Satu
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2011
- Messages
- 25
Exactly a year ago today, Mr S and I bought our first tarantula. We'd been talking about getting one for ages; we'd bought the Tarantula Keeper's Guide several months before and spent a lot of time with it. We finally tracked down a shop specialising in spiders and reptiles[1] and went just to have a look. And that's how we ended up with a little GBB sling (who technically belongs to Mr S). The next day we went back just to buy some crickets (since they didn't have any when we bought the spider) ... and came back with my very first T, a G. pulchra sling called Mort.
For the first couple of weeks I was really nervous about opening his tub (I was a recovering arachnophobe at this point); I expected him to jump out every time and run off, or something. But he was a very chilled out little dude, and didn't show any signs of wanting to eat my face or anything, and I gradually relaxed. A couple of weeks later, we went back for more crickets and also picked up another two Ts: an OBT sling for Mr S[3] and a juvi B. boehmei for me.[4]
You can imagine the rest.
We now have about 40 Ts between us, in various sizes, and they have a room of their own. I'm no longer nervous about opening any of their tubs[5]. I've handled a few of them, sort of -- both of my versi slings have a tendency to scamper out at rehoming time. Early on I'd decided I was never going to get any OWs; now I have 3. I've even tried my hand at mating, since I found myself with a MM C. sellatus; unfortunately he was eaten in the last attempt, and I'm still waiting to see if it was at least successful.
So here's to another year! I suspect we won't buy quite as many Ts this time, but I don't think we'll get bored of them any time soon!
--
[1] And in hindlight, we were incredibly lucky to find this place; the owners actually know their stuff, including breeding, and usually have a good variety of Ts in stock.[2]
[2] Also snakes. I'm thinking about a snake next.
[3] He always did favour the grumpier ones.
[4] Obviously the lesson here is that we should have stopped buying crickets.
[5] I can't say I'm looking forward to rehousing my L. violaceopes, but that's a different story...
--
Pics or it didn't happen:
Mort when we first got him.
Mort now. He's moulted twice in my care, the last time back in March. They told me G. pulchra are slow growing, but I wasn't expecting this slow. I think he might finally be gearing up for another one (though I seem to think that every time I look at him
).
In contrast:
GBB then.
GBB now.
For the first couple of weeks I was really nervous about opening his tub (I was a recovering arachnophobe at this point); I expected him to jump out every time and run off, or something. But he was a very chilled out little dude, and didn't show any signs of wanting to eat my face or anything, and I gradually relaxed. A couple of weeks later, we went back for more crickets and also picked up another two Ts: an OBT sling for Mr S[3] and a juvi B. boehmei for me.[4]
You can imagine the rest.
We now have about 40 Ts between us, in various sizes, and they have a room of their own. I'm no longer nervous about opening any of their tubs[5]. I've handled a few of them, sort of -- both of my versi slings have a tendency to scamper out at rehoming time. Early on I'd decided I was never going to get any OWs; now I have 3. I've even tried my hand at mating, since I found myself with a MM C. sellatus; unfortunately he was eaten in the last attempt, and I'm still waiting to see if it was at least successful.
So here's to another year! I suspect we won't buy quite as many Ts this time, but I don't think we'll get bored of them any time soon!
--
[1] And in hindlight, we were incredibly lucky to find this place; the owners actually know their stuff, including breeding, and usually have a good variety of Ts in stock.[2]
[2] Also snakes. I'm thinking about a snake next.
[3] He always did favour the grumpier ones.
[4] Obviously the lesson here is that we should have stopped buying crickets.
[5] I can't say I'm looking forward to rehousing my L. violaceopes, but that's a different story...
--
Pics or it didn't happen:
Mort when we first got him.
Mort now. He's moulted twice in my care, the last time back in March. They told me G. pulchra are slow growing, but I wasn't expecting this slow. I think he might finally be gearing up for another one (though I seem to think that every time I look at him
).In contrast:
GBB then.
GBB now.
