thinking of getting a first T

[Bry]

Okay, I talked about this with Blackwidowwoman over PMs, and with Ravnos in chat during his random non-lurking phases. I've been looking into getting a new tarantula, and wanted to get input from some of the other bug keepers here. I'm a bit nervous around spiders, and this is something I want to overcome. I did it once with snakes, who says I can't do the same with spiders? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] I've done a bit of research, and have been looking up what seems to be good beginner species. Here's the list of them:

Brazilian Black (Grammostola pulchra) - I didn't really look into them, but BWW swears by them, so I'll look into them some more. They are apparently expensive and hard to find, so I'm not gonna hold my breath. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] But, how much do they go for?

Chilean Rosehair (G. rosea) - Heard some good things about them, but I'm starting to hear that there are some who are docile, and others that are downright aggressive, so I don't think I'll be looking into getting one of these.

Mexican Red knee (Brachypelma smithi) - So far, these sound pretty good, I haven't really heard any bad things about them.

Curlyhairs (B. albopilosum) - These sound like a pretty good choice too.

Mexican Redlegs (Aphnopelma bicoloratum) - Haven't heard too much about them, but they seem like a good choice, other than they're somewhat hard to find.

Pinktoes (Avicularia avicularia) - Those sounded pretty good, but I heard about their nervousness and speed, so I'm most likely gonna be passing these up.

So, I want to know your opinions on these species. I already know what your opinion is, Lori. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img] Also, I have a few extra questions that didn't get answered.

1. BWW said to use a plastic or metal jar lid for a water dish, then emphasized "NO SPONGES!" So, my question is, what's wrong with sponges?

2. It seems as if a T can't be overfed, and they eat anywhere from 4-8 if they're starving, and they eat less when they're going into molt. Well, on average,how many crickets do they eat in one meal, barring any circumstances?

3. What is the rule of thumb for feeder size crickets according to the T's size? For example, with lizards, the food should be no wider than the space between the eyes.

4. I'm under the impression that females get larger than males. But, how do you differentiate between the sexes?

5. How do you know when a spider is going into molt?

That's all for now. Thanks in advance. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Bry
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[Spider_Richy]

>>
>>Brazilian Black (Grammostola pulchra) - I didn't really look into them, but BWW swears by them, so I'll look into them some more. They are apparently expensive and hard to find, so I'm not gonna hold my breath. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] But, how much do they go for?
>>
These can be expensive, but worth it if you can get them. Dont hold your breath though.

>>Chilean Rosehair (G. rosea) - Heard some good things about them, but I'm starting to hear that there are some who are docile, and others that are downright aggressive, so I don't think I'll be looking into getting one of these.
>>
Ignore the fact that a few people have mean ones, the same thing is true with all the species. Mine is the most docile spider ever. And the fact that most people have, or have had one in their collection is a testiment to their great character.

>>Mexican Red knee (Brachypelma smithi) - So far, these sound pretty good, I haven't really heard any bad things about them.
>>
>>Curlyhairs (B. albopilosum) - These sound like a pretty good choice too.

My first spider. Easy to handy, amusing, with long, copper coloured hair, and shiny copper carapace. A voracious eater. He once ate a box of locusts, 3 crickets and a pinkie mouse in 3 days. He isnt even fully grown yet. I had him since he was as big as a house spider, and grows rapidly. I cant recommend him enough. I will get some pics soon.
>>
>>Mexican Redlegs (Aphnopelma bicoloratum) - Haven't heard too much about them, but they seem like a good choice, other than they're somewhat hard to find.

Nice, docile, but same as the redknee really. Its down to your preference.

>>
>>Pinktoes (Avicularia avicularia) - Those sounded pretty good, but I heard about their nervousness and speed, so I'm most likely gonna be passing these up.

Great spiders, but Arboreals need a little more care than normal spiders, not suitable for beginners.
>>
>>So, I want to know your opinions on these species. I already know what your opinion is, Lori. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img] Also, I have a few extra questions that didn't get answered.
>>
>>1. BWW said to use a plastic or metal jar lid for a water dish, then emphasized "NO SPONGES!" So, my question is, what's wrong with sponges?
>>
Sponges breed bacteria, a plain water dish is fine. If a spider is very young, drop some cotton wool in there. But change it daily.

>>2. It seems as if a T can't be overfed, and they eat anywhere from 4-8 if they're starving, and they eat less when they're going into molt. Well, on average,how many crickets do they eat in one meal, barring any circumstances?

Up to the spider. Look at what my curly ate. If you saw him, you would know he wasnt starving. Unless he works up an appetite thinking of all the food.
>>
>>3. What is the rule of thumb for feeder size crickets according to the T's size? For example, with lizards, the food should be no wider than the space between the eyes.

