Agressive Ts, Beginner level.

[Nada]

I just want to speak on "agressive" tarantulas, and keeper levels for these tarantulas.
Just because a Tarantula is agressive, does not make it an "expert level only" animal. IMO
the Usambara Orange Baboon (OBT,P.Murinus)can be considered a beginner level tarantula, as long as the keeper knows what to expect.
OBT are, defensive, reclusive, can be fast, and by no means should they be handled. But if you know that , and accept the no handling, then they're a great beginner spider(for adults not children)
They're beautiful,and extremely hardy. Probably the easiest T to care for. They can be kept in a 5 gallon tank, and they will need a structure in their Home on which to build their webbing. They need a water bowl on the opposite side of the enclosure that their hide is on. You can change the water once a week. The OBT is not going to lunge for your hand, It will almost always stay in its webbig structure, If it's not in it's structure, then wait til it goes back in(it won't be long).

OBT (and many other "agressive" Ts) can be kept by almost anybody, as long as they're educated on the species. I do strongly suggest a locking top to your enclosure for added security, but other wise Its no different than having fish.

Please feel free to ask any questions, or add any info you might have, or if you completely disagree with me, I welcome the debate.

 

[Bast]

Thanks for this post Kenny!

 

[Atx13]

Psalmopoeus Irminia, Cambridgei, ect... also fall on this list, with P. Murinus, at least I think so. Not so much Defensive, more skittish, but an excellent species to get over the learning curve of how fast some of the old world beauties are, without the painful bite.

 

[Nada]

Psalmopeus are a step up from OBT imo, due to their humidity needs, but again, if you know the species, you should have no problems.

 

[Atx13]

Psalmopeus are a step up from OBT imo, due to their humidity needs, but again, if you know the species, you should have no problems.

This how I feel about all T's, if you read up on it, and know what your getting into, go for it. There really isn't a beginner species, of tarantula, I've had more close calls with "docile" species than I have "aggressive" ones. It really comes down to how comfortable the keeper is with what the species in question has to offer(speed, housing requirements, ect)
I was speaking more in regards to a species that will help you get comfortable with the speedy arboreal types.
You mentioned a great terrestrial species for that, but I honestly believe, someone who is looking to own a P. Regalis( or anything other Poec.), an H. Maculata or even an S. Calceatum, regardless of how much reading they have done, should get a P. Irminia or Cambridgei before hand. Arboreal fast, is way different than terrestrial fast... At least to me.
Just wanted throw my two cents in about keeping a more "Aggressive"(well i guess with Psalmopeus, its more skittish) arboreal species.

Back to P. Murinus, hands down a must for every collection! I love everything about them, i'll be adding at least one to my new collection this weekend, if not 2. They're usually pretty inexpensive, (6-12 bucks for a s'ling 1/2- 1")

 

[Nada]

I can't argue with your logic, you make great points. But when I say "beginner" I mean almost fool proof, something that has a nice learning curve. Psalms are a great introduction To Arboreal Ts, but imo are far from fool proof. With an OBT you can make mistakes and the spider will live on. Not so much with a psalm. OBT are tough as steel, Psalms are a little more fragile.
I'm a huge fan of psalms, but I wouldn't suggest one as a 1st (fish tank) T, I'd suggest an OBT in a heart beat.

 

[Atx13]

For sure Kenny, I agree 100% with you.

 

[Bast]

So...what would be the best (cheap) enclosure for a 1.5" OBT? I have a set up for when it's full grown, but much too large for a baby. Just want to make sure it has enough room to web etc with still enough 'maneuver' room for feeding/maintenance?

 

[Nada]

So...what would be the best (cheap) enclosure for a 1.5" OBT? I have a set up for when it's full grown, but much too large for a baby. Just want to make sure it has enough room to web etc with still enough 'maneuver' room for feeding/maintenance?

Deli cups work for me. Small sterelites are also good.

 

[Bast]

Would either of these work? Critter keeper might be a bit too big but is about 8.5 wide X 5 tall (ignore the substrate in it...was using it for crickets when I first got karina):

The other container has a snap lid and is about 2.5 across by 4.25 tall (ignore the water in it lol)

 

[Nada]

I would just go to a deli and buy a Delic up off of them. Or, you can get a small 6x6 or smaller sterilite from wal-mart for $3. The KK would be fine, It's just a bit large.

 

[Bast]

Thanks Kenny! Just figured I'd see if anything I had on hand would work before going to pick something else up. Oh well, room for more later! hahaha

 

[Bast]

One more question...do they need a hide at that size or not?

 

[Nada]

One more question...do they need a hide at that size or not?

IMO all Ts regardless of size, need a hide. I just use a piece of cork bark.

 

[Atx13]

I keep my 3/4" P. Murinus in a 3.2 cup Rubbermaid container.. She has a leaf, plenty of substrate for burrowing, and a piece of cork bark for webbing and hiding under... I have always kept my OBTs in a container a few sizes bigger than needed, just so I wouldnt have to rehouse them as often, this container will be her home for about 2 or 3 moults or so...

 

[Bast]

Thanks for the pics Atx! The shop nearby got quite a few OBT slings in, and I'm seriously considering picking one up. Still a bit nervous about some aspects of this spider, but less so after all the advice I've been given here on the forums. Some of them are larger than 1.5", so I may be able to use the KK (that is if I feel comfortable that it can't get through the vent holes) if I go larger...but then at the same time, I know they are fast growers and I would like the extra time to get accustomed to my little nutcase before it grows up lol.

 

[Bast]

IMO all Ts regardless of size, need a hide. I just use a piece of cork bark.

Thanks Kenny! Was just trying to work out in my head the way I would set up the enclosure, I have some things I can use as hides as it grows!

 

[Nada]

Thanks for the pics Atx! The shop nearby got quite a few OBT slings in, and I'm seriously considering picking one up. Still a bit nervous about some aspects of this spider, but less so after all the advice I've been given here on the forums. Some of them are larger than 1.5", so I may be able to use the KK (that is if I feel comfortable that it can't get through the vent holes) if I go larger...but then at the same time, I know they are fast growers and I would like the extra time to get accustomed to my little nutcase before it grows up lol.

But the smallest sling(s) they have. Increase your chances of getting a female. (they grow slower)

 

[Atx13]

Not to try an scare you, or anything but I've read thru this thread again and noticed one small piece of info missing on this T...
Bite info...
they do infact pact a nasty bite(not as bad as a pokie, h mac or an s calceatum),

 

[Bast]

Oh I had read quite a few bite reports on these guys, which was part of my initial hesitation...that and the speed (which I now know first hand lol).