Rounds/tubes or arches

[DustyD]

So, I recently found a nice cork bark tube/ round that I plan to use when I rehousing terrestrials (G. pulchra, pulchripes). In the past I have used arched pieces and started an entrance for the tarantulas. I am thinking i should submerge the round least partway to provide a more natural burrow and maybe an ever so slight temperature gradient. Any thoughts/ suggestions?

 

[Mygalomorphic]

IMO the more "natural" way is using the slabs and making a starter burrow. They will line the tunnel with silk to water proof it and ensure it keeps its shape so having a tube down there isn't really necessary. Plus they can excavate it the way they want if there is just substrate there as opposed to solid cork.

I like to break tubes in half and then you can place them on substrate or stand them up against the background for arboreals. You get two tubes in one that way and the spiders don't care that they only get 1/2.

If you really want to use the tube partially buried it isn't going to hurt anything, I'm just not sure there is a benefit to doing so.

 

[ThatGuy83]

I would cut the tubes in half and then cut the halves into pieces that can be used for starter burrows.

 

[m0lsx]

I use the tubes vertical for arborials & if using bark, flat or slightly arched, I normally start a scape out under it for my T's. In fact even with a reasonable arch on bark, I normally start a burrow of sort under it & bury it slightly. I also try to make sure that bark is at the rear of an enclosure, as that encourages them to be in that area & to burrow there. As many T's like to hide away.

I also find that terracotta flower pots make good hides, when cut in half. I buy smaller pots & again partly bury them.

 

[WolfSpider]

Rounds are fine for Ts. If your T decides to burrow within or under its round corkboard, you may not see it often. I like slabs, just for my own selfish viewing reasons.

 

[DustyD]

Ok thanks all. I appreciate the input. I have plenty of curved and straight bark for any future tarantulas and rehousing. I may try to add a short section of the round to an existing enclosure with an arched hide already in place sort of like a second home for the T. I also thought that if on the surface, a tube with spider inside could make for easy transfer for rehousing or enclosure clean up. The downside, as has been pointed out, is that it likely would be harder to see/ check on tarantula. So far i have not lifted up the hides and just let the Ts come out when they want or need to.

 

[DustyD]

So i did use a round for the housing for my new 2"+ G. rosea. It actually had a third opening that i covered with a lot of substrate in case she wants to do some digging. She is has not gone inside yet, just clinging to the side, which my first tarantula did, so I am not worried.