I see from Arachnopets you are certainly feeding up that Curly! Pigs aren't they? 
So, you want to keep a pet tarantula?
- Thread starter Lopéz
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You can easily tell when a Curly Hair is premoult. Due to the fact that they kick hairs, the top of the abdomen forms a pinky-brown bald spot. A week or so before the moult, this will turn jet black, like someones coloured it in with a permanent marker. The darkening is caused by new urticating hairs forming under the old skin.
Took a couple more pics when I was feeding today.
First off, Pelé has hardened off nicely and is eating well after his moult. His legs have darkened to a deep flesh tone, with subtle bottle green hints, which are more prominent on the front legs. It's interesting to see he is getting greener slowly as time goes on.
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Pele11
Mugabe has been rehoused into a smaller tank, like Idi, and seems to be settling well judging by the amount of web he's made. I still can't get over just how orange these things are.
Fantastic blue and green iridescent feet!
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/MugabeWeb12
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Mugabe35
Punta is another one with a voracious appetite - He will think nothing of taking 2 or 3 cricks in one go. I've handled him a few times, but he has a tendancy to kick hairs and run rather quickly when startled. At least he isn't aggressive.
Check out the green colouring on the femur of each leg - I'd not noticed that until I got my own example - what a gorgeous spider, and they stay like this as adults too.
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Punta02
Finally, photographing Bangkok, my Cobalt Blue, is seriously tricky, as he never ever ever comes to the surface. He is a merciless eater though. He'll let you prod him gently, playing dead for a few seconds before striking, and striking HARD. This T means business.
This is the best shot of him I can manage for now
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Bangkok01
Took a couple more pics when I was feeding today.
First off, Pelé has hardened off nicely and is eating well after his moult. His legs have darkened to a deep flesh tone, with subtle bottle green hints, which are more prominent on the front legs. It's interesting to see he is getting greener slowly as time goes on.
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Pele11
Mugabe has been rehoused into a smaller tank, like Idi, and seems to be settling well judging by the amount of web he's made. I still can't get over just how orange these things are.
Fantastic blue and green iridescent feet!
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/MugabeWeb12
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Mugabe35
Punta is another one with a voracious appetite - He will think nothing of taking 2 or 3 cricks in one go. I've handled him a few times, but he has a tendancy to kick hairs and run rather quickly when startled. At least he isn't aggressive.
Check out the green colouring on the femur of each leg - I'd not noticed that until I got my own example - what a gorgeous spider, and they stay like this as adults too.
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Punta02
Finally, photographing Bangkok, my Cobalt Blue, is seriously tricky, as he never ever ever comes to the surface. He is a merciless eater though. He'll let you prod him gently, playing dead for a few seconds before striking, and striking HARD. This T means business.
This is the best shot of him I can manage for now
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Bangkok01
Try and buy from private breeders and hobbyists wherever possible.
This keeps the money "in the hobby" so to speak, and encourages private keepers to breed more.
This keeps the money "in the hobby" so to speak, and encourages private keepers to breed more.
Private breeders tend to be far more fussy about caring for their tarantulas - many pet shops are completely ignorant or uninformed of the tarantulas needs.
All spiders I've received in the post and sent out myself have arrived healthy and safe.
All spiders I've received in the post and sent out myself have arrived healthy and safe.
Well I've had another two successful moults this weekend.
Firstly, Miguel shed,
Miguel has been premoult for absolutely ages, so I was glad to see him finally shed this weekend. He's grown a fair bit, but nothing like he used to - getting old now
I managed to get a good look at the shed skin, and I can say that Miguel is almost definitely a little boy - giving him probably less than 2 years to live. This means he'll be sent out on breeding loans when he eventually matures.
Here are the pics:
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Miguel21
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Miguel22
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Miguel23
In the last picture, the red arrow points to the important bit when sexing tarantulas. Generally, in females there is a pronounced ridge here - in males it is flat and untextured. No ridge here, so Migs is a boy.
