Terrestrial tarantulas are some of the most popular pet spiders kept by enthusiasts around the world Their docile nature, impressive size, and low maintenance needs make them an excellent spider pet. However, setting up the proper enclosure is key to keeping your tarantula healthy and happy
In this article, we’ll look at 15 awesome enclosure ideas to inspire your own terrestrial tarantula habitat. From DIY setups to complete kits, we’ve rounded up creative examples to suit any experience level and budget.
Factors to Consider for Terrestrial Tarantula Enclosures
When setting up an enclosure for a terrestrial tarantula, there are a few key factors to keep in mind:
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Size – The enclosure should be at least 2-3 times the leg span of your tarantula This allows enough room for movement and burrowing
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Substrate – A deep substrate between 4-6 inches is ideal. This gives them material to dig and burrow in. Popular options include coconut fiber, top soil, vermiculite, etc.
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Ventilation – Good airflow is a must. The enclosure should have ventilation holes or mesh panels for cross ventilation.
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Decor – Add elements like hides, plants, wood, etc to enrich the environment. Make sure decor doesn’t take up too much floor space.
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Accessibility – Hinged doors or lids allow easy access for maintenance and feeding
Keeping these factors in mind will help you set up an ideal home for your tarantula’s needs! Now let’s look at some awesome setup inspirations.
1. Pink-Themed Glass Tank
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This 10-gallon aquarium tank has been decorated with a fun pink theme. The blue substrate and pink hides provide nice color contrast. Using aquariums offers excellent visibility into the enclosure. The screen top allows for ventilation.
2. Naturalistic Driftwood Setup
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Driftwood, leaves, and plants give this enclosure a very natural look. Stacked wood pieces make great hides and climbing opportunities. The mix of substrates adds visual interest. Cross ventilation is achieved through the mesh panels on the top.
3. Acrylic Enclosure with Cork Bark
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The cork bark hideout matches nicely with the natural substrate in this acrylic tank. Acrylic offers a lightweight and affordable option. The sliding acrylic doors make access easy while preventing escape.
4. Basic Glass Aquarium Setup
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For beginners, a basic aquarium with coco fiber substrate and a simple hide is a perfectly suitable setup. The screen top allows for plenty of ventilation. Lift-out dividers make accessing and maintaining the tank simple.
5. Arboreal Glass Enclosure
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While made for arboreals, this tall 18x18x36 inch Exo Terra works well for terrestrial species wanting some height. Cross ventilation comes from the front vents and screen top. The hinged doors provide easy access.
6. Fossorial Species Tank
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With a 18 inch depth and lots of substrate, this enclosure is ideal for fossorial tarantula species that like to burrow. Ventilation is provided through the mesh lid. The sliding doors give easy maintenance access.
7. Juvenile Enclosure
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For spiderlings and juvenile tarantulas, small enclosures around 6 inches help them find food easily while preventing escape. Simple is best with just substrate and a small hide. Make sure to upgrade the enclosure as they grow.
8. Cylinder Acrylic Tank
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The unique cylinder design gives this 5.5 gallon acrylic tank visual interest. A cylinder provides ample floor space. Cross ventilation comes from the mesh top and acrylic slits down the sides.
9. Coffin-Shaped Enclosure
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These coffin-style enclosures are a neat choice for terrestrial tarantulas. The U-shaped doors provide easy front access. The 9x6x4 inch size is suitable for many beginner species.
10. Basic Cube Setup
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Nothing fancy about this simple cube enclosure, but it has everything a tarantula needs. 6 inches of substrate allows for burrowing. Moss hide adds a natural touch. Cross ventilation comes from the wire mesh top.
11. Skeleton Theme Glass Tank
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This tank has been decorated according to a fun skeleton theme. The bones and “haunted house” decorations add interest while providing hides. An under tank heater on one side creates a heat gradient.
12. Natural Terrarium with Cork Bark
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This Exo Terra terrarium mimics a natural habitat with its curved front, compact size, and realistic decor. The cork bark offers hides and climbing opportunities. Front doors allow easy access inside the tank.
13. Planted Glass Vivarium
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Live plants not only look great, but help maintain humidity and air quality. Make sure plants are tarantula-safe. Backgrounds like this carved foam stone add impressive scale to a tank.
14. Acrylic Display Case
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These horizontal acrylic display cases showcase tarantulas like living works of art. Excellent for shows and exhibitions, they allow maximum visibility with ample ventilation from the slatted front vents.
15. Bioactive Vivarium
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Bioactive setups take the natural look a step further by including clean up crews that help break down waste and maintain the soil quality. Live plants help filter the air. Mist king systems automate humidity and moisture.
Setting Up Your Own Terrestrial Tarantula Enclosure
As you can see, there are tons of options when creating terrestrial tarantula enclosures! Focus on the basics like size, substrate, ventilation and access first. Then get creative with decor, themes, and layouts. Be sure to size up enclosures as your tarantula grows.
What enclosure idea are you most excited to try for your next tarantula habitat? Let us know in the comments!
Ventilating the enclosure
First off, if you find yourself making a lot of DIY tarantula cages, then immediately head over to Amazon and invest in a soldering iron. The one I use is manufactured by J&L, and it costs just over $10 (money VERY well spent).
Using the soldering iron, I make a series of holes horizontally starting about an inch below the lip of the container. As you’ll be housing large juveniles to adults in this setup, you can use a bit more pressure on the iron to make larger holes. I will do about five to six rows of these on each side, spacing the holes about 1/4″ apart or so. For the arboreal enclosure, you are going to have more vertical space, so it’s okay to put holes lower on the side of the enclosure. However, for a fossorial species, you’ll want to keep the holes toward the top to allow for adequate substrate depth.
You can add holes to the other sides as well if you prefer, but keep in mind that if you’re trying to create a micro-climate, too much ventilation will make it very difficult for you to maintain optimum conditions. I do not add holes on the lid, as this just allows moisture to evaporate faster.
Add the substrate.
This one is pretty self-explanatory. For an arboreal enclosure, you want to add 2-3″ of packed-down substrate. Appropriate substrate can be coco fiber (Eco-earth), peat, organic (no animal products added) top soil, or any mixture of the those. For more on substrates, feel free to check out this link.
Where I get the BEST TARANTULA ENCLOSURES
FAQ
How big should a terrestrial tarantula enclosure be?
As a general rule of thumb, the enclosure should be at least three times the leg span of your tarantula.Jan 17, 2024
What type of enclosure is best for a tarantula?
A small, secure environment is essential for spiderlings to feel safe and reduce stress. Using a small plastic, acrylic or glass enclosure with air holes can provide the perfect space for a spiderling to thrive.
Do terrestrial tarantulas need cross ventilation?
A good starting point when dealing with humidity is to make sure there is enough cross ventilation. Great ventilation mixed with a higher humidity does not lead to growth of mold. On the other hand, with improper ventilation and a higher humidity, your tarantula’s home will become a breeding ground for molds.