Of course: T's aren't aggressive, but defensive
Keep in mind that when it comes to OW T's doesn't exist something like the classic NW 'terrestrial', maybe even often visible like a A.geniculata is, but only arboreals and obligate burrowers (we can discuss about the fact that certain species are less burrowing-maniacs than others, but still).
I see C. Darlingi and C. Marshalli recommended always for first OW. Is it because they are easy to care for? Or have better temperaments than most OW species.OW T.'s for any beginner should always start off as a sling. From experience from OW T.'s I would suggest C. darlingi, C. marshalli, and the Augacephalus genus from my experiences so far. Just note that almost all OW terrestrials are either burrowers or pet holes, so you won't see them as much. My pick would be the A. ezendami for sure, if were narrowing it down to cost, availability, and care. I mean they're not that easy to find, but they're certainly the better choice for a beginner into OW.
I currently own 5 C. marshalli and 3 C. darlingi and they web quite the storm into the burrows and substrate. If you give them substrate depth, they just tend to mind their own business. I find most OW terrestrial T.'s the same if given substrate depth and privacy. And yes, I put them on my list because they're super cheap, available, and quite easy to care for. I bought my 5 C. marshalli for $5 a piece and later bought my 3 C. darlingi around $8.50 a piece. I mean they're not too special besides the horn, but if you had to go against price, availability, and care, then these guys are hard to beat.
I tell you my opinion. Those are a cheap and pretty often available species, basically, and with that (IMO amazing) horn that is always able to fascinate
Ok I was just checking that I didn't miss anything special about these species. Now here is my take on it.I tell you my opinion. Those are a cheap and pretty often available species, basically, and with that (IMO amazing) horn that is always able to fascinate
About the easy to care part, let's be honest, barely every African species (save for few exceptions) are incredibly easy to care for T's.
For instance, H.pulchripes make a perfect OW for start, but the price may be not so friendly for everyone. A.ezendami are perfect as well, but not so always easy to find like a C.marshalli.
That's why during decades those two species reached the status of 'perfects OW's for start' but a note about the temperament: I know that temperament always vary, but they aren't exactly 'calmer' like a lot of people always said/say.
They are on the somewhat nervous side, for me. At least every specimen I've had
I do agree with you with the price issue. I mentioned that only as a detail (a detail that IMO never harms, as I've said, no matter the 'wallet') but it's anyway a fact that (during time and in general) cheap T's were/are always an evergreen, for a reason (direct purchase) or another (like frebies etc).
Well said my friend!!! Are you sure your not a car sales man? LOL. I knew there was more reasoning to it, but have never cared much for the horned species because I think they look funny. But after your post you have inspired me to put it on my next purchase list if the horn is as neat as you claim,I do agree with you with the price issue. I mentioned that only as a detail (a detail that IMO never harms, as I've said, no matter the 'wallet') but it's anyway a fact that (during time and in general) cheap T's were/are always an evergreen, for a reason (direct purchase) or another (like frebies etc).
Cheap T's because those are pretty easy to breed species so barely always available in the trade, as we know.
Now, not considering the price, there's that horn... a unique feature. The fact that, speed talking, they aren't 'Pokies' or else. The venom potency, not powerful like the P.murinus one (a thing to consider, no matter, for those that never owned inverts on the potent venom side). Visibility may be nice. Last but not least, super easy to care. So it's a mix of those reasons that IMO turned those two species (in fact other Ceratogyrus spp. are less owned and less discussed) so famous
For instance (at least here in Europe) now C.lividus are kinda cheap as well (and I'm talking about sexed juvenile 0.1) but that defensiveness and care require a bit more of experience, so it's not a typical average suggestion for me. Same for P.muticus (the care part, not too much the defensiveness of the spider because once settled they disappear). I'd love to consider those things, on my suggestions.
Now while I do agree with you (as said prior) with the price tag of a spider, consider this: someone that never cared for a Theraphosidae that require the keeping of certain parameters (including ventilation, IMO often underestimated) for living, purchase... I don't know, a 0.1 H.devamatha and said bugger dies because the owner wanted a species he/she lacked the experience for. Well that sucks no matter, even if that someone is millionnaire.
That's why I prefer to suggest (unless someone directly ask about certain species) sorta bulletproof and "friendly" T's as first/starter OW's
, BTW i will name it Chris79, or maybe Johnny5.
Well, the horn is a unique feature and, yes, fascinate a lot of people (viewed in real life is impressive, especially after a molt) but tastes are tastes, at the end, so you may have people not interested/not fascinated by that.Well said my friend!!! Are you sure your not a car sales man? LOL. I knew there was more reasoning to it, but have never cared much for the horned species because I think they look funny. But after your post you have inspired me to put it on my next purchase list if the horn is as neat as you claim,
Wow, this one almost looks pink!
Part might just be the light angle....another might be that shes also freshly molted.
Of the 4 I have, 3 I got as slings. Is there a significant difference in the difficulty of a NW sling compared to an OW sling?OW T.'s for any beginner should always start off as a sling. From experience from OW T.'s I would suggest C. darlingi, C. marshalli, and the Augacephalus genus from my experiences so far. Just note that almost all OW terrestrials are either burrowers or pet holes, so you won't see them as much. My pick would be the A. ezendami for sure, if were narrowing it down to cost, availability, and care. I mean they're not that easy to find, but they're certainly the better choice for a beginner into OW.
It's better to buy an OW as a sling if you're going into OW for the first time. So that you can adjust to keeping one as it grows with your experience, if you get a OW T. as a larger or adult size T., then it's going to show more threat postures and aggressive behaviors in comparison to and OW sling that is most likely going to be skittish and run around.