Chromatopelma Cyaneopubescens vs. Pterinopelma Sazimai

[Sgt7212]

While I’ve kept Panther Chameleons and Red Tailed Boas when I was in the Marine Corps and currently have some ball pythons and a bearded dragon, I’m new to the keeping T’s and currently have a 3” Tliltocatl Kahlenbergi and I have a Grammostola Pulchra sling being shipped this coming week.

Once I get a little experience under my belt, I’m interested in getting more. That is a little way off, but I like to do my research ahead of time and gather as much knowledge as possible so I know what to expect.

I’m sticking to NW species (at least for now) and G. Pulchripes and B. Smithi (ex Annitha) are on my list, but the 2 I am most drawn to are the Chromatopelma Cyaneopubescens and the Pterinopelma Sazimai.

From what I’ve read and watched (Tom’s Big Spiders and Dark Den), both species can be fast, bolty for NW and defensive or skittish with the GBB being more prone to kick hairs and the Brazilian Blue more likely to throw up a threat posture.

They seem to be fairly similar in behavior (except GBB tend to be heavy webbers), temperament and husbandry requirements, yet the GBB frequently makes it on lists I’ve seen for “top beginner T’s” while I’ve never seen the Brazilian Blue make one of those lists. Am I missing something?

For those of you with experience keeping these two species:
1) What are the similarities and differences between them?
2) Other than appearance, what reasons would you pick one over the other?
3) Any other helpful information (personal experience, reading or video links/resources)

Thank you in advance for your time and help!

 

[JayManges]

I am not an experienced keeper. However, I do have a GBB and she's awesome! She's always out where I can see her, has a great appetite and spins web while she eats, and has never flicked a hair at me or shown any sign of defense. Then again, I don't try to handle her. I just go about my business of feeding her or changing her water and she leaves me alone. Can't speak for the other T's you mentioned but I love my GBB.

 

[Vanessa]

Pterinopelma sazimai has not been in the hobby for very long, so their care has been a lot of trial and error for some people They are from a tropical area and have vastly different requirements than Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens. They need more moisture, especially as spiderlings, and I have read of a lot of people ending up with dead spiderlings. They can also be far more defensive than Chromatopelma are. Some people describe their Pterinopelma sazimai as being one of their most defensive spiders.
Chromatopelma are faster, and more skittish, than most of the species considered to be beginner friendly, but they are as hardy as can be and very rarely display any defensive behaviour.
They are two very different species - both in care and temperament.

 

[Smotzer]

I got my GBB sling two months ago and I love it, it’s very active, amazing feeding response, always out and webbing. Some people say they’re overrated, but I happen to really enjoy it a lot.

 

[nicodimus22]

So, I have 2 adult P. sazimai and 1 adult GBB. Here are some random observations:

The GBB is quite a bit larger. The P. sazimai seem like a fairly small (but not dwarf) species to me. I think my female is about 3.75 inches, and the male is a little smaller. My GBB is not bolty or defensive, but I may have just lucked out with this specimen being more chill than average. My P. sazimai slings were extremely photosenstive until they got to be around 2.5-3 inches. I only ever saw them after dark with a red flashlight. The P. sazimai are my #1 and #2 most defensive specimens in a collection of 60 that also includes plenty of Nhandu, Phormictopus, and Pamphobeteus. They threat pose absolutely anything, including their food. I have offered them an area of moist substrate, but neither of them seemed to like it, so now I just keep them dry with a water dish and they show no signs of stress.

If I was just starting my collection, or making a recommendation a new keeper, which one would I get first? The GBB. Reasons: it's much more visible, even as a sling, and I like that. It goes through a variety of appearances as it grows, which is cool to see. The webbing is something different that sets it apart from most other tarantulas. The appearance is just gorgeous, although the P. sazimai is pretty too, especially if you take photos with a flash. The GBB's colors look a bit more vivid in person with no flash or special lighting. The disposition of the GBB is not as hostile as the P. sazimai, which is probably better for most new keepers.

 

[fried rice]

You should also consider getting dolichothele diamantinensis. They are like small GBBs and they have no urticating hair!

 

[Colorado Ts]

While I’ve kept Panther Chameleons and Red Tailed Boas when I was in the Marine Corps and currently have some ball pythons and a bearded dragon, I’m new to the keeping T’s and currently have a 3” Tliltocatl Kahlenbergi and I have a Grammostola Pulchra sling being shipped this coming week.

Once I get a little experience under my belt, I’m interested in getting more. That is a little way off, but I like to do my research ahead of time and gather as much knowledge as possible so I know what to expect.

I’m sticking to NW species (at least for now) and G. Pulchripes and B. Smithi (ex Annitha) are on my list, but the 2 I am most drawn to are the Chromatopelma Cyaneopubescens and the Pterinopelma Sazimai.

From what I’ve read and watched (Tom’s Big Spiders and Dark Den), both species can be fast, bolty for NW and defensive or skittish with the GBB being more prone to kick hairs and the Brazilian Blue more likely to throw up a threat posture.

They seem to be fairly similar in behavior (except GBB tend to be heavy webbers), temperament and husbandry requirements, yet the GBB frequently makes it on lists I’ve seen for “top beginner T’s” while I’ve never seen the Brazilian Blue make one of those lists. Am I missing something?

