Author: BackwaterReptiles

Do Tarantulas Need UV Lighting?

~ BackwaterReptiles

Do pet tarantulas need UV lighting as part of their enclosure?

Pet tarantulas are popular for many reasons. Some people like the way they look. Others enjoy the fear factor associated with them. Many simply love that they are low maintenance pets. But a very commonly asked question we get when people are considering getting their own pet tarantula is whether or not it’s necessary to provide them with UV lighting.

In this article, we will explore why it’s not necessary to provide your spider with UV lights. We will also talk about what the reasons are that some owners choose to use lighting set ups for their arachnids anyways.

do tarantulas need uv lighting

Your tarantula does not require UV lighting

Truthfully, most species of tarantula are the most active at night. The sun and other bright lights certainly don’t harm them any more than they would any other animal, but in general, wild tarantulas prefer darker environments. This is why when they are kept as pets, it’s not necessary to provide your tarantula with UV lighting.

In fact, tarantula cages should not be kept in direct sunlight. Spiders should also always be provided with a retreat where they can go to hide if they choose.

Why do some tarantula owners use lights?

Because different spiders have slightly different enclosure requirements and do better with different humidities and temperatures, some owners choose to use lights to regulate variables within the enclosure.

Lights do not need to produce UV rays, but some tarantula keepers use lights to help raise the temperature within the enclosure. This is especially useful for people who live in colder climates or like to keep the ambient temperature in their home rather cool.

Lights can also be useful to create a natural night and day Circadian rhythm. For many spiders, this can help feeding responses, molt timings and other natural functions occur on schedule and with no hiccups.

Another reason a tarantula owner might wish to use lights is to regulate humidity. Some spiders are burrowers, some are arboreal and others are desert dwellers. Lighting that creates heat can help moisture evaporate from substrate to create the proper humidity that your spider requires.

juvenile antilles pink toe tarantula
Keep in mind that different tarantula species have different environment requirements to stay healthy. Some owners will choose to use lighting to help meet those requirements.

What items should your tarantula enclosure include?

So if my tarantula doesn’t need UV lights to be healthy, what does it need in order to thrive in captivity?

First, when you decide to care for a tarantula, make sure you know whether it is arboreal or terrestrial. Arboreal spiders need cages that have more vertical space, while terrestrial spiders need cages that have more floor space. So your biggest order of business before deciding whether or not to use lights is a proper cage.

Tarantula enclosures also need substrate. What kind you get will be determined by what type of spider you have. Typically, coconut husk and potting soil mixtures work well for most species.

A hide is another essential piece of furniture within your spider’s enclosure. The hiding spot needs to be big enough to conceal the tarantula, but not too heavy that it could injure it. Spiderlings need a hide too, but exercise caution when choosing. It needs to be light weight and practical in addition to functional.

A water dish or water source is something else that you should include, even though most tarantula owners never see their pet getting a drink. Spiderlings shouldn’t have a full water dish for safety reasons, but you can put a moist sponge in a small dish within the cage. Larger spiders are not usually at risk to drown, so a normal lightweight water dish should suffice.

Depending on which spider species you own, you will need to regulate temperature and humidity. This is where research comes into play and whether or not you wish to use lights to obtain the proper specs.

antilles pink toe spiderling

Nighttime lighting for your tarantula

Because most tarantulas are most active at night, you’ll want to keep it pretty dark in order for them to comfortably eat and explore. But you can still watch your tarantula if you use night time lights that are specially created just for this purpose.

Night viewing light bulbs simulate moonlight and allow owners to observe their pets when the lights go out. They are especially useful for night time feedings or if you want to sneakily observe your tarantula during the molting process.

exa terra night heat lamp
Bulbs such as the one pictured can help keep temperatures up at night and also allow for owners to view their pet during times when they are most active.

Conclusion

In the wild, tarantulas tend to avoid harsh light and are most active at night. This means that when they are kept as pets in captivity, UV lighting that mimics the rays of the sun is not necessary for their wellbeing.

