CarbonBasedLifeform Tarantula diary

[CarbonBasedLifeform]

Starting a keeper log here before my new Ts come in. This is something I wish I did with my old collection, but now all I have are a couple of photos and memories. I look forward to seeing the growth of these spiders over the years, and being able to look back over the documentation when they’re all grown up.

I also look forward to any advice or criticisms of my methods, as I am always looking to improve. Especially if I’m unknowingly carrying some outdated information from the old days (I’m a few years out of practice now)

I plan to place an order for the following (site has a note that new orders will ship June 2):
- E weijenberghi 1/4”
- L klugi 1/4”
- V chromatus 1/2”
- B klaasi 1/2”
- B horrida 3/4”
- G quirogai 3/4”
- C cyaneopubescens 1”

I have a few amac boxes set up already, I’ll upload pictures soon. Waiting for dram vials to come in the mail before I hit that order button, the two 1/4” slings will go in those.

 

[Charliemum]

Great idea . I look forward to watching your progress .

Great choices btw

 

[CarbonBasedLifeform]

Great idea . I look forward to watching your progress .

Great choices btw

Thanks! I’m really looking forward to getting started again with everything.

 

[Charliemum]

Thanks! I’m really looking forward to getting started again with everything.

Always great to hear of someone coming bk to our hobby ! N you've definitely come to the right place for info if you have any questions just shout although sounds like your more then prepared . I wish you and your floofers the best of luck on your revisited journey .

 

[CarbonBasedLifeform]

Here is how I have the small amac boxes set up for the incoming 1/2-3/4” slings. I have one extra set up in case of a freebie.

Cross ventilation melted in with soldering iron. Substrate is peat/coco coir/vermiculite (about 45/45/10). Small piece of cork bark with plastic plant glued on with hot glue gun. Cork bark is partially buried with starter burrow dug out underneath. Sphagnum moss packed in behind the cork bark with tattoo ink cup for water dish.

For moisture, I pushed down a couple of furrows on opposite corners in the substrate so I can pour water into the bottom layer of soil and hopefully create a moisture gradient. Sphagnum moss is underneath water dish to collect some overflow, how much I overflow depends on the slings behavior (also looking through care notes and videos, I’ll take notes in the logs for anything species specific)

For the 1” GBB, I have a larger amac set up with a bit more height to allow for webbing. Substrate is peat/coco/sand (45/45/10) and I left container open to allow any moisture from the bag of peat to dry out from the enclosure.

Bottle cap for water dish (at least until it’s webbed over lol). Extra plants glued onto the cork bark for webbing anchor points. Starter burrow dug out underneath the cork bark just in case the T wants to hide there before it builds its web lair.

 

[CarbonBasedLifeform]

I was bored so I ended up taking a road trip last night to a reptile shop that has slings (rare around here, I had to drive quite a bit). I ended up taking home a B boehmei sling, which was one of the top of the list brachypelma species I wanted. But since space is limited, I wanted to stick to only one species of each genus (except for the random freebies of course), so I’m going to replace the B klaasi in my upcoming order to something else. Maybe the Euathlus truculentus? I see the site I’m planning on ordering from has them, and apparently purple morphs are common?? Purple is my favorite color so I’m immediately intrigued at the idea of it possibly molting out as a purple spider one day.

Anyway, here it is. The first T of my new collection. For now, it is in the container the shop had it in. I added a water dish, and moistened a corner of the substrate. This morning the T was sitting on top of the moist substrate so I think it was appreciated. I plan to rehouse to one of the small amac boxes soon, same setup as my earlier post.

 

[Charliemum]

I was bored so I ended up taking a road trip last night to a reptile shop that has slings (rare around here, I had to drive quite a bit). I ended up taking home a B boehmei sling, which was one of the top of the list brachypelma species I wanted. But since space is limited, I wanted to stick to only one species of each genus (except for the random freebies of course), so I’m going to replace the B klaasi in my upcoming order to something else. Maybe the Euathlus truculentus? I see the site I’m planning on ordering from has them, and apparently purple morphs are common?? Purple is my favorite color so I’m immediately intrigued at the idea of it possibly molting out as a purple spider one day.

Anyway, here it is. The first T of my new collection. For now, it is in the container the shop had it in. I added a water dish, and moistened a corner of the substrate. This morning the T was sitting on top of the moist substrate so I think it was appreciated. I plan to rehouse to one of the small amac boxes soon, same setup as my earlier post.

