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Tarantula Forum Topics
General Tarantula Discussion
Theraphosa stirmi husbandry, is it a beginner species? Also other beginner species.
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<blockquote data-quote="Colorado Ts" data-source="post: 162302" data-attributes="member: 30045"><p>I applaud your interest in the species that you have selected. You've named several species that are personal favorites of mine, though I would caution you against handling any of your tarantulas.</p><p></p><p>Tarantulas are actually very fragile. They are much closer to an egg than they are a tank. Drop your favorite spider, from any, but the shortest height, and it could easily spell a slow painful death for your pet. Think of tarantulas as being in the same pet category as fish. Wonderful to observe and enjoy, but don't touch.</p><p></p><p>The T. stirmi is truly an amazing species, the shear size and proportions of an adult female can be impressive-a-licious. But species within the Theraphosa genus are on the temperamental side, and have narrow temperature and humidity requirements. Their irticating hairs are fierce...get haired by a Theraphosa once and you WILL remember it forever. Most T. stirmii seem to be...temperamental and they are known for kicking hairs. But with experience and basic husbandry skill sets, they are a cool species to maintain...definite show-case spider.</p><p></p><p>The Aphonopelma chalcodes is a darling of the tarantula hobby. They are known for having a docile temperament and disposition. They are noted as being slow growers, so if you buy a sling...expect to wait years before you have a spider of adult coloration. They are readily available, are much much cheaper than a T. stermi, and their care and maintenance is undemanding and basic. I like the Aphonopelma genus, and the A. chalcodes would be a wonderful spider to keep. Realize that for this species, there are stories of individual A. chalcodes specimens with less than pleasant dispositions...just something to keep in mind.</p><p></p><p>The Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens is an eye catcher...there is no doubt about it. They web up their enclosures with a beautiful blanket of white silk, and they will often sit out in the open areas of their enclosure, making them a classic show-case species and a pleasure to own. Their growth rate is moderately fast, so in a year, you could easily go from little 1/2 inch sling to 3 inch adult colored spider. It's a blue spider that won't put you in the hospital if you are bitten. They are typically more defensive than an Aphonopelma chalcodes, but I would say that their irticating hairs are similar, between the two species. C. cyaneopubescens will kick hairs and usually won't settle down until they are at or near adulthood, so working with them can be a rodeo until they get older or you gain experience. But the greatest most significant detail about the GBB, is it’s speed. This is a SURPRISINGLY fast spider, there & gone...blamo...in the blink of an eye. And what's amazing...they are not the fastest spiders. There are species that can...unbelievably...run circles around GBBs. As a beginner the experience from keeping this species will be exciting most of the time, and heart pounding at others...until you gain skill, knowledge and experience. Not what I would class as a “Best 1st Spider”....but definitely a “Awesome 2nd or 3rd Spider” to own. In the interest of full disclosure, I have 5 GBBs. If your heart is set on a GBB, get them as slings, get a pair or trio...and learn as they grow.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Colorado Ts, post: 162302, member: 30045"] I applaud your interest in the species that you have selected. You've named several species that are personal favorites of mine, though I would caution you against handling any of your tarantulas. Tarantulas are actually very fragile. They are much closer to an egg than they are a tank. Drop your favorite spider, from any, but the shortest height, and it could easily spell a slow painful death for your pet. Think of tarantulas as being in the same pet category as fish. Wonderful to observe and enjoy, but don't touch. The T. stirmi is truly an amazing species, the shear size and proportions of an adult female can be impressive-a-licious. But species within the Theraphosa genus are on the temperamental side, and have narrow temperature and humidity requirements. Their irticating hairs are fierce...get haired by a Theraphosa once and you WILL remember it forever. Most T. stirmii seem to be...temperamental and they are known for kicking hairs. But with experience and basic husbandry skill sets, they are a cool species to maintain...definite show-case spider. The Aphonopelma chalcodes is a darling of the tarantula hobby. They are known for having a docile temperament and disposition. They are noted as being slow growers, so if you buy a sling...expect to wait years before you have a spider of adult coloration. They are readily available, are much much cheaper than a T. stermi, and their care and maintenance is undemanding and basic. I like the Aphonopelma genus, and the A. chalcodes would be a wonderful spider to keep. Realize that for this species, there are stories of individual A. chalcodes specimens with less than pleasant dispositions...just something to keep in mind. The Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens is an eye catcher...there is no doubt about it. They web up their enclosures with a beautiful blanket of white silk, and they will often sit out in the open areas of their enclosure, making them a classic show-case species and a pleasure to own. Their growth rate is moderately fast, so in a year, you could easily go from little 1/2 inch sling to 3 inch adult colored spider. It's a blue spider that won't put you in the hospital if you are bitten. They are typically more defensive than an Aphonopelma chalcodes, but I would say that their irticating hairs are similar, between the two species. C. cyaneopubescens will kick hairs and usually won't settle down until they are at or near adulthood, so working with them can be a rodeo until they get older or you gain experience. But the greatest most significant detail about the GBB, is it’s speed. This is a SURPRISINGLY fast spider, there & gone...blamo...in the blink of an eye. And what's amazing...they are not the fastest spiders. There are species that can...unbelievably...run circles around GBBs. As a beginner the experience from keeping this species will be exciting most of the time, and heart pounding at others...until you gain skill, knowledge and experience. Not what I would class as a “Best 1st Spider”....but definitely a “Awesome 2nd or 3rd Spider” to own. In the interest of full disclosure, I have 5 GBBs. If your heart is set on a GBB, get them as slings, get a pair or trio...and learn as they grow. [/QUOTE]
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General Tarantula Discussion
Theraphosa stirmi husbandry, is it a beginner species? Also other beginner species.
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