Incubation Substrate

If you are interested in keeping spiders as a pet you will need to purchase a substrate that is right for them.  The ProRep Vermiculite medium is ideal for this purpose.  It works as an incubation medium for reptile eggs as well. This is a one hundred percent natural product made out of exfoliated volcanic rock.  Since it is inert it cannot go mouldy or decay. So this makes it the perfect substrate for your spider or reptile eggs. When using the ProRep Vermiculite for a spider you will place the adequate amount of vermiculite in a clear container.  Cold water needs to be added a little at a time until the moisture content is correct.

Spiders require a layer of moisturised vermiculite in the bottom of a tank or terrarium.  If you have a burrowing species of spider you will want to use a different substrate that is designed for this type of spider. If you are using the ProRep Vermiculite as an incubation medium you will layer it differently.   The incubation medium should be thicker than used for a spider in the incubation box.  Reptile eggs should be placed in the vermiculite and have the top third exposed. When you move the eggs from an egg laying site it is important to keep them in their original orientation.  Incubating eggs really need to be placed far enough apart so that they are not touching in the incubation medium vermiculite.

Since incubating reptile eggs is a complex undertaking that can vary with different species you must research the proper incubation process and incubation medium before the species eggs are laid. The ProRep Vermiculite comes in coarse and fine textures.  There are two sizes for the coarse and fine vermiculite: five litre and ten litre. While there are other substrates that are available for use in terrariums, vivariums and tanks the ProRep Vermiculite in a coarse or fine texture are the only ones that are recommended for certain spiders and incubation of reptile eggs.

The types that can be purchased for use include: aquatic substrates, desert substrates, forest substrates, clays and cage carpet substrates. While researching the proper incubation substrate on your own is possible with the help of guides and manuals you may wish to speak with a professional such as a veterinarian to ensure your success and the reptile’s success.  They will be able to tell you how much moisture is enough in the spider vermiculite substrate.

Having the right size enclosure and lighting will also be necessary for your spider or reptile eggs.  If you are using the ProRep Vermiculite for a spider terrarium you will need a different light than for incubation.  More heat will be required for an incubating reptile egg as well.  Because the ProRep Vermiculite is a wet substrate make sure that your terrarium is watertight.  These types of enclosures will come with places for lighting and even heating the underside of the incubation medium substrate.