Heat

[Brachypelma albopilosum]

Ive bought a new tarantula and i dont know how to provide it with heat. it is a giant white knee. I currently have a small heat mat duck taped to the side. Is that okay? Please help.

 

[Arachnoclown]

How warm is your home usually?
Room temperature is usually fine for tarantulas. Heat pads are dangerous for tarantulas and may even catch on fire.

 

[Brachypelma albopilosum]

It's 20 degrees celcius

 

[Arachnoclown]

It's 20 degrees celcius

That's perfect...no need to add heat.

 

[Brachypelma albopilosum]

Thank you man your a life saver!

 

[Brachypelma albopilosum]

That's perfect...no need to add heat.

Is 18 to 19 degrees okay too or does that get too cold

 

[Brachypelma albopilosum]

Oh and it may be a bit off topic but how many times in a week do you have to feed them

 

[Arachnoclown]

If that's as cold as it gets I would make sure they had deep substrate. I wouldn't subject them to that temp 24 hours a day though...just as a overnight low. Feeding depends on how large they are....slings once or twice a week. Juvies once a week and adults every 2-3 weeks.

 

[MassExodus]

Everything AC said is true. Its also true that temperature plays a huge part in growth rate, activity and feeding. Ive been keeping mine at room temp for years, and they've consistantly grown slower than tarantulas kept at higher temps. Which leads me to believe they thrive at higher temps. Heat mats are fine if you buy name brands in the states, and use a thermostat and gfci.

 

[Brachypelma albopilosum]

Everything AC said is true. Its also true that temperature plays a huge part in growth rate, activity and feeding. Ive been keeping mine at room temp for years, and they've consistantly grown slower than tarantulas kept at higher temps. Which leads me to believe they thrive at higher temps. Heat mats are fine if you buy name brands in the states, and use a thermostat and gfci.

What is a gfci?

 

[Nunua]

What is a gfci?

A ground fault circuit interrupter

 

[Brachypelma albopilosum]

A ground fault circuit interrupter

Okay I think it's fine