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 #2124858


Reptilover1
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 Tarantulas

I’m thinking of getting a tarantula. Any suggestions? Do those of you who have them enjoy them? How difficult is it to raise and care for them? How expensive is it to care for them? Any good links? Thanks!!!
02/19/10  03:13pm

 #2126691


Monitor_guy3113
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   Message To: Reptilover1   In reference to Message Id: 2124858


 Tarantulas

If it is you’re first taranutla I’d say....get what ever you are comfortable with, just keep in mind Old World tarantulas are going to be alot faster and have alot stronger venom then New World tarantulas. I keep 35 so far and enjoy each one. In my own opinion I think Avics are harder to raise then just about anything else, the high humidity and ventalation is alittle hard to get sometimes but there is also SADS(Sudden Avic Death Syndrom) where they just kinda die for no apprent reason. They are extremely easy in cost, because unless its say a....C.Crawshayi,L.Parahybana, T.Blondi or something along those lines nothing is really going to need anything bigger then a 10gallon tank, and food and substrate never costs much for them.



02/24/10  01:28pm

 #2127090


Poxicator
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   Message To: Monitor_guy3113   In reference to Message Id: 2126691


 Tarantulas

there are over 900 species to choose from, and that’s only whats available within the hobby!
Some live for 12 years others up to 25+ years. Some grow to 5+" whilst others will grow upto 12". There’s different temperaments and different ways of keeping them. So, its worthwhile having a look at what is available in your area and then having a read up about them.
I’d suggest Aphonopelma, Grammostolla and Brachypelma as good beginner species which includes Chile Rose, Mexican Red Knee, Curly Hair, New River, Chaco Gold Knee, Zebra Stripe etc. These should all be easily available and info on the particular species is easy to come by. Another few good examples are Green Bottle Blue, Brazilian White Knee and Salmon Pink.
Warm temperatures of mid 70s, water bowl, feeding once or twice a week with a cricket and you shouldnt have too many problems but its worthwhile checking your library or buying a book to see whats available and what how to keep them.
Beware, few people stop at 1 tarantula! :)
02/25/10  04:45pm

 #2128267


Reptilover1
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   Message To: Poxicator   In reference to Message Id: 2127090


 Tarantulas

Thanks everyone! I actually really like the Chile Rose. I already have a huge supply of crickets all the time anyway....Yeah, NO pet is easy to stop at one - at least for me!!! Do you guys actually get your little ones out to hold or roam or anything?



03/01/10  02:40am

 #2128700


Monitor_guy3113
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   Message To: Reptilover1   In reference to Message Id: 2128267


 Tarantulas

G.Rosea are a fantastic species actually, mine is always digging and changing her enclosure, actually eats and is the crazy one who will give a threat display. The ONLY time I ever handle my T’s is when they try to escape and run onto me, so so far...never ^^ But thats me, especially considering most of my tarantulas are OW species and have alot stronger venom then my G.rosea.
03/02/10  02:32am

 #2129042


Cosmo82
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   Message To: Reptilover1   In reference to Message Id: 2124858


 Tarantulas

i have a rosea and a lividum, i enjoy my rosea very much, i handle her 5 days a week making sure to avoid feeding days. The lividum on the other hand, i havent handled at all. Even though she goes against everything a liidum should be, i’m still wary about handling her. She’s so placid, you could mistake her for a rosea, but i’m still going to wait a while before trying anything stupid.
03/02/10  07:53pm

 #2129402


Robchops
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   Message To: Cosmo82   In reference to Message Id: 2129042


 Tarantulas

There really are a ton to choose from, I believe most of started with a G. rosea so we would all recommend them as a starter, they are usually docile however if you are fortunate enough you can get a really aggressive one... those ones are the best to watch eat!

I do not recommend handling Tarantulas I truly believe it can cause stress, and potentially shorten a life span of the tarantula... that being said, I personally like to handle my tarantulas once (usually when i first get them), just to say I did so... after that I let them be. I love tarantulas and I do know of people like the previous poster who handle theirs everyday or 3-4 times a week becuase they believe it helps tame them... my personal opinion though is that it should not be done.

Hope this helps!

Rob
03/03/10  04:31pm

 #2129434


Cosmo82
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   Message To: Reptilover1   In reference to Message Id: 2124858


 Tarantulas

i would recomend getting a tarantula from a spiderling, it’s great to watch them grow. if you get something in the way of a B.smithi you’ll have the added pleasure or the colours forming and becoming more vibrant after each molt. In agreement with rob, you always need to keep in mind that tarantulas are primitive, they are not demesticated and will (more likely than not) one day bite you. Alot of things can stress tarantulas, like loud noises and disturbing the enclosure. If you do decide you want to hold your tarantula, make sure you hold it either in the enclosure or close to a surface, i generally sit on my bed. The abdomen is very delicate and can be ruptured from a small fall. if it does rupture, your tarantula WILL die.

Even though i do enjoy the interaction i have with my rosea, i always let her come to me. i gently brush her back leg, to let her know i’m there, then let her come out onto my hand.
03/03/10  05:28pm

 #2129446


Robchops
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   Message To: Cosmo82   In reference to Message Id: 2129434


 Tarantulas

Quote:

If you do decide you want to hold your tarantula, make sure you hold it either in the enclosure or close to a surface, i generally sit on my bed. The abdomen is very delicate and can be ruptured from a small fall. if it does rupture, your tarantula WILL die.

Even though i do enjoy the interaction i have with my rosea, i always let her come to me. i gently brush her back leg, to let her know i’m there, then let her come out onto my hand.



Definitely good advice! I love watching a S’ling grow into an adult, however B. smithi (red Knee) are not the best for this... the reason being they grow SOOO SLOWLY. I have had my smithi s’ling for a year now and got it at 1/2 inch... its now maybe 2 inches. Now if you really want to watch a tarantula grow I would definitely suggest a L. parahybana (salmon pink birdeater), they grow very fast!! I just picked up a bunch of tiny slings from my buddy, they are doing very well! (any canadians on here I usually recommend tarantula canada, however my buddy started his own business, and he has amazing prices! Heint-xotics!) anyways the L. parahybana are not generally too aggressive as adults and I have held one before and it was not lightning fast either... although I am sure everyone has had different experiences with this species.

Good Luck!

Rob
03/03/10  05:48pm


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