G. iheringi with wheels!!!

[CodeWilster]

I just got a gorgeous female Grammostola iheringi from southernspiderworks.com. This is my first experience with this species and I have one question; ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO HAVE THIS MUCH ENERGY???? It's about 2.5 maybe 3" and the second I opened the vial it popped out went down my arm and onto the bed. It just kept on going and going and getting faster and faster (not Pokie or Hetero fast but pretty fast for a grammy!) It seriously would not stop for one second. I'd cup her and she'd just squeeze between my fingers. There were several times where I would pick her up then she would actually jump off of my hand! (have never seen a terrestrial jump this much)-of course it was only a fall of an inch or so on a soft comforter each time.

So not only did this little girl do several laps around the bed and around my shirt but once I finally got her cupped she somehow managed to pop the top off of the deli cup and crawl out giving me another entertaining source of exercise.

I ended up throwing a large cricket and some dirt into a tighter cup and despite the one-man-show track meet she was eating the cricket in a matter of seconds. Although I have many Ts with mega speed, this thing is like the Jack Russel/Lance Armstrong of my collection. I'm looking at her right now and it looks like she is trying to get out of the deli cup again lol. I cannot believe this thing's neurotic disposition and endurance. She must have been really excited to see her new environment after being in that box for a day!

I'm assuming she'll calm down eventually but all that totally made my day and so I thought I'd share. I'll have to post a pic later when I get a chance to have a buddy take the pic while I hold her down lol

 

[Elaine]

They are a fabulous species so congrats on getting your hands on one of these beauties :clap:

I have 2 here and they are by far my favourite spiders. Both are totally mental and charming. When feeding/watering I have to loosen the lid of their tanks and wait until they calm down before doing anything. One actually jumped out to go after a cricket that eluded him, ran across the rug, pounced so fast he rolled over with the cricket and then sauntered back to his tank lol. They have real character and are pretty feisty for a Grammy. A real gem to care for.

I've had my large male since he was 2 inches and he hasnt changed in behaviour since the day he got here. I'm due to pack him and get him sent out on breeding loan, should be fun

 

[olablane]

I have 2 of them. They act just like yours!! Always looking for exercise.

 

[CodeWilster]

...I've had my large male since he was 2 inches and he hasnt changed in behaviour since the day he got here. I'm due to pack him and get him sent out on breeding loan, should be fun

That's awesome! And good luck in regards to the loan. They are a tough T to breed apparently. I'm assuming you or the breeder know already, but I hear the females need a very cool (40-50 degree F) winter cooling period. Anyway I hope the loan goes through and thanks to both of you for the replies.
This is a sweet T, my girlfriend thought I was crazy when I said I finally got one with extra personality lol They are great and everybody should have one!!! I'll try to upload a couple pics in a minute.

 

[SNAFU]

I have an iheringi that I bought unsexed from Joel at SSW over a yr ago. I'm pretty sure its male & yes-they do always have that energy! Mine has only recently slowed down after the last molt as its about 6" now. They grow at lightspeed too as mine grew faster than a little L. parahybana that was about the same size to start with.
My favorite thing is how acrobatic they can be! Joel was showing one of these, (I had never heard of them at the time) about 1.5-1.75" and held a cricket in a pair of forceps above and in front of the little G.i.. It lept out, grabbed the cricket, and back into the little cup it had been in. I would'nt have believed it if I did'nt see it myself. He had quite a few of them at that time. He could toss a cricket in and they would pounce on it so hard they would tumble, hilarious!
Code, here's a few pics of mine. Be sure and put up pics of your little red devil!

Here he is from January 11 2008 after I brought him home, less than 2":

And- January 22nd 2009

I gotta' get me female for this leggy dude!

 

[CodeWilster]

Wow your pics are going to make mine look even more pathetic!!! Beautiful T! I seriously cannot get over this little girl. It is absolutely beautiful and has sooo much personality!!! It was well worth its price that's for sure. Here's a couple pics I quickly snapped. Definitely not the best, but here she is (she's a bit shy) I ended up having to put down the camera to chase and catch her lol Seriously, for anybody interested in this T double cage them and should they ever escape start off by looking in bordering states/countries!

Yeah so in that pic above it's her saying "ok I'm gonna wait, wait, wait..." [I pop the lid off] Run Forest run!!!! lol

I'll post another pic or two if I happen to get a better one. If I can then maybe a video too.

Thanks for the replies guys, it's great sharing the fun on this sp.

 

[olablane]

Nice pics you 2

 

[CodeWilster]

Nice pics you 2

Thanks!

Oh and one more thing I forgot to mention, I was showing it to my girlfriend today and of course it was relentlessly running around as usual, and so she goes to pick it up and does so successfully, then the thing poops on her hand and begins the running all over again. THIS IS REALLY A DREAM SPIDER lol

 

[tjmi2000]

Just when I think the LIST can't get any longer...

 

[SNAFU]

Thanks!

Oh and one more thing I forgot to mention, I was showing it to my girlfriend today and of course it was relentlessly running around as usual, and so she goes to pick it up and does so successfully, then the thing poops on her hand and begins the running all over again. THIS IS REALLY A DREAM SPIDER lol

LOL-Great story! These guys really do seem to have more personality than any of my other T's! Mine also will wait until I open the lid to feed him then starts going up on the side working his way around trying to find the opening.
Besides the gorgeous black/red color these guys seem to stay constantly moving and into something (as you have said Code). Like a preschooler with a handfull of new markers, fun to watch but don't trust them too far!
Your pics are awesome Code. I like the way the light picks up all the hairs. She looks 10 times fuzzier than mine was at that size!

 

[CodeWilster]

LOL-Great story!

What's cool is even after the T pooped on my girlfriend's hand, she still likes it. KEEPER lol

Actually my versicolor almost got her in the face once so I guess this time she was just grateful that it wasn't the face again lol (Yes I train my Ts to poop on my girlfriend ;P )

I like the way the light picks up all the hairs. She looks 10 times fuzzier than mine was at that size!

Yes she is very fuzzy. Another trait that makes her awesome!!!

 

[Elaine]

That's awesome! And good luck in regards to the loan. They are a tough T to breed apparently. I'm assuming you or the breeder know already, but I hear the females need a very cool (40-50 degree F) winter cooling period. Anyway I hope the loan goes through and thanks to both of you for the replies.
This is a sweet T, my girlfriend thought I was crazy when I said I finally got one with extra personality lol They are great and everybody should have one!!! I'll try to upload a couple pics in a minute.

Thanks I was lucky to find someone with an AF iheringi and even better is that the guy specialises in Grammy's so knows his stuff but thanks for the info Code.

I could sit and watch my 2 all day long, gorgeous and fun asll rolled in to one package lol. I think I'll be looking for more when the BTS show comes around in May. I totally agree, everyone should have one