Bear in mind that some tarantula owners do use various forms of lighting to help regulate variables such as temperature and humidity within their spider’s enclosure. There are also night time viewing lights that allow owners to watch their spiders at night while still mimicking normal night/day cycle patterns.

Ultimately, the choice on whether or not to utilize lights for your pet tarantula depends on your unique circumstances.

Are Tarantulas Good Pets?

are tarantulas good pets
~ BackwaterReptiles

Do tarantulas and spiders make good pets?

Are you considering a pet tarantula but you’re not sure if a spider would suit your lifestyle, home and family? We always encourage research to make sure you can physically care for an animal before adopting, but overall, if you are prepared, we feel tarantulas can make excellent pets.

are tarantulas good pets
Tarantulas can be great pets if you are familiar with their body language, habits and care requirements.

Are tarantulas good pets for beginners?

Some species of tarantula can make great pets for beginners. There are quite a few species such as Rosehair tarantulas (Grammostola rosea), Mexican Redknee tarantulas (Brachypelma smithi) and Brazilian Black tarantulas (Grammostola pulchra) that are known for their calm demeanors. They are less likely to be aggressive and more inclined to allow themselves to be handled.

As far as actual care requirements go, nearly all tarantulas are very low maintenance. They need very little other than a place to hide, food, water and a basic enclosure to thrive. In other words, you don’t have to do a lot as an owner to make a pet tarantula happy. This means that they can be good for young ones who are just learning about the responsibilities of owning a pet.

Just keep in mind that certain species of spider are not suitable for beginners. These are usually the more aggressive species such as Goliath Bird Eaters, King Baboons and Orange Baboons. Because these species are typically more aggressive, we usually only recommend them as display pets that are not handled. Ultimately, this usually means that they are best kept by more experienced arachnid owners.

Tarantulas are pets that should mostly be kept in their enclosure, however there are some species that enjoy time outside their enclosure to explore.

What should I know before getting a pet tarantula?

As far as exotic pets are concerned, be aware that tarantulas are pretty dull. Unless it’s meal time, they feel threatened, or they are molting, they don’t do a whole lot other than chill out. Some even prefer to remain hidden throughout the day when we are awake, so you might not even see your spider all that often.

We also like to advise people that although tarantulas can be handled and some don’t even seem to mind people at all, they cannot be tamed. They are not a domesticated animal and their behavior cannot be predicted with 100 percent accuracy. They can’t be “trusted” and don’t expect your tarantula to bond with you the way a cat or dog or even an iguana might. They are simply not capable of it.

Another thing to keep in mind when considering whether or not a tarantula is a good pet for you is that they are venomous and can be dangerous. While their venom is really only extremely harmful to small children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, tarantulas can and will bite if they feel the need to do so. Therefore, there is always inherent risk in owning a pet tarantula.

Tarantulas can live quite a long time, depending upon the gender and the age at which you acquire the spider. Certain species can live longer than a dog or cat. Be mindful of this commitment when purchasing a tarantula.

Lastly, if you are squeamish about insects at all or don’t want live insects in your house, a tarantula would not make a good pet for you. Tarantulas eat live insects such as roaches, mealworms, crickets and wax worms. You will need to either keep a supply of your own on hand or purchase live insects frequently from a supplier in order to feed your spider.

purple pink toe tarantula sling
Spiderlings are very fast and can be shy and skittish. Exercise extreme caution if you decide to handle yours.

What can I expect from a pet tarantula?

As we’ve already established, tarantulas are mostly display pets. They shouldn’t be held or moved from their cage too frequently as it tends to stress them out and can be potentially dangerous to both owner and spider. So don’t expect a loving bond with your tarantula.

You can expect your spider to be secretive and hide a lot during the day. Most species are most active at night and stay burrowed or in a dark space when they are not hunting.

Mealtime will usually be a fun experience when you own a pet tarantula. It’s fascinating to observe your spider catching and eating insects.

If you obtain your tarantula as a baby or spiderling, you can expect it to grow quickly. Young spiders molt a lot as they grow so you will be able to witness this amazing process. Tarantulas can even regrow lost limbs during molts!

What species of tarantula should I get?

