going for it!

ok,, lets get this out in the open, im scared of spiders.. not that im scared of spiders, but im scared of spiders that i cant see,, like when im under houses, in my boots, clothes that i havent wore in a while, and stuff like that... shew, now i feel better.... anyway, after looking at T's for a while,, i want one! i think that i have it narrowed down to a OW T, but the one that i want, im not sure.
here is my thoughts that lead me to the old world,,,, i dont want anything that kicks, but im into the "wow factor". i would like something that is full of colors, but maby terrestrial. im not too worried about the dangers of one v/s the other because iv had "hots" in the past and i respect each animal as it should be respected.
soooo im going to the city tomorrow and would like to get a "set up" for a T. i understand that different ones need different temps, but just as a basic enclosure, what do yall thing should be on the list for a good home?
thanks
spooky

Kind of need to know the kind and size of the tarantula in mind before I can personally give my opinion on that. I also would highly recommend you not choose a Old World tarantula as your first. But people before you have done it and the descision is ultimately yours bug IMO it is not the best idea.

It depends on what size you get it as and what type. If you get it as a sling, the smaller the better. I had my versi in a small vial (arboreal), it's only about 4-5 inches long.

http://i40.tinypic.com/307tegg.jpg

I have my larger mexican red knee (terrestrial) in a carry home container (like the ones you get from expos). It's about 6" x 8" if I had to guess, I just poked some holes in the sides and top for ventillation.
http://i44.tinypic.com/2nivqx.jpg

I also just recently found these acrylic boxes from Michaels craft stores, in 3 different sizes, I soldered holes in the sides and top. I just used a metal hanger heated up on my stove. This one is 4" x 3" x 3" I believe...my greenbottle blue is in it (semi-arboreal)
http://i41.tinypic.com/10gb3n6.jpg

As for substrate, I use either coco fiber or unfertilized potting soil. Terrestrial spiders get deeper substrate, arboreal spider get less :)

Good luck! I suggest handling a few before you make a solid decision.

thanks for the reply.
as far as the size, med. to large,, and PLEASE, give reasons for "not the best idea". im totally open for input from experenced keepers. let me first say that im not wanting something to handle. when i had hots, i never touched them, only used hooks, only during maintence. i understand that some are faster than others, but i dont have a true concept as of how fast fast is,, if you understand what im saying. i havent been able to find a "fast" T vid on youtube. all i can find is basic stuff that im truly comfortable with.
but please, school me. i like learning about everything, and then making an educated decision on what would suit me best.
thanks again
spooky

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LGray23

It depends on what size you get it as and what type. If you get it as a sling, the smaller the better. I had my versi in a small vial (arboreal), it's only about 4-5 inches long.

http://i40.tinypic.com/307tegg.jpg

I have my larger mexican red knee (terrestrial) in a carry home container (like the ones you get from expos). It's about 6" x 8" if I had to guess, I just poked some holes in the sides and top for ventillation.
http://i44.tinypic.com/2nivqx.jpg

I also just recently found these acrylic boxes from Michaels craft stores, in 3 different sizes, I soldered holes in the sides and top. I just used a metal hanger heated up on my stove. This one is 4" x 3" x 3" I believe...my greenbottle blue is in it (semi-arboreal)
http://i41.tinypic.com/10gb3n6.jpg

As for substrate, I use either coco fiber or unfertilized potting soil. Terrestrial spiders get deeper substrate, arboreal spider get less :)

Good luck! I suggest handling a few before you make a solid decision.

---

there aint no handiling where im at (BFE)LOL,,,, maby ill just go to one of those craft stores and get all of the cubes that they have to offer and then go from there.
quick Q about terrestial and aboreal,,,, is one more seclusive than the other? i gotta be honest,, if i drop a few bills on something,, iwould like to see it every once in a whilw;).
thanks
spooky

I think arboreal or semi arboreal species will be "seen" more often since they usually hang up out high in their webbing, and some terrestrial species will burrow. I can honestly say I can think of quite a few colorful and more "beginner" choices than the OW Ts...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LGray23

I think arboreal or semi arboreal species will be "seen" more often since they usually hang up out high in their webbing, and some terrestrial species will burrow. I can honestly say I can think of quite a few colorful and more "beginner" choices than the OW Ts...

