H. Mac or obt?

[Pmurinushmacla]

So basically what the title says, I'm looking to get a new tarantula (sling) and I'm deciding between these 2. Currently the only t I have that is close to these 2 in skill level is my 2 inch p. Metallica, which I've had for a few months now. My p. Metallica has been doing fine. I've had my fair share of feedings/rehouses/maintenence with him, and they all went smoothly without any real issues (he tends to run inside his hide rather than run outside or at the disturbance, so an obt would be pretty different behavior wise). The only trouble I've had was when he was acting "strangely" and It turned out he was preparing to molt and i was just overthinking it. Now, I know obts and h. Macs are very different, but taking everything into consideration, which would you choose? Also, are obts more likely to stand their ground and attack, or will they be more likely to bolt? I've read they're very bolty, but are they bolting to defend usually, or to run out of the enclosure/Into their web tunnel? Also, how much do h. Macs web? I know obts web a ton, and I love that about them, but something about the h. Macs "ghost" appearance makes me almost prefer them. To those of you who own one or both, how often do you see them out, and which do you prefer for what reasons?

 

[viper69]

Ive owned both.

The AF OBT I had stood her ground, many do, exceptions always. Almost all Ts are skittish, including OBT.

I owned an AF H. mac as well. It's a striking species in looks- mind you not all of them are white/black-- many are more a grey/black., it's also a very secretive species- rarely see it (think arboreal pet hole). People that make nice setups often use bamboos tubes, and setup pretty much like an Avic (plenty of vines etc)
They are also incredibly fast, not as predictable as Poki IME.

Both standout in looks.

If you had to talk about management- OBTs are easier to manage vs an arboreal. Any arboreal, NW/OW is far more nimble than a terrestrial). Also OBT venom is less potent if I recall correctly.

Lastly I say this, 2 in P met is nothing compared to adult. Given this is a fast growing species, I would see how you do with a large fast, arboreal first (adult P met), before pulling the trigger on an H mac. Both species are firmly in the hobby, no need to rush.

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

The AF OBT I had stood her ground, many do, exceptions always. Almost all Ts are skittish, including OBT.

I owned an AF H. mac as well. It's a striking species in looks- mind you not all of them are white/black-- many are more a grey/black., it's also a very secretive species- rarely see it (think arboreal pet hole). People that make nice setups often use bamboos tubes, and setup pretty much like an Avic (plenty of vines etc)
They are also incredibly fast, not as predictable as Poki IME.

Both standout in looks.

If you had to talk about management- OBTs are easier to manage vs an arboreal. Also their venom is less potent if I recall correctly.

Lastly I say this, 2 in P met is nothing compared to adult. Given this is a fast growing species, I would see how you do with a large fast, arboreal first (adult P met), before pulling the trigger on an H mac. Both species are firmly in the hobby, no need to rush.

I know that slings cannot be compared to an adult. I plan on getting the h. Mac (if I do think I'm ready) as a sling. However, are you saying the H. Mac would catch up or overtake the p. Metallica in growth? I wasnt aware they grew that fast.

 

[8 legged]

If you had to talk about management- OBTs are easier to manage vs an arboreal. Any arboreal, NW/OW is far more nimble than a terrestrial). Also OBT venom is less potent if I recall correctly.

Both venoms are very potent, but you´re right - the H mac has one of the most potent tarantula venoms.

 

[viper69]

I know that slings cannot be compared to an adult. I plan on getting the h. Mac (if I do think I'm ready) as a sling. However, are you saying the H. Mac would catch up or overtake the p. Metallica in growth? I wasnt aware they grew that fast.

No I wasn't saying that.

Both venoms are very potent, but you´re right - the H mac has one of tzhe most potent tarantula venoms.

It was always a real "treat" rehousing for sure- but I knew this before I bought it. The person I bought it from was extremely knowledgeable about Ts, was a scientist specializing in insects/arachnids.

 

[8 legged]

I know that slings cannot be compared to an adult. I plan on getting the h. Mac (if I do think I'm ready) as a sling. However, are you saying the H. Mac would catch up or overtake the p. Metallica in growth? I wasnt aware they grew that fast.