So, you’ve decided that a pet tarantula is a good fit for you and your household. Now comes the tougher part – what species should you select?

Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you. We even wrote a separate blog article discussing what we think are the best pet tarantulas.

However, each owner will have different experience levels and traits they are looking for in a pet spider. The list we supplied is by no means all inclusive.

If you’re in the market for something more exotic, browse our selection of tarantulas for sale on our website. You will be able to see tarantulas that come in many sizes and colors and make your own educated decision on the species that would make the best pet for you.

brazilian salmon pink birdeater close u
Tarantulas can make great pets if you are prepared to care for an arachnid.

Conclusion

We always encourage potential buyers of exotic pets to do their research prior to getting any kind of animal. Make sure you can properly deal with the animal’s food, housing and human interaction requirements before you commit.

That being said, tarantulas can make excellent pets for the right kind of people. If you’re into creepy, crawly, multi-limbed invertebrates that eat living insects, a tarantula could be a good fit. They don’t actually require much maintenance and they don’t need to be walked, handled or given attention frequently (or at all.)

So, what’s our final verdict on whether or not a tarantula is a good pet? YES! They are certainly great for people who want a pet that requires minimal effort and enjoy watching their pet rather than playing with it. A tarantula won’t play fetch with you, cuddle you on your couch or go on vacation with you, but it can provide satisfaction in its own spidery way.

Will My Amphibian Glow?

~ BackwaterReptiles

Did you know that new research has just revealed that many species of amphibian are fluorescent?

Scientists have just discovered that many species of amphibians have the ability to glow when they absorb a certain type of blue light and then are photographed with special lenses. However, while your pet frog, salamander or siren might possess the ability to glow, you likely won’t ever be able to witness this phenomenon unless you possess special equipment.

This frog appears radioactive, although it has only been exposed to blue light.

What exactly has the new research found?

According to biologists at St. Cloud University in Minnesota, Jennifer Lamb and Matt Davis, many, or maybe even all, amphibians including frogs, salamanders, toads and their distant cousins are fluorescent! Humans just are unable to see this glowing without special equipment.

It’s no secret that other species such as jellyfish, chameleons, scorpions, corals, penguins and even sea turtles are bioluminescent. (Bioluminescence, by the way, is different than fluorescence. Bioluminescence is when the animal emits its own light using chemical processes or the help of other creatures such as bacteria.) However, when it comes to land-based animals, scientists have mainly studied through the lens of UV lights.

Amphibians have been discovered to be fluorescent under blue light, which is more typically found in deep sea habitats. What this means is that you can only see the animal glowing after shining the light on it and allowing it to absorb the light and emit a responsive wavelength. This is likely why no one has really suspected that amphibians possessed this trait until now.

The scientist team at St. Cloud essentially ran around after dark in an aquarium testing various amphibian species. They found that all of them glowed, even in different life phases.

Different amphibians glow differently, but it seems to be a fairly universal trait amongst them.

What does the discovery that amphibians glow mean for practical applications?

The bottom line is that research is usually not done just for the sake of gaining knowledge. Most intense studies are conducted with the hopes of learning something astounding that could lead to new developments in technology, particularly in the fields of medicine and conservation.

Thus far, it can be deduced that because fluorescence is such a wide-spread trait in amphibians, it must have developed early on in the evolution of the amphibians as a group. However, scientists have yet to figure out the cause or purpose of this interesting discovery.

Researchers are also thinking that the area that glows could be a good indicator as to its function or functions. For instance, certain species were rather dull when exposed to the light, but their cloaca (place where amphibians eliminate waste and mate) glowed strongly. This might serve as a cue in mating rituals. Salamanders tend to glow on their bellies but not their backs, which could be an indicator to potential predators to avoid eating them.

Scientists aren’t exactly sure if other animals that aren’t amphibians can see the fluorescence that is emitted. Different species have different adaptations and particularities in their vision that might enable or disable them from being able to see an amphibian’s glowing.

