Should I go for a Poecilotheria?

[NorseDad]

I am very interested in possibly getting a Poecilotheria with my upcoming T order. I'm lucky enough to have a local breeder friend who has nearly every variety available as slings. (I'm interested in a rufilata.)

I am still a little unsure if I have enough experience to handle the speed and the venom potency. I have a collection of about 26 species. Many of them are terrestrial new world slings. I do have a juvenile OBT, C. marshalli, and H. pulchripes. The larger Ts in my collection include a 6" T. apophysis, 5" A. seemanni, a 6" P. auratus, a 4" A. avicularia, a 4" A. chalcodes, a 4' GBB, and a 4" A. geniculata.

I definitely have a gap in experience with a faster arboreal species. I've heard some people say that a Psalmopoeus might be a good stepping stone, which is fine since I planned on getting an irminia and victori eventually anyway. What do you all think?

 

[Lentulus]

The stepping stone/latter method was invented by dealers and/or people that want to sound PC for all their inter webs advice.

I went with Metallica because I’m sheep and the colors are pretty. I don’t worry about old/new world venom. Getting bit would suck either way—I’ll live to cry about it.

In comparing my victori to the metallica, they’re both faster than me. The real difference that I’ve observed is that the victori uses a hide and will bolt straight to it. The Metallica will run around like Richard Pryor on fire. They can/will bolt in any direction—light speed.

Forgive my ignorance regarding the rufilata specifically, I’ve never dealt with one. More experienced keepers will say that some Pokies are more prone to taking on the keeper than others. I can’t really speak on that though. The Regalis is what the inter webs will say is the beginner Pokie. As long as you KNOW what you’re getting into, go with your gut.

Cheers!

 

[Oursapoil]

Hi NorseDad, I wouldn't sweat it and get from your friend the pokies you want. If you have already 26 Ts this is not your first one and by now you must have definitely learnt to respect the Ts and their space. Just do not get too comfortable as it is when "accidents" happen. The victorii and metallica descriptions from Lentulus are right on the money, this said, if you are gentle (or I am just lucky) they won't even budge and will let you take nice pictures of them. Here are my regalis couple this morning, the enclosure was right opened and my phone about 9 inches from them. Cheers.

 

[VaporRyder]

I currently have 8 species of pokie, from slings to 5 - 6 inch juveniles. I also have a juvenile OBT at present and kept one from sling to adult over a decade ago. Personally, I am more worried about OBTs than pokies - although neither should be taken lightly.

I had my old OBT ‘loop the loop’ teleporting in its new enclosure, during a juvenile to adult rehouse back in the day. Recently, I had my 5 inch metallica race up my tongs during an error (trying to reach the water bowl when the tarantula was way too close). It had lulled me into a false sense of security over the previous few months, but of course I should have known better. I got lucky with the tong sprint, reflexively dropping them just as the tarantula reached the top of the enclosure, just a few centimetres from my hand. Fortunately, it was able to run down the back of its enclosure before pausing. When I approached it with a catch cup, it bolted between two enclosures and I was able to safely secure it again. I won’t be making that mistake again - for both the animals sake and mine.

The OBT is quicker IME. I could (just about) see the metallica moving - but the OBT moves taster than my brain (and therefore my eyes) can cope with.

I believe that you can keep what you want - if you know what you are getting into and are prepared to own the consequences. Do you have children or animals that could be affected if you get out of your depth and things go south?

My 6 inch rufilata is much more skittish and defensive than my metallica, it runs and hides as soon as I enter the enclosure, but individual temperaments will vary both within and across species.

Anyway, I hope this helps.

Disclaimer: I’m apparently already considered an OBT heretic in some circles; as I consider my Usambara RCFs to be highly adaptable terrestrials that like to climb and will burrow opportunitically - rather than being fossorial, obligate burrowers (as many seem to believe).

 

[VaporRyder]

Just to add: I think that getting a sling is a good idea for species that you may be a little concerned about. You can grow with the animal that way.

