getting too advanced spids

[ZergFront]

You guys are hilarious.

So because I've been in the tarantula hobby for 10 years, I'm not a beginner when it comes to reptiles?

Great logic...

Yeah, duh! Everyone knows reptiles have EVERYTHING in common with tarantulas. Jeez, wake up, Joe. ;P

My sarcasm meter is hitting the roof tonight..

 

[codykrr]

man you all just didnt ead my post......:wall:

even with research that will not prepare you for the speed of an S. cal, pokie, and others...it may give you an idea but you wont know....untill you work your way up.

and again. No, reptile keeping will give you no help in tarantulas...there two totally diffrent things. i mean you may learn about basically being responcible for a pet in general. but snake shed totally diffrent from tarantulas. they require heat for digestions...they are worlds apart. other than you can keep them both enclosed i dont see how they relate.

so no it wouldnt give you abetter start, as reptile keeping and tarantula keeping are 2 diffrent hobbies. not to mention one is a vert. and one is an invert......


and avic man. i wasnt stating frogs are easier or harder to keep than Ts. i just used them as a comparison.

and man at 14 i was doing lots of things my parents didnt know about...kids are sneeky and some parents dont care.

its doesnt truely matter, because people are always going o jump in over there head. regardless of what more experienced people say or advice...

you are always going to have that 16 year old who thinks he is a pro race car driver...when he has no driving experience.

any never did i say anything about a G. porteri(G. rosea name changed) for a started id actually recomend, B. smithi, H. incei, A. avic, A. versicolor

 

[redrumpslump]

Yea i guess i didnt ead your post? Personally i started out with a violacepes and two obts. I think you will agree both are fast and are defensive or aggressive whatever you wanna call it. I read up on both species watched numerous vids on youtube. By the time i got them i was able to freehandle both after i unpacked them. From my research i understood there speed and to tell how to read there temperement. So i disagree with you, but like you said people will do what they want so it really doesnt matter.

 

[Avicularia Man]

and avic man. i wasnt stating frogs are easier or harder to keep than Ts. i just used them as a comparison.

Wasn't saying you was. Just letting you know that they are harder to care for. Them being so fragile is one of the reasons I haven't getting into keeping frogs.

 

[Steve Calceatum]

Well, I was gonna stay out of this thread but.........

.......G. porteri(G. rosea name changed).......

When did that happen???? Last I knew, the Grammostola genus was still under revision, and with the exception of G. pulchripes being synonomized last year, no changes have been made. This certain-uncertainty is really quite maddening, LOL!!!!


Now, my $.02 on the issue is that as long as proper research is done, and the prospective keeper has the confidence and maturity (not relative to age, Paul ;P) to do so, then just about anything could be a prospective first T. I say, "just about anything," meaning that there are some exceptions, of course. For instance, I would not recommend an S. cal, T. blondi, or H. gigas, being as these species have special considerations (ie: the speed and overtly violent temperament of the S. cal, or the care-specific requirements for T. blondi).

Ultimately, it comes down to maturity. Cody is right that there will always be the keeper on a journey to their own personal coolness. All too often I hear some domineering male gorilla-type, upon finding out that I keep T's, ask me where he can get a "Goliath." The answer is always the same when I ask why anyone would want that: "It's the biggest, baddest mo'fo' spider, yadda-yadda, BS...."

If it weren't for trying to prevent bad publicity in the hobby, I would so introduce one of these idiots to a little 3" juvie S. cal that'll make them think twice about issuing a "Biggest-Baddest" statement to someone who they knew to be a spider-keeper in the first place.

 

[Mad Hatter]

Well, I was gonna stay out of this thread but.........

But... here you are.

When did that happen???? Last I knew, the Grammostola genus was still under revision, and with the exception of G. pulchripes being synonomized last year, no changes have been made. This certain-uncertainty is really quite maddening, LOL!!!!

I don't know when it happened, but yeah, G. rosea is now the scientific name for G. rosea RCF (Red Color Form) and G. porteri is the name for the plainer brown/grey tarantulas of this genus.



Sorry for the off topic post.

 

[paul fleming]

Certain people (I am not naming names Joe ) are taking the beginner,intermediate and advanced thing far to literally.
There is no 'safe spider to keep list' for each one.
There is also no 'designated time period you have to spend before getting to the next stage'.
Some of you are taking sarcasm to new highs.
One the other hand,it does make it entertaining,especially when my buddy Joe is on form.

 

[Draiman]

Certain people (I am not naming names Joe ) are taking the beginner,intermediate and advanced thing far to literally.
There is no 'safe spider to keep list' for each one.
There is also no 'designated time period you have to spend before getting to the next stage'.

Uhh... Do you remember typing this?

After all the arguments of late
Just wondered if anyone thought a lot of people were running before they could walk ?
It sure seems that way to me.
Although I now keep the more dangerous kind of T (and scorp and true spid),I did start off with an L.parahybana

 

[Steve Calceatum]

But... here you are.