The other moulter was Winston, my Trinidad Chevron. I can't really get any pics because his tank is so webbed up, but he's all pale grey and his legs are much longer than before.
Nexus, if you want an arboreal I'd go for perhaps an Avicularia avicularia, Avicularia geroldi, Avicularia metallica or Avicularia versicolor.
I know of someone selling small geroldi's for about a fiver.
Firstly, Miguel shed,
Miguel has been premoult for absolutely ages, so I was glad to see him finally shed this weekend. He's grown a fair bit, but nothing like he used to - getting old now
I managed to get a good look at the shed skin, and I can say that Miguel is almost definitely a little boy - giving him probably less than 2 years to live. This means he'll be sent out on breeding loans when he eventually matures.
Here are the pics:
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Miguel21
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Miguel22
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Miguel23
In the last picture, the red arrow points to the important bit when sexing tarantulas. Generally, in females there is a pronounced ridge here - in males it is flat and untextured. No ridge here, so Migs is a boy.
The other moulter was Winston, my Trinidad Chevron. I can't really get any pics because his tank is so webbed up, but he's all pale grey and his legs are much longer than before.
Nexus, if you want an arboreal I'd go for perhaps an Avicularia avicularia, Avicularia geroldi, Avicularia metallica or Avicularia versicolor.
I know of someone selling small geroldi's for about a fiver.
Well, it seems Winston was up for some photos after all.
I coaxed him to the top of his tank for some pictures, but it seems he wanted to go a little further - I did the only thing I could - put my hand out and lethim walk up my arm. To my surprise, he was very calm and very slow, easier than holding an Avic.
Please bear in mind that Psalmopoeus is a generally defensive species prone to running and biting, do not try this at home unless you are aware of the risks!
Anyway, he behaved very well, and here are the pictures:
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Winston02
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Winston03
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Winston04
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Winston05
I coaxed him to the top of his tank for some pictures, but it seems he wanted to go a little further - I did the only thing I could - put my hand out and lethim walk up my arm. To my surprise, he was very calm and very slow, easier than holding an Avic.
Please bear in mind that Psalmopoeus is a generally defensive species prone to running and biting, do not try this at home unless you are aware of the risks!
Anyway, he behaved very well, and here are the pictures:
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Winston02
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Winston03
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Winston04
http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/MySpiders/Winston05
Re: Just wondering
Where are you getting the Chevron from? 4" is a really nice size.
They like a bit of substrate and a tall container, many will build webs up near the lid, but some will construct a messy web/burrow near the floor - they seem to vary from spider to spider.
A sweet jar is ideal, either cut the centre of the lid out and replace it with gauze of some sort (or tights!) or punchplenty of ventilation holes.
Yeah, any old bark will do after a good scrubbing and a spell in the microwave. Cork bark is preferred (the stuff you get in pet shops) because it resists mould very very well.
Where are you getting the Chevron from? 4" is a really nice size.
They like a bit of substrate and a tall container, many will build webs up near the lid, but some will construct a messy web/burrow near the floor - they seem to vary from spider to spider.
A sweet jar is ideal, either cut the centre of the lid out and replace it with gauze of some sort (or tights!) or punchplenty of ventilation holes.
Repo, considering the size of the spider, it may well be ready to moult again.
Pele, my baby Pink toe, has moulted twice in 3 weeks, Maz moults once a month, as does Guarico the Venezuelan suntiger.
And the "yellow number" is my RS Owners Club Fleece
Pele, my baby Pink toe, has moulted twice in 3 weeks, Maz moults once a month, as does Guarico the Venezuelan suntiger.
And the "yellow number" is my RS Owners Club Fleece
Teresa Jones is a member on many spider forums, she's also a BTS member IIRC - so you should be safe buying from her. People are just generally crap at sending out inverts on time 
This is something you might notice with time.