Both (metallica and maculata) get about 5 to 6 cm bodylength. My H mac is one and a half years old, bodylength 3 cm...

 

[Matt Man]

H Macs are awesome arboreal Pet Holes. They tend to disappear and only show up when you are doing maintenance. OBT all the way in my book

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

No I wasn't saying that.



It was always a real "treat" rehousing for sure- but I knew this before I bought it. The person I bought it from was extremely knowledgeable about Ts, was a scientist specializing in insects/arachnids.

My bad I get what you're saying now. How was your h.mac when rehousing or when doing maintenance? Also, have you owned one at the sling/juvie stage? If so, how did it compare temperament wise to your other ts?

H Macs are awesome arboreal Pet Holes. They tend to disappear and only show up when you are doing maintenance. OBT all the way in my book

Yeah and I already have my p. Met who is visible quite often, but might become a pet hole soon enough. I think obt is the way to go skill wise aswell.

 

[quirinus]

To those of you who own one or both, how often do you see them out, and which do you prefer for what reasons?

both are outside every night when not in premolt, the P murinus more often and also at daytime. At least mine are like that.
the H maculata slings are the fastest slings i've ever kept, if there is a top-difficulty level they are at this level.
you should rehouse them with a good technique and never give it a chance to escape, one second is enough for them to be gone.
maybe start with the P murinus which is an awesome species anyway

 

[8 legged]

Yeah and I already have my p. Met who is visible quite often, but might become a pet hole soon enough. I think obt is the way to go skill wise aswell.

Sorry for that again, I'll answer. HMs are totally shy and hide most of the time. They are also very sensitive to light. When moving, they usually behave like a stone. One should be very gentle, because when they run they are gone...
I saw never any aggression...

 

[viper69]

My bad I get what you're saying now. How was your h.mac when rehousing or when doing maintenance? Also, have you owned one at the sling/juvie stage? If so, how did it compare temperament wise to your other ts?

It was always a preparation for me. I'm methodical with OWs more so than most NWs for obvious reasons. Had it as juvie to AF. I always rehoused during the day around noon to mitigate activity. As a small T you can always use the bag method, back then I used catch cups. It's a fast species with potent consequences for most people. I took things 1 step at a time.

Most of the secretive species I've dealt with aren't looking to stand their ground, always exceptions mind you. My OBT didn't care what I was doing- it was a threat pose no matter what disturbance it identified. H mac- more like "hmm what is that..maybe it's time to run and leave" That sounds better- in some ways it is, but you never know where a blazingly fast T that feels threatened will run. At least with an OBT, IME, you get a T that will stand its ground, that's easier to drop a cup over and isolate.

What I would do- get some bamboo poles that you can close off and transfer the H mac while it's in its home (bamboo), assuming it uses it.

In my limited opinion only 1 other African species surpasses H mac on skill level.

Sorry for that again, I'll answer. HMs are totally shy and hide most of the time. They are also very sensitive to light. When moving, they usually behave like a stone. One should be very gentle, because when they run they are gone...
I saw never any aggression...

This was my experience as well, particularly the "gentle" part, and the "gone" part.

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

It was always a preparation for me. I'm methodical with OWs more so than most NWs for obvious reasons. Had it as juvie to AF. I always rehoused during the day around noon to mitigate activity. As a small T you can always use the bag method, back then I used catch cups. It's a fast species with potent consequences for most people. I took things 1 step at a time.

Most of the secretive species I've dealt with aren't looking to stand their ground, always exceptions mind you. My OBT didn't care what I was doing- it was a threat pose no matter what disturbance it identified. H mac- more like "hmm what is that..maybe it's time to run and leave" That sounds better- in some ways it is, but you never know where a blazingly fast T that feels threatened will run. At least with an OBT, IME, you get a T that will stand its ground, that's easier to drop a cup over and isolate.

What I would do- get some bamboo poles that you can close off and transfer the H mac while it's in its home (bamboo), assuming it uses it.



This was my experience as well, particularly the "gentle" part, and the "gone" part.

Yeah I'd definitely prefer a t that threat poses rather than runs. I haven't seen any ts bolt after throwing up a threat posture, but you never know if or when a pokie or h. Mac will decide that its hide isnt secure enough and it needs to dash. Rehousing and maintenance aside, which did/do you prefer in terms of behavior, colors, and visibility?

