tarantulalover9
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2012
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- 41
Defenetly not If you want an aborial I would start with an Avic
Is a pokie a good starter arboreal?
- Thread starter hankypanky56
- Start date
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- Jan 18, 2011
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- 547
Why definitely not? Most pokies are very easy to take care of given their hardiness from what I know and have experienced.
Basically it's up to the OP. If they're ready for a fast tarantula with potent venom, go for it. If they aren't and still do it, they'll probably learn the hard way.
hamhock 74
Arachnobaron
- Joined
- May 6, 2011
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- 333
My personal belief is that pokies have gotten a bad reputation- most would rather run and hide then fight
I bought a 1.5 in P.striata as my third tarantula and first aboreal two months into the hobby, my others at that point were a B. smithi, B. albopilosum, and a GBB. Since then I have rehoused it three times and added a small number of other poecilotherias to my collection.
I did my research and understood how fast they were and how serious a bite was, I was comfortable with owning one. The striata came, rehousing went without a hitch as did subsequent rehousings later on. I never handled any of them, poked around their enclosure trying to get a good look, or do anything else that will warrant a bite.
If you feel you are prepared go ahead and get one.
Take a look through this thread as well for more opinions on poecilotheria temperment and a few reccomendations for someone who is getting their first pokie as well:
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?207478-Docile-Pokie&
I bought a 1.5 in P.striata as my third tarantula and first aboreal two months into the hobby, my others at that point were a B. smithi, B. albopilosum, and a GBB. Since then I have rehoused it three times and added a small number of other poecilotherias to my collection.
I did my research and understood how fast they were and how serious a bite was, I was comfortable with owning one. The striata came, rehousing went without a hitch as did subsequent rehousings later on. I never handled any of them, poked around their enclosure trying to get a good look, or do anything else that will warrant a bite.
If you feel you are prepared go ahead and get one.
Take a look through this thread as well for more opinions on poecilotheria temperment and a few reccomendations for someone who is getting their first pokie as well:
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?207478-Docile-Pokie&
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2011
- Messages
- 547
Also, read bite reports for the species you're considering.
voodoo chile
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2011
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- 7
Avics are very fast but a pokie is just a foolish choice for inexperienced keeper of aboreal's. When it makes a dash & you have a T wiyh the potential to put you in hospital, then you are the fool.
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2012
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Hence why everyone said "If you feel comfortable with dealing such a T" - overconfidence was not the subject
Skeri
Arachnosquire
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2012
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- 106
I feel like I have enough pokies at different sizes to have some good input here haha.
Slings: All of my slings have been bolters, until they got used to their enclosures. They did not like me opening the lid at feeding time and would scurry very quickly around their enclosure and sometimes try to scurry out. After some time has passed, opening the containers is no longer an issue. I am still cautious when opening their enclosures just in case it spooks them, but it seems to no longer phase them. My first two pokies were P. regalis. Upon putting them in their first home, one decided to crawl up my arm and down my back. My fiance has to coax it from my back and into its enclosure. Mind you this happened so quickly it was already half way up my arm within a second of me opening the container. My P. metallica on the other hand is less of a bolter. It was easily moved from the container I received it in to its new home. It occasionally bolts when a cricket creeps up on it, but did not experience the same lid opening issue as I have with my regalises and fasciata sling. Personally this really could be just my P. metallica, but as a whole I would expect the pokies to bolt around a bit when opening the container for a while until the sling is comfortable in its new home.
sub adult/adult: I have a rather large P. striata female. She spends all of her time either in her hide, or moving from corner to corner of the walls of her enclosure. Opening the top of the enclosure has never been an issue. She does not get spooked easily. I have taken her out of her enclosure to get some good pictures of her. During this she did not throw any threat postures, and was easily moved from her enclosure, to my bed, and back in her enclosure. Once again I will mention this could just be my striata, but as a whole I will say that the bigger they get, and the longer they've been in their home, the less bolting happens, but will often bolt if spooked.
All of my pokies are very enjoyable. I have yet to regret a single pokie purchase.
