First Poecilotheria m.

[catboyeuthanasia]

What do you enjoy more so far

Spiders are definitely way less stressful. They need way less regular maintenance and I can setup a decent spider enclosure in a day as opposed to having to cycle an aquarium. The downside is that tarantulas are a lot more inclined to sit in one place or hide than reef pets. This makes the multiple tank syndrome even more of a threat!

Having a slow growing tarantula is like having a nice price of coral; you get to see them get bigger and its really rewarding. If you want to do something "reef-tank-esque" with a tarantula, you can look into moisture-loving species and setting up a planted tank with a clean-up crew. You have to deal with cleaner populations, hitchikers, and plants just like with a good reef tank. You also get to see cool biodiversity and have to clean less poop. Don't recommend this as your first terrarium though, as it is a lot more work. If you can do reef tanks, these are a bit less work though.

 

[Reefs and Ts]

Yeah I've done dart frog vivs too I'm thinking about doing a bioactive terrarium for an pink toe.

 

[jrh3]

Treat this thing like a mantis shrimp; just as fast and just as able to hurt you, but able to move on land.

I wouldn’t think a mantis shrimp would compare to a pokie. I mean pokies can be out of the enclosure and up a wall with the blink of an eye. Worst case, which has been reported, up your arm and on your back from just removing an empty water dish.

 

[Reefs and Ts]

Agreed mantis shrimp don't have near the speed. I am using tongs for everything in the enclosure and I try to get the T to the opposite side and hunkered down before I move anything. I treat it a lot more like a fox face or dwarf lionfish.

The yellow and blue just blows my mind

 

[Stu Macher]

I have a great local reptile store near me that has tons of tarantula related products and only captive bred Ts. I was shocked to find a gooty there. Only the second day and it's already taken a meal. It has a crazy feed response.
View attachment 464342

Awesome choice. Pokies are not as bad as people make them out to be. Just practice common sense and watch some rehouse videos when the time comes. You'll do just fine. I doubt that will be your last pokie btw

 

[Reefs and Ts]

Thanks I really appreciate the encouragement! I don't think it will be the last either.

 

[Stu Macher]

Thanks I really appreciate the encouragement! I don't think it will be the last either.

Absolutely. If you ever need anything hmu. Enjoy your T!

All I know is they don't like light. Ha ha

It's so odd but my P Met and P Ruf are out all the time. Could be super bright/sun coming in doesn't matter. Best display Ts I have. But they don't appreciate flashes or lights pointed directly at them

 

[Reefs and Ts]

Oh that's awesome!

 

[Stu Macher]

Bad idea for so many different reasons, good luck.

Viper I think you offer solid advice, but as long as people understand the risk and are mature, responsible adults, and have done hours of research and gotten husbandry down, well why not? I'm sure the author knew about the risk and accepted it like you, and everyone else did. There's always a chance of getting tagged but you can greatly reduce that chance by not being complacent.

I'm not against the ladder system because I love Psalmos and they are really fun to keep in their own right. But there are some people who want a small collection of the T's they truly are interested in. (they may not like psalmos for whatever reason)

Depending on your setup, you literally don't have to interact with the T at all. They simply walk in to their new enclosures with minimal coaxing and zero risk of envonomation or an escape. Mold growth/mites is a different situation, and interaction is inevitable. But there are great available resources, AB and Tom Moran being 2.

Sorry for the long spiel, but I've read many bite reports and there have been several instances, it comes from over confident collectors with many years of experience. But again, it's the risk you take to work with such beautiful animals.

Thank God I have good health insurance

 

[Reefs and Ts]

I have space for four Ts. My lost was the gooty, obt, Aphonopelma chalcodes, and brachhpelma boehemie. I planned to get one of the latter first but because I saw a decent sized gooty for such a good price I jumped on it. Though I do appreciate the concern people have for me and my T.

 

[Mike Withrow]

Stop tapping the tank. Know where it is before maintenance. You'll be fine.

 

[viper69]

Viper I think you offer solid advice, but as long as people understand the risk and are mature, responsible adults, and have done hours of research and gotten husbandry down, well why not? I'm sure the author knew about the risk and accepted it like you, and everyone else did. There's always a chance of getting tagged but you can greatly reduce that chance by not being complacent.

I'm not against the ladder system because I love Psalmos and they are really fun to keep in their own right. But there are some people who want a small collection of the T's they truly are interested in. (they may not like psalmos for whatever reason)

Depending on your setup, you literally don't have to interact with the T at all. They simply walk in to their new enclosures with minimal coaxing and zero risk of envonomation or an escape. Mold growth/mites is a different situation, and interaction is inevitable. But there are great available resources, AB and Tom Moran being 2.

