HELP!!!! I think my pink toe has died :(

CitizenNumber9

Arachnobaron
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Why is there a pine cone in the enclosure???
I thought it was pretty and good for her to climb on .-. After a lot of reading I realized how big of a mistake that was....

---------- Post added 11-26-2013 at 12:06 PM ----------

One of the first things one learns on AB is that you can pretty much toss caresheets out of window.
If that's true I guess I may end up getting the book after all :/

---------- Post added 11-26-2013 at 12:08 PM ----------

Yes, Chaco Golden Knee. Great spiders! Big, beautiful, hardy, calm, and eat like there's no tomorrow. Very easy to keep. Newly hatched slings are tiny (like 1/4") so you probably want to get one an inch or bigger. They produce a lot of eggs in a sac, and are available from a number of sources. Can't go wrong with one of these.
I think they are beautiful :) but now after watching a video I learned they can be a bit defensive? I'd really like one I can handle
 

Poec54

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though I don't think I'll buy the book, just because I can look up species-specific information on my pho.e or computer whenever I like
There's a tremendous amount of information in that book about tarantulas, information that you need to know. We're still learning stuff, and we're way ahead of you.
 

NGLepine

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Ok.... citizen#9.... Here's what I find easiest for beginner species..... You want something rather bullet proof!!!!

Pretty much anything that begins with Brachypelma, or Nhandu.

G.roseas are very accessible, but can stress out someone who's new to the hobby. Especially when they decide not to eat for 6-10 months, or play pet rock.

For a Brachypelma it's simple. Dry substrate, deep enough in the cage/tub/keeper that it can't fall more then it's body length,
A water bowl (clean/refill as needed), a hide, a few pieces of plastic plants... Feed one a week.

This should give you a happy T!

---------- Post added 11-26-2013 at 12:37 PM ----------

Speaking of getting "tagged".... I saw my MF Regalis grooming.... Those are some wicked fangs!!
I can't wait for my L.p/d to reach her full potential!! She's still only 2.5" but her fangs are already intense!!
 

CitizenNumber9

Arachnobaron
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I agree. Mine is the calmest of all my Ts, and is great on hand. I do not handle her much tho. Pic below is why.

No matter how docile/calm a T is, they can still tag you in a heartbeat.
Well as long as I can handle them sometimes then I'll be happy :) that's actually why I wanted a pink toe so much, because I got to handle on at the show and it was just adorable :p I'm not afraid of spiders or tarantulas in the slightest, even when they're fast like little Petunia was.

Also though, can you tell me about the salmon bird eater? I've heard they get pretty big (a trait I love)

---------- Post added 11-26-2013 at 03:49 PM ----------

Ok.... citizen#9.... Here's what I find easiest for beginner species..... You want something rather bullet proof!!!!

Pretty much anything that begins with Brachypelma, or Nhandu.

G.roseas are very accessible, but can stress out someone who's new to the hobby. Especially when they decide not to eat for 6-10 months, or play pet rock.

For a Brachypelma it's simple. Dry substrate, deep enough in the cage/tub/keeper that it can't fall more then it's body length,
A water bowl (clean/refill as needed), a hide, a few pieces of plastic plants... Feed one a week.

This should give you a happy T!


Thanks, will do! Eventually I hope to gain enough experience and try again with another pink toe :)
 

BobGrill

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Well as long as I can handle them sometimes then I'll be happy :) that's actually why I wanted a pink toe so much, because I got to handle on at the show and it was just adorable :p I'm not afraid of spiders or tarantulas in the slightest, even when they're fast like little Petunia was.

Also though, can you tell me about the salmon bird eater? I've heard they get pretty big (a trait I love)

---------- Post added 11-26-2013 at 03:49 PM ----------



Thanks, will do! Eventually I hope to gain enough experience and try again with another pink toe :)
If you want a pet you can handle, then a tarantula isn't for you. They don't like it and it stresses them out.
 

CitizenNumber9

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If you want a pet you can handle, then a tarantula isn't for you. They don't like it and it stresses them out.
Are you saying you don't handle your tarantulas?
What if they need medical attention or to be switched to another habitat?
How do you clean their tanks without moving them?
You're right. No one should handle their tarantulas. Anyone who does should really think of giving them to a better home where they won't be touched!
 

BobGrill

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Are you saying you don't handle your tarantulas?
What if they need medical attention or to be switched to another habitat?
How do you clean their tanks without moving them?
You're right. No one should handle their tarantulas. Anyone who does should really think of giving them to a better home where they won't be touched!
I don't handle them at all. They are look but don't touch pets. If I need to switch them to another habitat, I use a pair of 10 inch tongs and gently guide them into a smaller container first and then put the smaller container in the new habitat, and let them come out on their own. Besides removing bolus and refilling waterdishes, there is not much cleaning to do. If I need to, again I will put them in a smaller container while I do whatever I need to do in the enclosure. As I've said, they don't like being held. I don't know why you're having such a difficult time understanding this. They aren't "pets" in the normal sense. They are observatory animals and handling does nothing good for them but stress them out.
 

