Anyway to start with an Ornamental??

[Princeoftheshadows]

I have always been interested in Ornamental tarantulas (Particularly the Indian ornamental). I have been doing research and have been wondering are there any way to start with one?

 

[Blue25]

Im assuming you have no experience with owning a tarantula, if this is the case then it is not recommended to start with one of these spiders, it is a OW tarantula and are considerable more difficult to handle. Consider starting with a NW terrestrial tarantula like a B. Smithi or others similar. There are many threads on here on a good starter T.

 

[MrTwister]

Most would highly advise against it. You will be dealing with a large spider, capable of moving very fast in any direction. If you or anyone in your home gets bit it is very serious. The fact that you are asking randoms on the internet tells me no, no, no.

 

[ThisMeansWAR]

The fact that you are asking randoms on the internet tells me no, no, no.

Isn't that kinda what this forum is all about?

 

[Chris LXXIX]

I have been doing research and have been wondering are there any way to start with one?

One moment, since you did your research therefore you should know about how much fast they are, and their venom potency... there's only one thing to do: prepare a proper set up/parameters arboreal enclosure and buy one.

There's not that much to say, IMO

 

[Rittdk01]

There are a bunch of docile nw's you should start with.

 

[awiec]

I have always been interested in Ornamental tarantulas (Particularly the Indian ornamental). I have been doing research and have been wondering are there any way to start with one?

Before you get hit with waves of "No that's a terrible idea", you should become familiar with the scientific name of that genus (Poecilotheria) as there are roughly 13 distinct species, I have no idea which one you're talking about with a common name.

As to if there is a way to "start" with one, sure, go buy one and hope for the best. I would strongly not recommend it as while you may have researched, dealing with a frightened 8 inch spider is a whole 'nother thing. They are fast, grow fast, some are skittish but all have very potent venom that is going to cause a week of intense pain.

If you want one so bad I'd at least do some training with a genus like Psalmopoeus or Tapinauchenius as both are fast and the former is very defensive but without the strong venom. These are animals to be respected and if you aren't used to a large spider biting at you or running around the room, you are going to have a very bad time, along with putting the spider and whoever else you live with at risk. I've been working with Poecilotheria for five years and they still sometimes catch me off guard, even with all of my experience. While they are probably the easiest of OW aboreals to work with due to their shyness, they can and will defend themselves no matter if you are the only thing keeping them alive; you are a big pink squishy threat.

I would say that you are doing a disservice to all the big South American terrestrials (Pamphobeteus, Phormictopus, Sericopelma etc) by trying to skip right on to OW; you will see them far more often and I think they have much bigger and better personalities. Please take into the many opinions that will be in this thread into account before you get a spider.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Well, putting aside for a moment my (little) knowledge and experience with T's (I've started in 1992) I want to point out a fact.

Which kind of experience, with Tigers, and I repeat, Tigers, had the Italian mafioso's boss here in Italy? Zero, zip. Yet they had/have those.

An acquaintance of mine was entitled by the system (incredible) to keep without issues, Yara, his tiger, in his huuuge villa garden (he was a discoteque owner).

Another man, a restaurant owner pretty famous because, in said restaurant, people were (on purpose... they were aware of that... so no offence taken) offended and Lady sexually verbal molested with sex maschilist insults and sexual jokes, kept his tiger like nothing when people ate etc

And nothing bad happened.

Mah, sometimes

 

[basin79]

I got an adult female Poecilotheria regalis as my 2nd tarantula. A little while after getting my adult female Lasiodora parahybana.

The way you start off with a Poecilotheria is to obviously buy one. However be under no illusions that they can be VERY intimidating if you're not fully prepared for one. They're fast and WILL bite if they feel they need to. And their venom whilst not deadly will give you problems.

It'd be hypocritical of me to type get something else first. But make sure you at least watch plenty of youtube videos of them to give you at least some idea of their speed.

There's only 1 human who knows if they can start with an arboreal old world tarantula. That's you.

 

[Princeoftheshadows]

Im assuming you have no experience with owning a tarantula, if this is the case then it is not recommended to start with one of these spiders, it is a OW tarantula and are considerable more difficult to handle. Consider starting with a NW terrestrial tarantula like a B. Smithi or others similar. There are many threads on here on a good starter T.