Sorry for the long spiel, but I've read many bite reports and there have been several instances, it comes from over confident collectors with many years of experience. But again, it's the risk you take to work with such beautiful animals.

Thank God I have good health insurance

Anyone can do anything they want - there’s no law on what species to own first.

My statement and thoughts are a general belief, that’s all. Some people think like me, and some don’t- I don’t care eith

If the OP becomes the world’s largest Poki breeder- good for him/her. If the OP gets bit, and needs a hospital- good for him/her.

Peeps make choices, and all have consequences- good/bad/neither.

Some choices inherently have consequences with less issues than other choices.

 

[Stu Macher]

Anyone can do anything they want - there’s no law on what species to own first.

My statement and thoughts are a general belief, that’s all. Some people think like me, and some don’t- I don’t care eith

If the OP becomes the world’s largest Poki breeder- good for him/her. If the OP gets bit, and needs a hospital- good for him/her.

Peeps make choices, and all have consequences- good/bad/neither.

Some choices inherently have consequences with less issues than other choices.

And a part of me agrees with you. I hastily jumped on some slings (you may remember) that I knew wasn't wise for my comfort level. I gave them away free of charge to someone with years of experience. Now there are some species I just have no desire to ever own, notorious for just being a joy to work with. When one of the breeders selling them puts in a disclaimer "meanest tarantula on earth" or "I honestly don't know why someone would want one...You've been warned" Yeah that's a hard pass for me.

But I think there's a bit of a learning curve for pokies, provided you give them their space and don't go out of your way to piss them off. They seem to respond very well to respect, unlike others that will not hesitate to threat posture at the slightest disturbance. Other species are just too defensive and not worth the risk imo. Plus they just hide all the time, unlike Pokies that are often on display.

 

[viper69]

And a part of me agrees with you. I hastily jumped on some slings (you may remember) that I knew wasn't wise for my comfort level. I gave them away free of charge to someone with years of experience. Now there are some species I just have no desire to ever own, notorious for just being a joy to work with. When one of the breeders selling them puts in a disclaimer "meanest tarantula on earth" or "I honestly don't know why someone would want one...You've been warned" Yeah that's a hard pass for me.

But I think there's a bit of a learning curve for pokies, provided you give them their space and don't go out of your way to piss them off. They seem to respond very well to respect, unlike others that will not hesitate to threat posture at the slightest disturbance. Other species are just too defensive and not worth the risk imo. Plus they just hide all the time, unlike Pokies that are often on display.

I don’t remember, but do remember your SN.

For Pokis- P mets are not the one to start with due to their behavior.

Oh well- too late now

 

[Stu Macher]

I don’t remember, but do remember your SN.

For Pokis- P mets are not the one to start with due to their behavior.

Oh well- too late now

Their not that bad. When my female was around 2.5" she only bolted once and I was able to close the lid in time. She threw me a threat pose once when I hovered over her cage which was my bad, but she didn't draw her fangs. Other than that, she's been ok. I always wait to do maintenance when they are in their hide, because the vibration tends to make them stay down. But, as they grow they get more bold in terms of staying out and they don't spook as easily. But if their already in their hide mine tend to stay down, especially when I open their enclosure. I always wait for them to be in their hide when I do any kind of maintenance. There's no rush. My pokies are skittish, but I wouldn't call them defensive. I hope my P Regalis sling won't be reclusive as an adult because that would be an amazing trifecta lol

 

[viper69]

But, as they grow they get more bold

True for all Ts, they know they are larger etc.

and they don't spook as easily

Not for all, I've seen some AF P mets do wild things. It's pretty well accepted that P mets are the wild card of the genus relative to the other members. Remember, it's all relative.

I'm not here to change your mind. Like I said too late now.

 

[Reefs and Ts]

I like the sound of worlds largest Poki breeder.

 

[SpookySpooder]

I like the sound of worlds largest Poki breeder.

You can find them all on the tarantula sustainability project website lol

 

[Reefs and Ts]

First successful rehouse and I only was bit three times!!!
Jk it actually went really well. Spider was super well behaved. Tom's videos were a lot of help and made me feel much more well prepared.



I don't know how other people feel but I am not a fan of zoomed creature habitats. Them being top opening always makes it hard. I also don't think the top vent only is that effective. Probably not a new opinion if I had to guess.

 

[fcat]

I don't know how other people feel but I am not a fan of zoomed critter keepers. Them being top opening always makes it hard. I also don't think the top vent only is that effective. Probably not a new opinion if I had to guess.

Same here, but there is a vent at the base of the door. I don't know which brand allows you to remove a plastic insert to make the vent holes bigger.

The Europeans have been using glass tanks with a front vent for years, the only reason I ever put one of my beloveds in there.

Just can't block the front vents with substrate.