Previous examples like the development of a green fluorescent protein used in medicinal applications won the Nobel prize for chemistry in 2008. Therefore, the hope is that this discovery could lead to a similar application. Perhaps it might lead to a new type of experimental imaging.

Another practical application for this discovery is much simpler and easier to understand for those of us who are not Nobel scientists. Field researchers who conduct studies on amphibians and their place in the ecosystem could use the fluorescent trait to locate tricky-to-find amphibians at night when they are most active. Perhaps the days of collecting and surveying specimens using a flashlight and net are over?

fluorescent salamander
The salamander on the left was photographed under normal conditions. The photo on the right shows the same salamander after being exposed to blue light.

Can I see my own pet amphibian glow at home?

Unfortunately, observing your pet frog glowing at home is not a very likely incident. You would need to possess the proper blue light emitter and the proper lens to see the filtration of that light after it’s been absorbed. It’s not as simple as shining a black light on your pet scorpion…which is another story and fun little experiment in and of itself!

So, while you can rest easy knowing that your pet frog, toad, salamander, siren or amphiuma is that much cooler because it fluoresces, you still won’t be able to reproduce the phenomena at home.

Conclusion

The discovery that amphibians can fluoresce is an exciting one for scientists. The potential applications are not only helpful but likely profitable in the right hands.

We’re all for anything that could potentially help conserve our planet’s precious amphibian friends, so hopefully scientists can delve deeper into this phenomenon and learn the why and how behind it.

Sources

Please note that all information and photographs of glowing amphibians are from the sources listed below.

https://www.wired.com/story/amphibians-glow

What Is the Best Pet Tree Frog?

best pet tree frogs
~ BackwaterReptiles

Given that we’ve already written our article discussing the best pet terrestrial frogs, now’s the time for us to delve into the topic of the best pet tree frogs. Our picks for the best pet tree frogs are: White’s Tree Frogs, Red Eyed Tree Frogs and Clown Tree Frogs.

White’s Tree Frogs as Pets

White’s Tree Frogs (Litoria caerulea), also known as Dumpy Tree Frogs, are our top pick for the best pet tree frog. These frogs are simply one of the cutest tree frogs around and they have a lot of personality, at least as much as you’d expect a frog to have. They are also the largest and heftiest of the frogs on this list, maxing out at around four inches in length.

White’s Tree Frogs are typically green and sort of pudgy or squished in appearance, although they can be blue-ish in tone, which is called “blue phase.” They can also have little white speckles known as “snowflakes.” But no matter what coloration your frog is, it’s bound to be adorable.

Many of the funny videos of frogs missing prey or accidentally biting their owner’s fingers during feeding time are of Dumpy Tree Frogs. These are quite amusing frogs and their antics are sure to delight.

white's tree frogs as pets
White’s Tree Frogs are one of the more social species of tree frog. They should still be handled with care or while wearing gloves, but overall they don’t mind human interaction.

We like to recommend White’s Tree Frogs as pets because they actually live quite a long time for such a small creature. In captivity and with the proper care, they can live for 20 years!

Another positive trait that we like to point out about these frogs is that they are gregarious. This means that you can keep multiple frogs together without encountering adverse affects, provided that they are all around the same size. Just be sure to provide plenty of food, water and space and they will coexist together quite happily.

We also feel that White’s Tree Frogs are the best pet tree frog because they are very forgiving when it comes to their habitat. Like all amphibians, they are still sensitive to changes, cleanliness, temperature and humidity in their enclosure, however this species of tree frog is very hardy and durable.

You can handle White’s Tree Frogs, although we always advise handling amphibians with sensitive skin while wearing gloves. Dumpies are typically not shy around people and are not known for being skittish or jumpy while being held.

If you think you’d like to get a Dumpy Tree Frog of your own, Backwater Reptiles sells Blue Phase White’s Tree Frogs and Normal White’s Tree Frogs.

Red Eyed Tree Frogs as Pets

Red Eyed Tree Frogs (Agalychnis callidryas) are much smaller than White’s Tree Frogs, but what they might lack in size, they make up for in physical appearance. This is one striking species of tree frog! They are of course known for their trademark red eyes, but they also possess bright orange feet, vibrant green skin and bold blue and yellow/cream markings on their sides.

red eyed tree frogs as pets
As the picture shows, Red Eyed Tree Frogs possess very striking and memorable coloring.

