Newbie got mean Rosehair

[david200mph]

Hey guys just got my first tarantula last week on Feb 7th. Looks to be full grown. I bought it from one of the local pet shops. Its a silver colored redhair, not the solid brown looking ones. I handled it a little getting it in the container to bring it home. Its been in the new encloser about a week now. Seems to be settled in very well in its hideaway. Yesterday i opened the door to check it out and the front legs came up. I chickened out from touching it and closed the door. I then touched the side of the glass with my finger and it came out of its hideaway with dam large fangs biting at the inside of the encloser. I assumed it might be hungry so i went and got a couple of crickets and tossed them in quickly and they were eaten immediately (what a site to see). Anyway just decided to give it some fresh water today. Too test the situation i went in first with the long feeder sweesers. And dam it, wouldnt you know it came out and attacked them. WHAT AM I TO DO NOW??? I done all my homework and now im going to have to treat this tarantua like a OLD WORLD (which i am no way ready for)? I hope some of you are getting a kick out of this. I made the commitment and i am determined to take care of it hopefully without getting bitten. Also this guy has not kicked or rubbed and urticating hairs. So what now????

 

[Poec54]

Roseas are known for being moody, many are defensive at some point in their lives. This should have come up in your homework. They're popular because adults are hardy, w/c, and cheap, not because they're particularly suited for beginners. I wouldn't feel obligated to stick to the 'commitment.' You're better off selling/trading it and getting and getting a Brachypelma or Aphonopelma.

 

[david200mph]

I guess i didnt do enough homework.
But i did a lot and was told and read that the rosea would be the perfect first tarantula. I guess a lot of folks are wrong. At least im learning.
The place i bought it gave me two weeks to bring it back. looks like i will be taking it back tonite if i cant figure out how to care for it.

Thanks for your help.
David

 

[DVirginiana]

My first tarantula was a rosehair (I wanted them mainly for the hardiness, not the temperament) who is incredibly moody. She goes into a threat posture whenever you open the tank and will automatically attack tongs. If they've been fed with tongs I think they associate them with food. I can go in with my hands to change the water with no worries as long as I don't try to touch her or something, but the second the tongs go in she's on them if she's hungry at all.

 

[david200mph]

Sounds like it was fed with tongs because it jumped on them very quickly. Dont really care about handling it. Just want to be able to change the water and maintain the encloser. Just left the pet store and they said i still have a week to bring it back. I will monitor the situation carefully for a few more days and then make the decision whether to keep it or get a more docile one.
Thanks again for the reply

 

[DVirginiana]

Hope she calms down for you!

 

[david200mph]

Yea i hope so too. I guess its a girl. Dont really know. The pet store doesnt know either. And i dont know if it will molt again

 

[swimbait]

You will be fine!! If you are not worried about holding it what is the problem? You shouldn't have to change the water more than once a week tops, I bet after she attacks the tongs a few more times and realizes its not food she'll stop. It is not exactly like working with a OW seeing as how if worst case scenario happens and you get bit, it's not going to be nearly as painful. I wouldn't return it, if anything its a great learning experience and will prepare you for other species. IMO a calm rose hair is and isn't the best for a beginner, it just depends on if that person is looking to expand into other sp. or just have that one tarantula. For someone looking to gain experience to move onto other species, a dog tame rose hair isn't going to help them learn anything. I say keep it

 

[HungryGhost]

Just don't handle your tarantula. Problem solved.

 

[spidey noob]

keep it !!! i felt like this when i got my b,vagans at first but a few months down the line its a diffrent story. (1 of my favroute T now)

 

[Fuzzball79]

See how you feel about her in a couple of days. IMHO, as long as you don't really want to handle her a feisty Rosea is much more interesting than the pet rock variety (the ones that sit still for days).

 

[NYX]

My rosea/porteri is pretty moody. She has never came after me but she goes for the tongs every time! Just check her temperament with a paint brush before sticking you fingers in there. I say keep her! Every individual T is going to have a personality of its own even within sp.

 

[Poec54]

then make the decision whether to keep it or get a more docile one.
Thanks again for the reply

Even if this one calms down, it can turn defensive again without warning. If you get another rosea, a calm one, that may not last either. They're known to have personality changes after years of being docile. Like I said, you best bet is a Brachypelma or Aphonopelma.

 

[Poec54]

You will be fine!!... seeing as how if worst case scenario happens and you get bit, it's not going to be nearly as painful. I wouldn't return it, if anything its a great learning experience and will prepare you for other species. IMO a calm rose hair is and isn't the best for a beginner, it just depends on if that person is looking to expand into other sp. or just have that one tarantula. For someone looking to gain experience to move onto other species, a dog tame rose hair isn't going to help them learn anything. I say keep it

Not exactly the best advice for a beginner afraid of his first spider. They are people who don't want a defensive/confrontational spider, ever. Author Stan Schultz had a collection of hundreds of docile NW terrestrials, and had little interest in dealing with defensive species. There's no reason for the OP to feel he should either. There's so many beautiful species in the hobby today, there's no reason for anyone to keep a spider they're not comfortable with. Whether the OP ends up with 1 spider or 50, they can all be calm, docile NW's. No one has to progress to fast, defensive species. In fact, the average person shouldn't. There's too many escapes and bites as there is.

Almost all my spiders are tropical (fast and high strung), 2/3's are OW. I love confrontational spiders. But they're not for everyone. To most people, there's no appeal at all. I can fully understand that. It's not an enjoyable hobby when you're worried about bites and escapes, especially if you live with other people. When you have a spider that you don't think you can control, they're drug into it too.

 

[david200mph]

Thanks for all the replies and advice. It is very appreciated. All who have replied have good advice. especially you, POEC54. I got into this wonderful hobby because i love the tarantula species and want to be a part of the family of individuals who adore them as much as i do. I want to eventually move up into the OW species. So, i have decided to keep my rosehair and learn. Even if i get bit. Im sure i will have more questions later.
Im so glad this forum exists and i am sure this hobby will be very rewarding.

Thanks to all.
David

 

[david200mph]

Oh yea and one more thing. POEC54 I am taking your advice on one issue. Im looking for a Aphonopelma as well. I want to see the difference between the Aphonopelma and the Rosehair. Thank You

 

[DVirginiana]

Glad you're deciding to keep her! I don't mind feisty animals, but probably will never go far beyond NW terrestrials. They're just what I like But if you're planning on getting into OW T's one day, I think keeping her is probably the right choice. It'll be a good way to get used to a seriously hands-off type animal without quite the same consequences if you mess up.
Plus, I've found that mine's angry little personality is kind of endearing, so hopefully you'll feel similarly about yours!

 

[Poec54]

Oh yea and one more thing. POEC54 I am taking your advice on one issue. Im looking for a Aphonopelma as well. I want to see the difference between the Aphonopelma and the Rosehair. Thank You

There are some beautiful Aphonopelma from the SW US. I have chalcodes and they're gorgeous with all the different contrasting colors. Moderatum, cochise, bicoloratum, behleri, etc. All are well worth having and on my 'want list.'

 

[david200mph]

Hey T lovers, everything going smooth with my moody rose hair. Just have one question. The last few days when i got off work i checked in on her and it looks like she is chewing on the silk plants. Kinda looks funny in a way. At least it looks that way to me. Is this a common practice?

Thanks

 

[Poec54]

Hey T lovers, everything going smooth with my moody rose hair. Just have one question. The last few days when i got off work i checked in on her and it looks like she is chewing on the silk plants. Kinda looks funny in a way. At least it looks that way to me. Is this a common practice?

Did you soak the dyes out of the silk plants?