making a TERRIBLE tarantula enclosure with Petsmart only products 

It is fun looking back at how we evolve as keepers over the years. I prefer the fancy enclosures...but honestly my tarantulas could care less.

"Do we really need to argue about dirt?" 🤣🤣🤣 I personally mix my own soil medium, and I find coco fiber to be an awesome material to throw in to the mix for sponge-iness.

"Do we really need to argue about dirt??" Lol... this is the internet. Yes, yes we do : )

No joke, when you pointed n said oh no at those horrid hamster cages I thought for a second "wait why are there kids toys in petsma- oh wait oh no"

In my very very limited experience, I took the time to set up a gorgeous enclosure for my G. Pulchra and he just bulldozed it, and continues to bulldoze it into a new shape every few weeks. He didn't care what it looked like, just that he had the tools to express his artistic vision apparently. I've resorted to bottlecap water dishes because he's buried so many and he'll really stack dirt up on them, so I don't want to pull them out and dislodge this week's new cave system. I think it's great, he's always up to something.

Kat with her hamster: they’ll love that, ooh they’ll love that! Me with my rats: they’ll hate this- they’ll look at me like I’ve insulted them if I buy this. Haha

Bro this isn't a petsmart enclosure, there's too much substrate...

for all the haters, my Cyriopagopus vonwirthi is in a large critter keeper with lots of substrate and is doing just fine. it's comfortable as ever and happy!

There's not just ONE WAY to a lot of things.. I wish people were more open minded to that. Clearly if someone is being neglectful and just are treating living things as toys, yeah, maybe school them. But when someone is really doing their best and constantly researching, I think we need to give encouragement to people in this community. Not hostility. Love your videos!!

That's it, I'm getting a tarantula.

My tarantulas live in plastic fish tanks u could put the in a card box and they wouldn't care love the video hugs from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Hello! Erin from your Patreon here 😊 thanks for sparking my interest in tarantulas and jumping spiders! I now have 5 jumping spiders and 3 tarantula slings. 🖤🖤

Hilarious. I’ve worked at PetSmart for some years now and the staff generally hates those Tiny Tale dinosaur, etc. cages 😂 I hate the one reptile plant too but it’s like all we have 🤦🏻‍♂️ I got my first T ever (and 2 others this week, not from PetSmart mind you lol) after following yours and the Tarantula Collective videos for weeks! My A. chalcodes is in a basic Critter Keeper for now (I think the nicer acrylic one I got her is much too big right now, but I love the kits I got from Jamie’s Tarantulas for my B. hamorii sling and G. pulchra ♥️

Oh, the enclosures are DEFINITELY just for us. I bought my P. muranis a 3d printed/handpainted Skyrim standing stone from Etsy as a decor item that doubles as a hide since it's hollow, and Pumpkin webbed it up to Oblivion, just like the frostbite spiders in the game! I tucked the standing stone against the back corner and it created a web tunnel that leads directly down into the bottom where it can disappear into the hide. It also spends a lot of time out and about on the stone itself. Meanwhile, I went for just a water dish and some cork for my C. albostriatus, because he's a diggy boy and I wanted him to have deep substrate.

THANK YOU for making this and sending the message that an enclosure that is more aesthetically pleasing does NOT mean that it’s ‘healthier’ for the Tarantula it houses. Thank you for reiterating that YES coco fiber is FINE! Always love you and your videos. 💕

You’ve seemed really happy/upbeat lately:) glad to see it!

