Just got a Tarantula :-)

[srstarkie]

I just received a tarantula and now need to learn all about how to best take care of him/her (haven't looked yet). Any and all help would be appreciated. Won it at at Teacher Conference and it's not in a very good setup currently. I have all kinds of tanks and substrate - just want to do it right the first time (and soon)

Thanks!!

 

[Enn49]

Hi. Congrats on your first T. What species is it? It will make it easier for people to advise you on how best to keep it.

 

[MatthewM1]

What species is it? With there being 1000+ species in the world, there's a few different ways to set them up

Eco earth is my personal preference for T substrate. Also I prefer plastic/acrylic enclosures as they allow you to add cross ventilation, although many do use tanks without problems.

Welcome to your new addiction

 

[srstarkie]

Hopefully you can help me identity him/her. I've attached a picture.

 

[BigJerm]

It looks like it could be a Acanthoscurria geniculata (Brazilian white knee). What do y'all think?

 

[MatthewM1]

Looks like a Grammastola rosea or G. porteri. Very similar species. Bone dry eco earth for substrate, a nice hide, and a water dish(no sponges!). Make sure the gap between the top of the tank and top of the substrate is no more than 1.5x the T's legspan. This is a terrestrial tarantula than doesn't take falls well

 

[srstarkie]

It came from Carolina biological and it looks like they carry rosy-haired and brown. Could it be one of those?

 

[MatthewM1]

The 2 I mentioned are both called rose hairs. Common names tend to muck things up when it comes to tarantulas.

 

[MatthewM1]

It looks like it could be a Acanthoscurria geniculata (Brazilian white knee). What do y'all think?

Sorry man but I've gotta say not even close A. geniculata has very prominent banding on the legs, and red setae on the opisothoma, this T has neither

 

[srstarkie]

Thanks - new to these guys but have hissing cockroaches, walking sticks, hermit crabs, lizards, fire belly toads (frogs), mealworms, snails and a RES. Liking my newbie but giving him/her time to settle before trying to handle, or is that a bad idea? Most likely air transported to California and than on exhibit with just sand as a substrate for 4 days and then in
a car for 400 miles on Saturday. Fed one cricket yesterday and one today. Most likely first food since last Monday or Tuesday. Will a five gallon aquarium work or the plastic keeper it's currently in work. Similar size to 5 gallon- shallower but has raised part with a water dish on it. Can attach pic if you need.

Again thanks

 

[HungryGhost]

I'm sorry but this is the most annoying thread I have read in a long time. Who the f#?k gives away a living animal as a prize? They are living beings not stuffed animals! Sure, if you gave one away at a tarantula show to people who know how to care for them that's one thing. But to give one to a complete neophyte without even identifying it or providing care instructions is the height of stupidity. The icing on the cake is this was a teacher conference! Home schooling is looking better all the time. [Rant over]

 

[srstarkie]

I am an experienced animal owner of many different kinds of critters. There were many vendors at the conference (NSTA -National Science Teachers ,and, CSTA -California Science Teachers joint conference) and some raffled off merchandise, including live critters, at the end. Participants had the choice of accepting, rejecting or giving away (to a responsible party) anything they received. I wanted my Tarantula!! I reached out to get more advice than was available in the literature I was given, or the internet, but I guess I made a mistake. Forgive me for asking how to best take care of my new addition - I'll look elsewhere.....

 

[HungryGhost]

You should have passed, gone home and done your research, and then considered if a tarantula was right for you.

 

[Enn49]

I am an experienced animal owner of many different kinds of critters. There were many vendors at the conference (NSTA -National Science Teachers ,and, CSTA -California Science Teachers joint conference) and some raffled off merchandise, including live critters, at the end. Participants had the choice of accepting, rejecting or giving away (to a responsible party) anything they received. I wanted my Tarantula!! I reached out to get more advice than was available in the literature I was given, or the internet, but I guess I made a mistake. Forgive me for asking how to best take care of my new addition - I'll look elsewhere.....

Whereas I agree it was irresponsible of them to raffle a T, you are now the proud owner of the little one and have done the right thing coming here for advice. Most on here are very helpful so please don't be put off.

If it is as already suggested a G. rosea or G. porter then they are easy to care for. Keep the substrate dry, give it a water bowl, feed and enjoy.

 

[Josh]

@HungryGhost you're coming off a little bit strong. I understand your frustration but it was not @srstarkie 's fault that the organization decided to raffle off a living animal. In fact, @Enn49 got it right - it's actually really great that @srstarkie came here to get good advice on how to properly care for the T. Much better than someone else getting him and ignoring him or letting him loose in the wild. This is a friendly forum and we don't want to be scaring people away from getting the help they seek and need from experienced tarantula keepers.

 

[Martin Oosthuysen]

Hello
I have to agree on this one,it was irresponsible from the people raffling the Tarantula off as a prize. I can see why this could happen,since most people just see it as a spider nothing more nothing less and have no caring feelings towards it. I am just glad someone with an adult attitude received that T,and chose to join here and first addressing the fact they needed help and asked for it. This could have easily played out badly for the T or people involved. We as hobbyists should correct peoples behaviour who would even think of just giving a T away to an inexperienced keeper,and praise those who are willing to step up and say you know what I need help. So Hungry I agree incorrect behaviour in giving a T away,but on the flip side glad this person had the guts to step up and ask also the maturity to look for answers.