Euathlus truculentus aren't common at least not in the uk but yes I have seen more purple specimens then green. Mine I got as an af she's a rock n eats rarely but I think that's because she's wc and old. (I wasn't told this till after I got her.) I can't talk for slings they may be alot more lively.
My girl a couple of days ago 2 years since she's moulted n isn't the best pic but can still see her purple.


N congratulations on your new babba btw so cute when they're tiny like that

 

[CarbonBasedLifeform]

Gorgeous T! I bet that purple really shines through after a fresh molt. Green would be a cool color morph too. All of the pictures of I’ve seen of this species looks like something I’d want in my collection. And good to hear it is a rock. I’m mostly looking for a bunch of pet rocks with this collection maybe a couple crazy Ts here and there though to spice things up, we’ll see lol

I think they’re rare here in the US too. I didn’t see them anywhere else when I was shopping around. I’ll share where I’m ordering from and write up a review after the shipment arrives in case anyone else reading wants any of these species, but for now I don’t want to name a site I have no experience with (although I’ve heard good things about it).

The new T is surprisingly calm for a sling! When I first got it home it was running into its little burrow whenever I went in the room, probably shaken up from the car ride. but this morning when I took the container out and took the lid off for the picture, it just stayed right out in the open.

 

[CarbonBasedLifeform]

An update on the new B boehmei. Rehoused to new enclosure. Set up moisture gradient from bottom layers of the substrate with plenty of space to burrow. Sprayed down the sphagnum moss a bit. Got a good look at the T and estimate size to be around 3/4”

Such a sweetheart of a little spider, all it took was a gentle prod of a paintbrush and it walked from the old enclosure to the new. Didn’t have to cup or dig it out or anything. Didn’t bolt, just calmly walked where I wanted it to.

 

[CarbonBasedLifeform]

I finally placed the order ended up ordering from two separate sites and requested they ship out with the Tuesday shipments. Site one already responded in record time about the shipment request, so this vendor is already looking good imo. I’ll write a review for both sites and link the reviews here.

from site one:
- E weijenberghi 1/4”
- L klugi 1/4”
- V chromatus 1/2”
- E truculentus 1/2”
- B horrida 3/4”
- G quirogai 3/4”
- C cyaneopubescens 1”

And from site two
- Pandinus imperator 2i/3i
- Chaerilus cimrmani 2i/3i

I was tempted to add scorpions to the first order, but the description for the emperors says wild caught. Took a bit of searching but found some captive bred specimens.

I was also tempted to add a Catumiri parvum to the first order, because for some reason the description has me insanely intrigued “Small boring brown spider. Literally no one buys these things, so I’m not going to even waste my time writing some flashy BS description to make them sound interesting.” I like boring brown spiders and dwarf Ts, but I ended up removing it from the cart. If no one buys them I figured maybe it will be the freebie. If not, I plan on getting a few dwarves in the future anyway so I’ll add it to the wishlist.

 

[HoneyOilers]

I finally placed the order ended up ordering from two separate sites and requested they ship out with the Tuesday shipments. Site one already responded in record time about the shipment request, so this vendor is already looking good imo. I’ll write a review for both sites and link the reviews here.

from site one:
- E weijenberghi 1/4”
- L klugi 1/4”
- V chromatus 1/2”
- E truculentus 1/2”
- B horrida 3/4”
- G quirogai 3/4”
- C cyaneopubescens 1”

And from site two
- Pandinus imperator 2i/3i
- Chaerilus cimrmani 2i/3i

I was tempted to add scorpions to the first order, but the description for the emperors says wild caught. Took a bit of searching but found some captive bred specimens.

I was also tempted to add a Catumiri parvum to the first order, because for some reason the description has me insanely intrigued “Small boring brown spider. Literally no one buys these things, so I’m not going to even waste my time writing some flashy BS description to make them sound interesting.” I like boring brown spiders and dwarf Ts, but I ended up removing it from the cart. If no one buys them I figured maybe it will be the freebie. If not, I plan on getting a few dwarves in the future anyway so I’ll add it to the wishlist.

Ooooh scorpions, I’m thinking about getting a Parabuthus sp. soon, I love the idea of a scorpion that you absolutely must respect, and also how large the Parabuthus get for medically significant scorpions
Do you have any old world ambitions? Or mainly new world? Because if you do I highly suggest you put the H. Pulchripes high on a list of future spoods. They have such great webbing, tempers (usually), and colours. This one here is only a roughly 2” juvenile.

 

[CarbonBasedLifeform]

Gotta respect the hot species 100%. Do you have any other hot scorpions or would the parabuthus be your first? I’ve only had harmless scorpions before, but I’ve thought about one day looking into a ladder system like we have for getting into old world Ts.

