Tarantula Care

Ryegeckoman123 · #1 (**permalink**) 24-03-2008, 02:53 PM

I am thinking about getting a tarantula maybe not in the near future but maybe in the future. I was wondering if people can give me some information on them. Like which ones are smaller but not too small? What do you feed them? If you wanted a smaller one, how much would it cost for the tank and the tarantula. Any other things I may need to know?

Ryegeckoman123 · #2 (**permalink**) 24-03-2008, 02:54 PM

I am look for something that can be hidden if needed because of company coming over and many people may get a little shaken up when they see a tarantula. I am thinking of a smaller one but one that is about 5 ins to 8 ins in span. I also need one that won't kill you when you hold it. I can always wear gloves when holding it so bitting is not a problem. I think I will print some of the replies so I can have a good amount of info when I ask my parents about getting one.

Ryegeckoman123 · #3 (**permalink**) 24-03-2008, 04:16 PM

Thinking about a Aphonopelma bicoloratum. Can I get some information. Could it fit in a tank 12"W X 7.5"D X 8"H?

Ryegeckoman123 · #4 (**permalink**) 24-03-2008, 04:17 PM

Bump!!!

joe0709 · #5 (**permalink**) 24-03-2008, 04:45 PM

well theres not really any point in getting a t if your going to be shifting its tanks about all the time. youd be best getting one and if need be put a cover over it. the tarantula will really not appreciate being moved about,especially when its moulting and mnoving while in m,oult can kill

C_Strike · #6 (**permalink**) 24-03-2008, 05:07 PM

A bicoloratum is a more uncommon species in EU. to be honest there is so little difference between them and B boehmi, you might as well get the Boehmi, easier, cheaper and a little more tolerant of you, lol
Any tarantula you could own can fit in a tub that you can safely hide away wehn needed. Its up to you of the choice of container, as long as it can hold the temps and the spider, lol
The spider will not give 2 craps if its in a card shoebox, or a house made of gold, as long as it can give the neccessities (neither can btw, lol).

BlackRose · #7 (**permalink**) 24-03-2008, 05:41 PM

There are many types of tarantula and they come in all different sizes and colours. It depends obviosuly on the size of the spider at the time and at adult size and what kind it is (aboreal, terrestrial, burrowing and so on) as to what type of enclosure you will need and how much you will spend overall.
Some are more docile than others but there are still exceptions...like a chilea rose can be really agressive etc when they are considered docile.
None are considered safe to handle for the following reasons:

You could drop the tarantula by accident or throw it across the room if it scares you
The tarantula could jump/fall
Even if the venom isnt potent on a certain T, you could still be allergic and chances are you wont know until you are bit
Some hairs coulld cause an allergic reaction too and even if they dont they can get in your eyes etc and you could end up in hosptial.

It is more for the tarantulas safety than your own, but if you were still considering holding it then make sure first off its not something huge or agressive. And make sure you are over a blanket and low to the ground or something.
All tarantulas will eat crickets, but some of the bigger ones will eat things like locusts, pinkies or small anoles as a treat.

As far as a big tarantula goes I suppose that is 6inches plus.
Tarantulas, depending on the species, range from 2inches - 13nches.
Some are slow growing and some are fast. When they stop eating it may be because they are not hungry and are fasting, especially if its a chiea rose (they are known for it big time!!) but most likely i will be due for a molt.
They will usually make a web close to the time and it will look like a hammock and they will usually do that in a corner or attatch it to something else. When you see this or any other signs of pre-molt (not eating, big and/or dark bum etc) then always keep an eye out. Take any uneaten food out the morninng after anyway, but when in pre-molt you will want to keep checking in and take it out after a few hours. NEVER leave food in while they are molting, or afterwards.
A sling I usually leave a week after molting to feed and a juvi upwards I leave two weeks. Best to be on the safe side.
You will know when the spider is molting as it will flip over onto its back. It will look like its dead alot of the time, but if you watch you will see its legs moving very slightly and slowly. It can be a long process, especially for huge T's. They can take days sometimes. Afterwards they might lie there for a while resting before they flip back over and they may curl there legs in like they are dead. This is normal and dont worry.
However if your spider has molted and is still on its back a couple of days later at the very most, correct me if im wrong, but I would assume the worst.

It is very important to make sure the humidity is right for your spider at all times, plus any extra heating etc it may need, but when its molting the spider must have enough humidity so it doesnt get stuck in its skin.
The spider MUST NOT be disturbed at all during molting and for and until it hardens up. This means not even touching the tank.
Sometimes, especially during a molt a spider doesnt make it. Depending on the species, even if you get everything exactly right they just die.
Dont let this put you off as most species are very easy to care for and you just need the basics.
Water bowls are a must for all spids 3inches and above.
All others under that size are to be sprayed. Depending on the species, you will have to look into how often and how much they need it.

Beginner spiders are usually seen as

Chilean rose (grammastolea rosea)
Mexican red knee (brachypelma smithi)
Mexican red leg (brachypelma emelia)
Mexican red rump (brachypelma vaganas)

These are all very easy to care for and there are many more easy beginners too, especially the brachypelma and grammastolea species)
These will all need a water bowl and not much else and a hide/burrow.
I use eco earth substrate for all my spids and bottle tops for a water bowl (make sure you put stones in it or something if the bowl is big so the spider and crickets cant drown) I use flower pots for hides or for slings film canisters.
Personally I would recommend a juvinile, sub adult or adult female T as your first as you can get used to the behaviour and as most of the beginner spids are slow growing you will get more out of it with an older one as your first and a sling as your second...cos you will want more...believe me!!!

I feed mine once to twice a week. The babies on micros, the juvis on the smallest standard crickets and the others on the bigger ones. One each, except for the greedy goliath lol.
If your sling is too big for the micros but not big enough for anything else then give a couple of micros. Btw.. I havnt seen any of my tiny tiny slings make any molting web or any web at all actually so dont rely on that for a molting sign. It can be more difficult with slings and its all very fiddly at times.
I keep mine in exo terra faunariums and all the slings in potatoe salad tubs etc.
If you wanna go aboreal as a first T, consider a pink toe etc, but Ive heard they can just die without warning. Plants are needed and usually higher humidity for these types of spiders, but always ask on here and look at care sheets if you are not sure on anything and definatly before buying a T.
Species you should really stay away from for your first T are generally these to name but a few:

Goliath Birdeater (T.Blondi)
Pinkfoot goliath (T.Apophysis)
All of the baboons

I think thats all. Good luck and let us all know what you decide on.

BlackRose · #8 (**permalink**) 24-03-2008, 05:50 PM

Forgot to mention I keep my mexican red rump's tank at a slighlty higher humidity than I do the others I listed in the beginner T's.

ferretlad · #9 (**permalink**) 24-03-2008, 05:52 PM

ToysRus sell a really good life like plastic Tarantula for £3.99 and Wilcos sell plastic pet tanks £4.99, wont cost anything to feed or wont bite you, and you can move this spider and hide it with out upsetting a real one...or leave it out on display and scare the S

T out of your guests.

Becky · #10 (**permalink**) 24-03-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferretlad

ToysRus sell a really good life like plastic Tarantula for £3.99 and Wilcos sell plastic pet tanks £4.99, wont cost anything to feed or wont bite you, and you can move this spider and hide it with out upsetting a real one...or leave it out on display and scare the S

T out of your guests.

hahahahahaha

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