I don't know when it happened, but yeah, G. rosea is now the scientific name for G. rosea RCF (Red Color Form) and G. porteri is the name for the plainer brown/grey tarantulas of this genus.



Sorry for the off topic post.

Yes, and here I am again!!!!

Not trying to hijack the thread, but I ran a search in the Q&D, and came up with this thread I think you might find interesting.

 

[bksbuddha]

As a newb to the T relm, I appreciate when/if I question which one is the best to start w/. It's if someone is so adamant that you shouldn't start out w/one that you really want that I don't appreciate the advice. I personally am amazed & overjoyed w/my Allure, H. lividum. She, & my Italian Greyhound Buddha, remind me constantly that there are exceptions to the rules. Granted, I have no desire to hold her, but everytime I start to open her tank when she's out, she takes off for her burrow. She's never done a threat display, even when she was moved to her new home.
That being said, I have PDFs & they're tons of fun. :} The only problem w/having such unique frogs is the fact that you either have to breed (or have access to) lots of teeny crickets or become a FF breeder. It's funny how most of my pets force me to have other pets...aka, their food!

 

[redrumpslump]

As a newb to the T relm, I appreciate when/if I question which one is the best to start w/. It's if someone is so adamant that you shouldn't start out w/one that you really want that I don't appreciate the advice. I personally am amazed & overjoyed w/my Allure, H. lividum. She, & my Italian Greyhound Buddha, remind me constantly that there are exceptions to the rules. Granted, I have no desire to hold her, but everytime I start to open her tank when she's out, she takes off for her burrow. She's never done a threat display, even when she was moved to her new home.
That being said, I have PDFs & they're tons of fun. :} The only problem w/having such unique frogs is the fact that you either have to breed (or have access to) lots of teeny crickets or become a FF breeder. It's funny how most of my pets force me to have other pets...aka, their food!

See thats what ive been getting at a "noob" can get the t they want and have success with it. I hope you enjoy her for a long time my friend

 

[Muze]

I guess i was fortunate. i was always into inverts, since the age of 3 i was collecting native bugs and spiders and keeping them in jars at home.
Then at the age of around 7 we had a friend of the family who was a zoologist and he kept tarantulas amongst other inverts (and was also our nextdoor neighbour). so he introduced me to the world of T's.

After keeping a couple of the beginner T's, i acquired the more advanced ones through our family friend, which was natural progression. I always had him there as a mentor and of course i got used to dealing with their behaviour, rehousing etc first by helping him with his collection before getting my own Pokies etc.

When i tell people that i was keeping what are considered advanced tarantulas at 11 and 12 most people are shocked. But this was always with supervision.

I was thankful for the opportunity as it eventually lead on to a couple of jobs at local zoos (i dont work there now) and we currently have a DWAL.

So im a great believer in working your way up at your own pace.

 

[Mack&Cass]

I'm not trying to offend anyone, however if you make a post saying "I want an S. cal as my first/second/third T, what do you all think?" You're asking for everyone's advice, and some of that advice is going to be "don't do it". If you have your heart set on getting it, then why bother making a thread asking for people's opinions? If you're just looking for everyone to tell you to go ahead, then you've come to the wrong place, because you're not going to get that. There are people on here who believe you should work your way up instead of jumping in with both feet - and they'll have no problem telling you that.

So, to anyone who is going to make a post asking what big, bad T they should get after they've kept a B. smithi for a week, you're putting the question out there for anyone to answer. And to accuse those people who say not to do it as flaming them, well, that's a little rude, because this is an OPEN forum, where anyone can post, and if you're going to ask for people's opinions and then get mad when it's not what you want to hear, then just do what you want to do instead of bringing a bunch of people into your business. Obviously the posts saying "I hope your tarantula eats your face off" are a little uncalled for, however, people who are saying that maybe you should work your way up instead of just going right for it, have a right to their opinion - which you asked for.

Cassandra

 

[Zoltan]

Right on, Joe. If you haven't kept tarantulas before, you are new to keeping tarantulas. If you are new to keeping tarantulas, you are a beginner tarantula keeper. It's quite simple. I mean, would you not consider someone a beginner driver if they just started taking driving lessons but they have 15 years of experience with bicycles? Beginner, of course, is not a derogatory word, just as amateur isn't a derogatory word either (ie. "amateur taxonomist").

I think it's the best option (not the only option!) for beginners to start with a calmer, slower terrestrial species, get the hang of being around and dealing with a tarantula, then "work their way up". That's only my opinion, and certainly isn't the one absolutely right opinion, just the way I see it.

I don't know when it happened, but yeah, G. rosea is now the scientific name for G. rosea RCF (Red Color Form) and G. porteri is the name for the plainer brown/grey tarantulas of this genus.

I don't know when it happened either, or where it happened, or who made it happen. Basically, we know nothing about this "scientific name change", we only "know" it's happened. Or did it really happen?

