Buying a Tarantula from Back Water Reptiles...

[Tynan918]

Ok, I finally got my mesh lid replaced with an acrylic lid and breather holes drilled, and I got the substrate ready to pour into the enclosure.

Waiting on LECA to arrive tomorrow, and in less than a week I can buy a hide, a water bowl, and springtails.

Come the 1st of August I'll be ready to purchase the Theraphosa.

 

[Ratmosphere]

Right on! I remember in the other thread you mention T.blondi

If you are buying from Back Water Reptiles it will most likely be a T. stirmi, and wild caught at that.

 

[Tynan918]

Ok, I finally got my mesh lid replaced with an acrylic lid and breather holes drilled, and I got the substrate ready to pour into the enclosure.

Waiting on LECA to arrive tomorrow, and in less than a week I can buy a hide, a water bowl, and springtails.

Come the 1st of August I'll be ready to purchase the Theraphosa.

Now, as the title suggests, my very 1st shop I seen while shopping was "Back Water Reptiles".

I'm looking to buy an adult female Theraphosa Stirmi (first choice), or an adult female Theraphosa Blondi (second choice).

They have adult female Theraphosa for $150 with shipping included, but is it too good to be true ? They also don't say if the Theraphosa is a Stirmi or a Blondi, does anyone know ?

I've read some pretty negative reviews about this website, but I've also seen some good reviews...

I read their animals are wild caught, sick, bad packaging, and/or DOA but I've also seen review videos showing otherwise.

What's the deal with Back Water Reptiles, and should I chance buying from them ?

Can't really afford more than $150-200 to spend on a female Stirmi or Blondi anywhere else, and because a 40 gallon enclosure is all I have to house a T, I'd rather it be an adult than a sling.

 

[Ratmosphere]

I never would buy from them due to their reputation. As stated above, it's most likely an unsexed WC T. stirmi. You could get a chance at a female but who knows.

Check for local expos near you, you may be able to find one for a better price. Even then, you could negotiate with the seller in person for a better deal.

 

[Tynan918]

Right on! I remember in the other thread you mention T.blondi

If you are buying from Back Water Reptiles it will most likely be a T. stirmi, and wild caught at that.

Yeah that time I haven't really done my research on the theraposa species, and then I watched the video of a guy with all three adult females...

The Stirmi was the biggest because it was more thicker than the other two and the Blondi came in second...

I want me a BIG girl, BBW

What's the cons to wild caught ? Won't be able to physically "handle" it ?

 

[Tynan918]

I never would buy from them due to their reputation. As stated above, it's most likely an unsexed WC T. stirmi. You could get a chance at a female but who knows.

Check for local expos near you, you may be able to find one for a better price. Even then, you could negotiate with the seller in person for a better deal.

That's what I'm looking up now, but so far I haven't seen any tarantula specific expos, just mainly reptiles.

 

[Ratmosphere]

Yeah that time I haven't really done my research on the theraposa species, and then I watched the video of a guy with all three adult females...

The Stirmi was the biggest because it was more thicker than the other two and the Blondi came in second...

I want me a BIG girl, BBW

What's the cons to wild caught ? Won't be able to physically "handle" it ?

You need to ask yourself if you really want to handle this species. Their hairs are intense, and you will be itchy for a long time. Also, a fall could prove fatal for the T.

The issue for WC is they may have health issues, like nematodes or some other conditions. However, I have had WC Theraphosa with no issues. Almost all Theraphosa at large sizes are WC.

Reptile expos are where you would find T's, and from my knowledge, tarantula specific expos don't really exist. In my opinion, it's better to get one at an expo so you could see the health of the tarantula, and maybe even get a ventral shot to sex it.

 

[Tynan918]

You need to ask yourself if you really want to handle this species. Their hairs are intense, and you will be itchy for a long time. Also, a fall could prove fatal for the T.

The issue for WC is they may have health issues, like nematodes or some other conditions. However, I have had WC Theraphosa with no issues. Almost all Theraphosa at large sizes are WC.

Reptile expos are where you would find T's, and from my knowledge, tarantula specific expos don't really exist. In my opinion, it's better to get one at an expo so you could see the health of the tarantula, and maybe even get a ventral shot to sex it.