I appreciate your perspective on cheap vs. expensive. "$40, that's so expensive..." For me, it drives home that even pets that don't cost as much as others will still cost you money and folks need to prepare for it ❤️

I've seen some photos of people using critter keepers with really nice shelves and I won't lie the colorful lids is very appealing to me, but I still love the tarantula cribs enclosures haha

i've used coco fiber with all my pothos in enclosures and they do just fine :) but pothos will do just fine in almost any condition! side note your hair looks so nice and shiny

I was watching petkos video earlier about how bad petsmarts top tips for spiders and scorpions is. Kat you always seem to upload the same time I go to bed and it's perfect time 👍

"Even Tom Moran uses critter keepers" 😂😂 that made me laugh

The dog in the background is very very smol cute and adorable

random funny story...during the heart of covid lockdowns we got this stuff called authority dog food from local food distrubutions, I guess Petsmart would donate it. Its fancier than the other brand we were giving our dogs, but they went nuts over it. So now, that's all I feed them. Also got the cat food for our cats too and they love it. They also don't poop as much eating it. Sorry for the TMI and the weird rant. Not sure why they love the petsmart food. I tried some high end stuff off Chewy, but none of them cared for that at all

omg just starting this & i’m already READY

"Wow you can already tell there are differences going on" LOL I almost peed my pants.

As a beginner keeper your videos mean the world to me. I keep my babies in a mix of peat moss and sand. Why? Because peat is cheap where I live and it's basically the same type of soil usually found in a forest. I find that it also holds moisture really well. The sand is there for some extra stability and texture. My slings seem to really appreciate it as they dig a lot and burrow. All but my C Darlingi who seems to think that she's an arboreal. Beautiful video, Kat. Stay safe and take care 👍.

I love how natural your enclosures look now! Especially making a lot of them bio active is awesome! Bravo!!!

The tarantula doesn't even know where it is most of the time ( im pretty sure).... It definitely won't care if it's in a critter keeper, as long as it's a big enough container.

My tarantula sling is really enjoying the coco fiber. I can’t wait to rehouse it when it’s bigger so I can decorate its little house to appeal to my eyes 😂

I love these type of videos 😂😂

I'm impressed at how calm those t albos were! Mine are absolute maniacs lol

Great video idea, Kat! It's neat to see how naturalistic you've gone with your enclosures. Not that the Ts care, of course, but I agree real plants, bark, and moss is much nicer to look at. Don't get me wrong, though- no one should feel ashamed about how their enclosures _look_ so long as the Ts needs are met!

I think this is my favorite video so good, amazing, a real chefs kiss

I just got a couple of critter keepers from my sister (she retired from tarantulas lol) and you best believe I am using them for enclosures! I also love finding my own containers to use as well. You gotta get creative in the hobby!

Great video. The care is really more in keeping them hydrated and fed appropriately. Watching for issues as well which you do a great job. You are very good at what you do and I enjoy watching your videos. People that are trolls and start arguments should find something more productive to do.

It’s obvious! They can barely see shadows in black and white …. They absolutely don’t care about the “look” of their enclosures! I totally agree with you. Thanks for the video, it’s always a pleasure seeing you and your little cute animals! ❤️❤️❤️

Love this. There are so many good ways to keep tarantulas. You have to find what works best for you.

Omg shopping asmr you’ve given me heaven and the fatality edit had me geeking lol

So happy I found this channel💞

I like the fact you stress, that the T dose not care about what the enclosure looks like.People get caught up in their enclosures thinking that the T will not like it.

I have the most stubborn curly hair in thee WORLD thank you very much!!! I built her an absolutely beautiful bio enclosure with moss & plants & a gorgeous stone hide I made myself, she has a whimsical living tree sculpture and after 2 wks of having her & her hiding constantly...she spent 3 nights building the most impressive dirt curtain ever, COMPLETELY entombing herself inside the hide. This curtain is a solid 1-2 inches thick!!! She also hasn't eaten since the end of Feb, it's now mid March. She's not due for a molt till Jan/Feb & she's only 3 & 1/2 yo. So I pretty much spent $100 (spider, enclosure, etc) to look into a terrarium full of plants!🤨

Great videos! Glad to be a new sub!

You really created a great presentation. So many options even for an only products from "Dollar Tree" presentation. You always make photogenic videos. My Curly Hair is always "Hi, can I come out and play?" They really are great tarantulas.

