Arizona Blond or Brazilian black as a first T…

[cadman01]

I am just starting out in the hobby and will be using a 16*12*12 habitat. I really like the look of both species. The Arizona blond is usually wild caught and the Brazilian is captive bred. Is there much of an effect on the temperment in either case? They are both beautiful I am lean towards the black for color reasons. Will both be similar in care required and activity levels?

thank you in advance for feedback on this,

Mark

 

[Arachnophobphile]

I am just starting out in the hobby and will be using a 16*12*12 habitat. I really like the look of both species. The Arizona blond is usually wild caught and the Brazilian is captive bred. Is there much of an effect on the temperment in either case? They are both beautiful I am lean towards the black for color reasons. Will both be similar in care required and activity levels?

thank you in advance for feedback on this,

Mark

What sizes are these 2 T's you have your eye on?

Either tarantula is good myself I would go with the G. pulchra. Both are good beginner T's but know that both are very slow growers. The G. pulchra gets larger than the A. chalcodes but again will take a long time to reach the larger size.

 

[Olan]

Temperament is pretty similar. I am against wild caught tarantulas, so I will advocate for you getting a sling or juvenile. Both species grow pretty slow, but in my experience the G. pulchra grows quicker. This is good so they get out of the delicate sling stage. So I will vote for a pulchra. I’ve raised two and they were easy to take care of. Just be aware that they can fast for 6 months or longer at times.

 

[Billyben]

If that's the size of your enclosure, than you need an adult. Arizona blondes are cheap and available. Are you really gonna she'll out the cash for an adult pulchra?

 

[cadman01]

I am looking for a juvenile to small adult in either. 2.5 or 3 inch range. I would like to stay away from a sling for a first. Perhaps look into a sling in a few months. The punches can be expensive but would be worth it.

 

[Arachnophobphile]

I am looking for a juvenile to small adult in either. 2.5 or 3 inch range. I would like to stay away from a sling for a first. Perhaps look into a sling in a few months. The punches can be expensive but would be worth it.

Ok well a 16x12x12 is too big for only a 2.5 or 3 inch dls, (diagonal leg span) tarantula.

Also I wouldn't support online shops/breeders who sell wild caught tarantulas. There is no need for it and only demotes the tarantula keepers, (hobby) as a whole reputation.

The other problem with wild caught T's is the possible infection of parasites. Also by the off chance you get a sub-adult, adult female it could be gravid, (pregnant for lack of a better word) and you will find yourself buried in baby tarantulas.

Captive bred chalcodes are abundant no need to support the removal of them from the wild.

Also keep in mind if you are buying from an online breeder they will not ship the T's until January. Then again we are talking about someone selling wild caught.

 

[Tarantuland]

Which ever one you think looks cooler, but that enclosure will be way too big for either one of them that isn't an adult. Both awesome species, but two of the slowest growing out there.

 

[Craig73]

Grammostola for sure, just cause I’m a sucker for grams. They sell under either Grammostola pulchra or Grammostola quirogai. I just got a 1” sling, run about $100. If you are looking for larger good luck and be ready to drop some cash on one.

Slings are easy to care for, if you’re shying away from a sling from the experience perspective I wouldn’t let that deter you from getting one. I‘m only slightly 2 years into keeping and all but one have started as slings with a really good success rate.

 

[Neonblizzard]

Both nice, i would Personally go grammostola. Both take their time growing but the A. Chalcodes is outrageously slow...

Have you considered a grammostola pulchripes? They are also nice and grow to a good size.

T. Albopilosus are also pretty hard to beat on hardiness, growth rate, availability, appetite and also pure floofiness

 

[cadman01]

Ok well a 16x12x12 is too big for only a 2.5 or 3 inch dls, (diagonal leg span) tarantula.

Also I wouldn't support online shops/breeders who sell wild caught tarantulas. There is no need for it and only demotes the tarantula keepers, (hobby) as a whole reputation.

The other problem with wild caught T's is the possible infection of parasites. Also by the off chance you get a sub-adult, adult female it could be gravid, (pregnant for lack of a better word) and you will find yourself buried in baby tarantulas.

Captive bred chalcodes are abundant no need to support the removal of them from the wild.

Also keep in mind if you are buying from an online breeder they will not ship the T's until January. Then again we are talking about someone selling wild caught.

I agree that captive bred is the way to get a T. The cage size is less of an issue, I can always get a mid size one cheaply. I got a great deal on the larger one as a sale, and a bit of extra room I would not expect be an issue.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

I got a great deal on the larger one as a sale, and a bit of extra room I would not expect be an issue.

If you put a 3" spider in that you'd have to fill it with 7.5" of substrate just to elimitate the risk of injury/death from falls. Also, oversized enclosures tend to have a negative impact on behaviour, feeding, and growth rates.

 

[viper69]

Don’t get wild caught not good at all!

 

[cadman01]

If you put a 3" spider in that you'd have to fill it with 7.5" of substrate just to elimitate the risk of injury/death from falls. Also, oversized enclosures tend to have a negative impact on behaviour, feeding, and growth rates.

Thank you for the heads up on the enclosure size. As a newbie, all the information I am getting is extremely helpful. I am learning a lot that you do not get from pet shop owners.

 

[LucN]

Would definitely support captive-bred over wild-caught any day of the week. Also, pulchra aren't as readily available as chalcodes. If you can get a female, yes you'll pay a premium, but you'll have a gorgeous display tarantula for the next 20-30+ years. If this interests you, this is definitely the way to go.

 

[Smotzer]

Buy captive bred, but in doing so getting a Grammostola pulchra you are not going to be able to/ should not use that enclosure unless you have an adult female and a lot of extra cash….!

Get a CB sling, and grow in your keeping along with it, you could keep it in a deli cup. But If look of enclosure matters as I’m sure it does since you pre bought the enclosure, you could get an approx. 3x3 Amac box and it will work fine and look decent. I tend to go this way and it suits keeping fine.

 

[Olan]

Some dealers currently have medium sized confirmed female captive bred T. albopilosum and T. vagans if you want something to go in that enclosure sooner rather than later. T. vagans are super cool, and have some of the same aesthetic appeal as pulchras. PM me if you want to know specifics.

 

[Egon]

I'm new to the hobby, too. I have a juvenile G. pulchra and it's a great tarantula. It's already quite black.

I'm also raising up an A. hentzi sling.

My opinion is you can't pass up G. pulchra if the opportunity presents itself and you have even an inkling that you're interested in having one some day.

Good luck.

 

[MotherofDragons]

I love my G. pulchra. My pulchra is 1.5”+ and I love seeing her. She is always out, and is beautiful.

I also have a little brown A. chalcodes sling which I’m happy to have and excited to observe growth on, but I don’t expect her to be of substantial size anytime soon.

 

[nicodimus22]

G. pulchra all the way.

A. chalcodes is an attractive T, but you might die of boredom if it's your only one. To say they grow at a glacial rate would be an understatement. Not a good first T in my opinion.

 

[vancwa]

G. pulchra.