A few newbie type questions about the Chaco Golden Knee among other things lol

[hopeful_tarantula]

Hey everyone.

As you know, my parents have finally allowed me to get a tarantula, and I think I have found the species I want. But I wanted to ask a few questions first (if I may):

Chaco Golden Knee (Grammostola pulchripes)
1) What is the care needs for a spiderling Chaco?
2) Is a spiderling more difficult to care for than a Juvenile?
3) Is the Chaco a good tarantula to get for a beginner?
4) Is there a specific time of year to buy a Chaco? I've been looking around on website stores in the UK and there doesn't seem to be much available at this time of year.
5) What is the Chaco's temperament like?

Regarding feeding and general care:
1) If I can't get 'pinhead' crickets for a spiderling, what else can I use?
2) What is the habitat for a spiderling, juvenile and adult Chaco?
3) If I get a spiderling, how do I go about giving it water if it is tiny?

I do hope you can help me with these questions. I've been looking around since well before my parents allowed me to actually get my first tarantula and it was actually my Mum who chose the Chaco Golden Knee over all the other 'beginner' species I showed her...it was between Chilean Rose, Mexican Red Knee and the Chaco Golden Knee.

Julia x

 

[lazorkat]

there are many care sheets for different species and there specific needs a chaco i think is a good start to tarantulas they have a dociel nature a juvie is easyr to care for than a sling .. the habitat for a terestrial spider should consist of some form of substrate i use coco fiber , a hide .. and a few silk plants .. a shallow water dish . and a heat source . i use heat mats . as far as slings go i would mist there enclosure to give them hydration untill there large enough to give a water dish slings require smaller food like flightless fruit flys and such .. when around 2 inches they will eat pet store crickets or small meal worms ... hope i answered some of your questions

 

[AngelOtter]

I would go for a juvi or adult for your first one, slings are harder to keep alive, especially if you don't think you can get pinheads reliably. I think any of the species you listed would be a good one to start with (mine was a Mexican red knee). I've never had a golden knee, so I don't want to give you too much husbandry advise for it, but the basic terrestrial habitat is coco fiber, a small shallow water dish, and a hide. I would honestly stay away from heat mats, too risky for me (I also have a reptile room that is consistently over 75 degrees), but people use them with success.

 

[Tongue Flicker]

AngelOtter from reptileforums? didn't know you're here as well

Anyways, i agree getting a sub-adult/adult for your first one is better as this gives you enough time and experience to be confident as well gain insight to how tarantulas are.. understanding this all and it gives you the highest chance of growing a sling to adulthood

P.s. careful though, this is an addicting hobby

 

[hopeful_tarantula]

Thanks for the information lazorkat, AngelOtter and Tongue Flicker.

So looks like I am on the lookout for a Juvenile then. I can't wait! Just a shame that none of the spider type websites in the UK have any in stock yet.

Still....will continue doing research until they start coming in.

Julia x

 

[AngelOtter]

Yeah, I haven't been on in forever though

 

[Sabeth]

Spiderlings do require a bit more care than a juvie or adult but they are not difficult. The biggest difference is that babies require a very high humidity since their exoskeletons are not yet impervious to water loss. Until they reach about 2 inches (or about one-fourth to one-third full grown), they need damp substrate. It should not be so wet that water can be squeezed out of it, though. At this small size they will get all the moisture they need from the dampness and also from their food, so they don't need a water dish. The only issue with constantly wet sub is that you have to be on the lookout for mold growth. Avoid it by promptly removing food remains, and you might also aerate (stir up and tamp down again) the sub from time to time. You will likely need to remove the sling for this maintenance.

Housing a spiderling is very simple...I use peanut butter jars for mine. Just melt or drill some holes near the top. Do make absolutely certain that the sling can't fit through them! I lost a sling this way and never found it. The sling should have space to crawl around but don't go too big. Babies do not need hides or decorations; in such a small set up, these aren't practical. They will dig a burrow if they want to hide.

If you cannot get pinheads, another option is to kill a larger cricket so the baby doesn't need to worry about overpowering it. I shake mine around in a jar to daze them and then crush the head with tweezers. Place the killed cricket close to the sling and he will eat it if he's hungry. You can also feed tiny cockroaches and flightless fruit flies, if these are available to you.

Juveniles and adults both share the same housing requirements: Dry sub (unless it is a swamp-dwelling species), and the cage's width should be about twice the T's leg span and the length about twice the width. Height should not exceed twice the leg span as a fall can cause injury or worse. Supply a water dish with a rock in it (so the crickets can climb out). Most Ts will also appreciate a hiding place.

I have not had any personal experience with Chacos but from what I have heard and read they are among the most docile tarantulas and do make an excellent beginner species. You might check jamiestarantulas.com...I do not know if this breeder has any Chacos currently but I have seen them there before. Good luck!

 

[hopeful_tarantula]

Wow! Thanks for all the information Sabeth. By the looks of that it should be relatively easy to look after a sling using your method. I have also sourced some pin head crickets and flightless fruit flies, but it is great to know that I can also dissect a larger cricket if needed...should be fun (yuck lol).

I live in the UK, so Jamie's tarantulas isn't available to me, so I will continue to look around for now.

Julia x

 

[Sabeth]

Glad to help out...good luck with your search!

 

[Christell Erasmus]

Choco Golden knees are great tarantulas. Mine is the only one I handle. They are like little bulldozers and mine just love to move the substrate around. They are also cute as a button. If you can find meal worms you could also feed your T that if pinheads aren't available.