Repo - ask her if it is male or female - if it's a male it has a year or so to live, if it is a female then it should have a good 10-15 years left in it depending how long it's been at this size. Ask her if it's captive bred (generally healthier and you know it's age)
Costa Rican Zebra Knee = Aphonopelma seemanni, right?
If so then it's a really nice looking T.
Price is about right if it's a female.
Nexus, haven't tried making one myself yet, but I do have a glass tank divided properly into 4, would be easy to make one, I'll take some pics later on.
This is something you might notice with time.Repo - ask her if it is male or female - if it's a male it has a year or so to live, if it is a female then it should have a good 10-15 years left in it depending how long it's been at this size. Ask her if it's captive bred (generally healthier and you know it's age)
Costa Rican Zebra Knee = Aphonopelma seemanni, right?
If so then it's a really nice looking T.
Price is about right if it's a female.
Nexus, haven't tried making one myself yet, but I do have a glass tank divided properly into 4, would be easy to make one, I'll take some pics later on.
Utter pain in the arse, aren't they?Originally posted by si_sleaf
Soory the pics aren't too good, but these vertical "tanks"are not so easy to get good photos from.
Be warned, that threat is not a hollow one - these spiders will follow up their bravado with a series of rapid bites.
I've just been negotiating with Kate's P. irminia this morning, trying to "tame" it
No chance! This thing is hostility personified.
Sure looks a gorgous specimen - very healthy and pretty too.
Repo, the Zebra should make a nice pet - it's always nice to have a big chunky spider to go with all the little spiderlings. Google for a caresheet, there are plenty out there.
Originally posted by SaBBz
Does anyone know anywhere/anyone that sells Mexican Flame Knee Juveniles fairly cheaply?
Cheers guys
Someone on the BTS Bulletin Board is selling a 3.5" female for £25, which is a pretty fair price as these are seldom available.
Something small will be fine - about 6"x4" should be plenty for now.
Brachypelmas will dig if you let them, so fill the tank 2/3 deep with peat so that it can't fall too far if it decides to climb.
Wedge a chunk of bark into the soil and let the spider dig around it or do whatever else it wishes.
You might think it seems cruel to keep them in small tanks, but as most keepers in this thread are starting to realise, tarantulas sulk and stress out in big tanks - they like to feel enclosed and secure.
Brachypelmas will dig if you let them, so fill the tank 2/3 deep with peat so that it can't fall too far if it decides to climb.
Wedge a chunk of bark into the soil and let the spider dig around it or do whatever else it wishes.
You might think it seems cruel to keep them in small tanks, but as most keepers in this thread are starting to realise, tarantulas sulk and stress out in big tanks - they like to feel enclosed and secure.
Well we had to move her to clean out her tank (mite problem, someone keeping their T too moist )
I started by nudging her into the big tupperware bowl, but wanted to get her to sit on the white lid to get some better shots.
She slowly walked onto the lid, but started to come to the edge - rather then poking her back onto the lid and risking startling her, I decided the most sensible course of action was to let her walk over my hand.
She was graceful, slow and well-behaved - I think Pokies are only a problem when they get startled because she didn't show a hint of aggression throughout 15 or so minutes of handling. I think it's all about assessing the mood of your spider at that particular time - if she'd have been running and darting about I wouldn't have held her.
)I started by nudging her into the big tupperware bowl, but wanted to get her to sit on the white lid to get some better shots.
She slowly walked onto the lid, but started to come to the edge - rather then poking her back onto the lid and risking startling her, I decided the most sensible course of action was to let her walk over my hand.
She was graceful, slow and well-behaved - I think Pokies are only a problem when they get startled because she didn't show a hint of aggression throughout 15 or so minutes of handling. I think it's all about assessing the mood of your spider at that particular time - if she'd have been running and darting about I wouldn't have held her.
My Cobalt Blue has a very deep burrow, with the entrance running up the side of the tank.