Dont feed anything more than half its length.
>>
>>4. I'm under the impression that females get larger than males. But, how do you differentiate between the sexes?
>>
It takes too much time here. But males have small mating hooks on their front legs. You will only see this after their ultimate moult.
>>
5. How do you know when a spider is going into molt?
>>
If they have a bald spot, it will turn dark. They will also stop eating a few weeks before hand. Other than that, you cant tell. It still takes experianced keepers by surprise sometimes.
>>That's all for now. Thanks in advance. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
>>
>>Bry
null



I hope this helps.
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[OverTech]

I'll second the part about the Rosehair. Greats spiders for a first one. Very easy to take care of and generally very docile. Some may act a litte defensive at first until they get settled in. My old Rosie still takes a defensive stance if I haven't handled her in a long while, with her it's all show though.

Feeding is simple. I drop in a couple of crickets at a time. In the morning if they are both gone, I drop in a couple more. If I get up in the morning and the crickets are still alive, I take them out and she's done eating for a week or two. During the summer I try to get grasshoppers too, she loves them to death... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

I'm not sure if all species of Ts have the mating hooks. I know that method of sexing works for Texas Tans and Rosehairs, and I think it works for the Pinktoes too 'cause I can see a small set of hooks on my new little guy. The females will live longer and get bigger than males. Both my new guys are males, but I didn't even think to look at that until after I'd gotten them home. If I'd thought of it, I'd have gotten females...

Good luck with it!

Dave
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[Constrictor_BO]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> Chilean Rosehair (G. rosea) - Heard some good things about them, but I'm starting to hear that there are some who are docile, and others that are downright aggressive, so I don't think I'll be looking into getting one of these. </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

I had one of these and enjoyed it very much. It was not aggressive at all. I have always heard that this is one of the best starter T's to go with.


<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE>5. How do you know when a spider is going into molt? </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

When one day you go into the room to check on it, find it laying on it's back and You think it's dead...lol
Thats what happened to a friend of mine.
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[Blackwidow_woman]

[img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img] Ok guys i never said all rose hairs was bad i simply made a statementthat yes there are a lot of sweet rose hairs and yes there are a lot out there that are just plain out right nasty.. yes everyone seems to like getting a rose hair as a first time T but there are others that are sweet and make good first time Ts..Now if your just looking for a cheap easy first time T yeah the rose hair is that.. But me i will stick by what i know and have worked with and trust,, Brazilian black, or the mexican red knee,, and yes they do flip on there backs when molting .. and they will eat a lot just befour going into pre molt then go without food for a period of time and most will have a change of color on the rump to a dark color, most will webb them selfs or baracade them selfs into there burrow for a period of time this is so predators can not get to them when they are at a vulnerable state.. they should have high humidity at this time and some have probs molting most dont.. after the T molts it will take about a week for its new skin to harden and then it will start eatting again..never feed crickets at this time and wait for its skin to harden befour feeding again.. some Ts will go off food for no reason and then start feeding again few days to a week later.. i can go on and on about Ts.. hehehehehe!!! Ive just worked with them and had them along time.. Everyone learns diffrent things on Ts and how there own Ts, eats, acts and dwells... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]
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[Bry]

BWW, I know you did not mean that all rosehairs were bad. Just that some happen to be downright nasty. It happens with every species, like in dogs, some breeds that are more prone to aggression might have an individual that is downright sweet, then you'll find an individual Labrador or Golden Retriever that bites everyone, when Labs and Goldens are not normally that way. So, I get the idea. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Another question, do Ts occasionally have bad molts like snakes have bad sheds?

Bry
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[Blackwidow_woman]

[img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img] Its ok ,, as far as bad molts on Ts yes they sure can have a bad molt sometimes they can right them selfs but sometimes they get stuck in there own molt and die.. it just happens even with the best of care some people lose there Ts.. you need to keep the humidity really high when they go into molting stage..like around the time they go into pre molt..you can mist the cage once a day and also up the size of there water dish ,, just dont make it to big...LOL!!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] Use a peatmoss mix bedding and just spray it to make it slightly moist.. never have the cage soaking wet..for some reason people keep ther goliaths real moist and i have never done that with mine and i have no probs with them.. and yeah a lot of Ts are diffrent in there own ways... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]
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[Shadrach]

Bry I too just recently decided to get a tarantula to help over come the fear of spiders! Well after talking to BWW and doing some research I decided to go with the Rose Hair and she is great! I was real skittish around her at first but over the course of a couple weeks warmed up to her and eventually held her. Of course I've only done this one time but on occasion I do touch her. I just end up treating her mostly like fish fun to look at but not really to touch.
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[Spider_Richy]

My dad was terrified of spiders before he got his first Tarantula. 5 years later, he had 14.
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