Hahaha! You tickle me Kat!! Happy Ts regardless. Very few of us old-timers haven't used Critter Keepers. Some of us still do! ❣️

You are becoming one of my regular goto’s to watch!! 🕷🕸 loving the content!!! Maybe one day I’ll rescue a spidey 🤔

Really cool comparison vid!

This reminds me about fish keepers and decoration debates.

I have to admit, ai use faunariums because they are inexpensive and I'd rather spend my money on Ts or mantids. All mine are doing great and growing fine. They don't care as long as there is nice deep substrate to dig in, a hunk of corkbark to hide under, and a water dish to put all that lovely substrate in... they live like royalty with their human slave (that's me!) making food offerings regularly and paparazzing them with photos to share with the other T slaves of the world. So ya, Life is good. 😉

Not going to lie, I have the same exact hunt for my juvenile Arizona blonde.

Kat flexes her husbandry skillz.... boss. You cute.

critter keeper only matters if you need more humidity, they dry out fast in my town. So just do the right T in it, I keep a Desert Blonde in one.

I love that your proving the point of “Your Tarantula Does Not Care!” I have a small collection of 10 T’s, ranging from mature adults to slings. I also have all kinds of enclosures ranging from exoterras, to zoo meds, and critter keepers. Heck, I have some of my slings in converted spice jars and plastic crayon boxes I had just laying around my house. They are healthy and growing.

Yay new video >.< I got my coffee ready

Oh! And you even mention the plastic plant!! Hahaha

Great vid kat...quickly proved a point..

My only concern is that the coco fibre will mold due to the humidity. Other than that, the spiders will not care. I love how lazy they were. All part of their personality.

Love your videos! Never through I would want a tarantula but you have changed my mind! As soon as I can find a Heartbutt, I will be getting one! Can't find one anywhere! 😭😭

I love it. And kinda amazing timing for a rehousing of this style. 😍 jumping spider spiderlings are the cutest little things... Couldnt resist an attempt at keeping (Though i have something other than a kritter keeper- it was designed for ants but... Student poverty 😅 and the space is still a dixie cup and then some even though its 2/3 damp substrate, with sphagna(?) moss, and fake leaves to climb and jump around on. Feeding it flightless gnats until it gets bigger)

you and petko got me really into tarantulas and spider and that also got me into more exotic pets and I hope I can get over my fear of spiders soon, I also managed to get a male jumping spider! (Hyllus diardi) Thank you for being such an inspiration and sharing your passion!

I hope NO ONE buys that plastic-toy hamster cage thingy! that look so bad and I can tell that whoever hamster is in there, would be so miserable and shame on the pet owners 😠

I have to many pets atm. Ima have to wait a few years but wow this is always good to know. I def prefer the glow up! I don’t think it’s necessary but I think maki g your enclosures look natural for the animal is always a benifit! Lovely video!

props for trying to prove a point and maintaining a somewhat cool head through it

Wow, we got people doing gang wars over dirt? Lol

Little did those trolls (for lack of a better word) know how much support and content they've generated for your channel! I absolutely _love_ it- turn it around to your advantage!! Woo! 😁

I literally just moved my curly hair tarantula into a new enclosure and then you posted this video LOL

Yes... Abso freakn lootly we do haftoo argue about dirt🤣🤣. I watch alot of house flipping shows and I believe you've done great jobs on both T homes. Both are lovely🤣🤣. Tyfs God bless you

Thank you for making this video. ❤️

I just rescued a Goliath bird eater and a curly hair tarantula from PetCo. Honestly I think both enclosures are nice. Is the Tarantula Crib one nicer than the critter keeper? Yes. But it’s also about 3x the price. I would like to upgrade some of my T’s into TC enclosures. But I also have some T’s that will grow bigger than even the largest TC enclosure. I think whatever you choose to keep your T’s in is fine as long as you are meeting the T’s needs and keeping it clean.

The one on left with glass water and real plant looks classy.

I've been using the Zilla enclosures, and I love them! I used to use critter keepers a lot, but there's just a nice aesthetic with the acrylic ones, and I love that I can make everything match. I use Eco earth on most of my enclosures, haven't had any real issues yet. Substrate wars are always going on in the hobby. I just want whatever the best option is, without the drama.

