of people is one in which you go into detail for every food option/choice for tarantulas. I couldn’t find a feeding specific video so maybe that could be something that would be really helpful for us!
this helped me sooo much thanks :)
Do h.hottenttota really need a water dish?? Or any type of a desert scorpion
Can you do a care and husbandry vid for communal emperor scorpions?
I know this is late to the show but I've been watching your show for a week now binging. Mostly on the tarantula side but I always loved enclosure builds. Would this enclosure work for a tarantula with the substrate mix?
I'm preparing for getting my first tarantula here within two months and I'd like to get a terrarium set up before moving her in.
I love desert themes and would like to make one for the tarantula. Would i need them to be able to burrow period or would providing pre-built burrows be good?
Thanks!
What a Beautiful set up ❤ Would this also work for a desert species of Tarantula like a Mexican Red Knee which lm planning on getting very soon? Thanks Alot. Love watching your videos. ❤
Hey Richard, awesome video! I came here to see how to get the clay substrate ready, and this was very informative and straight to the point. I do have two quick questions. I'm looking to get my desert hairy in a few weeks, and wanted to get the tank set up this week.
1. Your burrow doesn't go to the bottom of the tank, correct?
2. Aside from the clay used to create the burrows, does the other substrate need to be a mixture of sand and anything else, or could you just use sand for the rest of the tank?
I'm sure these are obvious answers, but I've seen so much conflicting information online, and would love clarification. Thanks!
This is a super late reply, but I hope it helps!
From the looks of it, it doesn’t look like Richard digs the burrows all the way to the bottom. And I think he uses a peat moss/sand mixture for the rest of the tank. Sand is too soft and won’t create the best burrows, so adding peat moss with the sand can help give the substrate more structure.
I’ve been using the Excavator clay for my T’s to give them a sort of natural looking burrow/cave. I personally don’t have the burrows go down to the bottom of my enclosures. But for my burrowing T’s I’ve dug deep enough so that the burrow is almost exposing the enclosure wall/floor. Or atleast 1/2 cm thick of the excavator clay.
I really hope this helps! Desert Hairy’s are beautiful T’s and fascinating to watch!
Awsome video keep it up love the content 🤘🤘🤘🤘
What’s your opinion on using sculptable substrates like this for desert T’s such as b. hamorii?
If you really want good substrate for this scorpion you should try the biodude he has a bioactive kit for this exact scorpion
Well you be saying that they are not sponsoring you, but if they're handing you free stuff that's kind of a sponsor.
Unbelievable set up!!
There is a legal distinction between the two. Being paid hundreds or thousands of dollars (depending on how large your channel is) by a company and getting a few free items is a large difference. When a company sponsors a video and is paying for the video to be made, you cant really say anything negative about the product, it is a form of advertising. Being offered a few free items to use and review, especially less than $100 worth, does not require a contract or for the creator to say anything dictated by the company. If you watch other youtube videos, you see it all the time and can tell the difference. Camera companies and phone companies will send out preproduction models of items for large channels to try out and review, but they dont pay them so the creator can give honest feedback and experience. Then you also see videos where Sony or Samsung are sponsoring the video and pay the creator thousands of dollars to make a video higglighting all the positive aspects and is a form of online advertising. Legally, if a company is paying you cash to make a video, you are required to state that as a disclaimer for truth in advertising. Also, if a company is not paying you, buy provided the items for free, according to US federal Truth in Advertising law, that must also be stated in the video.
So are wire mesh tops ok for scorpions? I have always heard to not use them for tarantulas
Will this setup help with molts? I've had desert scorpions several times and any that weren't fully grown died during a molt
I have hadsnakes for a long time, I got a cave claw scorpion my first one. Can you please give me any onsite n the proper technique and build of it's habitat please. My goal is getting a deathstalker in a few years when I've a greater knowledge my thank you again very much for your time
hey Richard what scorpion should I get for a beginner ?
Asain forestscorpion
Tailess whip scorpion
The Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion is a good beginner because it doesnt have potent venom. I would also check out the Asian Forest Scorpion or Emperor Scorpion...that is where I started.
I assume that you're from the Philippines. If so, I suggest going for either a Heterometrus longimanus or a Hottentota hottentota. Both are readily available in the hobby and are quite easy to take care of. They are also parthenogenic, at least some keepers claim that H longimanus is.
Prince Jowert Huerta, H.hottentotta has quite potent venom though. Generally not deadly, but not something you want to get stung by.
Sick!! 🔥🔥🔥
I was hoping for TARANTULAS but I loved this one anyways!! Thanks and great set up! Crazy ur doing a set up video... ;) great minds think alike ;) my SALEDONIA needs some attention lol
the Tarantula Collective can you please do a husbandry video on this species of scorpion?
quick question: how wide is the tank on the long side.
Just came across this video as the zoo med excavator clay was mentioned to me as an option for my mexican red knee tarantula that I'm getting ready to rehouse to better resemble it's desert like environment. Have you ever used it with a mix of peat moss or coco fiber for one before? I've had mine going on 1 year using zoo meds creature soil and she could care less about burrowing in it. It's my first T and want something that she would enjoy. She tends to just stay in the open or climb and hang out on the side of the enclosure. Size is 3 inches...3 molts in the 1 year timespan. That scorpion tank came out great btw!
I was wondering if you can mix the excavator clay with peat moss/coco fiber also!
I’ve used the excavator clay as just the clay, and that works great! However I’ve noticed that it makes the enclosure a lot heavier, and it seems really hard to dig into the clay once dried. And over about a year I noticed cracks in the clay that were big enough for crickets to hide in. So with that, I’m thinking that adding another type of substrate could help keep the clay more intact and softer, while still holding its shape well?
I hope this helps!
I too have had my issues with vertigo. I put some tissue in my ears when I have a fan blowing on me and that usually keeps it at bay. That, and I keep my ears wax free. So how potent is this scorpion's venom?