Starting Off!

[TheSuperSoaker]

Hey guys I've been wanting to get a tarantula for a while and have recently gotten the opportunity to get an OBT. This will be my first one I've done a lot of research and have enough common sense to respect the spider and leave it alone. Ideas on if I should get it?

 

[harleyqueen]

Yes Definately get it. Like You said You Have researched How to Look after them and You Can always get advice on here If You need it. Definately get it

 

[DalilahBlue]

I love my wee ones. Measuring in at about an inch and they can still get my heart rate up!

 

[Nada]

If you respect the animal and are aware of what it can do It's fine to start with. However you may want to consider those that share your household 1st (dogs and cats included) as an OBT bit can be medically significant, or even lethal to dogs and cats.

 

[tarantula88]

its great that you want a tarantula.
maybe getting one thats a bit more on the docile side would be a better idea to start off thou?
there are heaps of different really cool species to choose from, but a obt as your first may not be the wisest choice. thats just my opinion.

 

[TJB13]

Obt's are great. Mine was extremely fast during first transfer and setup. Since then it is a rare treat to see it. I love the colors and patters as well as their reasonably priced. Go for it.

 

[DalilahBlue]

Heh, my unpacking of my wee OBTlets ended with me almost having a heart attack. I was placing their little tubes in the portion cups so they could come out on their own when one little booger ran out of the tube and up my arm and disappeared....I ended up stripping and praying to every deity imaginable that I didn't squish it or get bitten...I ended up finding it still on my hand.

 

[RubenGamez]

If you have done sufficient research and recognize both the animal's and your boundaries, getting it and keeping it should be no big deal. OBTs make awesome specimens in my opinion and remain on my wishlist. I'd say go for it.

 

[KIM QUY]

Heh, my unpacking of my wee OBTlets ended with me almost having a heart attack. I was placing their little tubes in the portion cups so they could come out on their own when one little booger ran out of the tube and up my arm and disappeared....I ended up stripping and praying to every deity imaginable that I didn't squish it or get bitten...I ended up finding it still on my hand.

I wore shoulder length thick rubber gloves (the kind used to operate a toxic base bath), used 12" tongs, wore googles, and extra layers of clothing when I unpacked mine. I don't think I wore that much stuff to work with my 1000 C oven...
My wee OBTS scare me more than when I am working with high pressure, high temperature, explosive reactions. Go figured!
I looked like I'm ready to go into a clean room for HF etching.

 

[Nada]

I wore shoulder length thick rubber gloves (the kind used to operate a toxic base bath), used 12" tongs, wore googles, and extra layers of clothing when I unpacked mine. I don't think I wore that much stuff to work with my 1000 C oven...
My wee OBTS scare me more than when I am working with high pressure, high temperature, explosive reactions. Go figured!
I looked like I'm ready to go into a clean room for HF etching.

conversely, when packing your slings I used my bare hands lol.

 

[KIM QUY]

conversely, when packing your slings I used my bare hands lol.

You sir, are very brave.

 

[Nada]

You sir, are very brave.

Nah, they're just not prone to bite at that size. They're runners.

 

[DalilahBlue]

Idk, one of mine is already threatening me when I open the containers to feed them....

 

[RubenGamez]

Ah! This is making me want an OBT more and more! >D

 

[KIM QUY]

I geared up because I read this article before I ordered the slings:
http://tarantulasandothers.blogspot.com/2009/09/bitten-by-orange-baboon-tarantula.html

 

[Nada]

I geared up because I read this article before I ordered the slings:
http://tarantulasandothers.blogspot.com/2009/09/bitten-by-orange-baboon-tarantula.html

That dude is a Jackass.

 

[KIM QUY]

Idk, one of mine is already threatening me when I open the containers to feed them....

Hey DalilahBlue, I was just wondering...seeing your pet list...how is the G. pulchripes? I'm itching to get some calm slings after these OBTs. I heard G. Pulchripes grow very slowly and are very calm pets. I have a G. rosea now and he is great. So slow and calm, no hair flicking, no threat posture and eat like a champ.

 

[Nada]

Hey DalilahBlue, I was just wondering...seeing your pet list...how is the G. pulchripes? I'm itching to get some calm slings after these OBTs. I heard G. Pulchripes grow very slowly and are very calm pets. I have a G. rosea now and he is great. So slow and calm, no hair flicking, no threat posture and eat like a champ.

They're essentially the same spider. Pulchripes tend to be easier/calmer though.

 

[DalilahBlue]

Just like Kenny said, except G. rosea is Bat **** Crazy with the mood swings and G. pulchripes is pretty chill. I have had it since it was about 1/2 in and it just molted into the 4 inch range. It has never even flicked a hair. It's a beautiful display spider.

 

[DalilahBlue]

@RubenGamez , I love mine. They do some pretty cool webbing, even at 1 inch in size!