Yeah after doing a month or so of research and hours of YouTube videos, the species is the one I want. I'm aware of the hairs and potentially not ever handling it, and I'm fine with that. I've caught wild ones where I live, and never handled a tarantula in my life, but I'm willing to learn and try it out.

The issue for WC is they may have health issues, like nematodes or some other conditions. However, I have had WC Theraphosa with no issues. Almost all Theraphosa at large sizes are WC.

Aside serious health issues, if I'm looking for an adult, then I'm not really taking any chances there.

Reptile expos are where you would find T's, and from my knowledge, tarantula specific expos don't really exist. In my opinion, it's better to get one at an expo so you could see the health of the tarantula, and maybe even get a ventral shot to sex it.

I'll do some searching in the meantime, and see if I can find some upcoming reptile expos.

 

[Ratmosphere]

I saw from your post on AB that you are from NE Oklahoma.

I checked MorphMarket and see there is one coming up this weekend at 1700 W Independence St, Shawnee, OK 74804, USA

Sat, Jul 26: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM CST
Sun, Jul 27: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM CST

Might be a nice starter show, because I can't see any other dates in the future that come up. https://www.herpshow.net/ is their site if you want to check it out.

 

[Tynan918]

I saw from your post on AB that you are from NE Oklahoma.

I checked MorphMarket and see there is one coming up this weekend at 1700 W Independence St, Shawnee, OK 74804, USA

Sat, Jul 26: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM CST
Sun, Jul 27: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM CST

Might be a nice starter show, because I can't see any other dates in the future that come up. https://www.herpshow.net/ is their site if you want to check it out.

Thank you, yeah Shawnee is about an hour or two away from Tulsa.

What's MorphMarket ?

 

[Ratmosphere]

Sometimes you have to make the drive. I drive all over the east coast to go to expos in search of good deals.

MorphMarket is an online platform where people sell reptiles, tarantulas, and other animals.

 

[Tynan918]

Sometimes you have to make the drive. I drive all over the east coast to go to expos in search of good deals.

MorphMarket is an online platform where people sell reptiles, tarantulas, and other animals.

Traveling is not in my favor right now, but I'm sure I can make something happen if need be.

I just reached out to Herps inquiring about the theraposa I'm looking for, they also have an expo show in Stillwater, which is a lot closer to me than Oklahoma City or Shawnee.

 

[Ratmosphere]

I see that, hell yea man good luck!

 

[Tynan918]

I see that, hell yea man good luck!

Hell yeah, I appreciate it.

 

[Tynan918]

Okay after a few hours of researching different websites and looking at reviews and video reviews of Backwater Reptile unboxing, I've decided that I'm going to go ahead and take my chances with Backwater Reptiles.

I say this because I only found four websites with this species in stock, and three of those want the same price for a juvenile and their unsexed. At least with Backwater even though sex not guaranteed, they do guarantee that someone experienced will try to sex the best they can, and that's better than hearing no guarantee at all. I want a female specifically for size and lifespan longevity.

When it comes to the issue of WC, I've been told multiple times that this species sold at stores or expos are mostly WC, so either way I shop I'm more than likely going to receive WC with this species.

 

[Ratmosphere]

Whatever works best for you!

 

[Spyderdune]

Okay after a few hours of researching different websites and looking at reviews and video reviews of Backwater Reptile unboxing, I've decided that I'm going to go ahead and take my chances with Backwater Reptiles.

I say this because I only found four websites with this species in stock, and three of those want the same price for a juvenile and their unsexed. At least with Backwater even though sex not guaranteed, they do guarantee that someone experienced will try to sex the best they can, and that's better than hearing no guarantee at all. I want a female specifically for size and lifespan longevity.

When it comes to the issue of WC, I've been told multiple times that this species sold at stores or expos are mostly WC, so either way I shop I'm more than likely going to receive WC with this species.

I would be very interested in knowing how your order turns out, I have considered ordering from them but did not because of their reputation. If your order ends up being good, I may reconsider my opinions. Good luck!

 

[TarantulaList]

I would be very interested in knowing how your order turns out, I have considered ordering from them but did not because of their reputation. If your order ends up being good, I may reconsider my opinions. Good luck!

Many reviews I've seen of backwater specifically mention drop shipping. So even if one person has a good order, you won't necessarily be getting your order from the same supplier.