I'm thinking of getting a Theraphosa Stirmi

[AmberDawnDays]

Hi all. I'm thinking of adding to my collection. As most do, I have a never ending list of Ts that I want. I'm wondering if I'm ready to add Theraphosa Stirmi to my collection. I currently have 50+ Ts. They are all new world. I have terrestrial and arboreal. I've only been in the hobby for 16 months.

I've read that a T. Stirmi is considered an advanced species due to the husbandry requirements. I've only ever ventured into husbandry for what may be considered intermediate species like Psalmopoeus Cambridgei, Psalmopoeus Reduncus, Avic. Avic, & Caribena Versicolor. Maybe some of my semi-fast terrestrials might be considered intermediate like Neoholothele Incei, Nhandu Chromatus, GBB, Davus Pentaloris, & Phormictopus Cancerides. Anyways, the point is that I've only dabbled into the intermediate care of Ts (maybe). I do have a few Ts that should get big like LP, L. Difficilis, A. Genic, & A. Brocklehursti. Most of my Ts I've gotten as juvies or slings. The largest in my collection is about 5" right now.

Based on some of the Ts I've been keeping and the length of time I've been in the hobby, does it seem that I could be ready for a T. Stirmi or a T. Blondi or both hahaha? I haven't added to my collection since last July, except the L. Difficilis I picked up yesterday at an expo simply because I had the itch. So what do you all think? I'm definitely feeling the extreme urge to add to my collection again.

Thanks in advance for any help.


1

 

[cold blood]

The t isn't so much advanced as the care...you have plenty of experience with moisture dependent species, I wouldn't expect you to start having problems with a Theraposa. Deep sub, that needs to be damp and not allowed to dry out completely. Deep sub not only helps for burrowing, but deeper sub also makes it easier to maintain the moisture for more extended periods of time.

 

[14pokies]

Go for it, they are truly a must have IMO.. They have a relatively fictitious reputation for being fragile and needing specialized care.. The truth is that they are very easy to keep in most cases..

They can handle broad temps like most other tarantulas,68-80 are safe peramaters.. Provide deep, moist,but not soggy substrate and good cross ventilation. As with all tarantulas provide a water dish.. I find with mine a nice snug hide is very appreciated,they use it exclusively by day and are out wandering or sitting close to the opening at night..

What I consider most important when selecting your stirmi is looking for one that is captive bred or atleast a long term well established import.. It saves you from having to deal with possible internal or external parasites.

They are some of my easiest Ts to deal with just remeber that with those long legs they are deceptively fast, if you let there bulk fool you they will scare the pants off of ya..

 

[AmberDawnDays]

The t isn't so much advanced as the care...you have plenty of experience with moisture dependent species, I wouldn't expect you to start having problems with a Theraposa.

I imagine they are harder as slings. Do you recommend I start with a juvie? I have a lot of experience with slings and juvies.

 

[viper69]

50+ Ts in such a short time, so little time to actually observe their life cycle and learn their behavior...collecting Ts like Skittles.

It's really their husbandry that is tricky as CB wrote. People go from standard setups that most do on here to planted setups with a misting system for this genus.

 

[cold blood]

I imagine they are harder as slings. Do you recommend I start with a juvie? I have a lot of experience with slings and juvies.

Slings shouldn't be any harder....slings that eat well and grow fast, tend to be the easiest ones to raise. Its not like stirmi slings start out as 1/4" little things...they are near an inch right out of the gate and growth can be pretty significant with each molt.

 

[AmberDawnDays]

50+ Ts in such a short time, so little time to actually observe their life cycle and learn their behavior...collecting Ts like Skittles.

To each their own. When I do something, I do it all the way. I enjoy it and haven't had any issues.

It's really their husbandry that is tricky as CB wrote. People go from standard setups that most do on here to planted setups with a misting system for this genus.

What plants do you recommend?

 

[AmberDawnDays]

Slings shouldn't be any harder....slings that eat well and grow fast, tend to be the easiest ones to raise. Its not like stirmi slings start out as 1/4" little things...they are near an inch right out of the gate and growth can be pretty significant with each molt.

Nothing like the specks Hapolopus Columbia sp "klein" that I have. They were smalller than 1/2 a grain of rice when I got them last summer.

They are some of my easiest Ts to deal with just remeber that with those long legs they are deceptively fast, if you let there bulk fool you they will scare the pants off of ya..

For some reason, this makes me want one even more.

 

[viper69]

To each their own. When I do something, I do it all the way. I enjoy it and haven't had any issues.



What plants do you recommend?

Can't recommend any, I find this species one of the most boring.

I would look up
rustym3talh3ad

 

[viper69]

Nothing like the specks Hapolopus Columbia sp "klein" that I have. They were smalller than 1/2 a grain of rice when I got them last summer.



For some reason, this makes me want one even more.

I've raised those. Their aggressive food response makes them easy.

 

[14pokies]

For some reason, this makes me want one even more.

Nothing wrong with that.. I enjoy keeping Tarantulas that have a bit of spunk..

As long as you can handle the spunk and are capable of drawing a line between being reckless and responsible interaction.There is nothing wrong with enoying the temperamental side of your Tarantula when it chooses to show it to you.. We shouldn't be doing anything to provoke them just for giggles..

 

[AmberDawnDays]

I've raised those. Their aggressive food response makes them easy.

Agreed, they are easy. I love their food response and they are super cute.

As long as you can handle the spunk and are capable of drawing a line between being reckless and responsible interaction.There is nothing wrong with enoying the temperamental side of your Tarantula when it chooses to show it to you.. We shouldn't be doing anything to provoke them just for giggles..

I respect my Ts and have never and would never provoke them. I dont understand why anyone would do that. I am starting to want a T with a bit more spunk though. The unprovoked kind of spunk.

 

[cold blood]

Agreed, they are easy. I love their food response and they are super cute.



I respect my Ts and have never and would never provoke them. I dont understand why anyone would do that. I am starting to want a T with a bit more spunk though. The unprovoked kind of spunk.

Get P. cancerides

 

[AmberDawnDays]

Get P. cancerides

I have 2 already

 

[cold blood]

I have 2 already

I missed that....this would be the largest species (as an adult) that you currently own.

 

[Venom1080]

http://arachnoboards.com/threads/theraphosa-care-and-info.303033/

Enjoy.

 

[AmberDawnDays]

I missed that....this would be the largest species (as an adult) that you currently own.

They are little right now. Maybe 1.5" at the most. They've molted about 3 times with me, but they haven't been gaining much size with each molt. They are fiesty little things and give a threat pose every time I have to open their enclosures. I enjoy them quite a bit. I'm pretty sure one is female too.

 

[jaycied]

T stirmi was one of my first 20 Ts. They are not near as fragile as they are made out to be, even as slings. You have more experience than I did when I got mine! The only thing I would recommend if you feel like you need it is get the enclosure set up before you get them. That way you can play around with the balance of ventilation to moisture (ie if it's still boggy after you watered a few days ago, add more ventilation), but it seems like you already have experience with moisture dependent species; you may not need or want to do this.

I love this genus, my T stirmi female is one of my top 5 that I own.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Buy directly a sexed female. If nothing, as a 'Pro' - aside for true T.blondi - they are cheap in the U.S. Unlike here

 

[Ghost56]

They're actually super easy to care for IMO. Beware though, they can be extremely nasty in my experience. My girl has an insane feeding response and once she figures out something's not food, she turns into a 8" monster. Threat postures, stridulating, and kicking hairs if the first two don't work. The hairs also didn't bother me at first, but that quickly changed after a few months. So just keep those things in mind.