Aphonopelma gabeli?

[KodiakWavingBear]

I few weeks ago I walked into my local pet shop to grab some feeders, and I saw an Aphonopelma gabeli (Carlsbad Green). I'm assuming these are a little more uncommon? I don't see too many posts about them. I might grab it if it is still on the shelf tomorrow it wasn't too expensive I think $47 for 3-4inch dls. One thing I'm missing from my collection is a T that can be found in the USA (RAHHHH). The chelicerae on it are HUGE. At first I didn't like it but now its starting to grow on me. Has anyone else owned one of these?

 

[l4nsky]

I few weeks ago I walked into my local pet shop to grab some feeders, and I saw an Aphonopelma gabeli (Carlsbad Green). I'm assuming these are a little more uncommon? I don't see too many posts about them. I might grab it if it is still on the shelf tomorrow it wasn't too expensive I think $47 for 3-4inch dls. One thing I'm missing from my collection is a T that can be found in the USA (RAHHHH). The chelicerae on it are HUGE. At first I didn't like it but now its starting to grow on me. Has anyone else owned one of these?

Yep
https://arachnoboards.com/threads/need-info-about-aphonopelma-gabeli.314133/post-3397374

 

[KodiakWavingBear]

Oh wow I just missed the posts. The triangle is actually really cool. I'm for sure getting it tomorrow if its still their. Ashamed it might be WC.

 

[viper69]

Oh wow I just missed the posts. The triangle is actually really cool. I'm for sure getting it tomorrow if its still their. Ashamed it might be WC.

I’m sure it’s WC

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I’m sure it’s WC

Yep most of them are if not it all . Many species are still wc . 🥲
Some can be healthy most I got weren’t . The debate Is here;

Why Wc is Bad!!!

Wild caught tarantulas are often sold without labels saying they are. besides eradicating the wild stocks/populations of tarantulas they also can have bad health problems. for me I’ve been sold one t albo from pet stores that had underlying health issues and didn’t end well :sad: it lasted for...

arachnoboards.com

 

[viper69]

Yep most of them are if not it all . Many species are still wc . 🥲
Some can be healthy most I got weren’t . The debate Is here;

Why Wc is Bad!!!

Wild caught tarantulas are often sold without labels saying they are. besides eradicating the wild stocks/populations of tarantulas they also can have bad health problems. for me I’ve been sold one t albo from pet stores that had underlying health issues and didn’t end well :sad: it lasted for...

arachnoboards.com

I've been to shows and I see 1-2 tables of Apho's from a single vendor alone, and they are all adult sized. Just raping the land, it's disgusting.

 

[KodiakWavingBear]

Update: I did not buy the A. gabeli because I just felt weird buying a WC. All of my Ts are CB so it didn't feel right. I ended up buying an A. anax juvenile that's been on display for years.

 

[l4nsky]

Update: I did not buy the A. gabeli because I just felt weird buying a WC. All of my Ts are CB so it didn't feel right. I ended up buying an A. anax juvenile that's been on display for years.

Just an FYI, the anax is likely WC or captive hatched from a WC female as well. True captive born and bred Aphonopelma are a rarity.

 

[KodiakWavingBear]

Just an FYI, the anax is likely WC or captive hatched from a WC female as well. True captive born and bred Aphonopelma are a rarity.

Dang, that sucks. Should've guessed, is that why they're usually very cheap?

 

[l4nsky]

Dang, that sucks. Should've guessed, is that why they're usually very cheap?

Yes and no. Most CBB slings usually aren't too much more than their wild caught or captive hatched counterparts. Aphonopelma spp tend to have large clutches which atleast keeps most sling prices reasonable.

The main issue is just there are very few people that are working with them and even fewer people being successful. It takes a bit of dedication to breed them in comparison to some other genera IME and the incentive isn't really there for most species due to low costs and people's unwillingness to grow a sling up over years and years for a mature female when they can get one now for $200 or less.

 

[matypants]

How long do a. gabeli live usually?

 

[l4nsky]

For a female, 20 years is a safe guess, but 30+ years is a possibility.

 

[matypants]

For a female, 20 years is a safe guess, but 30+ years is a possibility.

So much like the other aphonopelma t's

 

[Matt Man]

While I agree with most of the sentiments here I'd like to point out, every captive bred population in the world can trace its roots back to a wild caught pair, trio, etc..... So whether it is 1, 3, 16, 50 gens, yes Captive bred is better, but all still have roots in a WC root stock. I have 3 A. steindachneri females, (1 subadult, 2 adults)
all of them wild caught rescues from habitat destruction / construction projects. When the males are out on the march, they literally walk into my place of work, I kidnap one or 2, check them for health and parasites, pair them with my females and then return them to the wild to continue their quest for wild females.
There are 2 other people I know besides me doing basically the same thing. They are difficult to breed but we have introduced the first gen of captive bred A. steindachneri into the trade. These Ts will grow, breed and we'll have the second gen and so on. So someday this species will most likely be solely CB from a root stock of roughly a dozen females and multiple males. I don't go hunting / or collecting for animals at all, but if one is escaping a bulldozer I'll take it in, or find it a new, safe place to live.