Although you can pick them up and hold them, most Red Eyed Tree Frogs are shy and reclusive. They will spend the majority of the time during the day hanging out in the tree branches with their eyes closed tightly in a sleeping position. They are most active at night, which makes sense because in the wild, those bright red eyes would be extremely visible to predators during the day. Overall, we recommend keeping the handling of your Red Eyed Tree Frog to a minimum.

This species of tree frog will get between two to two and half inches in length. The females are larger than the males at maturity which can help differentiate between the genders. They live on average about five years in captivity.

Like the White’s Tree Frog, Red Eyed Tree Frogs can be housed communally. We do advise making sure that there are abundant sources of water, plenty of food to go around and lots of space for each frog to feel at home in the enclosure.

Purchase your own stunning Red Eyed Tree Frog here from Backwater Reptiles.

Clown Tree Frogs as Pets

Clown Tree Frogs (Hyla leucophyllata) are one of the rarer tree frog species on this list. They aren’t as well-known or highly recognized as the other species on this list, but we still think they belong on the list of best pet tree frogs.

We adore Clown Tree Frogs because of the amazing colorations they possess. Their markings can vary widely based on where the frog’s genes originate, but they all have a darker brown/pink/reddish skin with cream or yellow colored patterns.

clown tree frogs as pets
Although Clown Tree Frogs aren’t the most common tree frog kept as a pet, they are still fantastic creatures.

These tree frogs are known for their loud vocalizations at night, so be prepared for some froggy night music. They are also a bit more high maintenance in terms of their enclosure set ups than White’s Tree Frogs and Red Eyed Tree Frogs. If you are interested in a Clown Tree Frog, we advise starting out with an easier tree frog first to get the hang of amphibian habits and then moving onto the tricker, but equally rewarding, Clown Tree Frog.

Here’s a fun fact about Clown Tree Frogs: when the barometric pressure of the atmosphere changes due to an approaching storm, this species will tend to vocalize more!

If you are ready to own a Clown Tree Frog of your own, you can purchase one here.

Conclusion

Although there are many species of frogs that live on land or are mostly aquatic, this article focuses on the best pet tree frogs. We listed White’s Tree Frogs, Red Eyed Tree Frogs and Clown Tree Frogs as the species we view as the best pets.

Each of the frog species we discussed looks unique physically and many species can have different types of personalities. Some are more social, while others are secretive and would prefer to be display pets.

The tree frog species that makes the best pet for you or your family will ultimately be up to you and what your desires in a pet frog are.

What is your favorite species of tree frog? Do you think they make good pets? Tell us in the comments!

Best Feeder Insects for Reptiles

best feeder insects for reptiles
~ BackwaterReptiles

What are the best feeder insects for reptiles? What is the best type of reptile food? What should I feed my pet reptile?

Although reptiles will eat different insects based upon their size, age and species, carnivorous and insectivorous reptiles will generally do best when fed a varied diet of insects. At Backwater Reptiles, we think the best feeder insects are: crickets, roaches, hornworms and fruit flies.

Crickets as Feeder Insects

Crickets are the most common feeder insect and can be purchased at virtually every pet store. All carnivorous reptiles will eat crickets including turtles, smaller monitor lizards, leopard geckos and skinks.

Crickets make great reptile food because they are available in so many sizes. This means that they come in pinhead sizes and can be fed to smaller reptiles and amphibians like baby geckos and salamanders. Larger crickets are also easy to find and make good food for growing monitor lizards and voracious pacman frogs.

vitamin dusted crickets
It’s important to dust your feeder insects with a supplement that will vary based upon the type of reptile you own. Pictured are some crickets that have been mineral dusted prior to being eaten by some chameleons.

