Haplopelma Family Caresheet

[Tym Hollerup]

I am stating this thread in hopes of putting together a caresheet for the Haplopelma Family. This obviously includes species as: albostriata, lividum, and vonwirthi. Looking for substrate depth, temperatures, humidity, and any other proper care tips. I do not have any of these species, but do plan to have a lividum by weeks end. That's why I bring the idea of this caresheet up. Thank you for your input in advance.

 

[I HAVE A BIG 1]

i would realy like to see this lookin forward to ths

 

[Zoltan]

Just a small correction: Haplopelma is not a family, it's a genus (pl. genera), a taxonomic rank which is above 'species' and below 'family.' The family to which the Haplopelma genus and tarantulas belong to is Theraphosidae.

 

[ShadowBlade]

Instead of trying to get people to repost what they have posted a hundred times here about the care of particular species, (which if we do this for all the species, we'll be here awhile) why not maybe try to come up with the like 6 or so different methods of care you will need to keep 99% of spiders?

To aid in your search you will need to know how to care for:
Wet Arboreals
Dry Arboreals

Wet Terrestrials
Dry Terrestrials

Wet Fossorials
Dry Fossorials

-Sean

 

[Tym Hollerup]

Let me rephrase something

Instead of trying to get people to repost what they have posted a hundred times here about the care of particular species, (which if we do this for all the species, we'll be here awhile) why not maybe try to come up with the like 6 or so different methods of care you will need to keep 99% of spiders?

To aid in your search you will need to know how to care for:
Wet Arboreals
Dry Arboreals

Wet Terrestrials
Dry Terrestrials

Wet Fossorials
Dry Fossorials

-Sean

How about I make things a bit more clear here for everyone. I'm not looking for a complete "caresheet" I guess. I think I'm more looking at the lines of: How do you take care of your Pterinochilus family pets. I have searched the forums (yes with advanced searches as well), and have failed too come up with a "caresheet". As I stated though, I'm looking more for experiences here. Personal owners sharing their thoughts, ideas, and opinions.

 

[gromgrom]

How can you fail to come up with a "caresheet" when theres a multitude of information on each GENUS on the internet. These aren't families, and most of them in the same GENUS require the same care, and if not, you could mention that.

Rather than asking us to do the work for your project, use the search function. That's why it's there. Turns out, that's what the Internet is helpful for, research. Or asking others to do it for you it seems.

Protip: Haplo's are mostly AFAIK kept hot and humid with ample soil/peat.

 

[Tym Hollerup]

How can you fail to come up with a "caresheet" when theres a multitude of information on each GENUS on the internet. These aren't families, and most of them in the same GENUS require the same care, and if not, you could mention that.

Rather than asking us to do the work for your project, use the search function. That's why it's there. Turns out, that's what the Internet is helpful for, research. Or asking others to do it for you it seems.

What I'm really going for is personal opinions here. It seems everyone fails too grasp that concept though. Searching is great. Done plenty of that. However, how does that relate to personal experience from others that have dealt with them hands on? Maybe "caresheet" wasn't the best wording. But it would be nice if everyone could move past that and grasp the concept of this thread!

 

[gladmar]

*Haplopelma Lividum(Cobalt Blue)*
H. lividum is a fast moving aggressive species, it is recommended for experienced tarantula keepers only as it will take up a threat posture, and start striking out at the slightest provocation.

I feed on medium crickets, 3 once or twice a week for my sling until its refuse to eat (You will know if he/she refuse his food by just killing and drag out his food to his borruw), I do not provide a water dish for Haplopelma as the high humidity is more than sufficiant. Spiderlings are large 15mm legspan approx, and will grow quickly if well fed.

 

[esotericman]

Part of the issue is that there are some keepers who claim to keep ALL species one of five ways. This is an insult to our pets/charges/whatever, even clinical animal care allows more flexibility. Of course on the other end of the spectrum are those who keep everything slightly differently, maybe a little more leaf mold here, maybe a little more clay there.

By asking for "caresheets" or a summation of an entire genus, the question discounts a great deal of those people who don't cookie cutter the animals.

Furthermore, as you stick around the hobby, you'll find care sheets are garbage. A decent keeper can adjust the conditions to suit the animal just by looking at it. Caresheets only help the nervous in the beginning, it's sort of like memorizing the manual for your car, sure you have "facts" but that doesn't help you drive.

 

[Tym Hollerup]

Caresheets only help the nervous in the beginning, it's sort of like memorizing the manual for your car, sure you have "facts" but that doesn't help you drive.

I totally just stole that!!! Thanks! You got the quote of the year!!!

 

[gladmar]

Originally Posted by esotericman View Post
Caresheets only help the nervous in the beginning, it's sort of like memorizing the manual for your car, sure you have "facts" but that doesn't help you drive.

I 2nd the motion.... You got the quote of the year!!!: :clap:

 

[ShadowBlade]

Part of the issue is that there are some keepers who claim to keep ALL species one of five ways. This is an insult to our pets/charges/whatever, even clinical animal care allows more flexibility.

Wait, what? How is that an insult? It seems rather accurate IMO.. I mean how many different generalizations can be made about T care? I can't think of more then 6 or so...

Of course there's some variations based on the T's natural habitat, but that hardly means they can't be grouped together. Its like grouping vehicles into SUV's, Coupes, Trucks, Minivans..etc and then saying that is an insult because no two trucks are the same to maintain?

