growing a collection

[IHeartTs]

So I see people who are new to the hobby who have already acquired 20 Ts in about 2 months (not that I see anything wrong with this). I'm assuming most are slings. I got my first T in July of 2013 and I am just now getting my 10th (AF GBB) and possibly 11th. What do you guys think works best as far as gaining experience? I would like to grow my collection but I don't want to bite off more than I can chew and lose spiders left and right. Adult and sling behavior and care can be quite different. So essentially, is a fast growing collection comprising of more slings or a slower growing collection better? Both or doesn't matter are good answers too in my book. I just want to be on a good track.

 

[problemchildx]

So I see people who are new to the hobby who have already acquired 20 Ts in about 2 months (not that I see anything wrong with this). I'm assuming most are slings. I got my first T in July of 2013 and I am just now getting my 10th (AF GBB) and possibly 11th. What do you guys think works best as far as gaining experience? I would like to grow my collection but I don't want to bite off more than I can chew and lose spiders left and right. Adult and sling behavior and care can be quite different. So essentially, is a fast growing collection comprising of more slings or a slower growing collection better? Both or doesn't matter are good answers too in my book. I just want to be on a good track.

Well when I first started I had about a 50/50 mix of slings to juvies/adults.. I think a mix is a good way to learn. Another way I learned was going to expos and making deals with other people I knew from the forums that were local and they would breed species and offer to give me several slings (like a avic). These people were not in it for the money and it helped me and them to take some and try to advance my knowledge.

But this hobby is like anything else in life. Only time and practice will further your experience with Ts. The person who owns 10 species for 5 years probably has way more experience than someone who has 50 for one year.

Quality over quantity

 

[BossRoss]

But this hobby is like anything else in life. Only time and practice will further your experience with Ts.

It depends on how much you do within N time.

The amount of Ts you have is irrelevant. The research you do, the notes you take, time observing behaviour and of course reading here on AB will all increase your experience. Someone can get a T and keep it alive and never do an inch of research and will know very little to nothing about the subject.

As long as you are able to maintain and care for your Ts you can get as many as you want and any species. Yes some are more difficult in terms of handling and housing but everything can be learnt and a little common sense can go a long way. For instance if you are worried about being bit dont get something like a OBT or poeci as they tend to "scare" more people and the general trend sees them as a T that is more likely to bite you.

 

[problemchildx]

It depends on how much you do within N time.

The amount of Ts you have is irrelevant. The research you do, the notes you take, time observing behaviour and of course reading here on AB will all increase your experience. Someone can get a T and keep it alive and never do an inch of research and will know very little to nothing about the subject.

As long as you are able to maintain and care for your Ts you can get as many as you want and any species. Yes some are more difficult in terms of handling and housing but everything can be learnt and a little common sense can go a long way. For instance if you are worried about being bit dont get something like a OBT or poeci as they tend to "scare" more people and the general trend sees them as a T that is more likely to bite you.

Thank you for this. This is exactly what I was trying to convey to OP. Things that you care about in life to an excessive degree will always be stronger than things you do not dedicate much time to.

 

[IHeartTs]

These are great answers. You worded my real question of quantity or quality better than I did. I've been going the quality route (mainly financial constraints). I have learned an awful lot through experience and tons of research the last 2 years. I guess thats why I felt comfortable with having an AF pokie as my 7th T. I just didn't wanna keep getting advanced species that I couldn't care for, but after having put some time in and reading this, I do feel comfortable and confident in my purchases!

 

[lucarelli78]

It depends on how much you do within N time.

The amount of Ts you have is irrelevant. The research you do, the notes you take, time observing behaviour and of course reading here on AB will all increase your experience. Someone can get a T and keep it alive and never do an inch of research and will know very little to nothing about the subject.

As long as you are able to maintain and care for your Ts you can get as many as you want and any species. Yes some are more difficult in terms of handling and housing but everything can be learnt and a little common sense can go a long way. For instance if you are worried about being bit dont get something like a OBT or poeci as they tend to "scare" more people and the general trend sees them as a T that is more likely to bite you.

Very well said.