A. anax btw are a wholly under rated species. absolutely lovely Ts. I hope you enjoy it

 

[Arachnophobphile]

While I agree with most of the sentiments here I'd like to point out, every captive bred population in the world can trace its roots back to a wild caught pair, trio, etc..... So whether it is 1, 3, 16, 50 gens, yes Captive bred is better, but all still have roots in a WC root stock. I have 3 A. steindachneri females, (1 subadult, 2 adults)
all of them wild caught rescues from habitat destruction / construction projects. When the males are out on the march, they literally walk into my place of work, I kidnap one or 2, check them for health and parasites, pair them with my females and then return them to the wild to continue their quest for wild females.
There are 2 other people I know besides me doing basically the same thing. They are difficult to breed but we have introduced the first gen of captive bred A. steindachneri into the trade. These Ts will grow, breed and we'll have the second gen and so on. So someday this species will most likely be solely CB from a root stock of roughly a dozen females and multiple males. I don't go hunting / or collecting for animals at all, but if one is escaping a bulldozer I'll take it in, or find it a new, safe place to live.

A. anax btw are a wholly under rated species. absolutely lovely Ts. I hope you enjoy it

I wanted to give you a trophy emoji when I clicked on "Like" but I lost those on AB with this new phone but I can give you one when replying.

 

[Matt Man]

I wanted to give you a trophy emoji when I clicked on "Like" but I lost those on AB with this new phone but I can give you one when replying.

Thanks. From my knowledge I am guessing there are between 12-20 WC Females I know of and they are not being put up for sale unless someone wanted to start their own project. We figure with the diversity we will get a wider genetic array and thus less inbreeding for future Gens.
At my work I get calls / texts "Matt, we found a spider in the ...." where one has wandered into the shop and I go address the issue. Not all of them are MMs, I have rescued 3 in the 1-1.5" DLS range, typically dehydrated and stressed. I have nursed them all back to health, 2 hooked out and I used them (sadly the sac didn't make it) and I shared them with one of the other breeders and it produced I think, the first sac in captivity. The 3rd is female and she is my sub adult. My first MF is the one you see in my avatar. This is her the day I rescued her, and it also explains why they are sometimes called the San Diego Bronze.

Mavis ValenteSM

• Matt Man
• Aug 4, 2017
• 5

While doing volunteer work early AM @ the San Diego Velodrome we found this SD Bronze A...

So She is Mavis Valente, the other 2 or Cleotha Vos, and Yvonne Vogel, and there is total intent on their names. When my daughter and I first started collecting every last name was a V. In these cases the first names all have a relationship with each other, as do the last with each other, but not between.
Here are Cleotha and Yvonne when they were wee lassies

A Stein 3.jpg

• Matt Man
• Nov 18, 2020
• aphonopelma steindachneri

A Stein 2.jpg

• Matt Man
• Nov 18, 2020
• aphonopelma steindachneri

 

[Arachnophobphile]

Thanks. From my knowledge I am guessing there are between 12-20 WC Females I know of and they are not being put up for sale unless someone wanted to start their own project. We figure with the diversity we will get a wider genetic array and thus less inbreeding for future Gens.
At my work I get calls / texts "Matt, we found a spider in the ...." where one has wandered into the shop and I go address the issue. Not all of them are MMs, I have rescued 3 in the 1-1.5" DLS range, typically dehydrated and stressed. I have nursed them all back to health, 2 hooked out and I used them (sadly the sac didn't make it) and I shared them with one of the other breeders and it produced I think, the first sac in captivity. The 3rd is female and she is my sub adult. My first MF is the one you see in my avatar. This is her the day I rescued her, and it also explains why they are sometimes called the San Diego Bronze.

Mavis ValenteSM

• Matt Man
• Aug 4, 2017
• 5

While doing volunteer work early AM @ the San Diego Velodrome we found this SD Bronze A...

Again.....here's another

These are the things I love reading from members. Your contribution to arachnoculture and tarantulas are a thousand fold.

Oh man.....I'm glad you mentioned it I am a huge advocate for clean genetics. I absolutely hate that inbreeding is practiced in arachnoculture. I don't care what the reasoning is it simply needs to be abolished. I know that's an impossible feat but I can dream.

Keep up the great work and if you ever have at least one sling that you are willing to sell send me a pm anytime. Aphonopelma genus is one of my favorites.

I have a lot of respect for what you are doing and your accomplishments.

 

[Matt Man]

apologies for the thread drift. Back to our regular programming. A. gabeli are awesome, some are grey-ish, some almost green, and those big ole chompers.....