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

[CitizenNumber9]

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.

So it's more of an intermediate not really in keeping it alive, just more towards handling and speed? I plan on getting one as a sling or close to it, how fast do they grow? The bigger the better! Once it gets big enough to deliver a nasty bite I probably won't handle it as much, just to be safe. The only thing I'm not looking forward to is feeding it roaches (yuck!) They scare me a little haha. Also I definitely plan on doing my research befor hand this time and getting all of the supplies first. Would a 10 gallon tank be a good size you think or should I invest in a larger one?

 

[Keith B]

So it's more of an intermediate not really in keeping it alive, just more towards handling and speed? I plan on getting one as a sling or close to it, how fast do they grow? The bigger the better! Once it gets big enough to deliver a nasty bite I probably won't handle it as much, just to be safe. The only thing I'm not looking forward to is feeding it roaches (yuck!) They scare me a little haha. Also I definitely plan on doing my research befor hand this time and getting all of the supplies first. Would a 10 gallon tank be a good size you think or should I invest in a larger one?

They grow VERY fast, but that's also VERY much dependent on how much you feed them. You can get by without feeding them roaches. There are other options, and even full grown they'll usually still accept crickets, they just eat a lot of them. Because they eat so voraciously, you will be tempted to feed them all they will take. I would suggest setting up a feeding regimen, once a week or so, and resist that temptation. The faster they eat, the faster they grow, the faster they die. If misfortune has it your sling turns out to be male, and you feed it daily until it's full, it will go from .5" sling to adult, mature small at about 8" or so, and die shortly thereafter, all of which will happen in a span of about 2 to 2.5 years. Your enclosure will gradually increase in size as it grows. a 10 gallon will do until it reaches full size. Then it will need more floor space, at least a 20 gallon. Many keepers even opt towards a 40 or 50 gallon, but that's if you want it to have some extra space to really mosey about. I would still suggest you concentrate on getting the book first. Once you start reading it, you won't put it down. Even if you buy a T and the book at the same time, and read it while you settle the new T in, it will be beneficial.

 

[CitizenNumber9]

They grow VERY fast, but that's also VERY much dependent on how much you feed them. You can get by without feeding them roaches. There are other options, and even full grown they'll usually still accept crickets, they just eat a lot of them. Because they eat so voraciously, you will be tempted to feed them all they will take. I would suggest setting up a feeding regimen, once a week or so, and resist that temptation. The faster they eat, the faster they grow, the faster they die. If misfortune has it your sling turns out to be male, and you feed it daily until it's full, it will go from .5" sling to adult, mature small at about 8" or so, and die shortly thereafter, all of which will happen in a span of about 2 to 2.5 years. Your enclosure will gradually increase in size as it grows. a 10 gallon will do until it reaches full size. Then it will need more floor space, at least a 20 gallon. Many keepers even opt towards a 40 or 50 gallon, but that's if you want it to have some extra space to really mosey about. I would still suggest you concentrate on getting the book first. Once you start reading it, you won't put it down. Even if you buy a T and the book at the same time, and read it while you settle the new T in, it will be beneficial.

That's definately good about the roaches haha but I'm hoping for a female (as most T owners I'm sure) and even though I'd like it to grow quickly, I don't think I'm willing to give up any extra years that might be taken away because of it. I'll get the book definitly now, I want the T to benefit as much from me as I enjoy having it. Even though I only had her a week, I'm still pretty upset about losing my pink toe :/ so I'll definitely be sure to take good care of my next tarantula!

 

[Poec54]

I'm hoping for a female (as most T owners I'm sure)

As dirt cheap as LP's are, there's no reason not to get at least 3 to ensure that you get a female.

 

[CitizenNumber9]

As dirt cheap as LP's are, there's no reason not to get at least 3 to ensure that you get a female.

I was considering that, but I'm not sure if I want to spend $20-30 extra just to make sure I have a female. If I do get a male, I thought I might offer it to breed when it's an adult in exchange for a couple slings (kind of like people do with dogs for pick of the litter)

 

[Poec54]

I was considering that, but I'm not sure if I want to spend $20-30 extra just to make sure I have a female. If I do get a male, I thought I might offer it to breed when it's an adult in exchange for a couple slings (kind of like people do with dogs for pick of the litter)

Look around. They have huge sacs. When someone hatches out a sac, they blow them out. Way more than they can sell, sometimes more than they can give away.

 

[CitizenNumber9]

Look around. They have huge sacs. When someone hatches out a sac, they blow them out. Way more than they can sell, sometimes more than they can give away.

In that case more than a couple