Arboreal versus Terrestrial

[gottarantulas]

When I got into the hobby some 3 years or so ago, the trend seemed to lean toward arboreal species of tarantulas, especially Pokies. Within the past year, the trend seems to be leaning towards terrestrial tarantula species. Or is it just me and the hobbyists I most often deal with? What say you?

 

[Chris LXXIX]

I say: "obligate burrowers (if Baboons, the better) nuff said "

 

[EulersK]

Terrestrials, for sure. I keep a few arboreals, but they're just not as interesting to me.

Borrowers are terrestrial in my book

 

[Pociemon]

Time changes! Many who have kept arboreal through many years switch to burrowers/terrestrials and vise versa. New people typpiccally start out with terrestrials, but eventually goes arboreal. I think it depends alot of what is available, many new species are intruduced to the hobby now is a big factor.

I do however only keep arboreal T´s, and i dont see me change that in the nearer future...

 

[lalberts9310]

I'm more for arboreals

 

[Poec54]

is it just me and the hobbyists I most often deal with?

It's you. There's tens of thousands of people that have tarantulas worldwide; what you see with a few people isn't representative of the global community. Terrestrials win by virtue of sheer numbers; there's just a lot more species of them. Having gotten my first tarantula over 40 years ago, there's far more people with terrestrials only, than arboreals only. Avics are difficult until you get a feel for their needs; it's common for people to lose their first one or two, and some give up on the genus. The rest are capable of high speeds (some amazingly so) and many are defensive. A good number of arboreals are OW and a lot of people aren't up to the hazards. Terrestrials will always be more popular: the average person likes to be able to open their spider cages without having to worry about them racing out of it.

 

[SausageinaNet]

Didn't really notice any trend yet but I wasn't on any forums for the first 2.5 years of being in the hobby. I don't really care about aboreal or terrestrial. If I see a T that looks appealing to me and I feel confident that I can take care of it I get it regardless of its living conditions. Imo the only people who should really care are beginners because there are a lot more slow terrestrial Ts and they are defenetly the better choice for beginners.

 

[Toxoderidae]

Arboreal for life. They're way more active, much pretty IMO and have those adorable lanky legs. Not to mention arboreals are much more alert and active, I commonly see my regalis walking around, webbing, or just being a tarantula.

 

[Poec54]

Arboreal for life. They're way more active, much pretty IMO and have those adorable lanky legs. Not to mention arboreals are much more alert and active, I commonly see my regalis walking around, webbing, or just being a tarantula.

Agree, 2/3's of my collection is arboreal. They're typically more alert and active. They live in a more precarious environment, have to make more decisions because of that, and therefore I believe they are more intelligent.

 

[TownesVanZandt]

I only keep terrestrials, which is partly due to me being more comfortable dealing with them (arboreals tend to run upwards, towards you if they get spooked) and partly due to a lack of cheap and readily available enclosures for arboreal T´s in my country.

 

[Yanose]

i keep mainly arboreal tarantulas my self i mainly keep new world arboreals Avics, Psalmos, and Taps, had to sell most of my collection when i moved and then we had a baby so untill she is older i am staying away from OW save for my one P. muticus I have always wanted a king baboon they have such amazing velvety brown color however as soon as i can build a T room I will be getting Pokies once more i love Pokies. i am with Poec they seem to be more responsive and a bit smarter.

 

[Trenor]

I have about a 50/50 split with my tarantulas. I don't just go in for colors or activity. I look for tarantulas I find interesting and add them to the get list. Which is ever growing.

 

[Venom1080]

there's a lot of arboreal with epic colors. not as many terrestrials. the more striking terrestrials are very expensive, and are only the equal of a pokie.

 

[Poec54]

arboreals tend to run upwards, towards you if they get spooked.

That's part of their charm.

 

[mistertim]

I love how gracile arboreals are. Generally tend to be more active and inquisitive as well.

 

[EulersK]

I see a lot of talk about how active arboreals are, and I certainly won't debate that. However, it's being spoken of as if there aren't active terrestrials. Have you ever seen a spider work as hard as a burrower? Many Chilobrachys sp. make a web fortress and dig extensive tunnels. There's also been mention of the attitude of arboreals, another thing that I won't debate. T. stirmi, A. geniculata, C. andersoni; all have plenty of personality, in the sense that they have no qualms with attempting to fight something hundreds of times their size.

It's very true that there are many, many "boring" terrestrials. B. emilia is my favorite example of that demeanor. However, that doesn't mean there aren't terrestrials that are more active and more defensive than the average arboreal. It has nothing to do with not wanting to deal with the venom, my ownership of several hot tarantulas speaks for that. It has more to do with ease of care and (in my opinion) more beautiful spiders. Flashy, sometimes gaudy colors aren't really my cup of tea.

 

[Oroborus]

One of the things I like most about the tarantula hobby is the wide diversity types, sizes, colours andbehaviour. My favourite tarantula seems to depend on the day. To me, the dwarfs are just as interesting as the bird eaters, and and the fossorials as fascinating as the arboreals. That's the great thing about this addiction, always something new to kindle your interest. Cheers.

 

[Ryuti]

When I got into the hobby some 3 years or so ago, the trend seemed to lean toward arboreal species of tarantulas, especially Pokies. Within the past year, the trend seems to be leaning towards terrestrial tarantula species. Or is it just me and the hobbyists I most often deal with? What say you?

I only have a couple Ts right now, but just from pictures and the species' patterns and whatnot, Arboreals win hands down. They have amazing colors and patterns, whereas it seems terrestrials are more just solid colors, often dull.

Of course there are exceptions, and i'm sure ill get a lot of flack for making that statement but it's just what i've seen lol

 

[Toff202]

I like terrestrials (obligate burrowers included) better, about 2/3 of my tarantula species are terrestrials. I just think they are more interesting.

 

[8Legs8Eyes]

I like a variety of species. Most of mine are currently terrestrials, and I like both my colorful, plump female brachys that sit out in the open for me to admire, as well as those species who prefer to be little bulldozers because their determination to excavate is just truly fascinating to me. I love the web tunnels of my balfouri, and the web curtains of my GBB. I love the funnel webs my psalmos make, and the delightful retreats my C. fasciatum have erected. I love the hammocks my avics and iridopelma relax on and I like finding toes of those who prefer to remain underground. They are just so fascinating that I really don't have a preference. I think it is the variety that really provides the most joy for me.