GuyFawkes' lil demons.

[GuyFawkes]

Hello everyone! I think I made a thread in this section, unfortunately my P.metallica passed away during a molt, while I was off in the hospital. So I'd like to start fresh, with my current collection:

Breeding size Grammostola Pulchripes -

She's a looker!

Video of her owning a gigantic hornworm (watch in 720p or 1080p TRUST ME HAHA):
[YOUTUBE]V5xI_s8F0VY&list[/YOUTUBE]

1-2 inch Lasiodora Parahybana sling -
This is the first day I got him, I put a little hide in the corner, buried it and then filled the tub with bedding until it was level with the top of the hide, dug a little to give him the idea:

and today, a few days later he has completely excavated it and begun digging pit falls to catch crickets 0.o

(PS - The adhesive part of the tape is smothered in bedding, not to mention it couldn't stick to super glue even if it wasn't xD)

One of his pitfalls, close to the top right and right up against the wall of the enclosure:

And finally, my newest addition, a 1 inch Acanthoscurria Geniculata sling:

"Screw yu guise.. Imha goin HOOOOME" LOL

Thanks for taking the time to look everyone, hope you enjoyed! Much more to come.

 

[Storm76]

Nice pics, I'd add more substrate to that A. geniculata enclosure and wouldn't keep it THAT wet. Dampen (not soak!) one side of the enclosure and leave the other side bone-dry. That way, the T can chose where to go..

 

[GuyFawkes]

Nice pics, I'd add more substrate to that A. geniculata enclosure and wouldn't keep it THAT wet. Dampen (not soak!) one side of the enclosure and leave the other side bone-dry. That way, the T can chose where to go..

Thank you very much! for the compliments AND tips that is They have been noted! I will wait for that to dry, and change my misting habits which shouldn't take long (I keep the room at 80-85 for the reptiles so it'll dry quick haha,) and when that happens I'll toss some more substrate in there *thumbs up*

Ps, what do you guys think of using that cap as a hide for the A.gen? it's got a cavernous inside, and a perfect opening for him to get in and out of.

 

[Storm76]

A lot (and mine is no exception) A. geniculata are quite the excavators. No matter what you provide the T with - these will usually design their enclosures the way THEY want it to look like in the end. They might take to a hide, but over time it's likely for it to start digging further underneath/within the hide provided. Be careful with them, I know some are docile but most likely, they aren't really and they'll view the entire enclosure as their territory over time

Regarding substrate height: Rule of thumb for terrestrials - 1x legspan to lid!

 

[GuyFawkes]

A lot (and mine is no exception) A. geniculata are quite the excavators. No matter what you provide the T with - these will usually design their enclosures the way THEY want it to look like in the end. They might take to a hide, but over time it's likely for it to start digging further underneath/within the hide provided. Be careful with them, I know some are docile but most likely, they aren't really and they'll view the entire enclosure as their territory over time

Regarding substrate height: Rule of thumb for terrestrials - 1x legspan to lid!

You hit the nail on the head! That little A.gen has only been home for a day and he INSTANTLY and viciously mauled a pinhead cricket today. The dragged it into his hide haha. So definitely some territorial aggression showing already.

And, he has been digging, I fixed the substrate - eco earth and some cypress to hold humidity. He seems to enjoy it, been digging through even the cypress already!

I also did as you recommended, added some substrate and made it X1 legspan to the top of lid! doing that for my LP soon too. The Chaco is set on that so that's good.

Thanks a ton Storm! It's much appreciated.

 

[Storm76]

You hit the nail on the head! That little A.gen has only been home for a day and he INSTANTLY and viciously mauled a pinhead cricket today. The dragged it into his hide haha. So definitely some territorial aggression showing already.

And, he has been digging, I fixed the substrate - eco earth and some cypress to hold humidity. He seems to enjoy it, been digging through even the cypress already!

I also did as you recommended, added some substrate and made it X1 legspan to the top of lid! doing that for my LP soon too. The Chaco is set on that so that's good.

Thanks a ton Storm! It's much appreciated.

I can only suggest to remove the Cypress quickly! A lot of those kind of woods inherit natural bug repellants that CAN be deadly to a T in the worst case...you don't need it in there anyways. Just plain simple eco earth or cocofiber will be sufficient. If the part of the enclosure drys out, you can mist some again and done. Just make sure you don't soak it, just dampen it.

 

[GuyFawkes]

I can only suggest to remove the Cypress quickly! A lot of those kind of woods inherit natural bug repellants that CAN be deadly to a T in the worst case...you don't need it in there anyways. Just plain simple eco earth or cocofiber will be sufficient. If the part of the enclosure drys out, you can mist some again and done. Just make sure you don't soak it, just dampen it.

Thanks for the tip! I actually removed it before I saw your post, and now I have 100% eco earth stacked to x1 legspan from the roof of the enclosure.

He should be fine since it was only in with him for a day or so right? It would have to be really long term exposure to do harm I'd assume right? I just never thought that would be a problem because I've heard of inverts on it and I use it with reptiles, which I know are sensitive to oils/fumes from certain wood beddings. But I spoke with a T keeper that lives near me when I was out and about, and he said what you said basically. So thankfully I got advanced warning and then confirmation from you.

Noob mistake, *sigh* I feel I am so much better than that.

But here's a pic of the A.Gen chilling while I fixed his enclosure, which wasn't too stressful because it was quick as heck.


PS - It is Forest Floor bedding, 100% natural Cypress to be specific. Says it's safe for inverts, mentions Tarantula's. I don't know how they mislabel a product like that...