 

[Poec54]

The best way to build a collection is to make it pay for itself, by breeding and selling/trading the slings you produce. To do that, you need to acquire females that are at least 2 years older than the males. Example: get a sexed 4" female and some 2nd instar slings, some of which will be male. The you have an adult female waiting when the male(s) matures.

I've been back in the hobby for 2 1/2 years. By following the above plan, I've hatched out 30 sacs in that time, and gotten a large part of my collection from trading those slings for them. A number of people in the hobby do this.

 

[IHeartTs]

My plan was to breed at some point but I'd have to learn how and how to take care of eggs with legs. I still feel too new to breed but that might just be nerves. When did you start breeding Poec?

 

[Poec54]

My plan was to breed at some point but I'd have to learn how and how to take care of eggs with legs. I still feel too new to breed but that might just be nerves. When did you start breeding Poec?

Bred & hatched out my first tarantula in 1978, Avic avic. There was absolutely no information on doing it, or interest in doing it, and at that time, you couldn't give away slings.

You don't take care of the eggs, the female does. Pull the sac at 30-40 days and you'll have EWL's or 1st instars. They molt in a couple weeks, and 2nd instars are furry, fast, and ready to eat. That's when you sell or trade them.

 

[IHeartTs]

Your time put into this hobby is quite admirable my friend. Do you think someone with a small collection and only a year and a half experience is ready for breeding? I know people do things different but I dont wanna do a bad job. I know first times aren't perfect but you know what I mean.

 

[cold blood]

I know first times aren't perfect but you know what I mean.

If you want to breed there has to be a first time...lol...gotta start somewhere or you won't start, eh? :wink:

I got my first 14 years ago (G. porteri), and at the time availability and selection were far more limited than now. I recall over a decade ago going through books...yes books, made of paper and everything, and making "wish lists", but nothing that really stood out to me was in high availability. So I kinda just forgot about it for a good 10 years. Then I got a second (G. pulchripes) juvie, then last Jan. I found an LPS with B. smithi slings, just over 1", for $20. I was never really interested, but it was too cool to pass and was the first sling I had, even though it was already decent sized by sling standards. I liked having a sling so much that I started looking around the net for info and pics of species and found a new world of t dealers I had no idea existed (selling the very t's I had drooled over 12 years prior, like irminia and cambridgei, pamphobetus sp., poecs, Thrixopelma, etc., etc.)...and t forums I never knew existed...wow, my mind was blown. :laugh:

Suddenly I didn't feel as alone in the hobby...until then I had only spoke to one single person who had any t experience....This new world was quickly embraced and in the past year I went from 3 to 21...I also went from NEVER wanting to breed...to excitedly awaiting that first opportunity. I actually feel quite prepared because of this site and the experienced breeders sharing their experiences and helping others with common (or not so common) questions...people like poec, catfishrod and skippy, pilth and many others offer such valuable insight its just great. I know if I had a question, there are several such individuals I could quickly get reliable answers from if I needed.

Back in the day I thought 10, maybe 15 t's tops....now I think 50 is a better number. :laugh:

 

[IHeartTs]

If you want to breed there has to be a first time...lol...gotta start somewhere or you won't start, eh? :wink:

I got my first 14 years ago (G. porteri), and at the time availability and selection were far more limited than now. I recall over a decade ago going through books...yes books, made of paper and everything, and making "wish lists", but nothing that really stood out to me was in high availability. So I kinda just forgot about it for a good 10 years. Then I got a second (G. pulchripes) juvie, then last Jan. I found an LPS with B. smithi slings, just over 1", for $20. I was never really interested, but it was too cool to pass and was the first sling I had, even though it was already decent sized by sling standards. I liked having a sling so much that I started looking around the net for info and pics of species and found a new world of t dealers I had no idea existed (selling the very t's I had drooled over 12 years prior, like irminia and cambridgei, pamphobetus sp., poecs, Thrixopelma, etc., etc.)...and t forums I never knew existed...wow, my mind was blown. :laugh:

Suddenly I didn't feel as alone in the hobby...until then I had only spoke to one single person who had any t experience....This new world was quickly embraced and in the past year I went from 3 to 21...I also went from NEVER wanting to breed...to excitedly awaiting that first opportunity. I actually feel quite prepared because of this site and the experienced breeders sharing their experiences and helping others with common (or not so common) questions...people like poec, catfishrod and skippy, pilth and many others offer such valuable insight its just great. I know if I had a question, there are several such individuals I could quickly get reliable answers from if I needed.