My question is how does a Red Knee teach me about Ornamentals. I am just wondering. And I will be guessing you will be telling me than to get some other species, and than some other species, and than another species just in case, and than finally another species (JK ornamental))

 

[chanda]

Along with probably just about everybody else here, I wouldn't recommend them as a first tarantula. Yes, they are beautiful spiders - when you get to see them. I have a subadult suspect male Ghost Ornamental (Poecilotheria vittata) and he's absolutely gorgeous - for the seven seconds or so that I get to see him if I creep into the room in the wee hours of the morning, between me flipping on the light and him darting back behind his dirt curtain, which is where he spends the majority of his time. There are plenty of other beautiful tarantulas that are much slower, more docile, and with a milder venom, that would be a better choice for a first tarantula.

The P. vittata sling was my 3rd or 4th tarantula - after I'd already raised a B. albopilosum and A. versicolor (now C. versicolor) from slings. (I can't remember if I got the AF G. rosea before or after the Pokie.) By the time I took on the Pokie I already had a few years of experience in basic husbandry, feeding, and rehousing - including both arboreal and terrestrial species - under my belt. Even so, the speed of the Pokie made me a little nervous - especially with the added awareness of the more potent venom. I'm really glad I had that prior experience before I took him on, both because I felt I was better prepared to safely take care of him than I would have been had I just jumped in to the deep end - and because I had several other beautiful spiders that were active, out, about, and visible most of the time, even if the Pokie was not. Had I started with the Pokie I might have become discouraged with tarantula keeping just because a pet hole is not terribly interesting.

While it is ultimately your choice what spider to start with, the fact that you are here asking for advice suggests that you might be open to alternatives. If you are set on arboreal species, an Avicularia or Caribena might be a better choice for a first spider. They are beautiful spiders that are fast and skittish - but less so than a Pokie and with a milder venom. Even a Psalmopoeus or Tapinauchenius would be a better first spider than a Poecilotheria, though I would consider them a step up from the Avic or Caribena because they are faster and some of them (looking at you, P. irminia!) have a stronger venom and are more defensive/aggressive.

 

[campj]

P. miranda is fairly docile, so if I'd had a Poecilotheria as my first spider it'd be that.

But hey, sounds like you've got at least a little sense (I agree, a Brachypelma might not be a good first step before Asian arboreals... as mentioned, Psalmopoeus or Tapinauchenius are better starters)... read some Poecilotheria bite reports before you buy. Their venom is no joke, as in hospitalization, excruciating pain for several hours, and cramping in major muscles for weeks. Not exactly something I imagine anyone wants to experience. Like buying a gun and then shooting yourself with it on accident.

 

[basin79]

Op. This is my Poecilotheria subfusca lowland. A beautiful tarantula I'm sure you'll agree.

Now if you want a beautiful arboreal have a look at Caribena versicolor. My lass.

 

[mconnachan]

I got an adult female Poecilotheria regalis as my 2nd tarantula. A little while after getting my adult female Lasiodora parahybana.

The way you start off with a Poecilotheria is to obviously buy one. However be under no illusions that they can be VERY intimidating if you're not fully prepared for one. They're fast and WILL bite if they feel they need to. And their venom whilst not deadly will give you problems.

It'd be hypocritical of me to type get something else first. But make sure you at least watch plenty of youtube videos of them to give you at least some idea of their speed.

There's only 1 human who knows if they can start with an arboreal old world tarantula. That's you.

I completely agree, my P. metallica and my P. regalis were the first two spiders I acquired when I got back into the hobby, although I did have 8 years of experience before hand, I had a 6 year break and I'm now well and truly hooked "again" - as said it's only you that can make the decision if you're ready for such a fast arboreal sp. The only real way to know is to buy one....good luck.

 

[Sergic]

If you don't want to work your way up from NW terrestrial, at least consider the advice you've been given to keep a Psalmopoeus or Tapinauchenius first. I recently started keeping OW's after three years in the hobby, and 2.5 or so years keeping Psalmos.

I have wanted to keep Poecis since I first started keeping tarantulas, but I am extremely glad I waited until I had experience before getting the three I currently have. I think I could have kept them without any bites or escapes, but it would have been much more stressful or even frightening than it is to keep them now. No amount of watching videos can prepare you for how fast these spiders are. They can move so quickly you don't have time to react to their movement, and be out of the enclosure on the run before you can do anything about it. The only thing that will reduce the likelihood of an escape or bite is experience. Experience will also help you remain calm when a fast arboreal decides to bolt.

