Differences between T. vagans and T. Epicureanum

[Phobiuh]

I received a T. Epicureanum as a freebie while already owning a T. vagans and I'd like to rehome one of them. I have tried researching the species but I could not find any clear differences between the two, they look very similar. Perhaps someone who owns the two can chime in and help? I would prefer to keep the larger, darker spider with the more vibrant red abdomen hair -- price point does not really matter to me.

I can also decide to keep both and wait until I am able to sex them properly, then keep whichever one ends up female... if either of them do. For reference, my vagans is 1.5" and the epicureanum is about .5"

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

I received a T. Epicureanum as a freebie while already owning a T. vagans and I'd like to rehome one of them. I have tried researching the species but I could not find any clear differences between the two, they look very similar. Perhaps someone who owns the two can chime in and help? I would prefer to keep the larger, darker spider with the more vibrant red abdomen hair -- price point does not really matter to me.

I can also decide to keep both and wait until I am able to sex them properly, then keep whichever one ends up female... if either of them do. For reference, my vagans is 1.5" and the epicureanum is about .5"

The differences between these two species can be found in the document 'Identification of CITES Listed Tarantulas' published by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation [Canada].

 

[Goopyguy56]

From what I know you keep them the same. The Epics are probably a little more laid back as well. The epics would have more of an orange than red hair. They both get pretty much the same level of black

 

[Arachnid Addicted]

Sorry to disappoint but, these Brachypelma sp. "Red Rumps" that we have in pet trade are mostly probably all mixed up already. It will be very unlike to find a "pure bred" nowadays unless you wc it.

That said, my advice to you is to keep them with the labels you bought, to say which is which and their differences only by looking at them, is quite near impossible for the reasons I mentioned here.

 

[Ol Skool T Hobbyist]

Ohhh my...just joined. Haven't collected T's since I sold my collection in the early 2000's a short time after Bryant Capiz passed. Fun times, college and post college years. Kept a large number of species and bred quite a few...mostly easy ones...A. versicolor, B albopilosum, C. portoricae, P. irminia, H. lividum and numerous others. I periodically get ideas of starting up again...maybe keep 6 or 8 species, something like that...just never pull the trigger!!! Enjoy YT videos...didn't have that back in the day!!! Alas, too late this year as it is getting cold in southern Wisconsin plus I need to look into who are the sellers now.

So yesterday I randomly kind of stumbled across some 'old' Brachypelma species are now in a genus 'Tliltocatl' (what a name...sheesh). My question as it kind of relates to this thread...Are the Florida 'vagans' T. vagans or T. epicureanus? My guess would be as Arachnid Addicted mentioned...they are all mixed up...perhaps hybrids if the original population were established with both the species. But was just curious if anyone had input. I never owned a Florida 'vagans' back in the day. Out of curiosity, does the population still exist in Florida?

Thanks/Jeff (JJ)

 

[Mike Withrow]

Ohhh my...just joined. Haven't collected T's since I sold my collection in the early 2000's a short time after Bryant Capiz passed. Fun times, college and post college years. Kept a large number of species and bred quite a few...mostly easy ones...A. versicolor, B albopilosum, C. portoricae, P. irminia, H. lividum and numerous others. I periodically get ideas of starting up again...maybe keep 6 or 8 species, something like that...just never pull the trigger!!! Enjoy YT videos...didn't have that back in the day!!! Alas, too late this year as it is getting cold in southern Wisconsin plus I need to look into who are the sellers now.

So yesterday I randomly kind of stumbled across some 'old' Brachypelma species are now in a genus 'Tliltocatl' (what a name...sheesh). My question as it kind of relates to this thread...Are the Florida 'vagans' T. vagans or T. epicureanus? My guess would be as Arachnid Addicted mentioned...they are all mixed up...perhaps hybrids if the original population were established with both the species. But was just curious if anyone had input. I never owned a Florida 'vagans' back in the day. Out of curiosity, does the population still exist in Florida?

Thanks/Jeff (JJ)

Yes they are still found in certain areas of Florida.
It's thought to be from " like a lot of wildlife now down there " to be from an escape artists.

I've got two sold to me as T.vagens. and I don't really keep many nw spiders so, someone with more depth of knowledge would have to comment.