CitizenNumber9

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I don't handle them at all. They are look but don't touch pets. If I need to switch them to another habitat, I use a pair of 10 inch tongs and gently guide them into a smaller container first and then put the smaller container in the new habitat, and let them come out on their own. Besides removing bolus and refilling waterdishes, there is not much cleaning to do. If I need to, again I will put them in a smaller container while I do whatever I need to do in the enclosure. As I've said, they don't like being held. I don't know why you're having such a difficult time understanding this. They aren't "pets" in the normal sense. They are observatory animals and handling does nothing good for them but stress them out.
I do agree that handling them doesn't really do anything for them, and maybe I'm reaching a bit being new to tarantulas and all, but if the spider were truly stressed out, wouldn't handling it affect its health? As far as I've seen, handling a tarantula that is calm and docile doesn't seem to affect it whatsoever.

Edit** Besides, I know they aren't puppies and I'm not under any impression that they will enjoy my company. Like most tarantula owners I, too, plan on having them mainly for observation but why not enjoy having the little critter climb onto your hand every once in a while?
 

Keith B

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Oops. How did that get in there?
LOL! Hoo boy, where to start.. DEFINITELY get the book!!! It is a composition of information about keeping various types of tarantulas healthy that is both enlightening and accurate. There's a small possibility some of the information may be slightly dated, but you won't kill a spider with it. This is the foundation of which you'll base your keeping. The internet is teeming with incorrect data. If you haven't realized that about the internet yet, the curled up pinktoe should be a clue (not meant harshly, but from the sounds of it, you're seeking help from internet articles). As far as handling goes, many choose to handle, many don't, and you can refer to other threads for the ongoing debate. If you choose to attempt handling, you accept the risk of being bitten, and had better be prepared to prevent dropping the T. The book will also tell you this, as well as how to treat the wound so you don't develop a detrimental infection after a bite (possibly) happens. The book also offers guidance with handling, what tools you should have on hand, what vermin to look out for, what substrate to use, what to do when your tarantula starts to curl up, etc etc etc. It's over 300 pages COMPLETELY dedicated to tarantulas. You have no idea what you're missing, friend. BUY THE BOOK!!! :D
 

Hydrazine

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LOL! Hoo boy, where to start.. DEFINITELY get the book!!! It is a composition of information about keeping various types of tarantulas healthy that is both enlightening and accurate. There's a small possibility some of the information may be slightly dated, but you won't kill a spider with it. This is the foundation of which you'll base your keeping.
Strictly speaking, you could kill a spider with TKG - if you use it for squashing the poor critter.
 

Keith B

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Strictly speaking, you could kill a spider with TKG - if you use it for squashing the poor critter.
Valid point. I like throwing a little sarcasm in here and there as well, but we got a live one here. We want to make sure the OP heeds our advice seriously. Seems a bit hesitant to, this one. So we musn't make a joke of the book at this time. OP might decide to use the internet again ;) To the OP: Use the internet to ask questions in reliable places, like here. But use the book first as a foundation, because it'll answer about every question you've asked us in this thread and many more.
 

Disquiet

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I do agree that handling them doesn't really do anything for them, and maybe I'm reaching a bit being new to tarantulas and all, but if the spider were truly stressed out, wouldn't handling it affect its health? As far as I've seen, handling a tarantula that is calm and docile doesn't seem to affect it whatsoever.
A human can't even understand the perspective of another human, much less the perspective of an arthropod. As keepers of any live creature, it's our responsibility to the animal in captivity to err on the side of caution--just because you can't tell the T is being affected, doesn't mean it isn't.
Edit** Besides, I know they aren't puppies and I'm not under any impression that they will enjoy my company. Like most tarantula owners I, too, plan on having them mainly for observation but why not enjoy having the little critter climb onto your hand every once in a while?
People "enjoy" wrapping bread around the faces of their cats too, but that doesn't mean the cat enjoys it or benefits from it. Again, selflessness as a keeper is a must IMO.

And as for TKG, you really must read it. You can always check out a copy from your local library (free) OR you can even browse the author's website at http://people.ucalgary.ca/~schultz/spiders.html (also free).

