Florida vagans pics

[Ritzman]

A couple of weeks ago, I went down to Florida with John Apple, MIarachnids(Bryan), and a member of another forum. We went all over florida, catching a finding all kinds of stuff(nothing like seeing Huge4-5 iguanas at an apartment complex). I had a blast, so different from Mi.

Anyway, this is one of my prized finds.

What do we have here?

And look who came out.

Habitat shot

Another habitat shot

A smaller one

If you like inverts, I def recommend a trip to southern Florida.

 

[Moltar]

That sounds like a nice trip! thanks for posting these pics and Kudos for telling the story without giving away the location of the colony. Even though they are an invasive species, yadda yadda... It tickles me to know there is a successful population of these guys in the US. What a huge burrow and what healthy looking specimens!

 

[BlackCat]

Catch and release I hope... but anyway, pretty T.

 

[Ritzman]

thanks etown! It was awesome to look down and see those burrows. Some were vertical, some where horizontal right on the banks of the canal. Some where almost 2 ft down. I had to crop a habitat pic, because somebody "might" have been able to spot a landmark. There are already enough people that know of the area, and some are raping it. But yes, they are abundant.

BlackCat, Why do you hope catch and release? No it wasn't a catch and release. The first girl pictured is at home with me. Thank you she is gorgeous, about 4in.

 

[Endagr8]

There are already enough people that know of the area, and some are raping it.

No it wasn't a catch and release. The first girl pictured is at home with me.

 

[Ritzman]

I took ONE tarantula back with me... one


I know of people collecting 50+ at a time, so go roll your eyes else where.

 

[Kloster]

Theres a difference in taking 1 specimen from a well populated area and raping the ecosystem of every single creature you can find.

 

[Endagr8]

I took ONE tarantula back with me... one


I know of people collecting 50+ at a time, so go roll your eyes else where.

How many did John Apple, MIarachnids (Bryan), and a member of another forum take? 50+?

 

[Lucas339]

wow you guys are getting upset about an invasive?!?!?

 

[seanbond]

thanx for the pix man!
sweeeeet!

 

[Ritzman]

Theres a difference in taking 1 specimen from a well populated area and raping the ecosystem of every single creature you can find.

Thank you

How many did John Apple, MIarachnids (Bryan), and a member of another forum take? 50+?

That's none of your business, is it? I hope they chime in and tell you. I am talking about people that live down there in florida. Wholesalers. I bet Wait a tick, I am arguing with the internet....

 

[Kirk]

It's fascinating. Among scientists and conservationists, the goal is to either prevent or eradicate invasive species. Here we have hobbyists who want to promote the practice. And yet we see threads where so many of them complain about the prospect of hybrids.

 

[metallica]

man if i was you, i would collect enough to start a breeding program. so about 10 in all sizes. nice find and great pics.

thanks for sharing

Eddy

 

[ThomasH]

You all do realize that the next time federally banning nonnative wildlife is on the table and we want to free tarantulas of it that the opposition is going to point at B. vagans? These are not good to have out there. This thread is like AR porn. Then I see people getting upset because they wanted to take some home? While we're over here importing rosea by the thousands out of their native habitat! You have got to be kidding me. I'd rather they try to rape the ecosystem of invasives than not.
TBH

 

[Moltar]

It's fascinating. Among scientists and conservationists, the goal is to either prevent or eradicate invasive species. Here we have hobbyists who want to promote the practice. And yet we see threads where so many of them complain about the prospect of hybrids.

It is a pickle isn't it? Like I said earlier, I get warm and fuzzy feelings at the idea of these vagans being there. It's like an amusement park for spider lovers. My understanding is that the population has stabilized, doesn't seem to be spreading and they aren't (yet) really out-competing any indiginous species. Do you know if this is or is not the case? That's just my impression from scattered readings here and there.

I'm kind of surprised that there aren't any theraphosids in Florida naturally. There are plenty of species on nearby islands; Cuba, Puerto Rico, Haiti, etc. as well as Mexico and Central America, why did they never make landfall in Florida? Avics would love the Everglades...

 

[xhexdx]

The last couple times I went looking for them (was several years ago), I didn't find any. This doesn't mean they aren't there, obviously, but I had great luck the first time I went looking for them in the same place.

It is good to know they are still around, probably in a different location from where I was looking.

I also agree, Ethan, that avics would probably do quite well in the Everglades. Just like all the other creatures that don't belong there.

Anyway...great pics Ritz and I'm glad you had a good time here in FL.

--Joe

 

[JC50]

They look like they are surviving very well indeed.Your new addition looks very healthy and best of luck with it.

 

[BlackCat]

BlackCat, Why do you hope catch and release? No it wasn't a catch and release. The first girl pictured is at home with me. Thank you she is gorgeous, about 4in.

Because you are taking it from its home, it's like catching a bird in the wild, clipping its wings, and keeping it in a cage for the rest of its life. There are so many bred in captivity it becomes pretty much pointless to catch and keep them IMO. That is all. Just answering the question, don't mean to derail the thread or anything.

 

[Moltar]

I also agree, Ethan, that avics would probably do quite well in the Everglades. Just like all the other creatures that don't belong there.


--Joe

Just to clarify: I'm not actually advocating the introduction of invasive species, just saying that I like vagans and it's cute that we have a colony of them down there that doesn't seem to be wreaking too much havoc. Also wondering why tarantulas never made it to Florida on their own. I would never deliberately set loose an unnatural species.

 

[Exo]

Because you are taking it from its home, it's like catching a bird in the wild, clipping its wings, and keeping it in a cage for the rest of its life. There are so many bred in captivity it becomes pretty much pointless to catch and keep them IMO. That is all. Just answering the question, don't mean to derail the thread or anything.

Where do you think your G.rosea came from? Or your A.avic?