emilia vs. smithi

[Bry]

Is it just me, or does it seem like B. emilia is often overlooked in favor of B. smithi? Is there any reason in particular? The only reason I can think of is that B. smithi is more popular, and maybe others tend to follow suit. Don't get me wrong, I don't have any intent to piss anyone off. Everyone's entitled to their own opinions and preferences. I'm just not seeing much difference between the two species. Both species go for approximately the same price, have the same basic care, have the same docile temperament, are equally attractive (IMO), and both are known hair kickers. So, how come one seems to be more common in collections than the other?

Bry

 

[Inuleki]

smithi has better press...

(i have both )

 

[Matt]

I think it is because Emilias tend to burrow more and the Smithis live more on the ground.
my Emilia burrowed through the whole terrarium and stays there most of the day (at least at he moment it is just too hot). Before anyone says anything:No there is no heating on, it's the heat wave we're having here.
I think one factor favoring a specific T type over another is how often it is seen.

 

[luther]

Theres the fact that the smithi appeared in so many movies that it has become an iconic species, representing tarantulas to the common man. I've not noticed much behavioural difference in the two species.

 

[Code Monkey]

How big is your emilia, Matt? I've got a 2.5" B. emilia (got it when it was a bit over 2") and it's never shown any inclination to burrow and I don't think my situation is unique. In fact, you'd be the first person I've ever seen claiming B. emilia of being a burrower beyond slinghood.

I think less "press" as it was put - everybody knows what a B. smithi is even if they don't know what it's called - combined with less breeding efforts - they're less common and at least equally pricey to B. smithi - explains most of it. They also seem to grow even slower which doesn't help their numbers in the hobby.

 

[Matt]

I'd guess she's about 5 cm body length (no idea how many inches). She's pretty mucht adult, the lit says emilias get to around 5-6 cm. What i hear from people who have Emilias ist that they really like to burrow.
But what should I do? Put her into a new terrarium where she can't burrow anymore? In my opinion a tarantula should live like she wants to if a ground T feels like it wants burrow why not? I don't keep the T so that I can see it as often as possible, i try keep it the best way which is as close as possible to the natural habitat.
CU
Matt

 

[bamaspiderman]

I think the smithi is more well known & more readily available. I got an emilia from Phil Redwine that is about 2" and it never borrows. Fresh out of a molt it is one of the most beautiful spiders I have.

 

[atavuss]

I have 12 smithis of various sizes and only one emilia (a small adult female). I like both sp. and would buy more emilia if they were as easy to find as smithi. my emilia has never burrowed and is usually parked in her coconut half home.
Ed

 

[Bry]

Originally posted by Matt
I'd guess she's about 5 cm body length (no idea how many inches). She's pretty mucht adult, the lit says emilias get to around 5-6 cm.

Matt, 5 cm equals 2", and 6 cm equals roughly 2 1/2". I thought emilias reached the same size as B. smithi at around 5-6", not cm? Either way, I guess the points made thus far do make sense as to why B. smithi is more common in hobbyists' collections.

Bry

 

[MizM]

I believe the smithi, along with the g. rosea, was one of the first species to be widely sold in the pet trade. At one time, they were plentiful and cheap. When Mexico closed it's borders to export of Ts, that changed.

 

[Inuleki]

or, 2.54 cm in 1 inch.... either way you look at it.

 

[Code Monkey]

I believe Matt is referring to the *body* length of the T which would be about 2 or 3 inches for an adult. Of course, this highlights why we generally use legspan, it's not perfect but it does give a better picture of how big it is.

 

[Mendi]

I like them both equally even though I've got a sub male smithi and a tiny sling smithi, I've also got a juvie emilia and looking to get a gew more of both species, and other red legged version of Brachypelma sps

 

[MrT]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't B. emilia the smallest of the Brachypelma's.
And from what I've seen around here, the B. emilia is higher priced.
At least as adult females

Ernie

 

[caligulathegod]

Well, it all started when B emilia stole B smithi's prom date. Smithi swore revenge and over the years has become more popular, much to the chagrin of B emilia. Emilia might have been voted prom queen, but smithi had the last laugh.

 

[Matt]

I said those 5-6 cm is the Bodylength. It is clearer to understand and measure.
How is the legspan measured? Is it measured when the legs are close to the body, or when they're streched? Is it measured parallel to the body axis or perpendicular to it? In measuring the legspan there are in my opinion too many variables to really comparative.
CU Matt

 

[caligulathegod]

It's generally measured from the tip of leg 1 to leg 4 on the opposite side. It tends to be less than accurate because t's rarely stretch all the way out, but it still gives a better idea of the overall size.

 

[Telson]

Personally, I think the difference in appearance between the two is a major factor in choice. I can see how one would question a marked predisposition of poeple choosing B. smith over B. auratum as they look so much alike, color and pattern-wise, or B.emilia as compared in popularity to B.boehmei, but the difference in apearance is what makes the cut for me between the two species being discussed here.

If forced to choose between these two though, I'd likely take B.emilia simply because it looks cooler IMO, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that...


By the way, caligulathegod.....

You're completely nuts! (Keep the pics coming,. they're delightfully twisted!)

 

[Code Monkey]

Originally posted by Matt
I said those 5-6 cm is the Bodylength. It is clearer to understand and measure.
How is the legspan measured? Is it measured when the legs are close to the body, or when they're streched? Is it measured parallel to the body axis or perpendicular to it? In measuring the legspan there are in my opinion too many variables to really comparative.
CU Matt

Good points but it still gives a far clearer picture to use legspan. If you tell me a spider has a legspan that's 8" (~20cm) whether it's stretched out or bunched up I've still got a good idea that, hey, that's a big spider. I don't need to know the species or anything else.

OTOH, to use the body length I've got to be *very* familiar with that species down to typical body conformation so I can then do the mental translation of what a 2"/5cm individual translates into in total spider.

Besides, body length is just as inaccurate since the abdomen is so variable. While legspan if measured more or less the same between specimens is accurate from the time the T moults til its next moult, body length is going to constantly change.

 

[Matt]

Well I guess that 's one of the points i have to get used to. In Germany when talking about spider sizes it is the Bodylength (without the chelizerae and spinnerets. The other thing i have get used to is the usage of common names.

CU
Matt