Once you have a batch of feeder crickets purchased and have taken them home, you likely won’t need the entire batch right away. Unless you have quite an extensive collection of herps or are a specialty breeder, you’ll need to keep the crickets for a few days as your pet consumes them. The good news is that they are easy to keep in a bucket or terrarium. All you need to do is provide a water-rich veggie for them to eat and drink from, such as a potato, and a place to hide.

If you want to learn more about the ins and outs of crickets as feeder insects, check out our blog article titled “Are Crickets Good Feeder Insects?”

Need to order crickets? Click here and you will find Backwater Reptiles sells crickets as feeder insects that come in a wide range of sizes…and they ship free!

Roaches as Feeder Insects

Roaches might sound like a strange reptile food, but truthfully, they are quite nutritious and reptiles love them. There are many species of roaches that could be fed to reptiles and amphibians, but we recommend Dubia roaches as the best choice.

Like crickets, Dubia roaches are available in a wide range of sizes which means that reptiles in all stages of life can eat them. They are great reptile food for chameleons, leopard geckos and many species of frog too.

There are many species of roach that are incredibly tasty to reptiles and amphibians. We highly recommend Dubia roaches as nutritious reptile food.

Some owners might be a bit surprised to find out that dubia roaches are a bit costlier than crickets or other more common feeder insects, but roaches are more nutritionally dense too. So although they might cost a little more, they are high in protein, low in fat and have a reasonable water content. They are actually quite a good value!

If you want to read an in depth article about why we recommend Dubia roaches as feeder insects, check out our blog article on the subject.

Backwater Reptiles sells feeder Dubia roaches here if you’re ready to order some for your pet reptile.

Hornworms as Feeder Insects

Hornworms, AKA Tobacco Hornworms or Goliath worms, are a species of caterpillar that transform into the Carolina Sphinx Moth. They are green with black stripes and a red spike on their rear end, which is where they got their common name.

Hornworms are one of the less common feeder insects on the market, but they still make excellent reptile and amphibian food.

Hornworms will plump up and grow into big juicy treats for your pet. They contain a lot of water, so they are excellent snacks to help your pet stay hydrated. At Backwater Reptiles, we use them as supplements to our chameleons’ diets. The chameleons enjoy eating the juicy caterpillars and it also helps them stay hydrated, which is something that needs to be monitored closely in order for your chameleons to stay healthy.

tobacco hornworms as feeder insects
Tobacco hornworms are very plump and juicy treats for many reptiles and amphibians.

Nutritionally, we do still advise feeding your reptile other more nutritionally dense insects such as crickets, mealworms or roaches. Hornworms are delicious to reptiles, but they are mostly water and therefore are not the best choice for a staple reptile food.

If you want to learn more about why hornworms are good feeder insects, check out our blog article on the subject. You can also order hornworms for your pet here on our website.

Fruit Flies as Feeder Insects

Due to their small size, fruit flies are not the most common feeder insect. The most common pet reptiles such as skinks, leopard geckos and monitor lizards are all too big, even as babies, to ever eat fruit flies. However, there are a ton of small herps such as pygmy chameleons, baby chameleons and dart frogs that still need to eat and fruit flies are a fantastic option.

There are two types of fruit flies that are used as reptile food – Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila hydei. Both are about the same size and have the same nutritional benefits, but if you want to compare and contrast the two species, check out our blog article that delves into detail on that topic.

fruit flies as feeder insects
Fruit flies come in a vial or small jar that contains everything the flies need to survive and reproduce.

Fruit flies are interesting feeder insects because when you order them, they are shipped in little vials containing complete ecosystems. The vials will have everything the flies need to thrive and even reproduce.

If you have a small exotic pet that needs very tiny food, you can order fruit flies from our website.

Conclusion

The type of feeder insect you give to your pet reptile might not be the same as what another herp owner feeds theirs. It’s good to vary the type of food your reptile eats because different insects contain different nutrients that your pet requires.

We recommend crickets and roaches as the best options for staple diet insects and other feeder insects make great treats and supplements. Don’t forget about the importance of gut-loading and dusting your feeder insects with vitamins and your reptile will thrive.

If you need any assistance ordering feeder insects or are wondering how to place an order for feeder insects, check out our blog article on the subject.