-Sean

 

[jgod790]

For H. lividum care, what I do, is I keep the temperature around 80-85 during the day, ( I think as long as its not above 95, no harm will be done, don't quote me on that though Id look it up ) And let the temperature drop at night. Usually around 70-75. And obviously give them enough substrate, I recommend pre digging a burrow, or at least starting one. The advantage of this, is you can place it somewhere, so that you can still see it ( like in a corner, or up against the glass), even when its hiding. Or it will dig where ever it wants, possibly somewhere with no visibility at all. The disadvantage of pre digging, is you miss out on the experience of watching them dig. How ever you might miss out regardless, unless you watch it 24/7 for the first month you have it. And keep a water dish FULL at ALL times. And place the dish in a place so that they wont dig under it, collapsing on them. Try to give the lividum a good day/night cycle. If done properly, most of the lividums activity will happen about an hour into the night cycle ( so long as there are NO disturbances ). And keep it moist in the enclosure, some people say you need a humidity of 80%. I personally don't think 80% humidity is necessary. And lividums are VERY nervous and skittish. If my lividum is out of her burrow, and there is a loud out burst in the room, such as a loud laugh, she will run back in her burrow. And feed it 1-2 crickets a week, or 3-4 every other week depending on size of the lividum, and crickets. And that is my personal "experience/caresheet" for H. lividum. I read that you can keep them healthy in a somewhat dry enclosure, I'm in the process of adapting mine to live in dryer conditions. To avoid mite problems. Currently, I mist/wet her enclosure about once every 2-3 days. My goal is to mist/wet only once every other week. But we will see how that goes.

 

[Tym Hollerup]

For H. lividum care, what I do, is I keep the temperature around 80-85 during the day, ( I think as long as its not above 95, no harm will be done, don't quote me on that though Id look it up ) And let the temperature drop at night. Usually around 70-75. And obviously give them enough substrate, I recommend pre digging a burrow, or at least starting one. The advantage of this, is you can place it somewhere, so that you can still see it ( like in a corner, or up against the glass), even when its hiding. Or it will dig where ever it wants, possibly somewhere with no visibility at all. The disadvantage of pre digging, is you miss out on the experience of watching them dig. How ever you might miss out regardless, unless you watch it 24/7 for the first month you have it. And keep a water dish FULL at ALL times. And place the dish in a place so that they wont dig under it, collapsing on them. Try to give the lividum a good day/night cycle. If done properly, most of the lividums activity will happen about an hour into the night cycle ( so long as there are NO disturbances ). And keep it moist in the enclosure, some people say you need a humidity of 80%. I personally don't think 80% humidity is necessary. And lividums are VERY nervous and skittish. If my lividum is out of her burrow, and there is a loud out burst in the room, such as a loud laugh, she will run back in her burrow. And feed it 1-2 crickets a week, or 3-4 every other week depending on size of the lividum, and crickets. And that is my personal "experience/caresheet" for H. lividum. I read that you can keep them healthy in a somewhat dry enclosure, I'm in the process of adapting mine to live in dryer conditions. To avoid mite problems. Currently, I mist/wet her enclosure about once every 2-3 days. My goal is to mist/wet only once every other week. But we will see how that goes.

Thank you sir. You are very kind. A nice honest and respectable answer. Very much appreciated.

 

[jgod790]

I just read from a very accurate source, ( a post from Shultz, author of tarantula keepers guide ) that it is not necessary to worry about humidity to much. Don't keep it bone dry, but no need to soak it every couple days. I will try to get you a link to the article.

---------- Post added at 03:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:15 PM ----------

Ok go under new tarantula chat, I have a thread called "obligate burrower gone arid" There is a link for the article under that thread.

 

[Tym Hollerup]

I just read from a very accurate source, ( a post from Shultz, author of tarantula keepers guide ) that it is not necessary to worry about humidity to much. Don't keep it bone dry, but no need to soak it every couple days. I will try to get you a link to the article.

---------- Post added at 03:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:15 PM ----------

Ok go under new tarantula chat, I have a thread called "obligate burrower gone arid" There is a link for the article under that thread.

Found it. Thank you for that as well.

 

[Hatr3d]

I know I'm no one compared to Schultz but I disagree on keeping an Haplopelma on dry substrate.If they survive/thrive that doesn't necessarily mean they couldn't be more comfortable than that.

 

[Tym Hollerup]

I know I'm no one compared to Schultz but I disagree on keeping an Haplopelma on dry substrate.If they survive/thrive that doesn't necessarily mean they couldn't be more comfortable than that.

This is what I looking for. Nice and friendly discussion. I do agree with you both actually. I plan too mist heavily about once a week or so.

 

[curiousme]

I know I'm no one compared to Schultz but I disagree on keeping an Haplopelma on dry substrate.If they survive/thrive that doesn't necessarily mean they couldn't be more comfortable than that.

I concur. We keep ours nice and humid.

Here are a couple different incarnations of it and below is it currently. We have switched plants up a few times and the moss did die without a dormant cycle.

What people fail to understand is that tarantula care is all about personal preference. There are loose guidelines and things recommended against for safety, but tarantulas can survive in a wide variety of conditions. So you as the keeper get to choose and create your own husbandry style.

 

[BrettG]

This is what I looking for. Nice and friendly discussion. I do agree with you both actually. I plan too mist heavily about once a week or so.

Instead of misting,just dump a cup or two of water right into the substrate and let it soak in. I do this in one corner of the enclosure once every 10 days or so,and humidity holds pretty well.