Active beginner tarantulas?

[noobscaper]

Do you know of any beginner tarantulas that are quite active? From what I've heard, most of the Brachypelma and Grammostola are pretty much pet rocks and they hide all the time.
I'm looking for a T that will be on display most of the time. Also, preferably not S. calceatum-level bolty

 

[emminotte]

G. Pulcripes, they grow quite big, is docile, rarely kicking hairs, big-eater and is quite an excavator. They're my first sling, and boy do they loved excavating. They're always rearranging things around their enclosure (buried their water dishes multiple times), and even though they burrow as slings, they're often out in the open. Quite an active T in my opinion. They're also quite cheap, and is often readily available. If not, then definitely go for Acanthoscurria Geniculata.



Recently watched my sling dug out a burrow under that drift wood I've put her in recently.

 

[Vanessa]

No tarantulas are really that active - they are sedentary animals overall. It isn't in their nature to be that active. Their lives are spent primarily sitting in wait for prey to appear and eating it when it does. Sure, individuals vary and you can have spiders who rearrange their enclosures and dump substrate in their water dish, but they aren't doing much more than that. If they are actively pacing their enclosures, that means that something is wrong with your setup, or they are a mature male. If you set them up properly - none of them should do much of anything.
As far as being visible - there are a lot of species who sit out in the open once they reach about 3". However, youngsters of all species have a propensity to burrow and hide, because that is how they manage to not become food for another animal.
For what it is worth - I have nearly every Brachypelma species and all of mine are out in the open all the time. Same with my Tliltocatl species and all nine of my Grammostola species. My two Grammostola pulchra females are two of my most active spiders. Another genus that is always out is Euathlus and pretty much all my Thrixopelma are pretty visible as well. Neither are hugely active, though.

 

[Colorado Ts]

Yeah, I've used the term “active” before and got pummeled for it...so I'll assume that you're looking for a good solid display species.

Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens is a great display, from sling through to adult, beautiful at every step. Great feeders with a strong feeding response.

Acanthoscurria geniculata is another wonderful choice. The slings are pale reflections of the adult, after several moults they become darker and take on a cute miniature version of the adult. As adults, they are always on the watch in their enclosure...drop in a prey item and the response is immediate. Very strong feeding response.

Phormictopus sp...as a group the Phormictopus are in a League of Their Own. Both males and females of most species exhibit color. They vary from a plain brownish spider to species of amazing color and beauty. They have a very strong feeding response. They are almost always on display, beaten out by A.geniculata for being on the watch. They can be very ornery which will become more pronounced as they gain in size. Keeping them in a properly setup enclosure will mitigate this behavior.

Those would be my top 3 choices for large display spiders with strong feeding responses...

 

[spideyspinneret78]

L. parahybana! Active, grows large, may not be as colorful as some other Ts but makes up for it with their impressive size and personality. Also they are so food motivated that they're practically living trash compactors. Definitely recommend!

 

[noobscaper]

How do LPs compare to genics?
And what enclosures do they need? Is there a general rule of thumb for enclosure size?

 

[spideyspinneret78]

They're quite large and impressive display spiders, and are also known as the "salmon pink birdeater". They're one of the largest tarantulas, except of course for Theraphosa species. They're not nearly as brightly colored....they kind of have a greyish color with a some pale pink hairs mixed in. I usually see them for sale as slings, but they do eventually get quite large and will eventually need at least a 10 gallon enclosure as adults. Genics are pretty awesome too though, also large and more brightly colored.

 

[Colorado Ts]

How do LPs compare to genics?
And what enclosures do they need? Is there a general rule of thumb for enclosure size?

Lasiodora Parahybana (LPs) are fairly fossorial as slings. They will dig a burrow and disappear into it, seldom coming up...usually to feed. As they grow they will become less and less fossorial and more and more terrestrial. Eventually they will abondon their fossial habits all together and become an amazing Display Spider. So with this one species you'll gain understanding in keeping of fossorial species and in the end wind up with a very cool huge spider that loves to bask in your presence.

1/2" slings can be kept in 2 oz or 3.25 oz soufle' cups...I have one right now in a 2 oz cup.



As they grow and gain size you can move them into larger enclosures, I have another sling in a 4X4X4 AMAC box...this sling's probably pushing 1.75"+. It's again very fossorial and you can see in the above image where I can get glimpses of it through the sides of the enclosure. The amount of substrate that it has moved in just the last few days has been quite impressive, so I know that it's put on substantial size since its most recent moult.

