Brand new owner of some future T's. Questions about sexing, substrate, T's in general

[TalyonUngol]

Hi everyone! Just joined in today and thought I'd introduce myself as well as ask my questions. I'm GOING to be a brand new owner of some T's within the next couple weeks. I will be getting, if they have it at the expo or the local breeder: G, Pulcra, G. Pulchripes, A. Chalcodes and a T. Blondi/Sturmi.

All of these are planned to be in slings as I want the full experience of raising the cuties. So, here are my questions.

1. Blondi vs Sturmi. Besides their names and looks, is their any significant difference between the two in size, temparment and growth rate?

2. Sexing. How do you sex a T without picking it up?

3. Substrate. Reptisoil, Sand((Any type of sand to make a more desert like enclosure for the A. Chalcodes)), Excavator clay. Whats a good mix/substrate to use?

4. Any other beginner T's to start that are really nice? Im looking at getting 4-6 slings, with at least one of them being the advanced species since Ive been wanting one of them since I was a young teen. Im 30 now and I'm going to get one but still want mostly beginners. Thank you!

 

[viper69]

You might die before they mature and reach a nice size, esp the 3rd one.

2. You wait till they mature or some species are sexually dimorphic
3. I'd use neither, I use cocofiber, but let's face it, there are no coconuts for them in the wild. I'd get topsoil, it's dirt cheap HAH
4. Yes

Considering the species you want have been in the hobby since before your parents produced you, I would strongly encourage you to get only one. It's important to do research BEFORE you own them at all. And often times new peeps spread mistakes across their new Ts, and end up killing them successfully, often sequentially.

 

[Arachnopets]

Welcome to AB!

You might find this thread helpful:

Tarantula Information for Beginners (and More)

Below are some helpful resources. (Rather than having half a dozen or more pinned threads, which clutter the top of the board, we are pinning this index.) While the focus is on beginners, there are other threads on health and more advanced species that may be useful to more experienced keepers...

arachnoboards.com

Almost all of the answers to your questions can be found there. If not, please come back here and post specific questions, that you could not find any answers for. Most everyone here will be more than happy to assist, as best they can, to help guide you (and your future slings) in the right direction.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Hi everyone! Just joined in today and thought I'd introduce myself as well as ask my questions. I'm GOING to be a brand new owner of some T's within the next couple weeks. I will be getting, if they have it at the expo or the local breeder: G, Pulcra, G. Pulchripes, A. Chalcodes and a T. Blondi/Sturmi.

All of these are planned to be in slings as I want the full experience of raising the cuties. So, here are my questions.

1. Blondi vs Sturmi. Besides their names and looks, is their any significant difference between the two in size, temparment and growth rate?

2. Sexing. How do you sex a T without picking it up?

3. Substrate. Reptisoil, Sand((Any type of sand to make a more desert like enclosure for the A. Chalcodes)), Excavator clay. Whats a good mix/substrate to use?

4. Any other beginner T's to start that are really nice? Im looking at getting 4-6 slings, with at least one of them being the advanced species since Ive been wanting one of them since I was a young teen. Im 30 now and I'm going to get one but still want mostly beginners. Thank you!

T. Blondi/Sturmi.Are more advanced and require larger cages as adults . So do plenty of research or just get them when you’re more experienced.
Dehydration is the best thing to plan to prevent. I see lots of examples of this , it’s happened to me before also.
The two posts above pretty much over everything.

 

[TalyonUngol]

T. Blondi/Sturmi.Are more advanced and require larger cages as adults . So do plenty of research or just get them when you’re more experienced.
Dehydration is the best thing to plan to prevent. I see lots of examples of this , it’s happened to me before also.
The two posts above pretty much over everything.

Im okay with the larger cages, but after reading how fast they grow, I may be holding off on getting the T. Sturmi/Blondi. I don't want them to outgrow my G. Pulcra that I also REALY REALLY REALLY want.

As for Slings, its common that they die often?

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Im okay with the larger cages, but after reading how fast they grow, I may be holding off on getting the T. Sturmi/Blondi. I don't want them to outgrow my G. Pulcra that I also REALY REALLY REALLY want.

As for Slings, its common that they die often?

I always get multiple because they grow slow except a few species . All could make it to adult size , or just a few . No one knows .

 

[TalyonUngol]

I always get multiple because they grow slow except a few species . All could make it to adult size , or just a few . No one knows .

Kinda unexpected death?

Nothing that we do wrong neccesrauly?

 

[cold blood]

I don't want them to outgrow my G. Pulcra that I also REALY REALLY REALLY want.

Well almost everything will outgrow a pulchra...slings grow very slow...painfully slow...like stupid slow....like glaciers in summer grow faster.....sounds like I am joking, but I am not. Pony up and get a juvie...that's the best puchra advice I can give.

As for Slings, its common that they die often?

if housed properly and taken care of properly (both of which are simple) random deaths are extremely uncommon.

 

[Mirandarachnid]

2. Sexing. How do you sex a T without picking it up?

Wait for them to molt. If you can get the exuviae out in decent shape, have good fine motor skills, lots of patience, and microscope (I recommend a stereo microscope) you can sex tarantulas from a pretty small size. Also, if you get a stereo microscope you'll never have to struggle with splinter removal again.

