So, you want to keep a pet tarantula?

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Ahh praying mantis :) They're quite cool actually! Our local pet shop has a few and they look so much like leaves! Also have some other interesting-looking insects. Might have a closer look tomorrow when I go in... or when I drag Leon in there in a few weeks

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Might have to do a little more reading into the lives of these fellas :)

Anyway, ???????? (she doesn't have a name yet) has been very active and running around today. She's not eaten yet though, and apparently her tank is too big so I have to get her a smaller one tomorrow. Poor lass :( Still not managed to get any good pics of her either.
 
Originally posted by Lopéz
Never underestimate what your spider can walk on.

My Baboons both walk upside down on wet glass, like Ninjas.

If you're going for the Cobalt, read plenty of caresheets and be aware when feeding or you may end up with an unwelcome escapee.
At the end of the day it's up to you to decide if you are ready for an aggressive species. :)

Liverpool-Lad, you can buy Mantids from various pet shops but I don't know anything about their husbandry, lifespan, etc.
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I saw it at the petshop in a small tank (there was no hole digged) and she was running around like mad... the petshop guy said she's not to be handled and we left it there - I can tell you she was a beauty... maybe wearing thick leather gloves and having a high tank could help with this beast :D ...I dont know I havent made my mind up but yet but it usually I take decisions from one second to another ...I know I want her but I need to what other priorities I got..
 
Originally posted by MiggyMan
Do they freak out and just kill things for no reason like ninjas ? :D
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Yes, they totally flip out. No, really, they do!
No wailing guitars though, so they hardly challenge Ninja's for the Real Ultimate Power crown. ;)


If anything comes even remotely close to Mugabe when he's in defense position, he slams into it with worrying ferocity.

I think Idi may be a bit of a queen, as he doesn't seem to have anywhere near his furry buddie's temper.
 
Originally posted by Bungee
Ace thread :cool:


Hows Mugabe Lopez? He eaten yet?

What about yours Lostkat?
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Mugabe has eaten 3 crickets in just under 2 days.
He's a hostile little devil too,considering his puny size.
He's just finished building his third burrow after 2 abortive attempts. Not much actual webbing yet but he's only a small spider. What he's made is the equivalent of a spider 2 man tent.

Idi dismembered a cricket overnight (his second) but he didnt eat it all. I removed it's severed head this morning :eek:

Liverpool-Lad, Kate has gone into town today, she said she'll find out about the mantids for you. :)
 
Originally posted by Bungee
Ace thread :cool:


Hows Mugabe Lopez? He eaten yet?

What about yours Lostkat?
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She's not eaten yet, no but she's been stalking crickets, stomping round her tank a hell of a lot, digging random burrows and trying to climb up the walls. I bought her a smaller tank today as advised by the spider expert people, because the one she has (20cmx11cm) is probably a bit big. I did actually get her a smaller tank but I left it on the floor next to the heater and kind of melted it before she arrived... oops!

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Anyway she's been very active (loads more than I expected) so there's nothing wrong with her, I just need to get her to eat something (for my own peace of mind more than anything) and I still need to name her.



Liverpool-Lad
Went to the pet shop today and they had about 7 praying mantis in stock. Prices ranged from about £11 for a large 'nymph' (about 7cm high) to £35 for an adult one (about 15cm high). However, some of the nymphs were £20+ so it seem as though price is highly dependant upon species. Just had a little look on the web, and they start from about £4.50 for a youngster. A large nymph like the one below ('dead leaf') would set you back about £11 at my local pet shop.

deadleaf.jpg


They're interesting and attractive little insects. They seem to need about the same room as a tarantula (i.e. very little), so they're really economical on space. All that was in the tanks was a piece of bark, some fake plant and sand on the bottom. Oh and you'll need a heat mat. I'm definately going to do some research on these!!
 
My eldest son Richard (19yrs old) was bitten by the Goliath today. He was changing the water, when from out of nowhere the little swine leapt on him, and sank his fangs in. He said the pain was not that bad, but it left his arm red and blotchy, and he says it feels like some one has sprayed deep heat on it. The area around the bite is slightly black in colour. I have taken some pics and will post them ASAP. :D

The Goliath is only about 7cm across at the moment, but is a nasty swine. I warned my son about being complacent when dealing with the more feisty breeds. Looks like he had to learn the hard way. If you can’t see the spider, never put your hand in the tank. In fact due to the speeds some of them move at, I would recommend using tongs where possible. :eek:
 
Originally posted by Yan816
My eldest son Richard (19yrs old) was bitten by the Goliath today. He was changing the water, when from out of nowhere the little swine leapt on him, and sank his fangs in. He said the pain was not that bad, but it left his arm red and blotchy, and he says it feels like some one has sprayed deep heat on it. The area around the bite is slightly black in colour. I have taken some pics and will post them ASAP. :D

The Goliath is only about 7cm across at the moment, but is a nasty swine. I warned my son about being complacent when dealing with the more feisty breeds. Looks like he had to learn the hard way. If you can’t see the spider, never put your hand in the tank. In fact due to the speeds some of them move at, I would recommend using tongs where possible. :eek:
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Exactly why I would never own one :p
 
Every guide written tells you to take extra precautions with the Goliath - they have a temper to match their size. :D

Hope he doesn't suffer too badly, though it will be interesting to see his reaction to the bite.
The Baboons are extremely resistant to any disturbances when in their burrows, they'll even let a cricket walk across them.
For instance I can easily clean the tank out or wipe condensation off the glass with the spiders in there.

If they were out however, forget it. The damn things have fangs like drawing pins and they are only 5 or 6 cm across.

On another note, I just ordered myself a proper Digicam, so I can get some decent pics of my own spiders for you all next week. :)
 
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As promised here are the pics.:D An adult Goliaths fangs can be upto 1 inch in length.:eek: In all the years I have had spiders I have never been bitten, a healthy dose of fear and respect keeps you safe.:)
 
The incident happened this morning, before he went to work, and he has been fine. The bite area is warm and tingles when he touches it. He will have to bathe the area with antiseptic wash and make sure it does not become infected. He certainly has more respect for the the little critters now.:D
 
So if these things are likely to bite, does this mean you cant handle them?

Having heard that there is no way I would have one.
 
Not all the species are prone to bitting. Some are more agressive than others. Any one wanting a spider should not let this little incident put you off, just stick to the more docile species like the Chillean Rose. The only reason my son got bitten was because he became complacent when dealing with the more agressive species. He has learnt his lesson.:D
 
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