 

[Enn49]

Disclaimer: I’m apparently already considered an OBT heretic in some circles; as I consider my Usambara RCFs to be highly adaptable terrestrials that like to climb and will burrow opportunitically - rather than being fossorial, obligate burrowers (as many seem to believe).

When I got my first T, an OBT Usambara, I read somewhere that if they are given less substrate they will happily live as an arboreal. My girl did, building amazing web tunnels up the full height of her 18" tall ExoTerra. So you are not alone in that. I'm soon to move my juvi RCF into an arboreal container in the hope it will do the same.

 

[VaporRyder]

When I got my first T, an OBT Usambara, I read somewhere that if they are given less substrate they will happily live as an arboreal. My girl did, building amazing web tunnels up the full height of her 18" tall ExoTerra. So you are not alone in that. I'm soon to move my juvi RCF into an arboreal container in the hope it will do the same.

Yeah, when I got my first, I gave it plenty of substrate and no arboreal retreats. It made no attempt to burrow and climbed the enclosure, webbing up the entire top - well above the sub.

My current one has a decent sized 45 degree cork bark tube that it has webbed up, leaving the rest of the enclosure web free. It has burrowed a bit at the bottom to give itself a ‘back door’. It is very happy, often sitting on the tube as if basking.

Please excuse the mesh lid - I’ve personally not had any problems with them, but will be replacing / modifying ASAP for acrylic as a safety precaution.

 

[octanejunkie]

I'll chime in here
If you are comfortable with teleporting Ts and you are not careless or prone to accident, then get pokies. They are iratic, spastic and quirky but no more challenging to care for than any other old world, in my experience. Rehousing a full grown adult, that's a different experience LOL

Regarding obts, treat them as semi arboreal, like you would a GBB. They are not necessarily obligate burrowers and their behavior varies from individual to individual, but they are all generally cranky.

I have a fair amount of experience with obts at this point and if you can anticipate their behavior and you are prepared to manage a grumpy orange blur then you will be fine.

 

[Enn49]

I got mine as a juvi and put her straight into a 12"x12"x!8" ExoTerra where she webbed up the back corner against the wood, later she made a web platform at the top where she'd sit. She also made a web and sub tunnel along the back with a doorway (in the yellow circle) where she'd push her rubbish out for me to collect.

 

[regalspottedbeast]

I say go for it. I have 4 Poecilotheria species and they're much more shy and reclusive than defensive, although I'm sure that they'd bite in self defense if cornered or handled. And they're absolutely lovely. Stunningly beautiful creatures, and my favorite genus. Temperament varies by species and individual. In my experience my P. miranda is the calmest, P. metallica is always out on display (and loves to bolt if disturbed) , and my P. regalis is probably my most defensive and skittish of the bunch. My P. ornata is a tiny sling so I'm not quite sure yet. I've heard that some P. rufilatas can be more a bit more defensive compared to others in the genus. One of the breeders in my area that I occasionally talk to has a huge 9in or so adult female and says that she's one of his most aggressive tarantulas. A bite from a female of that size especially would be no joke. All said, they are wonderful spiders. Nothing more regal than a Poecilotheria.

 

[Teresaisrad]

I got into pokies faster than I did OBT/Baboons... We are flopped. I found them very easy to understand and navigate. Everyone hit the nail on the head here, so long as you use respect and responsibility for the T's, you've got this!

 

[NorseDad]

I really appreciate all the advice and anecdotes! I definitely feel more confident with my decision. I have been mulling over the idea of getting one for several months. I do have two small children, but they have no access to the room I keep my T's in. Everything is always supervised if they want to look, and I do my rehousing in my bath tub alone lol. I've watched videos of pokie transfers (which is what I had some anxiety over) both good and bad, and I think I'm up to the task. I'm also a VERY meticulous and careful owner even with my new world terrestrials.

I made a phone call to my buddy, and I'm set to go pick up either a P. metallica or P. rufilata tomorrow. My friend is going to show me their mothers so I can decide. The metallica is about 1" and the rufilata is about 2-3". I am very excited to have the experience as I just find them so beautiful.

