1st Tarantula

[jtipton]

My son went to a pet store a couple of days ago with a friend. He knew that I have been thinking about a T for a few weeks. He decided to pick up a Pinktoe while he was there. I'm not to happy that he made an impulse buy on an animal and caught me unprepared, but to late now. Anyway so now I have me an Avicularia but have no idea what kind. My son said that the pet store only had it labeled as a Pinktoe. Anybody have an idea as to which Avic it might be?

[John1982]

Looks like Avicularia metallica to me. Good first T but avics can be jumpy. When you handle do so near a surface in case it decides to fly.

[jtipton]

Thanks John. I'm still a little nervous about holding it right now. It is pretty quick. When I tried to put it in it's cage it took off up my arm and across my chest, scared the crap out of me.

[John1982]

You really don't have to worry about getting bit by that one. When frightened avics tend to scram while shooting poop at the perceived threat. If they don't have an immediate path they will often pull a super man and hope for the best. Their movements are pretty cool though, fun Ts to hold so long as you're careful to avoid accidents.

[jtipton]

To be totally honest I think I would rather take a bite than be shot by poop.