Now normally, I can see in through the side, but the damn creature often covers the side with web and dirt. I just use a cotton but or tweezers and tissue paper and wipe the edge clean so I can see through the glass.
They generally don't stay annoyed for long at you tearing up a burrow - try making a "lean-to" against the glass with a piece of cork bark and surrounding it with substrate. This encourages the T to adapt the bark into a burrow so you can still see it.
Now normally, I can see in through the side, but the damn creature often covers the side with web and dirt. I just use a cotton but or tweezers and tissue paper and wipe the edge clean so I can see through the glass.
They generally don't stay annoyed for long at you tearing up a burrow - try making a "lean-to" against the glass with a piece of cork bark and surrounding it with substrate. This encourages the T to adapt the bark into a burrow so you can still see it.
Do NOT try this at home
Well, as I seem to be on a bit of a roll at the moment......why not try holding Maz?
As usual, reluctant to leave her burrow. Check out those awesomely coloured footpads!
The camera can do no justice to the beauty of these tarantulas. There are stunning violet highlights on every leg
Gently does it....
Up my arm for one last shot and there endeth playtime with Maz - don't fancy spiders running over my head/up my sleeves, they get really tricky to deal with because you can't manipulate them any more at that stage.
Always gauge your spider before handling it - if you are going to handle it at all.
If you are at all apprehensive then please don't bother handling - at the best you may get bitten, at the worst you may kill your spider.
Well, as I seem to be on a bit of a roll at the moment......why not try holding Maz?
As usual, reluctant to leave her burrow. Check out those awesomely coloured footpads!
The camera can do no justice to the beauty of these tarantulas. There are stunning violet highlights on every leg
Gently does it....
Up my arm for one last shot and there endeth playtime with Maz - don't fancy spiders running over my head/up my sleeves, they get really tricky to deal with because you can't manipulate them any more at that stage.
Always gauge your spider before handling it - if you are going to handle it at all.
If you are at all apprehensive then please don't bother handling - at the best you may get bitten, at the worst you may kill your spider.
I'm feeling all photographic today.....
What a gorgeous tarantula. Shame they don't last very long
He's a lot like an arboreal to handle - very gentle but nervous.
Note how much stockier she is compared to Roger.
The pink on the carapace is also a lot less noticable.
Pepper is a Red Phase of the Chile rose species - this means she has dark red hairs instead of the regular brown.
What a gorgeous tarantula. Shame they don't last very long
He's a lot like an arboreal to handle - very gentle but nervous.
Note how much stockier she is compared to Roger.
The pink on the carapace is also a lot less noticable.
Pepper is a Red Phase of the Chile rose species - this means she has dark red hairs instead of the regular brown.
I'm afraid that Carabobo evidently failed to shed his stomach and mouth lining, and was totally unable to ingest water or food, no matter what
He died last week unfortunately.
They look so strange when they lift themselves up like that - arboreals don't seem to do it as obviously as terrestrials for some reason.Originally posted by si_sleaf
Just feeding my T's and thought I'd take a picture of Tom, my B.smithi. He is just a crazy eating machine. Today he has eaten 2 crickets and a locust. Here's a picture of him with a cricket hanging out of his mouth, he reminds me of a Zoid (remeber them?):
Sounds like she's heavily premoult - if she isn't a big hair kicker you won't really notice any darkening of the abdomen
Just keep her warmth and humidity as normal, and try not to disturb her. Larger tarantulas become very inactive before a moult.
Just keep her warmth and humidity as normal, and try not to disturb her. Larger tarantulas become very inactive before a moult.
Originally posted by DHR
Expecting my Mexican Red Knee within the next month
Sanchez is looking lovely.
EDIT:-
oooohhhh!!!! check this out
As long as I'm not doing something vital I'll probably be there - there's another show in October I think.
Si, have you (or anyone else who reads Arachnopets) been following the H. gigas project?
The results have been fascinating, and I'm really tempted. The only drawback being you rarely see adult H gigas for sale, and when you do they are pricey.
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