For an Adult LP Enclosure, think Big...this will have the potential to be a huge spider if its a female and very sizable spider if its a male.

Acanthoscurria geniculatA (Spell Check keeps making it geniculate) are pale as slings, you can see hints of the banding pattern that they will have as adults...Once they moult at about 1"+, they become much darker and begin to take on more of an adult color pattern; though the background will be a Chocolate & Cream color, not the very impressive Coal Black & White of the adult. They grow as fast or almost as fast as the LPs and in a short time, with either species, you will have a sizeable spider on its way to a huge and impressive Display Spider.

The slings may dig a burrow or they may just dig a pit or they may choose to sit on display. My 10 slings are doing a little of everything so no clear patterns of behavior has been identified by me as yet. In the end, the A.geniculata will be a very impressive display spider, with an amazing appetite, matched only by just a few other species or genera.

The adult color pattern is visually stunning; especially by people that are unfamiliar with keeping spiders.

 

[noobscaper]

Here's a completely unrelated question: do slings have a high mortality rate?
I sort of want to watch as a T grows but it would be very sad if it/they died off.
Also, how many do you recommend getting to get a female? i would prefer that to a bunch of mature males.

 

[Colorado Ts]

WOW...that can be rather daunting questions to fully address, so I'll be brief.

It is true that slings are not as durable as juveniles and adults, if they are not kept properly you will see high mortality rates. MOST slings (not ALL) need a moist substrate to keep them from loosing to much internal moisture and dying from dehydration. You will need to research any potential species of slings that you want to purchase BEFORE you purchase them.

As slings get older and put on size they get tougher and mortality drops. For people just getting into getting and keeping slings...Start with 3/4" to 1", those are easier to care for and can be kept in larger enclosures from the out set. I use 4X4X4 AMAC boxes for this size range. Then once they get to 2.5" to 3" I can then move them (species dependent) into adult enclosures...or if they have the potential to be a huge species; then into an intermediate enclosure, (while I go build a giant enclosure for them in the backyard). Lasiodora & Theraphosa species can be quite large.

If you have access to a local breeder of repute, then you my friend are blessed. You can go visit and pick out various slings to your hearts content.

If you are like me and live in a virtual Hobby Desert, then you will need to buy online and there things change a lot.

Shipping is the killer...so if you are going to pay $45.00 to $55.00 for each shipment...it makes no financial sense to buy onesy's and twosy's with each order. As these spiders moult and grow, their value in the hobby increases intrinsically with size. I've been buying groups of each species, usually some where between 5 and 10 of each. It is not cheap...that is for sure. But I'm raising groups, so my insight into each species, and depth of knowledge gained, is exponential compared to someone who raises onesy's and twosy's. I get to see how groups of these species behave and as such I will develop over time a far deeper understanding as to what is and what is not normal for the species...so there is my base reasoning for my approach to this end of the hobby.

With groups of spiders, as they grow and mature, I now have a choice; I can support my hobby and learn to breed; or I can support my hobby and sell my excess stock to a breeder. If you truly love the species that you have and care for it and you possess the inclination...then try breeding. Otherwise there are those who would love to purchase your charges or work out a trade for access to your pets and the cycle continues.

....In a nutshell.


Edit: Always, Always, buy from reputable dealers, give these hard working folks the justice they deserve for the hard work and effort that they provide their clients. If you come across a disreputable dealer, try to work it out with the dealer first and if they prove to be a dirtbag...out them to us all. Disreputable dealers do not deserve anyone's business. Research who you buy from before you buy.

And on the flip side: be a good customer to these venders, don't be a pain and be understandable and reasonable. Be kind and courteous to people who deserve it. There is no reason to burn bridges with good people, and if they are good people once a bridge is burned damage is done and your options are less in the long run. Just keep that in mind. Trust people until they give you reason not to trust them; then never trust them ever again...that is actually a bridge worth burning in my opinion.

If you start buying online, be prepared...have all your ducks in a row. Know how size is determined in this hobby. That little bit of knowledge will save you headaches and heartaches down the road.