I have 5 snakes, a leo, 3 Ts, 2 cats and a dog. Use to have inverts/reptiles throughout my life as well before these guys. I also use to keep monster fish ect, got a job at the largest Reptile Zoo in Canada with no former experience in a pet store, only due to my personal experience as a keeper. I'd like to think I am knowledgeable/experienced in a wide variety of species.

But, I am also humble. That means, I am the first to admit that I do not know everything, and things like this can happen to anyone. So, that is frustrating that things can be sold and misrepresented like that.

And that's GuyFawkes' lil rant about pet shop's nonsensical profiteering.

 

[Storm76]

The T should be fine. I'd stop feeding that one though, looks like the rump's gonna burst soon, lol - little fatty!

As for mistakes, hell, I made a lot myself. Over the course of time one always learns new things or just better practices. Comes with time and research... Regarding products "for" inverts - yeah, I don't trust stuff I don't know - I'd always ask first before risking the health of an animal by chance. Good luck with your Ts

 

[GuyFawkes]

The T should be fine. I'd stop feeding that one though, looks like the rump's gonna burst soon, lol - little fatty!

As for mistakes, hell, I made a lot myself. Over the course of time one always learns new things or just better practices. Comes with time and research... Regarding products "for" inverts - yeah, I don't trust stuff I don't know - I'd always ask first before risking the health of an animal by chance. Good luck with your Ts

Yeah, I don't think it'll be a problem. I have seen Ts kept on it for a lot longer so a few hours shouldn't have hurt him. And yeah LOL I noticed how big that little spiders booty is after looking at that picture. He's not getting food for a bit haha xD

I agree though - it is a trial and error thing, learning as you go has been some of the best learning experiences for me rather than reading a book or some other literature (I know a lot of people that take that as being "above" personal experience which I don't necessarily agree with 100%) the important thing is I learned my lesson and have decided to trust pet stores even less. I got that stuff from an amazing pet store that breeds all their reptiles, very nice and knowledgeable staff ect

Anyways he is now camping, sitting with his legs just poking out of the bottle cap, so I am assuming he is hunting. What a gluttonous fiend! Lil thing would eat til things turn catastrophic lol.

And, my LP has closed the door to his hide? He just pulled up a wall of eco earth up yesterday and today it's even more closed. Going to molt I assume?

Thanks Storm!

 

[Storm76]

[...]
And, my LP has closed the door to his hide? He just pulled up a wall of eco earth up yesterday and today it's even more closed. Going to molt I assume?

Thanks Storm!

Could be, or just wanting to be left in peace for a while...it'll show up again if hungry or thirsty

 

[GuyFawkes]

Could be, or just wanting to be left in peace for a while...it'll show up again if hungry or thirsty

LOL he made a tiny little scoop that he can barely fit out of.. the rest of the entrance is sealed. I dropped a cricket in there a few days ago when it was open and I saw the coolest thing.. it was chilling in the center of the burrow, and out of nowhere you see this shadow launch itself at it and fly off out of view.

So cool xD

 

[GuyFawkes]

2 more G.Pulch photo's, and as soon as someone *COUGH* gets back to me I'll have some more treasure to show you!
Nom NOM NOM

And finally, one of my best Macro shots.. ever. Enjoy

 

[Tarantula155]

Great looking specimens!

 

[GuyFawkes]

Great looking specimens!

The compliment is much appreciated my friend! and thanks Storm!

 

[GuyFawkes]

Two new additions today!!! Courtesy of Bruce at Arachnophiliacs, man you rock! Amazing customer service, Tarantulas, and shipping. What more could I have asked for haha. Oh wait.. you also sent me 2 hides xD LOL I managed to implement the T's shipping pill bottles - as hides.

On to the pics!

P.Irminia

P.I enclosure:

B.Vagans:

First time holding a Tarantula for more than 30 seconds in about a year.. pretty exciting!

B.V enclosure:

Hope you guys enjoyed seein them as much as I did when I woke up LOL, Peace

---------- Post added 12-04-2012 at 02:10 PM ----------

More to come at Christmas by the way!

P.Irminia already enjoying it's new digs!

Upgraded the Grammostola.P today as well! Here is her new digs (I plan to add a fake plant or two sometime later), but for now the ballin cave and much more substrate to have fun with is enough I'm sure.

Wasn't too happy with me sliding that lid under her lol

Found the cave... SUCCESS xD

My Tarantula collection (at 5 now haha):

My ENTIRE collection (5 snakes, 5 T's, 1 Lizard):

Can you say addicted xD

 

[GuyFawkes]

Can you say addicted...

Wasn't that funny... I have 1000+ points at Big Als.. Which means.. I have 25$ store credit.. Which means...

Stay tuned xD

LOL

 

[GuyFawkes]

New addition! We'll.. slightly newer than the 2 from this morning

Paraphysa Scrofa - Copper Tarantula.

And two more of the SunTiger because it's awesome.

Where is everyone at!? Lol

 

[Storm76]

LOL! Someone fell in love with P. irminia there...

 

[GuyFawkes]

LOL! Someone fell in love with P. irminia there...

You have no idea, LOL!!! It's amazing.. definitely a favorite among my entire collection!

And, the G.P settling in nicely! Rehoused her not long ago and she is already out of the hide and sitting out in the open.. feels safe I guess

 

[Storm76]

They rarely if ever retreat once bigger and comfy. Usually only retreat for molting (if at all)