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wich ones and why???? sorry for all the direct questions, but i like direct answers. ,,, but no matter what i choose, would a cube and basic substrate be all i need? also, it seems to me that with a aboreal, you would wnt to put the cube upside down (lid on bottom) and terrestrial lid on top. is this right?
before i do anything,, i want to get the right set up.
thanks
spooky

Well A.Versis are very colorful, greenbottle blues, mexican red knees (or fire legs), goldenknees, I like brazilian blacks but they arent very colorful. Here's a good list, and here. As far as those cubes, the lid is on top for mine, I'd think if the lid was on the bottom then all the substrate would fall out when you open it no? I'm also going to throw a stick in my arboreal enclosures. For very small slings I just mist a water bottle cap every 3 days and put it in the enclosure, for my larger one I keep a water bottle cap with water in it.

thanks for the info! i dig the fire legs, alot,,,, but from what i understand,,, arent they prone to kicking alot????
also the reason i asumed about the upside down thing was if a aborial makes its web up high,, wouldent you destroy it by opening up the top every time????
please bear with me, these are just thoughts going through my mind... im truly clueless. :rolleye2:
spooky

I really wouldn't be afraid of having hairs kicked at you, it's a risk just like getting bit by a snake if you own them. If you see them starting to kick you just put them back and take a hot shower. I have yet to witness hair kicking, apparently mexican red knees do it until they calm down, but mine hasn't, and really tolerates handling well.

As far as the lid, their webs are pretty strong. My versi used to web all the way to the cap and I'd take the cap off and it'd still be intact :)

thanks for clearing that stuff up. like i said before,,, im just trying to gather all the info i can to make an educated decision..... well as educated as im able. LOL
spooky

First off, welcome to the addiction :D I'm going to echo Boanerges in saying that I don't think an old world for a first is the best idea, even if it has been done before.

I can't speak for Boanerges, but my reasoning is that even though you have kept hot snakes and potentially others (I don't know what you've kept haha), it's wiser IMO to get used to the body language of less venomous spiders first, so that you can more easily read the T's that really count. Just because you've kept hots doesn't necessarily mean that you're ready for a hot tarantula if you've never kept or observed any tarantulas at all before.

I've sat through YouTube video after YouTube video of old worlds, and it really bore no comparison at all to dealing with them in the flesh. Its completely different. If you're really set on an old world as a first, maybe try to find local enthusiasts who are willing to show you how they deal with theirs and let you give it a shot before you commit to one.

i understand what your saying... i guess that iv never thought of a spider as having body language. are the old worlds really that much different than others??? or is it an individual type thing? one of my first snakes was a blood,,, i got this because people were saying that there arent beginner snakes,, "there agressave",,,and i thought that would be something that might get my blood pumping a little more. 4 or 5 years later,, my BP's keep me on my toes more than my bloods. i can count on one hand how many times my bloods have struck at me, but i have a cinnabee that tries to nail me everytime i open the cage.
i do apreciate your input though,, and it will help me make a good decision as to what my first T will be.. theres no stopping me now:colbert: im going to have one of these as soon as i gather enough info as to what id be most comfortable with.
thanks again.
oh BTW,, what would YOU sudgest?????
spooky

but,, just to let it be known that im not one sided,,, i have been looking at the avics...
spooky

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mr.spooky

i understand what your saying... i guess that iv never thought of a spider as having body language. are the old worlds really that much different than others??? or is it an individual type thing? one of my first snakes was a blood,,, i got this because people were saying that there arent beginner snakes,, "there agressave",,,and i thought that would be something that might get my blood pumping a little more. 4 or 5 years later,, my BP's keep me on my toes more than my bloods. i can count on one hand how many times my bloods have struck at me, but i have a cinnabee that tries to nail me everytime i open the cage.
i do apreciate your input though,, and it will help me make a good decision as to what my first T will be.. theres no stopping me now:colbert: im going to have one of these as soon as i gather enough info as to what id be most comfortable with.
thanks again.
oh BTW,, what would YOU sudgest?????
spooky

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The old worlds all tend to be really skittish and jumpy, and since their venom is their only defense, they're more apt to resort to biting than a new world. That's not to say that you might not find an individual that is pretty calm, but just that they're very uncommon. There are new worlds that behave like old worlds, minus the strong venom, so that's really the main difference between them. Every time you interact with them (cage maintenance, feeding, rehousing) you risk being bitten, which kind of goes for every T, but these guys have way more punch behind their bite.