I would recommend the P. metallica. I have a sling and really enjoy mine. Hope this helps
Slings: All of my slings have been bolters, until they got used to their enclosures. They did not like me opening the lid at feeding time and would scurry very quickly around their enclosure and sometimes try to scurry out. After some time has passed, opening the containers is no longer an issue. I am still cautious when opening their enclosures just in case it spooks them, but it seems to no longer phase them. My first two pokies were P. regalis. Upon putting them in their first home, one decided to crawl up my arm and down my back. My fiance has to coax it from my back and into its enclosure. Mind you this happened so quickly it was already half way up my arm within a second of me opening the container. My P. metallica on the other hand is less of a bolter. It was easily moved from the container I received it in to its new home. It occasionally bolts when a cricket creeps up on it, but did not experience the same lid opening issue as I have with my regalises and fasciata sling. Personally this really could be just my P. metallica, but as a whole I would expect the pokies to bolt around a bit when opening the container for a while until the sling is comfortable in its new home.
sub adult/adult: I have a rather large P. striata female. She spends all of her time either in her hide, or moving from corner to corner of the walls of her enclosure. Opening the top of the enclosure has never been an issue. She does not get spooked easily. I have taken her out of her enclosure to get some good pictures of her. During this she did not throw any threat postures, and was easily moved from her enclosure, to my bed, and back in her enclosure. Once again I will mention this could just be my striata, but as a whole I will say that the bigger they get, and the longer they've been in their home, the less bolting happens, but will often bolt if spooked.
All of my pokies are very enjoyable. I have yet to regret a single pokie purchase.
I would recommend the P. metallica. I have a sling and really enjoy mine. Hope this helps
Stromatopoke
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2012
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- 3
My P. regalis female loves her hollow cork log so much that she only comes out for necessities, such as dumping her last meal fragments or doing some business. She will rarely explore her enclosure, but has occasionally.
This was my first arboreal and 2nd T. Show respect and realize that they can bolt, so be prepared regardless. If you are a responsible and safety oriented personality, then you may be ready. If you have to have a Poecilotheria, I would go for the species Michael suggested.
I am really enjoying my choice which I preferred over P. fasciata, another species I considered. She is a good feeder and overall a very beautiful and interesting arboreal T to watch go about her activities.
This was my first arboreal and 2nd T. Show respect and realize that they can bolt, so be prepared regardless. If you are a responsible and safety oriented personality, then you may be ready. If you have to have a Poecilotheria, I would go for the species Michael suggested.
I am really enjoying my choice which I preferred over P. fasciata, another species I considered. She is a good feeder and overall a very beautiful and interesting arboreal T to watch go about her activities.
MarkmD
Arachnoprince
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2012
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- 1,835
I would say start with an avicilaria species, they are nice in colour, hardy, cheap price, on the other side they are fast can web alot like most arborials, don't flick hairs but can poop if, most are docile but some like all Ts have the bite factor ie deffencive.
My first arborial was a pokie n indian ornimental wich was fast and quite docile-ish but I never handled her.
Good luck.
My first arborial was a pokie n indian ornimental wich was fast and quite docile-ish but I never handled her.
Good luck.
Bugmom
Arachnolord
- Joined
- May 28, 2012
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- 646
My first arboreal and first Old World was a Heteroscodra maculata sling. Frankly, pokies aren't all that interesting to me. Probably because everyone has one and only one or two species have colors that I find aesthetically appealing.
If you want one and you're going to be comfortable rehousing and doing tank maintenance, then get one. It's a spider, not a rabid skunk. Even if you do get bit, well, happens to even the best keepers, from even the most "but she was so docile!" spiders. Just be smart and you should be fine.