 

[octanejunkie]

Go for both!
Very different personalities, as species go, and at those sizes

 

[VaporRyder]

I was going to say that, cash allowing!

 

[NorseDad]

I really appreciate all the advice and anecdotes! I definitely feel more confident with my decision. I have been mulling over the idea of getting one for several months. I do have two small children, but they have no access to the room I keep my T's in. Everything is always supervised if they want to look, and I do my rehousing in my bath tub alone lol. I've watched videos of pokie transfers (which is what I had some anxiety over) both good and bad, and I think I'm up to the task. I'm also a VERY meticulous and careful owner even with my new world terrestrials.

I made a phone call to my buddy, and I'm set to go pick up either a P. metallica or P. rufilata tomorrow. My friend is going to show me their mothers so I can decide. The metallica is about 1" and the rufilata is about 2-3". I am very excited to have the experience as I just find them so beautiful.

That may be what I end up doing lol.

 

[DustyD]

While you are at it, you may want to pick up some mellower tarantulas to offset all that new aggressiveness you will be bringing into your T room. Balance karma and everything out and such. And adding two more Ts to the two pokies you are getting won't add a significant amount to the workload.

 

[x_raphael_xx]

While you are at it, you may want to pick up some mellower tarantulas to offset all that new aggressiveness you will be bringing into your T room. Balance karma and everything out and such.

That's what I keep telling my partner when I come home with new T's
One arboreal needs a terrestrial to balance the force.
Calm to balance the spicy.

 

[LinInuRen]

I am very interested in possibly getting a Poecilotheria with my upcoming T order. I'm lucky enough to have a local breeder friend who has nearly every variety available as slings. (I'm interested in a rufilata.)

I am still a little unsure if I have enough experience to handle the speed and the venom potency. I have a collection of about 26 species. Many of them are terrestrial new world slings. I do have a juvenile OBT, C. marshalli, and H. pulchripes. The larger Ts in my collection include a 6" T. apophysis, 5" A. seemanni, a 6" P. auratus, a 4" A. avicularia, a 4" A. chalcodes, a 4' GBB, and a 4" A. geniculata.

I definitely have a gap in experience with a faster arboreal species. I've heard some people say that a Psalmopoeus might be a good stepping stone, which is fine since I planned on getting an irminia and victori eventually anyway. What do you all think?

I jumped off the deep end. I was given an a. Chalcodes on black friday 2020, bought a p. Sazimai February and in March ordered 2 OBT, 2 t. Vegans, a. Geniculta, an l.p., g. Pulchra, p. Regalis, p. Metalica,

While you are at it, you may want to pick up some mellower tarantulas to offset all that new aggressiveness you will be bringing into your T room. Balance karma and everything out and such. And adding two more Ts to the two pokies you are getting won't add a significant amount to the workload.

My pookies are my calm ones, granted my p. Regalis is my first ever runner.... but that was just unboxing. I also have 2 obts, but I think they are broken. Only my p. Smanzi gives me attitude. I got it because I want confident owning a cobalt.... meet the new world version.

 

[NorseDad]

Update: I ended up buying a 2.5" P. metallica, a 3" P. rufilata, a juvie D. pentaloris, and two P. victorii slings.

I have a problem, and I don't want help. My wife, having payed more attention than I realized to all the tarantula videos I cast from YouTube onto the TV said, "Aren't those the really venomous ones from India that could put you in the hospital?" She then rolled her eyes when I confirmed and said, "At least you have great life insurance."

Crisis averted for now.

 

[x_raphael_xx]

Update: I ended up buying a 2.5" P. metallica, a 3" P. rufilata, a juvie D. pentaloris, and two P. victorii slings.

I have a problem, and I don't want help. My wife, having payed more attention than I realized to all the tarantula videos I cast from YouTube onto the TV said, "Aren't those the really venomous ones from India that could put you in the hospital?" She then rolled her eyes when I confirmed and said, "At least you have great life insurance."

Crisis averted for now.

Result