If you go find Boanerges' most recent thread in the invert section, about confirming a female M. mesomelas, he posted a video from Rob C on the second page, with his reaction to a mature female Poecilotheria ornata bite.

Personally, for a first T knowing you want to get into old worlds, I'd suggest going for one of the new worlds that are known to have a bit of a temper or to be a bit more nervous - like anything from the Ephebopus genus, or if you want bigger sized T's there's the genus Nhandu or even the Theraphosa's, or you could go the arboreal route with some Avicularia's, they can be rather skittish at times too. There are a lot of choices for more nervous NWs, those are just ones from off the top of my head.

if any of the NWs strike your fancy, I highly suggest getting to know tarantulas through them first, then picking up an OW when you feel comfortable with the NW. Really though, pick something you like. If you find yourself looking up New Worlds and not seeing anything you like, then go for the one you've wanted - just be really careful until you get to understand it.

I also say get a NW T first. And learn what you can about whatever specie you decide on.

Much like snakes, each T has it's own personality. Our first versi my wife thinks is trying to kill her and is plotting to attack her in her sleep. But our newer one is pretty chill.

For arboreal species, it is recommended you use cork bark for a climbing surface.

Here is my versi's setup
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...56534281_n.jpg
the lid is off, but you get the picture.
this is because cork bark does not mold, but other things may.

Avics are great starters, if you do your research and are careful. They are a bit more fragile but would lead you into the OW nicely.

Heard OBT's are good start OW T's. All the OW attitude, venom and beauty, but almost impossible to kill with a ferocious appetite.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AK907

Heard OBT's are good start OW T's. All the OW attitude, venom and beauty, but almost impossible to kill with a ferocious appetite.

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thanks,, i checked them out, but it seems that they are terrestrial. from what i understand, the terrestrials "hide" more,,,, is this true??
thanks
spooky

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jessica Loesch

For arboreal species, it is recommended you use cork bark for a climbing surface.

Here is my versi's setup
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...56534281_n.jpg
the lid is off, but you get the picture.
this is because cork bark does not mold, but other things may.

Avics are great starters, if you do your research and are careful. They are a bit more fragile but would lead you into the OW nicely.

---

crap,, i knew i forgot something,,, the cork bark. today i got a few different size cubes. it looks like you have the cube upside down? is this because its aborial and theres less substrate needed?
thanks
spooky

My breeder gave me this cube. I guess you could say it is upside down yes, but the little circle thing is on top. Yes there is less substrate needed.

ok,,, so i took some advice from yall and decited to get a A.versi, a OBT, and (this was my idea:rolleye2:) a Malaysian blue femur...... well see what hapens!
thanks for the help!
spooky

The latter two are gorgeous yet a little more feisty ... Have fun :)

ok,, its been a few days sense i got my T's.. there tiny, brown (for the most part) and awsome!!! two of them are faster than hell.:O sence i never had T's before, i always herd that some were faster than others, but i couldent comprehend what fast was. now i know what fast is:O,,, it almost takes a spotter to see where the little bugers are going.
anyway,, so tonight i fed them for the first time. the A versi just refused the tiny dubia, so did the Malaysian blue femur,,,, but the OBT dident waist any time he /it nailed it!!!
just a little update, its been about 3 days sence i got these, and the A versi has ,, i dont know how to describe it,,,,, thin "sheets" of webs in different places up high,,,, the OBT has a small burrow that has webs around it,, and it seems like i can see an exit hole as well,,,,, the MBF is just chillin up high on the side of the enclosure,, no webs, burrows, nothing.
anyway,, i left the dubias in the A versis, and the MBF enclosures and put them away in a dark area that has an ambient temp of about 82*f.. i hope this will make them feel more safer so they will find the dubias and eat them..
as of now,,, do yall think iv made any mistakes????? do yall have any sugestions as to what i should do in the future???
thanks
spooky

Everything sounds fine mr spooky, but your Ts may be in premolt if they are refusing food. Which means they wont eat until they molt. Just wait until they do and then let their new skin harden for 3-4 days, maybe a week, I think is the recommendation, and then offer again.

ps ... your a versi is brown??

thanks for the tip!
no, the versie's not brown, it kinda has a blue fuzz to it,, but its still tiny so im asuming the colors havent started to show quiet yet.
thanks again
spooky