I’ve had some old worlds back in the day so I’m not ruling out getting some more when I get back into the swing of things. The H pulchripes looks beautiful I always love having a few good webbers in my collection, and I hear they tend to stay out in the open a lot so that’s a plus. I’d also like to eventually get another I mira, back in the day I never got tired of seeing mine burst out of that trapdoor

 

[HoneyOilers]

Gotta respect the hot species 100%. Do you have any other hot scorpions or would the parabuthus be your first? I’ve only had harmless scorpions before, but I’ve thought about one day looking into a ladder system like we have for getting into old world Ts.

I’ve had some old worlds back in the day so I’m not ruling out getting some more when I get back into the swing of things. The H pulchripes looks beautiful I always love having a few good webbers in my collection, and I hear they tend to stay out in the open a lot so that’s a plus. I’d also like to eventually get another I mira, back in the day I never got tired of seeing mine burst out of that trapdoor

I have never personally had any scorpions so I will be doing my research beforehand as Parabuthus are potentially life threatening. And what you’re describing is exactly what my H. Pulchripes is, plus extremely calm. Even after its enclosure was accidentally knocked over and it got jostled around pretty good, there was zero bad behaviour or bolting on my emergency rehouse. Love this spider so much!

 

[CarbonBasedLifeform]

I have never personally had any scorpions so I will be doing my research beforehand as Parabuthus are potentially life threatening. And what you’re describing is exactly what my H. Pulchripes is, plus extremely calm. Even after its enclosure was accidentally knocked over and it got jostled around pretty good, there was zero bad behaviour or bolting on my emergency rehouse. Love this spider so much!

what a good spider. Sounds exactly like something I’d want in my collection, so I’ll add it to the top of my wishlist for old worlds. As much as I liked the feisty spiders back in the day, these days I’m not trying to bring more stress into my life lol so probably if I get any old worlds it would be the ones known for being more laid back

 

[HoneyOilers]

what a good spider. Sounds exactly like something I’d want in my collection, so I’ll add it to the top of my wishlist for old worlds. As much as I liked the feisty spiders back in the day, these days I’m not trying to bring more stress into my life lol so probably if I get any old worlds it would be the ones known for being more laid back

For sure, just bear in mind that they can be nasty if they want. Mine is a peach, my friend’s is more like a grapefruit

 

[CarbonBasedLifeform]

New Ts and scorpions are here! Also got a freebie A geniculata.

first, Hardcore Arachnids. Everything arrived safe and sound, packed safely. Freebie A genic and stickers. I think I’ll give the stickers to my daughter


G quirogai:


E truculentus:


B horrida:


V chromatus:


C cyaneopubescens already trying to make an escape:


L klugi, smallest T of the bunch so I got this pic before it disappeared into the dram vial:


E weijenberghi, a bit bigger than I expected but put into a dram vial anyway since I heard E campestratus has a tendency to bury themselves. Not sure if it’s the same across the genus.


A geniculata. Maybe I should have put into a dram vial. I’ll try the amac box for a bit and rehouse if it gets lost in there.


then for Arachnid Rarities, no freebies but all positives for the experience.

P imperator and enclosure. It immediately went into the hide so I couldn’t get a picture of it out other than in the rehousing box.



C cimrmani. I knew it would be tiny but geez lol the picture makes it look a lot bigger than it actually is. It’s in one of those small deli cup style enclosures now

 

[HoneyOilers]

Looking sick! Coming back strong!

 

[CarbonBasedLifeform]

Looking sick! Coming back strong!

thanks! New T days are always fun, I’m already tempted to place another order probably better to wait a little while though so I’m working on that wishlist until then

 

[HoneyOilers]

thanks! New T days are always fun, I’m already tempted to place another order probably better to wait a little while though so I’m working on that wishlist until then

You and me both, brother. Until my renter moves out I gotta keep it chill. Everything is in the top of my walk in closet and that’s a limited amount of space. Once she moves my much larger storage room will become my spider room.

 

[CarbonBasedLifeform]

You and me both, brother. Until my renter moves out I gotta keep it chill. Everything is in the top of my walk in closet and that’s a limited amount of space. Once she moves my much larger storage room will become my spider room.

I know the walk in closet struggles lol my old apartment had a walk in closet that I used as a T room. That’s how I got into dwarf species, trying to maximize space. Now I have more room but I still want to get a good number of dwarves in my collection still, awesome little Ts