Unknown tarantula

[Spots]

I saw a tarantula in a local reptile store marked "curly hair" for $40; it's about 3 inches, dark grey and super defensive. I knew right away that it was NOT a curly hair. It did not have the curly hairs and it was more of a dark grey fuzz. It looked like an old world T, 99% sure that its an OW T; its abdomen was a bit oval long in shape and it was buried in loose substrate.

Like I said, it was super mean and was rearing up and slapping the ground with fangs all out. It was acting like an Australian funnel web spider.

Would you buy this T even though its unknown sex and species?

 

[PanzoN88]

I would, as sexing it would be easy enough eventually. I obviously would buy without the intention of ever breeding it.

The only OW species with an elongated abdomen that I can think of right now is a Pterinochilus lugardi.

 

[octanejunkie]

Did you ask the store any questions about the spider in question?
Like where and when they you it, why it's labeled as it is, and, if you can take a few pics?
What store was it?

Hard for anyone to guess meaningfully without at least a pic..

 

[Arachnoclown]

I saw a tarantula in a local reptile store marked "curly hair" for $40; it's about 3 inches, dark grey and super defensive. I knew right away that it was NOT a curly hair. It did not have the curly hairs and it was more of a dark grey fuzz. It looked like an old world T, 99% sure that its an OW T; its abdomen was a bit oval long in shape and it was buried in loose substrate.

Like I said, it was super mean and was rearing up and slapping the ground with fangs all out. It was acting like an Australian funnel web spider.

Would you buy this T even though its unknown sex and species?

Sounds like my type of spider...I would of bought it on the spot!

 

[Arachnoclown]

The most gentle spiders can be having a bad day. Especially in pet store where they're tormented all day by everyone.

Most gentle spider in the world. Phrixotrichus (Paraphysa) scrofa

 

[Oursapoil]

The most gentle spiders can be having a bad day. Especially in pet store where they're tormented all day by everyone. View attachment 62887

Most gentle spider in the world. Phrixotrichus (Paraphysa) scrofa

I couldn't agree more. Needless to say there can also be many unknown factors affecting the T's mood. I have witnessed some of my oldest and calmest Ts suddenly and without warning starting to tap as well as some of the most defensive ones being nice and chill on some occasions.
My go to move is to give the T a few seconds to adjust when opening its enclosure, to make sure I am not surprising it, like a good neighbor visiting
After a few seconds and when the T shows signs it is aware of my presence, I will gently touch one of the leg with a soft paint brush, then a second one (I do this with the less defensive Ts). If the response to both contact is satisfactory, Enzo is next to do his husbandry's duties

 

[Spots]

I would, as sexing it would be easy enough eventually. I obviously would buy without the intention of ever breeding it.

The only OW species with an elongated abdomen that I can think of right now is a Pterinochilus lugardi.

No, it did not have any dots on the abdomen or on the carapace as far as I can remember.

 

[Spots]

Did you ask the store any questions about the spider in question?
Like where and when they you it, why it's labeled as it is, and, if you can take a few pics?
What store was it?

Hard for anyone to guess meaningfully without at least a pic..

The owner said "this is a curly hair" he had NO IDEA.

 

[Spots]

The most gentle spiders can be having a bad day. Especially in pet store where they're tormented all day by everyone. View attachment 62887

Most gentle spider in the world. Phrixotrichus (Paraphysa) scrofa

I agree, even a Brachypelma can rear-up if bothered over its limits (I have seen it with my Hamorii), but this guy was on another level of angry. This guy had all six of its eight legs up in the air!

 

[Spots]

Come to think of it,… it sorta looked like (the shape at least) a cobalt blue C.lividus, although I don't recall ANY blues on it.

 

[Arachnoclown]

I agree, even a Brachypelma can rear-up if bothered over its limits (I have seen it with my Hamorii), but this guy was on another level of angry. This guy had all six of its eight legs up in the air!