My first P. irminia made me nervous, because it was the first spider I owned that had a reputation for being fast and defensive. But the experiences rehousing it were far more valuable than any youtube videos, and I very quickly became comfortable working with it. Now, I can work with any of my spiders safely and calmly, and that would not have happened had I gotten into OWs too soon.

And as others have said, you would be missing out on a huge number of awesome species if you skip all NWs. Chances are you won't want to stop at one tarantula anyway, and starting with something easier than a Poeci will allow you to enjoy your Poeci more when you do get one.

 

[Anoplogaster]

You'll have most people advising against a Poecilotheria as a first spider. I don't necessarily think it's an absolute no, but just be aware of what you're getting yourself into. I can definitely say that once the spider is established, the odds of them bolting out are fairly slim (but not impossible). They'd rather scurry down and hide, and only fly out of the enclosure if you really mess with them in their hide, and they feel they have to ditch.

My concern is how you'll be dealing with them when you go to rehouse them. Each spider is different, of course. But at least if you start with something else first, you can gain at least SOME sort of instinct regarding what the T is likely to do if you prod it at whatever angle. And you can gain that bit of instinct with something a little less risky. Up to you, though. Ultimately, you can walk out and make your own choices regardless of what you see on this forum. At least you'll be making an informed decision

 

[cold blood]

My question is how does a Red Knee teach me about Ornamentals. I am just wondering. And I will be guessing you will be telling me than to get some other species

It would do so by teaching you the basics as well as certain behaviors all ts share.

I am bothered by your seeming irritation that you know people will tell you to work your way up....people do this because its the best way for the t and keeper. For example, experience with the basics, like re-housing, husbandry of these other species is literally the only way to actually be prepared. And one should already be prepared when they begin dealing with OW arboreals.

Its also frustrating that you say this, despite multiple people giving you the best, fastest route toward proper experience and you seem to have looked right past it..

If you want one so bad I'd at least do some training with a genus like Psalmopoeus or Tapinauchenius as both are fast and the former is very defensive but without the strong venom

consider the advice you've been given to keep a Psalmopoeus or Tapinauchenius first

My advice is the same, get a P. cambridgei. You can get a small sling cheap, or better, several...and they will eat like pigs and grow incredibly fast (same for those taps mentioned). They act very much like poecilotheria in most ways and are hands down the best teaches...and they grow so fast you will have adults in 12-14 months from a 3/4" sling. You will learn housing from sling to adult, do multiple re-houses with an increasingly large and ridiculously fast spider and probably fall in love with an entire new species you hadn't considered in the process. It will be of such a big help when you get that regalis next summer.

Psalmopoeus cambridgei

• cold blood
• Mar 11, 2017
• 7
• cambridgei psalmopoeus psalmopoeus cambridgei trinidad chevron tarantula

cam...the camster..the caminator, the cam-meister...Dr. Camenstein...Cam-a-lama-ding-dong...mass...

cam

• cold blood
• Jun 15, 2017
• 3

another juvie cam.

 

[grayzone]

Its frowned on and ill advised, but its doable.
Regalis was my 2nd t and id only had my Lp for maybe a month before i took the plunge.
Been at it a decade now accident free!

 

[Matoutou]

Today I had to rehouse 3 old world tarantulas. For whatever reason I was feeling tired and weak. The idea of having to deal with them suddenly scared me.

This many years in the hobby, and here I am postponing the rehouse, hoping that I'll be in better condition tomorrow.

My point is some spiders are really intimidating. You can start with anything you want of course, but you have to realize that a pokie ain't no joke.

 

[GreyPsyche]

I got some OWs as my first Ts and I don't regret it as that's what I'm most interested in but I don't advocate it. I had done literally years of research and waiting before I decided I couldn't wait any longer but if I hadn't done all that research then I think I would have been happier by starting with something less potent and speedy. Personally I think you should start with what cold blood said, a P Cam, awesome Ts! Or even a P Irminia...

First off, it'll give you experience but it'll also make you want more and that's always a fun part of it for us collectors! In fact, I think the more Ts you own right now the more experience you'll garner in time to get the Poec so buy a couple Ts and watch them grow until you are truly ready for an OW...