 

[viper69]

Yeah I'd definitely prefer a t that threat poses rather than runs. I haven't seen any ts bolt after throwing up a threat posture, but you never know if or when a pokie or h. Mac will decide that its hide isnt secure enough and it needs to dash. Rehousing and maintenance aside, which did/do you prefer in terms of behavior, colors, and visibility?

My 2" P met runs circles at times before deciding to go into its hide. My friend who breeds P mets had an AF P met go up one arm, across shoulders down his other arm before he could blink. It's a very fast species.

OBT- but a black/white H mac is extremely striking. But for some, who cares if you barely ever see it.

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

My 2" P met runs circles at times before deciding to go into its hide. My friend who breeds P mets had an AF P met go up one arm, across shoulders down his other arm before he could blink. It's a very fast species.

OBT- but a black/white H mac is extremely striking. But for some, who cares if you barely ever see it.

Yeah my p. Met was running circles around his inch tall cup that they had him in when I was rehousing. I dont know how the hell they got him in there in the first place.

 

[cold blood]

OBT all day long.

Never been a fan of H. macs...theyre too photosenstive and skittish...even when you see them, its just a brief glance and *poof* theyre gone like the roadrunner. Slings are a pain to raise and grow slowly, even though they are decent eaters....that ghost look you like....its just adult females.

OBTs are just more enjoyable for me....macs have a total cult following though...something i just dont understand...lol....Some (Basin) will tell you macs rule....but I wont take them for free.

Both web a ton though.

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

OBT all day long.

Never been a fan of H. macs...theyre too photosenstive and skittish...even when you see them, its just a brief glance and *poof* theyre gone like the roadrunner. Slings are a pain to raise and grow slowly, even though they are decent eaters....that ghost look you like....its just adult females.

OBTs are just more enjoyable for me....macs have a total cult following though...something i just dont understand...lol....Some (Basin) will tell you macs rule....but I wont take them for free.

Both web a ton though.

Yeah I'm leaning toward the obt more, especially due to the dull colors of the males. If you weren't limited to these two options, would you suggest any other species? I'm looking for a colorful/cool patterned t that webs a lot and has a personality, rather than sitting around all the time like a rose hair. Visibility is a big plus but not the deciding factor.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

H. maculata, they're stunning. I've raised mine from a sling, they grow pretty slowly compared to other OW arboreals but they're not painfully slow growers, I see her out pretty regularly unless she's in pre-moult and she only runs back to her hide if I actually touch the enclosure.

0.1 Heteroscodra maculata

• The Grym Reaper
• Jul 27, 2020
• 1
• female heteroscodra heteroscodra maculata maculata subadult subadult female togo starburst baboon

Rehoused Domino earlier in the month, caught her chilling on the front of her cork slab so...

 

[BoyFromLA]

I’ve never owned Heteroscodra maculata, but I do own three Pterinochilus murinus.

Pterinochilus murinus
Pterinochilus murinus (DCF, Kigoma)
Pterinochilus murinus (DCF, Botswana)

They’re gorgeous tarantulas.

H. maculata, they're stunning.

Indeed!

 

[DomGom TheFather]

Obt's are absolutely handsome spiders.
I don't have any H. macs but the only sling i ever lost was one.
Take it for what it's worth... Which ain't much.

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

H. maculata, they're stunning. I've raised mine from a sling, they grow pretty slowly compared to other OW arboreals but they're not painfully slow growers, I see her out pretty regularly unless she's in pre-moult and she only runs back to her hide if I actually touch the enclosure.

0.1 Heteroscodra maculata

• The Grym Reaper
• Jul 27, 2020
• 1
• female heteroscodra heteroscodra maculata maculata subadult subadult female togo starburst baboon

Rehoused Domino earlier in the month, caught her chilling on the front of her cork slab so...

Thing is the males dont look nearly as stunning. That's the main thing holding me back. I could get a confirmed f but then I'd have an adult h. Mac on my hands. I could probably handle it (pun not intended) but viper warned against an adult ow arboreal if ive only had a sling/juvie one.