Got a new T :) Goliath bird eater

[holetoledo]

The boy named him Caligula. We've already had two Chilean rose hairs (our oldest one, Danny Trejo, died a couple days before Christmas. He was an old guy and had a good life) and maintenance has been a little trickier with our new one. Baby, my first, does not flick hairs or freak out. However, getting Caligula into a larger tank today, he flicked all over the place, hissed (HISSED?), and had an all around tantrum even as we treated him as gently as we possibly could. I got urticating hairs all over my fingers and a friend of mine had the misfortune of getting some in his nose.




The lady at the pet store (Animal Jungle in VA Beach) said that Caligula at first needs a variety of food. We've fed him the standard crickets and two different kinds of cockroaches so far. He gobbles them up nicely and she said as he gets older he will have a "favorite"(?).

Any tips for us?

 

[Psychocircus91]

Watch out for those hairs. They flick often at the slightest disturbance. Keep the substrate damp, not wet. Cover the top of the aquarium with something to trap humidity. (plastic wrap, foil, etc) allow for some ventilation to still take place.

This is considered one of the tougher tarantula species to take care of. I'm assuming it is a T. Stirmi.

 

[freedumbdclxvi]

How much substrate is in that enclosure, and how much space is between the lid and the sub? Looks like quite a bit of space, and with Theraphosa being the largest T's, a fall could do some major damage. I would recommend no more space the spider's legspan.

 

[cold blood]

How much substrate is in that enclosure, and how much space is between the lid and the sub? Looks like quite a bit of space, and with Theraphosa being the largest T's, a fall could do some major damage. I would recommend no more space the spider's legspan.

+1 I agree with that.

 

[Keith B]

It is a T. stirmi. You can tell in the pics by the patella.

 

[holetoledo]

Two bricks of coconut fiber substrate. Space between is about 10". Should I remove the branches for now until I can get enough substrate to fill the gap?

 

[Psychocircus91]

How much substrate is in that enclosure, and how much space is between the lid and the sub? Looks like quite a bit of space, and with Theraphosa being the largest T's, a fall could do some major damage. I would recommend no more space the spider's legspan.

good call

Two bricks of coconut fiber substrate. Space between is about 10". Should I remove the branches for now until I can get enough substrate to fill the gap?

it could still climb the glass and fall. They are heavy bodied. Get more substrate asap

 

[freedumbdclxvi]

10" of space - how big is the spider and how big is the enclosure?

 

[holetoledo]

The spider's leg span is a little over three inches. The enclosure is a 20 gallon tank. Getting more substrate now. Thanks, everyone.

 

[cold blood]

There's really no reason to have a 3" spider in a 20 gal tank. That tank will be perfect once its an adult.

 

[holetoledo]

Yeah, I guess I overshot

 

[jgod790]

It looks bigger then 3 inches in the picture.

 

[MarkmD]

Nice T, I would put that 3" T into a clear Tupperware container (till reaching 5-6"), it will keep the moisture and humidity for much longer, then at 6"+ would put it in a 12-15gall tank for life.

 

[Poec54]

Theraphosa need moist substrate (not soggy), good ventilation, and plenty of food. Crickets and roaches are fine. They like a lot more humidity and moisture than roseas. They'll more, and more often too. Yours has good weight and looks healthy.

My Theraphosa don't flick hairs often, but you definitely want them on you, especially in your face and eyes.

 

[Ghost Dragon]

...... However, getting Caligula into a larger tank today, he flicked all over the place, hissed (HISSED?), Any tips for us?

LOL... I love reading about people's first experiences with T. stirmi. It's an unsettling thing, having a spider that big stridulate at you.

 

[Poec54]

LOL... I love reading about people's first experiences with T. stirmi. It's an unsettling thing, having a spider that big stridulate at you.

I got 14 w/c Theraphosa last year, 5-10" DLS, and I haven't had a single stridulation, and very little hair kicking. They're pretty well-behaved, especially considering their uncivilized upbringing.