Tarantula Noob from VA

[TokeHound]

Hello! I have Arachnophobia really bad and I came into this Forum for more research. I have awesome news, I bought my first Tarantula today! It's a Brachypelma hamorii, Mexican Red Knee, and I am so excited! It is a sling, which I don't think is recommended to beginner Tarantula keepers (aka, me) but I will try my best to keep it happy and healthy! The shop employee attempted to feed it for me, but it didn't eat, so I'm hoping that's a sign of pre-molt! I'm very excited about this T, and I am hoping it's a female! I already have a female name picked out, Penelope. What do you think? I wanted a cutesy name because of my Arachnophobia. I don't want to name it something where I'm going to be afraid of it, like Satan or something, Lol. But I have no idea what a good "cutesy" male name would be. I was thinking Monty because I have always liked that name. (Sorry if you think my names are dumb.) But if anyone would like to suggest some good "friendly" names, I would love to read them! Anyway, here is a couple pictures of my new sling! Thank you for reading

 

[m0lsx]

Hello, welcome to the forum & the hobby. And congratulations on a great T, the hamorii's are lovely T's.

 

[Enn49]

Hello and welcome to the hobby.

 

[ilovebrachys]

Hi and welcome to the forum

 

[Teresaisrad]

Hello and welcome to the Forum and hobby! I think slings are an amazing way to start out because they are tiny cute little things and it creates a less daunting experience during first time events. I'm very exited for your journey. No questions are dumb questions and research like crazy cause there is always something new to learn!

 

[prince charmless]

Congrats on your first sling. B. Hamorii is a very long lived species. You will enjoy watching it grow. I wonder how many Ts you will have in about a year? I have been into them for about a year, and I am up to about 2 dozen. They are fascinating, and MUCH easier to care for than aquariums. When dealing with new world species, re-housing and such, be mindful of urticating hairs. VERY itchy, kind of reminds me of poison ivy. That said, this can be a rather addictive hobby, the research can be as much fun as the actual husbandry. Wait 'til you get your first OBT (LOL). I have gotten to where I do all rehousings in my bathtub with the shower doors closed. That way, if they bolt, they are easy to relocate and recapture. Have fun.

 

[menavodi]

Welcome to our nice place. A forum you will enjoy! You have a great start into your new hobby! Perfect!

 

[TokeHound]

Congrats on your first sling. B. Hamorii is a very long lived species. You will enjoy watching it grow. I wonder how many Ts you will have in about a year? I have been into them for about a year, and I am up to about 2 dozen. They are fascinating, and MUCH easier to care for than aquariums. When dealing with new world species, re-housing and such, be mindful of urticating hairs. VERY itchy, kind of reminds me of poison ivy. That said, this can be a rather addictive hobby, the research can be as much fun as the actual husbandry. Wait 'til you get your first OBT (LOL). I have gotten to where I do all rehousings in my bathtub with the shower doors closed. That way, if they bolt, they are easy to relocate and recapture. Have fun.

I can see how this hobby is addicting. I already am interested in getting a Aphonopelma chalcodes, AZ Blonde, and I have debated on whether I wanted an Old World just yet. They seem like "fun" to feed but I don't think I am brave enough for that yet! I like the Haplopelma Minax, Thailand Black (Sorry if I got this name wrong, still learning) because they look like jet black velvet! But we will see... Lol...

 

[octanejunkie]

Welcome!

 

[WolfSpider]

A cutsy name like Penelope, huh? Not like the devil or something huh? I don't mean to burst your bubble, but with s bit of research, you might find the name "Penelope" to be a bit less fair and maiden than you realize.
Either way, welcome aboard!

 

[PanzoN88]

Welcome to the forum and hobby.

in my opinion, sling care is over exaggerated. I started with a sling and I’d like to think I did something right, because she is a subadult now. I’m sure others have also started with slings with success.

 

[TokeHound]

Man, y'all weren't kidding that this hobby is addicting! I got my first T, Brachypelma hamorii, and a week later, I got two more! I got an Avicularia avicularia sling, and I got a free Hapalopus sp. Colombia sling from a gentleman who won a bunch of slings in a raffle. I'm kind of ready to pick out my 4th!

 

[prince charmless]

Man, y'all weren't kidding that this hobby is addicting! I got my first T, Brachypelma hamorii, and a week later, I got two more! I got an Avicularia avicularia sling, and I got a free Hapalopus sp. Colombia sling from a gentleman who won a bunch of slings in a raffle. I'm kind of ready to pick out my 4th!

(Quietly chuckling) My first was an A. Seemanni, now I'm up to about a couple dozen critters if you include the scorpions

 

[TokeHound]

A cutsy name like Penelope, huh? Not like the devil or something huh? I don't mean to burst your bubble, but with s bit of research, you might find the name "Penelope" to be a bit less fair and maiden than you realize.
Either way, welcome aboard!

Your comment has been bugging me since you first posted and I finally decided to research the name Penelope. Lol...

So, what I found was that in Greek mythology, Penelope was the faithful wife of Odysseus. The name means "weaver", which seems appropriate, no? Tarantulas "weave" a web? Lol xD

I was wondering what meaning you came up with? BTW, friendly argument!

 

[WolfSpider]

I owe you an apology. I was wrong. I looked it up too. You are correct. I think I got confused with Persephone. I am sorry. Penelope seems like a great name for a weaver. Thanks for setting me straight.

 

[TokeHound]

I owe you an apology. I was wrong. I looked it up too. You are correct. I think I got confused with Persephone. I am sorry. Penelope seems like a great name for a weaver. Thanks for setting me straight.

Lol No apology needed! I learned something new

 

[prince charmless]

Lol No apology needed! I learned something new

Also a good name for a pit stop

 

[Bugzrule]

Welcome and good luck with your new addition!