Ephebopus cyanognathus?

[Zeek]

Hi guys, I am after some advice. I am thinking of getting a Ephebopus cyanognathus, and was wondering what their temperament is like. I am new to the hobby so dont want to get anything too fast/aggressive just yet. I see that it likes burrowing, do they still burrow as adults? Is it one of those spiders you never see? Its a really beautiful looking tarantula.

I currently have a g pulchra sling and a juvie Euathlus sp blue.

Oh after posting this I just saw several similar threads, apologies for asking something thats probably been asked before!

 

[BobGrill]

This is a bad species If you're wanting something not all that fast and/or defensive. This species is not only super fast as well as defensive. They also are a bit more tricky to maintain due to some of their requirements. In my experience, this is one of the most defensive New World species out there.

 

[Ghost Dragon]

Welcome to the hobby, Zeek.

Just wanted to say you've got a GREAT pair of starter T's. I've had my female pulchra just over a year, and she's tied for favourite with my B. emilia. Large, hardy, mild mannered, and that gorgeous velvety black appearance as they mature. This is mine not long after her molt two weeks ago, now 3.5" DLS. I also just picked up an Euathlus sp. red sling, looking forward to watching it grow.

I don't have an E. cyanognathus myself, but fear not, I've no doubt someone will be posting shortly who does have one.

 

[BobGrill]

I just did that.

 

[Ghost Dragon]

I just did that.

Sorry, Bob, you're quicker hitting the Enter key than I am.

 

[BobGrill]

No worries. As said, I'd advise against getting this species as a beginner. They're more of a species for an intermediate/ advanced level keeper

 

[Formerphobe]

E cyanognathus are obligate burrowers and have higher humidity requirements than the average 'beginner' species. Slings are more brightly colored than adults. As long as they have adequate depth of substrate to construct a suitable burrow, most lean toward flight rather than fight. Not a t for handling. And you may not see it much.

 

[Ghost Dragon]

If you're looking for a bit more of a challenge, Zeek, you could try an L. parahybana. No different of a setup than your pulchra. The challenge with them is preparing for how huge they get, very quickly. My MF Evita is a real monster, 8.5" DLS, which is slightly larger than normal. I'm hoping that my G. pulchripes, Leviathan, gets that big as well.

My first arboreal was a P. irminia. You might not be ready for something like that yet, as they are LIGHTNING QUICK, but a good intermediate T when you feel you are ready.

 

[miss moxie]

Another good suggestion would be Acanthoscurria geniculata. They are known for their flickiness, are slightly more defensive and quick but not bad. They are also fast growing like L. parahybana, and are absolutely gorgeous when they start showing their adult colors. My 3.5" girl is the most ferocious eater, hits her prey like a freight train. She'll slam her 'face' into the ground happily if it means she's gonna catch a meal.

Their urticating hairs are more on the irritating side of the spectrum though, so be cautious of that. They also tend to be more of a 'display T' seeing as how they rarely use their hides and are always prowling for more dinner.

 

[Akai]

if you are new to the hobby then i would'nt go with any sort of fossorial tarantula mainly because a newbie often wants a "visual" return on their investment and what you are going to be paying for is a pet hole. they are going to spend 99% of their time in their burrows but that makes for a happy burrower but it takes away the "ooooh aaah" factor from newbie owners. i don't think they are anymore defensive then any other fossorial T defending its burrow but like others have said they are lighting fast and have certain humidity requirements. there are hundreds of choices to be had for beginners who are looking for something easier and more along the lines of a nice display tarantula such as your G.pulchra. you are already off to a great start with that one there. good luck!

 

[Poec54]

Another good suggestion would be Acanthoscurria geniculata. They are known for their flickiness, are slightly more defensive and quick but not bad. They are also fast growing like L. parahybana, and are absolutely gorgeous when they start showing their adult colors. My 3.5" girl is the most ferocious eater, hits her prey like a freight train. She'll slam her 'face' into the ground happily if it means she's gonna catch a meal.

Their urticating hairs are more on the irritating side of the spectrum though, so be cautious of that. They also tend to be more of a 'display T' seeing as how they rarely use their hides and are always prowling for more dinner.

Good suggestion. Big, beautiful, hardy, and usually out in the open.

 

[Zeek]

Thanks for the great replies, I am definitely want to stick to more 'starter' T's. At the moment I am just going to continue reading about various species, before making an impulse purchase. I have to say Harpactira pulchripes had caught my eye, and being from South Africa where I was born I would love to eventually own one of these, they are simply stunning!

 

[Akai]

@Zeek i saw a couple of price tags on H. pulchripes. it makes no sense to me to buy just one at the price offered. i'd have to buy a group to guarantee a female and the group would be split between 2 big sellers so i dont get sac mates with the goal to breed them and get these out into the hobby. what am i going to do with just one? it's far too rich for my blood right now. the same can be said for P. metallicas when they first introduced into the hobby. the price will go down in time but someone with deeper pockets then me is going to have to iniate the cause. i'm still chipping away at my current wish list and i've got stuff on their at least 2 years old...just waiting on the right price. :wink:

 

[Zeek]

@Akai, agree!! I saw some slings for sale recently but still too much of a novice to risk it!

 

[Poec54]

i'd have to buy a group...the group would be split between 2 big sellers so i dont get sac mates with the goal to breed them and get these out into the hobby.

You have much to learn grasshopper. There's a good chance those slings will have come from the same sac with a rare species. Dealers buy from many of the same sources, and often trade amongst themselves. An importer will bring them in from Europe, wholesale some to dealers, and retail some to individuals. Slings I've bred have been sold/traded to dealers all over the country (east coast to west coast), and I know that some have been traded to other dealers.

 

[Akai]

i actually did think of that but wasn't sure how many sources funnel their stock to the U.S. Your post about the wheeling and dealings in the tarantula industry was very enlightning in the "sac registration" thread.

 

[Crotalid]

Sory to hijack the thread, but can people post pictures of adult females and males? Do both sexes dull down a lot? So annoying how so many species of T do this.

 

[Akai]

Sory to hijack the thread, but can people post pictures of adult females and males? Do both sexes dull down a lot? So annoying how so many species of T do this.

if you're talking about E. Cyanognathus then you're going to be dissapointed in their adult coloration. they are beautiful as spiderlings though. the "blue fang" chelicerae carries over to adulthood.

 

[Crotalid]

if you're talking about E. Cyanognathus then you're going to be dissapointed in their adult coloration. they are beautiful as spiderlings though. the "blue fang" chelicerae carries over to adulthood.

Ah, another one i will stay away from then lol. Shame, like you say they look stunning as spiderlings.

 

[Akai]

don't let me curtail you from them. i still think they are a fantastic spiders but there is a big difference from sling to adult which is too bad but their beauty is really negligible since they spend the majority of their life underground in their burrows.