For those of you with experience keeping these two species:
1) What are the similarities and differences between them?
2) Other than appearance, what reasons would you pick one over the other?
3) Any other helpful information (personal experience, reading or video links/resources)

Thank you in advance for your time and help!

I’m raising slings at the moment.

I have 5 Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens, that I acquired last October. The only problem that I've had with them was after I first got them, they were lethargic, not webbing and not eating. They were hanging out at the vent holes on the enclosure and looked to be very stressed. I dried out the enclosures, putting them on bone dry substrate with a water dish and everything is fine now. They are growing well, and have moulted 3 times. I’m expecting another moult sometime this month.

The Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens are very interesting. I enjoy watching them webbing up their enclosures. They are very good feeders, mine come out and wait to be fed, one even climbs up onto the side of the enclosure and waits. I must say that I have 8 Phormictopus slings, and they are much more active feeders as compared to Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens. The Phormictopus are very very hungry all the time...sort of the way people describe Acanthoscurria geniculata as being. One of the Phormictopus usually runs away from the prey item when first dropped into the enclosure...then immediately slows down and goes into hunt mode, sneaking up on the prey and suddenly grabbing it, lightening fast.



I have 7 Pterinopelma Sazimai on order, since the middle of January. With the very cold nighttime temperatures we've been having, shipping has just not been possible. I did text the shipper this morning and it looks like it might be warm enough later this coming week...so fingers crossed.

As such, my experience with Pterinopelma Sazimai is none existent at present. But that will change shortly, and by this time next year, I’ll have some definite insights.

 

[viper69]

GBBs are VERY hardy. If one kills a GBB, it's because one is clearly a negligent owner. It takes a lot to kill one of those species. Other NW species are not nearly as hardy (not including Avics either).

However, if you get the mini-GBB you'll get a semi-dwarf sized GBB but WITHOUT the urticating setae, and that to me is a win. I've owned both.

 

[Sgt7212]

Wow! You guys are awesome! Thank you all for the input! I appreciate your feedback and the suggestion of checking out the dolichothele diamantinensis.

I’m leaning towards the GBB. I really like their coloration and the fact that they go through the visual changes as they grow and molt. I just want to be comfortable with the care of the ones I’ve got before I start adding like crazy to my collection.

 

[viper69]

I just want to be comfortable with the care of the ones I’ve got before I start adding like crazy to my collection.

Wish more hobbyists thought like that.

 

[Sgt7212]

I hear you. I’ve come across way too many people who buy snakes and have no idea what they are doing. They don’t think, don’t research, bring the snake home at the same time they buy the enclosure instead of setting up the enclosure ahead of time and making sure the temps and humidity levels are stable, etc...

and what scares me even more is that some of these people are parents and responsible for caring for a little human.

 

[scooter1685]

I have 2 P. sazimai slings and 2 GBB slings. I've had the sazimai slings for 6 months or so now, and the GBB slings for 4-5 months. Not an expert, by any means, but they seem pretty different.

My GBB slings are always out in their webbing. They often roam the enclosure and add more webbing, which is really awesome to watch. Very slow and deliberate. They're pretty fast when they want to be, always ready for a meal, and their care requirements are very simple. Can't go wrong, really, as long as you're prepared for their speed. They can bolt, and while it's usually not an issue, I'd be lying if I said neither has ever made it out of their enclosure during feeding or watering. Be sure to put their enclosure inside of a larger tub or something when you're taking the lid off. They will eventually bolt.

My sazimai slings are usually hiding. One of them made a burrow and tunnel, and only comes out for food. Otherwise I never see anything but a few legs. The other sling hasn't burrowed, but hides under his cork bark any time there's any movement. Very skittish. Only ever seen hair kicking once and a few threat poses, but lots of bolting into the burrow or under the cork bark. Although, when Ben isn't being disturbed, he is often out and visible. Doesn't really do much, but he's out where I can see him. Pretty good feeding response, but more sensitive to light than my GBB slings.

Good luck to you.

 

[Sgt7212]

I have 2 P. sazimai slings and 2 GBB slings. I've had the sazimai slings for 6 months or so now, and the GBB slings for 4-5 months. Not an expert, by any means, but they seem pretty different.

My GBB slings are always out in their webbing. They often roam the enclosure and add more webbing, which is really awesome to watch. Very slow and deliberate. They're pretty fast when they want to be, always ready for a meal, and their care requirements are very simple. Can't go wrong, really, as long as you're prepared for their speed. They can bolt, and while it's usually not an issue, I'd be lying if I said neither has ever made it out of their enclosure during feeding or watering. Be sure to put their enclosure inside of a larger tub or something when you're taking the lid off. They will eventually bolt.

My sazimai slings are usually hiding. One of them made a burrow and tunnel, and only comes out for food. Otherwise I never see anything but a few legs. The other sling hasn't burrowed, but hides under his cork bark any time there's any movement. Very skittish. Only ever seen hair kicking once and a few threat poses, but lots of bolting into the burrow or under the cork bark. Although, when Ben isn't being disturbed, he is often out and visible. Doesn't really do much, but he's out where I can see him. Pretty good feeding response, but more sensitive to light than my GBB slings.

Good luck to you.

Thanks for your input! Based on everything I’ve been reading and everyone’s input here, I think it will be a GBB when I do add to the collection.