Back in the day I thought 10, maybe 15 t's tops....now I think 50 is a better number. :laugh:

Hey man I told you I'd be willing to set something up in the future haha. I actually told my bf who bought my first T that, and I quote " please I promise I only want one. I'll just love it so much and it'll be enough " boy was I wrong. Oh I definitely look up to a lot of people on this site. So it seems to me that your collection was slower growing, correct?

 

[Poec54]

Do you think someone with a small collection and only a year and a half experience is ready for breeding?

If you have an adult female, you're ready for breeding. There's online videos on it, check them out. They do the work, you watch. This does not require the same deliberation process as you would put into getting a black mamba. What's the worst that could happen? The male gets killed, the female doesn't lay a sac. Happens to me too, and everyone else who breeds. Can't let that hold you back.

---------- Post added 12-05-2014 at 11:08 PM ----------

in the past year I went 3 to 21.

21? Dude, we have to work on that. I have 'em coming out of my ears. PM me.

 

[IHeartTs]

I live on youtube watching T videos. I guess I needed approval in a sense from a veteran haha. But you are absolutely right. Within the next year I will start breeding. You must have some bad hearing with all those spiders in your ears. I'm getting 2-3 new Ts tomorrow and I'm very excited.

 

[Poec54]

I guess I needed approval in a sense from a veteran

I became a 'veteran' by putting spiders together; I didn't have anything to go on. I learned as I went. Today there's so much info available.

 

[IHeartTs]

Guess it's just time to suck it up, do some more research and give it a go!

 

[Poec54]

Guess it's just time to suck it up, do some more research and give it a go!

Do some research and we'll answer the remaining questions. Hey, if I can do it, it's not that hard.

 

[viper69]

I live on youtube watching T videos. I guess I needed approval in a sense from a veteran haha. But you are absolutely right. Within the next year I will start breeding. You must have some bad hearing with all those spiders in your ears. I'm getting 2-3 new Ts tomorrow and I'm very excited.

I understand where you are coming from. I can only imagine the challenges you may face should/when you YOURSELF start to breed, never mind Ts hahahahah. As my great friend, who has 2 kids told me, there's never a "right time".

As for collection, I aim for quality over quantity. For me, there's a numerical limit I have where after that point, I won't get anymore because there's not enough time in the day to dedicate to each one as I would love to do.

 

[IHeartTs]

I understand where you are coming from. I can only imagine the challenges you may face should/when you YOURSELF start to breed, never mind Ts hahahahah. As my great friend, who has 2 kids told me, there's never a "right time".

As for collection, I aim for quality over quantity. For me, there's a numerical limit I have where after that point, I won't get anymore because there's not enough time in the day to dedicate to each one as I would love to do.

The Ts are my kids haha considering I'm not a huge fan of children, as awful as that sounds lol. Im still a noob obviously but I think if I got 20 spiders in two months, no matter how much I would have like to, some would not have made it. Yeah until I get a bigger place and have a spider room I need to be careful of how many I own.

 

[gobey]

I chose my selct interesting species... And stocked up. Quantity over quality lol. I don't have anything fancy. Nothing expensive. But my Ts are cool and interesting to me. They all have personality. I enjoy studying them. I have 16 in 6 months... And I cut it off there... Haven't bought any in about 2 months. I want to of course. Somebody offered too and boy do I want 2 horned baboons!

But it would be irresponsible to the Ts and to me at this point.

I have 16... But only 8 species. I have doubles, a triple, and a,quadruple. It was a quintouple, but one escaped.

I have 3 OW species and 7 total, and 5 NW species and 9 total.

10 slings, 2 juvies, 4 adults. The juvies however are LPs so they're as big as my adult porteri and will eclipse her soon as they're both pre molt now.

I've learned a lot. Reading here, reading 4 books, YouTube, internet, and experience. Mistakes too.

Now I'm very careful. And interact with them a lot less even. They're for watching. And they do quite well without me.

Fascinating little guys.

I have SOOOOOO much more to learn.