Have a working knowledge of how to care for slings from the very teeny-tiny to the reasonably large. Prepare your enclosures days before the spiders are due to arrive. Keep on-hand supplies to cover those surprise shipments. You may have ordered 3/4" slings, but whatever arrives in the mail is what you've got to deal with in that moment and its yours now. You've got to take responsibility and keep them alive and healthy, that is critically important. I must admit that 3 times now I've ordered 3/4" to 1" slings and the slings that arrived have been 3/8" or less. If this happens contact the seller immediately, be kind but go over the order details so that both of you understand clearly what has happened. Honest mistakes are forgivable as long as they do not become habit. Good dealers will work with you and offer some type of compensation. Dirtbags will argue and claim that you are the problem...Haven't met a dirtbag yet, but I have heard so many horror stories from the people that I do business with, I know who to stay away from and who to trust. That knowledge is a big help.

There are many knowledgeable people here at Arachnoboards. Cold Blood is a great resource...read his posts or reach out to him directly...he knows his stuff, really does.

 

[emminotte]

Here's a completely unrelated question: do slings have a high mortality rate?
I sort of want to watch as a T grows but it would be very sad if it/they died off.
Also, how many do you recommend getting to get a female? i would prefer that to a bunch of mature males.

Most would recommend getting a sling, but what some are truly saying is a sling that can already take down preys. I say about 1" or more. This is so because not only because of their higher mortality rate, but also because of their special needs.

Slings need a proper amount of moisture, and humidity. Not too much, and not something less. And slings below 1" is very tricky to feed, though if you'd go for it, I recommend feeding it with something pre-killed (or a cricket leg) to scavenge later, or something so small, and close to its size like some feeder nymphs.

And some would also recommend buying multiple slings as some can die off rather easily if not taken well, and of course, if some will present as males once they've molted. So the more slings you've bought, the more chance something will come out as females.

Having slings as your starter T is also very rewarding, as not only you'd get to experience it grow, but also because of the lessons you'd take along the way. That way, you'd be more in your element later in the hobby. And that's very rewarding imo.

They're cheaper, too, and it avoids the usual trap of some sellers saying that their t's (when they're juvies or are sub-adults) are unsexed, when in fact, it already is sexed, and is trying to bribe it off with a price higher than normal.

I'd recommend you watch Tom Moran, or Tarantula_Collective on proper care for slings and t's.

 

[cold blood]

T. albo and G. pulchripes are your most active truly beginner species.

How do LPs compare to genics?

They are very similar except genics are gorgeous, and LPs are about as mundane looking as ts come. The genic would by far a better choice.

Here's a completely unrelated question: do slings have a high mortality rate?

No, if kept properly slings do not have a high mortality rate at all....expect about a 95+% survival rate in captivity.

As for shipping...just wait for ideal weather and take the MUCH cheaper 2-3 day shipping option....a great spring and fall option.

 

[noobscaper]

@cold blood
How do genics and LPs compare to T. albos in terms of speed? Are they really that bolty/defensive/aggressive/whatever bad thing that I don't know yet?

 

[cold blood]

LPs and genics simply have a higher prey drive.

 

[noobscaper]

OK

 

[Harrison 13]

Do you know of any beginner tarantulas that are quite active? From what I've heard, most of the Brachypelma and Grammostola are pretty much pet rocks and they hide all the time.
I'm looking for a T that will be on display most of the time. Also, preferably not S. calceatum-level bolty

My Brachypelma Smthi is out all the time. Sits on her hide, although she don't move around much

 

[noobscaper]

By the way, does anyone know of a good seller in the EU? I know spidersworld.eu, and that seems to be the only big one. Unfortunately, they have mostly smaller slings.

So for a generally clumsy noob, would LPs and genics basically be as manageable as Brachypelma, Grammostola, Aphonopelma, Tliltocatl etc.?
I've seen them described as something between beginner and intermediate.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

How do LPs compare to genics?

Meh. They get to around the same size, don't look anywhere near as good, their temperaments are all over the shop, and their hairs are much worse. Their only redeeming feature is their feeding response.

Given the choice I'd always take a genic over an LP.

So for a generally clumsy noob, would LPs and genics basically be as manageable as Brachypelma, Grammostola, Aphonopelma, Tliltocatl etc.?
I've seen them described as something between beginner and intermediate.

They're fine as beginner species, they're easy to care for, they just think everything is food so use long tongs for maintenance and don't try to handle them.

 

[noobscaper]

This is way ahead of me, but with my first being a genic, would a Psalmo be OK as a second?

 

[The Grym Reaper]

This is way ahead of me, but with my first being a genic, would a Psalmo be OK as a second?

You'd probably be better off getting something from the Aviculariinae subfamily first (Avicularia, Caribena, Ybyrapora, Iridopelma, Pachistopelma, etc.).