If you want one and you're going to be comfortable rehousing and doing tank maintenance, then get one. It's a spider, not a rabid skunk. Even if you do get bit, well, happens to even the best keepers, from even the most "but she was so docile!" spiders. Just be smart and you should be fine.
akpropst
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- May 2, 2011
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- 48
Get whatever you're comfortable with having at your current level of T keeping. I started with 4 avics and 5 P. regalis. All in the same batch. all about .5-1" slings and the regalis were a communal. I learned a lot and will continue to gather pokies. I also have some S. cals that keep me on my toes more than my pokies. Two different occasions have led me to respect my pokies, when they reached about 3-3.5" and I actually felt them hit the tongs instead of the prey, almost ripping them out of my hands. And the day I separated them from the communal...I got to know their true speed first hand. My son loves to watch me feed my collection. When I get to the hotter T's I have him go sit with his mother, anything could happen and I'd rather not chance it. All are also locked in a cabinet when unattended. Just things to consider when getting something that has potential to put a hurting on you before you know it.
As far as everyone saying avics are perfect. It all depends on the person. But IMHO I would get something that, if it should happen to bite you, wouldn't require a hosp. visit...it is a learning experience after all, and some people have to learn the hard way. Like me.
Either way have fun with whatever you choose, and good luck!
As far as everyone saying avics are perfect. It all depends on the person. But IMHO I would get something that, if it should happen to bite you, wouldn't require a hosp. visit...it is a learning experience after all, and some people have to learn the hard way. Like me.
Either way have fun with whatever you choose, and good luck!
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2011
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- 170
I would say if you feel comfortable get it, but thats only if you feel comfortable and still carry a good amount of respect for the animal. On a side note however, I feel that if you have to ask us you aren't comfortable with making the decision yourself.
As for the whole arguement about avics, my A. metallica is way to skittish but my regalis on the other hand is actually quite calm in comparison.
As for the whole arguement about avics, my A. metallica is way to skittish but my regalis on the other hand is actually quite calm in comparison.
In my opinion dealing with poecilotheria is way less stressful than it is with psalmopoeus. As far as flightyness, the pokies I've kept don't compare in the slightest to them. I use psalmos as an example in comparing the two because 1. they are the only other genus I have owned aside from avic slings, and 2. it sounds like you want to start with something a little more quick or something where there is "a little more on the line" to keep.
Pokies are more predictable by far IME, and the adult female striata I have would never THINK of sprinting up my arm or what have you, where as a psalmo would take any opportunity to do so. Way scarier IMO lol, although I gotta say if it came down to it I would MUCH rather take the bee sting from an irminia or cambridgei than a pokie, but unless you are being extremely careless and never use your tongs, I just think it can be avoided VERY easily.
*I have never kept poecilotheria with less than a 2'' leg span. Therefor I cannot attest to the temperament and behavior habits of young slings.*
*My first arboreal was a pokie. Striata. They grow rapidly like most arboreals and are just AMAZING eaters.
Pokies are more predictable by far IME, and the adult female striata I have would never THINK of sprinting up my arm or what have you, where as a psalmo would take any opportunity to do so. Way scarier IMO lol, although I gotta say if it came down to it I would MUCH rather take the bee sting from an irminia or cambridgei than a pokie, but unless you are being extremely careless and never use your tongs, I just think it can be avoided VERY easily.
*I have never kept poecilotheria with less than a 2'' leg span. Therefor I cannot attest to the temperament and behavior habits of young slings.*
*My first arboreal was a pokie. Striata. They grow rapidly like most arboreals and are just AMAZING eaters.
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2012
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- 624
This is a pretty old thread, bros. I bet he got his T a month ago and hasn't checked back.
Carry on.
Carry on.
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- Aug 19, 2009
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Probably.Most of the Az people that have popped up here are coughflakycough.
tarantulalover9
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2012
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- 41
I would say no and start with an Avicularia Sp.
Armstrong5
Arachnosquire
- Joined
- May 6, 2010
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- 58
Yeah man go for it as Jacobi stated in my opinion I pokies are easier to care for then avics simply because they are more forgiving on temp. and humidity. The only pokie I have that is pissed at me all the time is my female ornata so get you a pokie sling like a miranda, regalis, metallica or something watch it grow and have fun! Plus pokies are just way cooler then avics IMO!