Calisoga

[CodeWilster]

Code... was i supposed to do a write up of my experiences catching these guys for you?

I didn't know you were still posting here on the boards, good to hear from you. And yup that was me. And it would especially be nice now because that sling you sent me is male :wall: . I think it's going to mature next molt which should be coming up soon too. I keep searching outside when I get the time. No luck yet.

Here's some pics after his last molt:

 

[Pacmaster]

Nice spider Code . . .

 

[richp]

How to care for Calisoga?

Hi all,

I caught a Calisoga in my empty pool (having work done on it) yesterday. I live in the Sierra foothills near Grass Valley, CA. I've found Calisoga's in the past dead in my pool and found a couple burrows in the past. This is the first one I've caught alive and healthy. It is a feisty spider that is very aggressive. I love how it goes into its defensive posture with the front legs extended up in the air.

I put it in a 9x14x6" plastic container with about 2" of native dirt and black oak mulch/leaves in it. I caught a few small beetles and a small inchworm and threw them in there along with a couple of small spiders. I also put a Gatorade bottle cap with water in the enclosure. Overnight it dug a burrow and lined it with a small web at the entrance. Is two inches of dirt enough? I didn't want to put more in there or else it could get out fairly easy.

My main question is what to feed it and how often? It is approximately 2.5" long from front to back legs. I figured if I keep it in the garage the climate will be similar to what it had naturally outside. I'd appreciate any tips on caring for it. I've searched the web and found some general information but no real in-depth info on the spider and its feeding habits, habitat, etc.

I always thought these were a type of tarantula and had found some dead ones in the Santa Cruz mountains when I used to live there. It wasn't until I started researching it on the web yesterday that I found out it isn't actually a tarantula. It sure is a cool looking spider though!

Also, how do I tell a male from a female? If it was caught in my pool roaming around does that lend it to be a male? How long should I expect it to live if cared for properly? Will it come out of it's burrow much? Only at night? I'd like to get some pictures of it to post but it is in hiding now.

Any help/pointers appreciated! I'll post some pictures when I can get some.

Cheers,

Rich

 

[cacoseraph]

I didn't know you were still posting here on the boards, good to hear from you. And yup that was me. And it would especially be nice now because that sling you sent me is male :wall: . I think it's going to mature next molt which should be coming up soon too. I keep searching outside when I get the time. No luck yet.

Here's some pics after his last molt:

ah carp, is it that blue in real life? i might have given you a C. theveneti somehow... they are found the same areas, possibly, sometimes.


if you do get a mature male and don't have any mature females you can always see if anyone in scabies or sfbats has females they are trying to mate

i found the slings to be quite easy to care for but some ppl got a sling and had it croak pretty quickly on them

 

[Pacmaster]

My slings are growing like weeds.
These spiders are soo aggressive, even when small.

The ultimate spider . . .

Whats a bite like?

 

[CodeWilster]

ah carp, is it that blue in real life? i might have given you a C. theveneti somehow... they are found the same areas, possibly, sometimes.


if you do get a mature male and don't have any mature females you can always see if anyone in scabies or sfbats has females they are trying to mate

i found the slings to be quite easy to care for but some ppl got a sling and had it croak pretty quickly on them

The blue was not that bright (flashed emphasized it a bit) but it did have a bit. Keep in mind the 2nd pic was only a few days after a molt, just when he started eating again. When I look at him now there is absolutely no blue. It looks a lot like a MM I found last spring.
I recall you know a lot about collecting these guys, right? When's the best time to find females? Where are the best places? I guess they're holes are supposed to be perfectly round and deep but I've flushed out my entire yard and no luck yet. Every hole seems to just have a Hogna sp in it.

 

[CodeWilster]

My slings are growing like weeds.
These spiders are soo aggressive, even when small.

The ultimate spider . . .

Whats a bite like?

They are awesome! I don't remember any other Theriphosidae/Nemesidae spp being so "chrome" colored. Mine is not very aggressive and I have not yet been bitten so can't really help you out there All I can say is it is probably a bit painful

I think they slow down in growth dramatically when they get larger. The one I have was 1" when I got him about a year ago or so and is 2" now and it's a boy too.

 

[Pacmaster]

Code, lets go onna collecing trip sometime?
Where you at exactly, Im just outside Sac . . .

 

[CodeWilster]

Code, lets go onna collecing trip sometime?
Where you at exactly, Im just outside Sac . . .

That would be cool, as long as you know the hot spots All I ever find is males in my area and it's usually one, maybe two a year. I'm located just outside of Redding CA, I have some fam and friends in Sac also.

 

[Pacmaster]

Heres what a cailsoga entrance hole looks like . . .

Thats the spiders legs in the last pic, it was coming up to see if I had some food for it- theyre ALWAYS hungry!