Both are amazing✨✨

hahah i loved this! too funny and absolutely true

i love how actual hamster owners and horror hamster owners cringe at petsmart's cages.

Do we need to argue about dirt? LOL that had me cracking up.

At work let’s go!

Newbie here… I’m not a spider fan but I’m definitely intrigued with your Chanel

Personally like the critter keepers. Most of my spiders are slings or juveniles so the larger ones for me are nice. And stackable. I worry about stacking the acrylic ones.

I hope no case of arachnid jealousy arises

Awww, you remind me of my daughter, her favourite colour was purple 💜 also

Oh God, seeing that "you need to leave" meme. That legit happened in the town that I went to high school in.

First,great video Kat,as always. So entertaining and well thought out.You have a nice way about you.And are far prettier than Tom,Petko,and Richard to look at. Only kidding guys,only kidding. Loved the idea taking us shopping,shopping, didn't have to fork anything out.....this time.Just to jump in here. The critter keepers and other plastic cages around,enables young folks or people who don't have a lot of disposable money to spend on a new hobby, to get into snakes,lizards,tarantulas,etc rather inexpensively. Not everyone has $50 to spend for a spider and another $50 for an elaborate cage.

I jus got my first tarantula 6 mo ago mexican red rump.. he burrows alot i like feeding it through the whole it made..

so basically the prince and the poor ahahahahah

I fully agree with you kat as long as there is a hide and the moisture is correct to the T anything will do really. Spiders live in all sorts of places think on how many T’s have been found living inside buildings where there is no substrate.

Thank u kat the T don't care as long as it's fed and not bothered lol I have Ts in critter keepers and they are thriving

YAY!!!!!!!! THANK YOU FOR THE SHOUT OUT!!!!! ( MILINA)

If there's just fuzz where your hamster was, it's probably because of tarantulas 🎵

Kat you should totally get a tan jumping spider there so cute and get about 1 inch big and are super easy to take care of

Honestly, you are so brave going into PetSmart 😂 Seriously though, that place makes my anxiety SKYROCKET. Like, just seeing their hamster line makes me feel like I'm going to implode

The tarantula cribs enclosures looks nice but id personally never buy one they are to expensive lol.

Do you use lights for your tarantulas pothos or is the light from the room enough?

On top of the tarantula, being able to thrive in either set up , also depending on what the keeper can afford A cheaper, less a aesthetically pleasing or a more expensive prettier enclosure. It's more on you as a keeper for what works for you

I usually go to Petsmart for tarantula feeders since a lot of times they’re out at Petco. I will probably have to watch because all four, three slings, one juvenile are all in pre-molt and not eating

Love that’s sank

Good for you! Spot on! 90% of what the deli-cup cowboys obsess about DOESN'T MATTER! Another great vid...

I'm totally not staring at the same coconut hut and water dish I have during this video...

Kat can I say thank you, you out of all the T youtubers have helped me with my fear of spiders to the point I now own T's myself and I am truly grateful for that, I have watched you, dark den and exotics lair for a few years now and only discovered Dave's little beasties and tarantula collective about 5 months ago. I think you are all amazing and give different tips, I'm now subbed to about 30 different T keepers 😅😅 seeing the passion you all have definitely inspired me 😁. To all the haters please go and hate something else, the T community doesnt need your negativity in it. Seriously Kat dont beat yourself about that troll anyone with half a brain knows you are a good keeper and care about all of your animals. tbh I can imagine the trolls have never kept any inverts. Only person who can judge you is yourself. You are an asset to the yt T keeping community. I hope you and everyone else has an amazing weekend 😊

Ok Kat, I just watched your video & loved it! But the next video that loaded was your skeleton leg enclosure. Where you actually then upgraded it. It kinda shows some reasons why we like the upgrading. Watch again & see. Both the same enclosures are used. Isn’t it ironic? Don’t ya think? . Lol 😝

Great video