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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Isetta" data-source="post: 25148" data-attributes="member: 2775">Hey everyone! My boyfriend and I just got our first tarantulas yesterday at Repticon in Charlotte NC. Two curly hair slings <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> We went with intentions of getting a feel for local breeders to purchase a crested gecko from, but we both became fascinated with the tarantulas there. I have been afraid of spiders all my life, although I find them extremely interesting. After talking with a couple breeders for a few hours we decided to give them a go. I knew I wanted to get a breed that would be docile, I am working over a fear so I prefer to not be surprised with rearing and jumping. They told us to start with a baby so that I could get used to its size as it grows rather than starting out with a large spider. Also told us since they are so small to start out feeding them a few fruit flies every couple of days and put a couple drops of water on their substrate about once a week. Fed them for the first time about an hour ago, and mine (named him/her Isetta) ate them right up! His (named Altezza), didn't really show interest at first, but over time I've noticed a couple of the flies have disappeared. The breeder also told us that these containers would be fine for them for a while, but after poking around this forum for a while it looks like most of you are putting your slings in slightly larger habitats. What do you guys think? I know that they are terrestrial, so I want to make sure that they have room to roam. They have seemed to enjoy burrowing though. I think mine (left in the pic) is probably okay in this container for now as he/she is smaller, but his is a little larger and I was wondering if we should go ahead and move him/her to a larger home. We're using loose coconut fiber substrate. Sorry for the bad picture, this was the best one I've been able to get of them so far. [ATTACH=full]5266[/ATTACH] After doing some research on molting, going off of size it looks like we may be expecting a first molt soon from Altezza, unless he has already molted once before we got him. Is there a good way to tell by size? It seems like it really just varies spider to spider. Also, at what size would you guys recommend switching to small crickets? I noticed that most people are using pinhead crickets, but the breeder had told us to start with fruit flies since they are so small. Thank you so much for any info, we are really excited to raise these little guys!!</blockquote>

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