Exo Terra Explorarium - thoughts?

Spinster · Oct 18, 2014

I was given the smallest size of one of these: http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/explorarium.php

Basically it's made of fine nylon mesh and has openings at the top and the bottom. There's a plastic cover for the bottom for substrates. I thought it might make a good enclosure for arboreals. I like the fact that it has a hook inside to hang plants etc. I also like that it can be hung from the ceiling - a bonus in a household with cats! I'm wondering if the nylon mesh would provide too much ventilation. I believe part of the outside of the enclosure could be covered in plastic if needed.

Anyway - has anyone ever used this type of enclosure for T's, or would it be unsuitable?

Spepper · Oct 18, 2014

Wouldn't a tarantula be able to chew out of that real quick?

High Lord Dee · Oct 18, 2014

I would be concerned about two things:

1.) Humidity - Unless you keep your spider room at the proper humidity, it would be very difficult to regulate humidity in this enclosure
2.) Snags - The claws seem like they would get snagged in the mesh and that could damage the spider.

I would go with a praying mantis if you want to give this a shot.

Spinster · Oct 18, 2014

Spepper said:
Wouldn't a tarantula be able to chew out of that real quick?

The mesh seems pretty heavy duty, though I seem to remember reading somewhere that a T can can chew through steel screens? Here are a couple of close up pics:

If this enclosure is no good for a T, then maybe I'll just have to explore the option of getting a chameleon! (I've wanted one for years anyway.)

---------- Post added 10-18-2014 at 12:12 PM ----------

High Lord Dee said:
I would be concerned about two things:

1.) Humidity - Unless you keep your spider room at the proper humidity, it would be very difficult to regulate humidity in this enclosure
2.) Snags - The claws seem like they would get snagged in the mesh and that could damage the spider.

I would go with a praying mantis if you want to give this a shot.

I hadn't thought of snags, good point! For humidity my thought was to cover part of the outside with plastic, even plastic wrap. I also thought of keeping some plastic plants in there and misting them at least once per day.

A praying mantis is an interesting idea. I will have to do some research, as I've never seen them in "formal" captivity. (Informal = me keeping them temporarily in jars as a kid). I could also keep a small lizard, preferably an arboreal to take advantage of the cage height. Lights can be hung inside this cage as well.

High Lord Dee · Oct 18, 2014

Spinster said:
The mesh seems pretty heavy duty, though I seem to remember reading somewhere that a T can can chew through steel screens? Here are a couple of close up pics:

If this enclosure is no good for a T, then maybe I'll just have to explore the option of getting a chameleon! (I've wanted one for years anyway.)

---------- Post added 10-18-2014 at 12:12 PM ----------

I hadn't thought of snags, good point! For humidity my thought was to cover part of the outside with plastic, even plastic wrap. I also thought of keeping some plastic plants in there and misting them at least once per day.

A praying mantis is an interesting idea. I will have to do some research, as I've never seen them in "formal" captivity. (Informal = me keeping them temporarily in jars as a kid). I could also keep a small lizard, preferably an arboreal to take advantage of the cage height. Lights can be hung inside this cage as well.

Well keep me posted. I have some really small mantises in my collection now but may consider one of these in the event that I go with a larger species. Thanks.

timisimaginary · Nov 5, 2014

seems small for a regular-sized chameleon, but could be good for some pygmy chameleons.

Poec54 · Nov 8, 2014

T's chew thru screen, even aluminum screen. They'd have no problem chewing a hole in that. Remember these animals can dig tunnels thru several feet of hard soils.

Exo Terra Explorarium - thoughts?

Spinster

Arachnosquire

Spepper

Arachnodemon

High Lord Dee

Arachnosquire

Spinster

Arachnosquire

High Lord Dee

Arachnosquire

timisimaginary

Arachnosquire

Poec54

Arachnoemperor