 

[Stu Macher]

Hello! I wouldn't raise those species as slings as Viper pointed out. I wouldn't start with a blondi or stirmi either. Not saying you can't, but there's so many species that I think may be a better and more enjoyable experience (especially raising slings)

A Geniculata would be my 1st vote. 2nd vote would be a L Parahybana. They grow quickly, get large, good display T's. If you're set on those species get a more mature spider around the 3" mark, but still you're going to be waiting a while to see some nice size. However, you can get an A Chalcodes female for not much money. Stay away from raising Brachy slings as well unless you like watching paint dry. Beginning with 3 T's is a good start imo. Some may disagree, but it all depends on what you're looking for in a pet. You'll see the analogy of this hobby similar to keeping fish. Same principle applies with different husbandry requirement basically. But with the species mentioned, you are likely to see your T regularly, and they have great feeding responses and grow large. Who doesn't love a large T?

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

2. Molt sexing is the best way (and the only way, to my knowledge when they are small). There are forums here dedicated to both molt and ventral sexing.
3. I mixed sand and clay into Reptisoil and Eco Earth for my Harpactira pulchripes mix, but I read up on the soil composition of the area they are from first and I still think I over did the clay. Excavator clay sets hard.
4. Brachypelmas, Tliltocatl albopilosus, Tliltocatl vagans, Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens. And the spider everyone should have, Acanthoscurria geniculata!

 

[TalyonUngol]

Well almost everything will outgrow a pulchra...slings grow very slow...painfully slow...like stupid slow....like glaciers in summer grow faster.....sounds like I am joking, but I am not. Pony up and get a juvie...that's the best puchra advice I can give.

if housed properly and taken care of properly (both of which are simple) random deaths are extremely uncommon.

I know that Pulcra grows slow and I'm eager for that honestly. I was just surprised that the Sturmi/Blondi are like weeds in comparison which makes me second guess my decision to get one so soon.

As for the random deaths posts above me suggested it's really common. I do plan on getting slings and learning to take care ofbthem. I have lots of videos to watch on it. Tarantula Collective is really solid.

 

[Wolfram1]

i know its not really in the spirit of your post, but it also helps if you raise 2 or more of the same type at once, that way if anything goes wrong you can more easily determine if you made a mistake or if like it happens in very rare cases a sling just didnt make it

very few spiderlings die without a reason, provided people do the research on how to care for them

more often than not, especially with help from the Forum, all goes well and you got a better chance at a female as well

I am really not a fan of the Tarantula Collective though.... nothing against the guy, but all those attention grabbing titles, flashy cuts, etc. , not my jam at all

i recommend Tom Moran or Dave's Little Beasies, both are focused more on the information rather than the optics

in my opinion you can learn much more from them, provided you dont have the attention span of a 3 year old, they do ramble on sometimes

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

100% agree with Wolfram there. When I first became interested in getting back into T’s, I watched T Collective, too, before I actually got any slings. I have since learned that T Collective is okay for basic info, but Tom Moran and Dave are much more about real information you need when keeping than flashing lights in my face and being charismatic. They actually care more about the tarantulas than internet fame and the number of viewers. Their rehousing videos, especially, have been invaluable to me.

 

[TLSizzle]

I love Tom Moran as well. He seems to genuinely give a darn about his Ts and gives clear cut info.
If your near the Houston area OP, I'm going to the next expo as well. Maybe we can browse spiders and I can help with any questions. I'm no expert, but I feel confident in providing some insight.

 

[cold blood]

As for the random deaths posts above me suggested it's really common.

its really not

 

[TalyonUngol]

Few things. I'm in the San Antonio area and there's an exotic reptile expo out in McQueeny that's a bit outside of the city proper. It's on March 2nd weekend. I plan on browsing that collection there before looking at online breeders. And I saw that one of the sponsors and vendors is... North Texas Tarantula Breeders.

That out of the way. There's also a local mom and pop shop ran by the daughter of a coworker of mine so I'm also in contact with them trying to see about slings.

As for buying multiple. Is that really recommended to do? So it's probably best to purchase instead of 4 or 6 different species to just get two or three doubles?

And I'll take a look at these other informative persons to see whats up.

Can't wait for my Ts. If it's available I'm still getting my Sturmi, Blondi or Apo. But now I want the Steinbachneri((pronunciation))

The ebony black T.

I'm already preparing my home for them. Getting a shelving unit on wheels that handles lots of weight per shelf as well as adjustable. Getting large storage bins for my substrates. More storage bins like Sterilite etc for my enclosures. Will get cork barks and such as well. Where's best place to buy cork barks and such?

 

[MrPole]

Where's best place to buy cork barks and such?

I'm fortunate that there are a few little local pet stores here that have tons of cork. If you are looking online you could try Josh's Frogs, the Biodude or even Etsy.

 

[Mirandarachnid]

Expos are usually a great place to get cork.

 

[Wolfram1]

As for buying multiple. Is that really recommended to do? So it's probably best to purchase instead of 4 or 6 different species to just get two or three doubles?

not everybody does so, but i think it does help with gaining confidence in your care, especially in the beginning, and as i said, its also another chance to get a female if you are gunning for that, usual ratio of unsexed spiderlings is about 50/50 so getting 2 is still a gamble with 3 you are almost guaranteed a female and you can always sell/trade the males or excess females on once they are mature

But don't feel like its a rule you have to follow, if you don't want two of a species, don't get two