I purchased a brachypelma kahlenbergi

[Kingkaneki]

I brought a brachypelma kahlenbergi tarantula and a starter kit with everything it needs and I was just wondering if anyone with experience with this specific tarantula can give me any tips for taking care of it as I've already done research before buying one and also wanted to know if anyone has had any experiences with a tarantula bite as I might be handling it in the future and would like a heads up on what to do if I do get bitten

 

[nicodimus22]

Put it in a box of dirt. Give it a hide, a water dish, and an appropriately sized cricket or roach once a week or so. Refill the water as needed. That's the basics.

I would urge you to treat this the same way you would treat a goldfish. Look at it, feed it, photograph it, enjoy it, but don't take it out. Doing so does not benefit the animal at all, and puts it at risk. If you were bitten by a Brachypelma, it would hurt like a couple of bee stings, but you wouldn't be in any danger. If you were bitten, 99% of the time, people's reaction is to fling the tarantula off, which results in it falling, which often results in a ruptured abdomen and death. Their abdomens are not built to withstand falls very well.

 

[Kingkaneki]

Put it in a box of dirt. Give it a hide, a water dish, and an appropriately sized cricket or roach once a week or so. Refill the water as needed. That's the basics.

I would urge you to treat this the same way you would treat a goldfish. Look at it, feed it, photograph it, enjoy it, but don't take it out. Doing so does not benefit the animal at all, and puts it at risk. If you were bitten by a Brachypelma, it would hurt like a couple of bee stings, but you wouldn't be in any danger. If you were bitten, 99% of the time, people's reaction is to fling the tarantula off, which results in it falling, which often results in a ruptured abdomen and death. Their abdomens are not built to withstand falls very well.

Thank you I appreciate the response and the tips and will refrain from handling it as I've heard they are very fragile

 

[SonsofArachne]

This species seems to like its substrate a little moist compared to a typical Brachy. But don't go overboard, I just overflow the water dish a bit when I water. As far as getting bit goes, mine has a typical laid back Brachy attitude (although others have had different experiences - http://arachnoboards.com/threads/b-kahlenbergi-advice-please.304369/ ) . Still not a good reason to handle, though.

 

[vancwa]

Standard Brachy care. Mine just molted and is a male. Spends his time roaming, preening, loading bulbs, drinking water and eating an occasional cricket. Beautiful spider!

 

[viper69]

as I might be handling it

and then you might kill it, good luck

 

[Kingkaneki]

and then you might kill it, good luck

Nah she's doing quite well now she's burrowed most likely in premolt since she's refusing to eat and won't come out of the burrow

 

[viper69]

Nah she's doing quite well now she's burrowed most likely in premolt since she's refusing to eat and won't come out of the burrow

I’m referring to handling, not it’s life in a container.

Lots of people handle, and a some report here their T gets lost or ends of dead.

In the end the human animal doesn’t suffer.

On a side note they generally tend not to trust the “firmness” of human flesh, too mushy for them perhaps.

I know this due to my H chilensis always looking to leave when lid is off.

 

[Kingkaneki]

My brachypelma is pretty chill I left the lid off while I went to get a mealworm for her but she just stayed she's very docile and never threat postures or has flicked hairs for now fingers crossed she stays that way

 

[Feral]

I brought a brachypelma kahlenbergi tarantula and a starter kit with everything it needs and I was just wondering if anyone with experience with this specific tarantula can give me any tips for taking care of it as I've already done research before buying one and also wanted to know if anyone has had any experiences with a tarantula bite as I might be handling it in the future and would like a heads up on what to do if I do get bitten

From the way this is worded, it sounds like maybe... Like... Is this your very first tarantula ever?

That would give context.
Either way, pix of the entire set up from above and from the side will help people see if there's anything that might need any changes to husbandry for this species.

And hello, welcome to the forum!

 

[Kingkaneki]

From the way this is worded, it sounds like maybe... Like... Is this your very first tarantula ever?

That would give context.
Either way, pix of the entire set up from above and from the side will help people see if there's anything that might need any changes to husbandry for this species.

And hello, welcome to the forum!

Hello yes it is my first tarantula and she's been doing okay now that she's got comfortable in her new enclosure but atm she's refusing to eat and is hiding in her burrow so I was thinking she might molt soon

 

[Feral]

Hello yes it is my first tarantula and she's been doing okay now that she's got comfortable in her new enclosure but atm she's refusing to eat and is hiding in her burrow so I was thinking she might molt soon

Gotcha. Well, first off, congrats on yer new fuzzbutt friend and welcome to the world of tarantuling!
That's great that she/he has settled in some already, and the experienced people here can talk you through the rest.

And secondly, then yes, since you're brand new, definitely post pics as I mentioned. I know you said you did research, and that's super awesome good on you!... but the world and internet is full of a just heaps of bad advice and misinformation and it's super easy to end up doing the wrong things but thinking they're right when you're new. So... pics would be helpful!

 

[Kingkaneki]

Gotcha. Well, first off, congrats on yer new fuzzbutt friend and welcome to the world of tarantuling!
That's great that she/he has settled in some already, and the experienced people here can talk you through the rest.

And secondly, then yes, since you're brand new, definitely post pics as I mentioned. I know you said you did research, and that's super awesome good on you!... but the world and internet is full of a just heaps of bad advice and misinformation and it's super easy to end up doing the wrong things but thinking they're right when you're new. So... pics would be helpful!

well currently she's under the hide and won't come out since she's webbed most of it and I try to not disturb her as it's not beneficial for her but I sometimes get a glimpse of her moving about inside the hide she's refused to eat as you can see by the pre killed mealworm and she was stressed on the first day but now she spends most of her inside her burrow

 

[Feral]

Gotcha, cool, and can you also add a pic of the enclosure from the side view, please?

 

[Kingkaneki]

Gotcha, cool, and can you also add a pic of the enclosure from the side view, please?

Here's a pic from the side

 

[Feral]

Awesome! Now maybe someone with experience in your species can explain routine Brachytherapy care for a tarantula your size, and tell you how your setup would work with that species' needs.

Anyone?

 

[Kingkaneki]

Awesome! Now maybe someone with experience in your species can explain routine Brachytherapy care for a tarantula your size, and tell you how your setup would work with that species' needs.

Anyone?

Well my brachypelma is hiding inside her burrow I have a heatpad on top of the terrarium due to how cold it is in the UK I got her Tuesday but she's refused to eat live or pre killed and doesn't come out of her burrow so I was thinking it might have to do with her being in premolt

 

[NewTguy]

Nah she's doing quite well now she's burrowed most likely in premolt since she's refusing to eat and won't come out of the burrow

No necessarily. When I got my B. albo she also hid in her burrow 24x7 and wouldn't eat. Finally came out and ate after about 6 months, and didn't molt until a couple months after that.