Help with Venezuelan Suntiger

[isleofwight99]

Hi guys I’m new to this forum

I have kept Ts before but only a couple of LPs which are easier to manage than other species. I have just recently acquired what I have as two challenging species. Whilst I have no issues in trying to keep them I was just after some general advice how to settle some anxiety due to some of the horror story’s I’ve heard about, the two species are H.Giga (Giant baboon I think it’s called) and the Venezuelan Suntiger (not sure on what the proper name is). I’m still new to these so any advice would be appreciated both as currently slings and only 2/3cm long:

king regards

 

[8 legged]

You are talking about Hysterocrates gigas and Psalmopoeus irminia...

Do yourself a favor and buy a book. Any standard work... that will save you a lot of problems later. Both types are fast and not entirely non-toxic. In everyday life, this means: think first, then act - and consistently. Then nothing happens. Nevertheless, you should first have a look at both types with a friend or acquaintance and then decide whether it is something for you. Good luck and above all have fun!

 

[Smotzer]

What exactly are you looking to find out? They are not hard species per se to manage their husbandry but they are kept differently. Make sure you young Psalmopoeus has some moisture in the substrate when it is that small. There’s plenty of info on their care here on AB!

 

[Wolfram1]

Hey so i get that people often warn newcomers that the AB community can be harsh critiques, but honestly the best advice you get when you give us as much to work with as you can rather than ask for general advice.

Also, as mentioned above, reading a good book coupled with old posts about the same topics on AB will usually get you the best results.

 

[viper69]

Hi guys I’m new to this forum

I have kept Ts before but only a couple of LPs which are easier to manage than other species. I have just recently acquired what I have as two challenging species. Whilst I have no issues in trying to keep them I was just after some general advice how to settle some anxiety due to some of the horror story’s I’ve heard about, the two species are H.Giga (Giant baboon I think it’s called) and the Venezuelan Suntiger (not sure on what the proper name is). I’m still new to these so any advice would be appreciated both as currently slings and only 2/3cm long:

king regards

Search the forum for P irminia

 

[Liquifin]

Welcome to the hobby. A lot of the care and information are on this forums. I recommend using the search function to try and find your answers as there are a lot of previous questions answered already that revolve around your questions or species you have.

 

[ccTroi]

Hi guys I’m new to this forum

I have kept Ts before but only a couple of LPs which are easier to manage than other species. I have just recently acquired what I have as two challenging species. Whilst I have no issues in trying to keep them I was just after some general advice how to settle some anxiety due to some of the horror story’s I’ve heard about, the two species are H.Giga (Giant baboon I think it’s called) and the Venezuelan Suntiger (not sure on what the proper name is). I’m still new to these so any advice would be appreciated both as currently slings and only 2/3cm long:

king regards

Hysterocrates gigas sling can be kept in a 16 oz deli cup. You can opt for a 32 oz to skip a rehousing once it outgrows the 16 oz. I would fill the cup it will be in with 1/2 to 2/3 substrate, not packed in. Just pour the substrate into the cup with very light pressing. This species loves to burrow and will displace the excavated substrate onto the surface, which is the reasoning behind the suggestion of not filling the container full. Also, packing in the substrate very tight would cause more substrate required to meet the 2/3 fill which subsequently leads to plenty of substrate the tarantula will displace on the surface. I think it's a matter of preference, though. The spider will line its burrow with silk which would help reinforce the structure and help prevent the burrow from collapsing. As slings, it is a great eater. It will readily take prey unless in premolt. It may be difficult to assess if the sling is in premolt as this species has an elongated abdomen much different from what you may have gotten used to with LPs. Generally, if this species refused food for three consecutive feeding instances (i.e., once/week for 3 weeks), it indicates to me that it is likely in premolt. One thing to note is that this species likes to stay on the bottom of the burrow. Throwing down live mealworm, superworm, or dubia roach down the burrow may be problematic as the prey may not be taken down by the spider and can burrow away into the substrate. To prevent this from happening, I squeeze the head of the prey just enough that it is still able to wiggle to illicit response but hard enough that it won't burrow away. One other option is leave prekilled prey on the surface next to the many burrow entrances this species will create. Another option is to "tickle" the spider out of its burrow to guage its feeding response, and this method is what I always do as I love seeing takedowns.

Psalmopoeus irminia can also be kept in a 16 oz deli cup. I prefer putting them in a container that is taller than it is wide. This species will burrow as slings which then they will construct their burrows vertically the bigger they grow. You can put them in a 32 oz with cork bark leaned on its side, and this is pretty much the standard for a lot of arboreal slings. Once it has constructed its webbed retreat, then it will likely start taking down prey. Very easy to keep, and they will grow fast.

 

[ladyratri]

Psalmopoeus irminia can also be kept in a 16 oz deli cup.

Very easy to keep, and they will grow fast.

I started my irminia sling in a 16 oz deli cup and it pretty much outgrew it in 2 molts. I swear it put on about half an inch with each molt so far.

If you set up the enclosure for it with some leaves pressed against the side, you might get it to set up against the wall where you can see it:

 

[DerGraf]

Some details I can add to the previous posts from my experiences raising two P. irminia:

Definitely use an enclosure with more height than width. While the slings like to burrow a bit, when they are going out to hunt/explore, mine prefer to stay off the ground.

Since they are very fast growers, I plan only few re-housings, 3rd enclosure is their adult one. Since they are arboreal, they are more competent climbers, it's not so bad to give them slightly larger enclosures. You don't need to worry as much about falling as with ground dwellers. I just add more climbing opportunities, on which they can break a fall, should they lose their grip. Which I've seen rarely and only when they're in heavy pre-molt. Some additional fake plants do nicely.

After they've build enough webbing, mine became noticeable calmer and less defensive. DON'T LET THAT FOOL YOU INTO A SENSE OF FALSE SECURITY!
They always can have a crazy feeding or threat response, and they can and will jump on their prey, your tongs or (worst case) your hand. Without any warning signs and much faster than you will be able to react!

 

[ladyratri]

DON'T LET THAT FOOL YOU INTO A SENSE OF FALSE SECURITY!

Thank you for this reminder. I think the way my larger irminia has been diving for cover lately when I bump the desk or open the lid could easily do exactly that.