 

[Aurelia]

I don't know when it happened, but yeah, G. rosea is now the scientific name for G. rosea RCF (Red Color Form) and G. porteri is the name for the plainer brown/grey tarantulas of this genus.

This makes no sense to me. :? RCF can come out of a clutch of eggs from a brown mother, and RCF can bear brown young.

 

[paul fleming]

Uhh... Do you remember typing this?

Thank you for pointing that out
In my defense,everybody is entitled to change their minds,including me
Just see so many posts that tell people....should not get that......too fast or venemous for you.....have to leave those to us,the experts who are much better spider keepers than you.:? or at least that what it sounds like.

 

[Mad Hatter]

Yes, and here I am again!!!!

Not trying to hijack the thread, but I ran a search in the Q&D, and came up with this thread I think you might find interesting.

Oh thank you for the link. =)

Right on, Joe. If you haven't kept tarantulas before, you are new to keeping tarantulas. If you are new to keeping tarantulas, you are a beginner tarantula keeper. It's quite simple.

+1

Beginner, of course, is not a derogatory word, just as amateur isn't a derogatory word either (ie. "amateur taxonomist").

+1 again.

I don't know when it happened either, or where it happened, or who made it happen. Basically, we know nothing about this "scientific name change", we only "know" it's happened. Or did it really happen?

Yes, that was in the thread xsyorra linked. (I love your wording, btw) =)


I've had a few people I highly respect on these boards inform me about the name "change," so I'm still in doubt about this subject. I don't know who/what to believe. Since I have 16 G. rosea (and/or 'G. porteri') tarantulas, I suppose it bothers me that this is still a grey area. I'd like to know so I can make sure I document things correctly.

This makes no sense to me. :? RCF can come out of a clutch of eggs from a brown mother, and RCF can bear brown young.

If a "G. porteri" was bred with a G. rosea... would the offspring be hybrids?

This is a quote that I found mildly helpful:

In the wonderful, wild, weird, wacky world of tarantula taxonomy location and color, by themselves, do not a new species make.

But, this still doesn't clear it up for me entirely... and if G. rosea and "G. porteri" are in fact two separate species that have been confused as one and the same until this point, then wouldn't there be an inordinate amount of hybrids floating around the hobby by now?

Anyway, I'm going to try not to derail this any more than I already have. But to anyone who can PM me more info, you should know that it would be much appreciated.



Back on topic, I'm of the opinion that it's best to start out slow in whatever hobby it is you're getting into. But that's just me.

As much as a Ts speed/defensiveness should be accounted for before considering it as a "pet," how difficult it is to take care of should be noted as well. For instance, G. rosea makes a good beginner species because their requirements are really quite simple (in addition to the fact that they are generally very docile Ts).

Something with a higher humidity requirement, I would consider more "advanced" and even I still steer clear of some of these species because I doubt my skills are up to taking care of them.

A good rule of thumb is:

When in doubt, DON'T.

Because really, only you can decide if you are ready to start keeping a more advanced species of T. There's no way for me or anyone to be able to accurately assess your T-keeping skills via online posts. You and only you know if the "spids" you want are too advanced to get. ;-)

 

[Green Mantis]

Tarantula Newbie:? Well I have asked about What is a Good first T, reseached and am currently reading the TKG, VERY GOOD. But there are still answers I can't find, regarding whats going to come flying up at you if you open the lid, etc. I have NO intention of handling it. Just for observing and enjoying. Since I know NOTHING about Spiders of Any kind, I do appreciatte people's answers. I too have kept exotic frogs, lizards, etc. BUT a Spider is NOT a frog. So to me, I do want a slow moving terrestial Spider. I THINK? I have narrowed it down to a Honduran Curly. The Gooty's are awesome, but I don't feel I know enough about their care, so that won't happen for a long time. I just want to start with something that Doesn't do much! Then If I feel I would like another, that's when I will be reseaching and asking AGAIN. I'd rather KNOW how to care for it properly and be comfortable with it, rather than kill it off from ignorance.

 

[Sadistic Haplo]

I personally dove head in starting Nov. 2009. I started with a begginer species(A.Avic) but have quickly moved on to obtain some of the species more reccomended for experienced hobbyists. Along with the avic i've got a 6" MF H.Lividum, 5" MF P. Irminia, 6" MF G. Pulchripes and a 2" P.Regalis and I haven't had a problem with any of them.

 

[Default]

From my personal experience of being bit by a black widow, I think the spiders that hang out around my house are worse than most of the ELITE LEVEL creatures referenced here. As long as you have a good understanding of what you are dealing with you should be fine. If you force it to live with you then you are basically its parent. Don't lose your head and reference the boards if you need it. I am on here all the time as my family seems to double every few months. When it comes to another living things life in your hands, take it seriously. It may be a hobby, but there is a great deal of responsibility. Don't be a fool, or you will get bit. Its the elites job to educate us noobs so when the time comes, we can teach the future. I have gotten my local pet store to give out the Arachnoboards site when someone buys a tarantula. Probably the best caresheet they will ever get.