Good luck with your future T's! :)
 

CitizenNumber9

Arachnobaron
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Nov 25, 2013
Messages
324
LOL! Hoo boy, where to start.. DEFINITELY get the book!!! It is a composition of information about keeping various types of tarantulas healthy that is both enlightening and accurate. There's a small possibility some of the information may be slightly dated, but you won't kill a spider with it. This is the foundation of which you'll base your keeping. The internet is teeming with incorrect data. If you haven't realized that about the internet yet, the curled up pinktoe should be a clue (not meant harshly, but from the sounds of it, you're seeking help from internet articles). As far as handling goes, many choose to handle, many don't, and you can refer to other threads for the ongoing debate. If you choose to attempt handling, you accept the risk of being bitten, and had better be prepared to prevent dropping the T. The book will also tell you this, as well as how to treat the wound so you don't develop a detrimental infection after a bite (possibly) happens. The book also offers guidance with handling, what tools you should have on hand, what vermin to look out for, what substrate to use, what to do when your tarantula starts to curl up, etc etc etc. It's over 300 pages COMPLETELY dedicated to tarantulas. You have no idea what you're missing, friend. BUY THE BOOK!!! :D
I'm assuming this was for me and not for Poec lol :p thank you I definitely will get the book now. :) Don't worry I'm not afraid of being bitten. In fact, if I end up becoming a "collector" I probably will be at some point ^-^ not dropping them is one of the few things I did know when I got a tarantula x) I'm looking forward to learning about them through experience and the book sounds great!

---------- Post added 11-26-2013 at 09:43 PM ----------

Valid point. I like throwing a little sarcasm in here and there as well, but we got a live one here. We want to make sure the OP heeds our advice seriously. Seems a bit hesitant to, this one. So we musn't make a joke of the book at this time. OP might decide to use the internet again ;) To the OP: Use the internet to ask questions in reliable places, like here. But use the book first as a foundation, because it'll answer about every question you've asked us in this thread and many more.
What's is "OP" short for?
 

PeaceBee

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Jan 16, 2013
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People "enjoy" wrapping bread around the faces of their cats too, but that doesn't mean the cat enjoys it or benefits from it.
I... just...
*Googles*
... I must go bread my cat now.

PS - Sorry, I got excited about bread cats. Sorry to hear about your Avic D: And OP means "original poster."
 
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Poec54

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Are you saying you don't handle your tarantulas?
What if they need medical attention or to be switched to another habitat?
How do you clean their tanks without moving them?
How do you think those of us with old world tarantulas manage? I've raised OW's from slings to adults without ever touching them. There is no justifiable reason to 'have' to handle a tarantula. If you handle, it's for your benefit, and not a necessity, and not for the spider's benefit.
 

CitizenNumber9

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How do you think those of us with old world tarantulas manage? I've raised OW's from slings to adults without ever touching them. There is no justifiable reason to 'have' to handle a tarantula. If you handle, it's for your benefit, and not a necessity, and not for the spider's benefit.
That's a good point and you're right about it being for the person's benefit rather than the spiders', but unless the spider shows increasing signs of discomfort from being handled (aggression, health problems, change in behavior) it doesn't necessarily constitutete a problem, right?
 

Poec54

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That's a good point and you're right about it being for the person's benefit rather than the spiders', but unless the spider shows increasing signs of discomfort from being handled (aggression, health problems, change in behavior) it doesn't necessarily constitutete a problem, right?
There's many threads on the topic, and they always get heated. Look them up, there's no need to rehash it here. Suffice to say that many people do not handle their tarantulas.
 
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CitizenNumber9

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There's many threads on the topic, and they always get heated. Look them up, there's no need to rehash it here. Suffice to say that any people do not handle their tarantulas.
Well off to another topic then, would you recommend a salmon pink birdeater as a good beginner T?
 

Keith B

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Well off to another topic then, would you recommend a salmon pink birdeater as a good beginner T?
I would be tempted to classify them as intermediate. They are easier than your pinktoe, but not the easiest. They have an easy keeping regimen, in that you can keep them dry with a water dish and they'll do just fine, and they eat like pigs, perhaps even like people eat pigs (mmm pork! omnomnom!). But anyways.. If you're not past the "I wanna handle mine" phase of keeping, there's much easier and less risky T's to handle (bite from full grown LP can cause mechanical damage with the large fangs). They tend to be skittish, and are capable of RIDICULOUS bursts of speed for their size (In your case, imagine an 8-10" pinktoe. They can achieve pretty close speeds), and due to their long stride, will cover a large distance in a short burst. Some owners never see them take off but I've seen it.. You will need to be ready with a set of backup tools to corral one, if it runs up your walls, to prevent injury to the T. They can't handle a fall, so you will need a sizable terrarium that offers more floor space, but still limits the height to a leg span and a half or less (preferably a leg span) after substrate is added. Finding the perfect enclosure can be daunting, as tarantulas aren't the pet most manufacturers focus on when building them, and the best ones are rather expensive. Your food cost will increase as well, as they consume many times the mass of food a common pink toe would. Just some things to consider before deciding to take on the care of this T. It IS a great T, however, and getting one carries a cheap price tag. It's the price tag after the purchase you need to be prepared for.
 
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