Is this a good “beginner species” if not why so

[megansmillipedes]

So I got a .25 inch Brazilian red and white sling after doing some research so basically I know they scare easily and have pretty bad hairs that can come off (forgot how to spell the term) he’s in a small deli cup (with tiny holes) with some substrate and a bottle cap for water and I fed him a prekilled cricket (I don’t think he ate it yet) anyways if he’s not a good “beginner-Intermediate“ species why so?

ps- the petstore put a cotton ball in there and said SLINGS can drink from them not adults is that true?

 

[spideyspinneret78]

I wouldn't say they're an "ideal" beginner species because of their temperament (tend to be nervous and defensive), but if you know what to expect then yes I could see them working out fine for a beginner. Their care is quite simple and they're a hardy, fast-growing species. No need to include a cotton ball! They can easily drink from a small water dish without issues. A bottle cap would work for a sling of that size. You could also just gently moisten the substrate from time to time for some moisture, but don't go overboard. Small slings can drink water droplets from a piece of moss or from the side of the enclosure.

 

[Spoodfood]

I’d say a Nhandu chromatus can make a good first T if they have what you’re looking for in a spider. They eat great and grow fast, and are pretty too. Probably more likely to kick hairs than some other species, but let’s be honest here C. cyaneopubescens is recommended for beginners all the time and they’re just as likely to be flicky and nervous/skittish.

 

[campj]

It's a small spider, so you'll gain experience as it grows. By the time it's big enough to be any sort of hassle to you, you'll be well prepared for it. In reality though, these aren't hard to handle.

Recommend learning and using the scientific names, as it eliminates all confusion.

 

[Cmac2111]

N. chromatus (if that is what you have, stating scientific names is always best as said above) have simple husbandry requirements, they can be housed in a small deli cup with a little bit of sub and a small water dish as slings (they can also drink moisture from the sub. Please make sure not to saturate the enclosure). They are relatively fast growing, not as nearly as slow as some other NW terrestrials... they are phenomenal eaters with a strong feeding response. As 'juveniles', chromatus can be flighty and nervous, and some (IME) can be very defensive at a larger size. Nhandu chromatus can also be prolific hair-kickers, if yours never kicks then it'd be an exception and not the norm. They are big as adults but not giant, and whilst I wouldn't personally peg them as one of the absolute best options for beginners, you can have success with this species as a beginner if you do your research like you would for any other T. So long as you approach them with caution and respect, they are manageable and easy to care for.

Also yeah, ditch the cotton ball.

 

[cold blood]

As said, it can work just fine. They do get fairly large, and can be defensive from time to time, but that ususally isnt a concern tilll adulthood...by then you will be used to it. The great part is that they eat REALLY well,, generally if they refuse food, they are going to molt fairly soon...they also grow fast, especially as slings....by about 3" the rate slows down,but slings fed well and kept warm can molt monthly...I have had molt cycles as short as 24 days with this species.


They grow into a beautiful display species that will rarely hide and look impressive.

chromatus

• cold blood
• Nov 11, 2017
• 3

feed me

 

[megansmillipedes]

Thank you, I already got stuck with a orange baboon sling so I am familiar with defensive nature you have to respect (I got stuck with him cause I bought before researching my bad!!!) but yes this little guy will be very nicely taken care of

As said, it can work just fine. They do get fairly large, and can be defensive from time to time, but that ususally isnt a concern tilll adulthood...by then you will be used to it. The great part is that they eat REALLY well,, generally if they refuse food, they are going to molt fairly soon...they also grow fast, especially as slings....by about 3" the rate slows down,but slings fed well and kept warm can molt monthly...I have had molt cycles as short as 24 days with this species.


They grow into a beautiful display species that will rarely hide and look impressive.

chromatus

• cold blood
• Nov 11, 2017
• 3

feed me

Thank you for all the amazing info!

 

[viper69]

always use fresh water in a BOWL

 

[darkness975]

My sling buried itself when I rehoused it and I haven't seen it since. Luckily they are more outgoing when they're older.

 

[Maxthesquid]

Ii only have 5 Ts at the moment and my Nhandu Chromatus is #1-easily my fastest growing, and #2- my overall favorite. Ive had him since June as a 1/2” sling and he has molted 5 times in seven month now at about 3 inches. Ever since I wanna say 1” and above he has always been out and about and will sport it’s stripes and start to get its colors above an inch. Mines never flicked hairs, he’s very fast to retreat and also a monster when it comes to food. Overall a very straight forward T, just with stronger hairs than most new worlds.

 

[ladyratri]

I got a little N. chromatus as a freebie with an order last fall, and unfortunately it didn't make it even to a first molt with us. While that might easily have been due to factors beyond my control, there are some things I learned for next time:

• Housing it in a 5oz deli was too big -- if I get another I'll use a 1oz or 2oz until it molts a couple times
• I gave it too much substrate, and couldn't monitor it well when it burrowed
• Given the small amount of ventilation and small amount of sub, it is very easy to add too much water

Good luck!

 

[TarantulaMan138]

So I got a .25 inch Brazilian red and white sling after doing some research so basically I know they scare easily and have pretty bad hairs that can come off (forgot how to spell the term) he’s in a small deli cup (with tiny holes) with some substrate and a bottle cap for water and I fed him a prekilled cricket (I don’t think he ate it yet) anyways if he’s not a good “beginner-Intermediate“ species why so?

ps- the petstore put a cotton ball in there and said SLINGS can drink from them not adults is that true?

I once got a small tarantula from PetSmart and they said that they can drink from wadded up dampened paper towels but they really can't suck from those I would recommend putting a small bottle cap or maybe a thimble full of water for a very small sling anything half inch or bigger can go and drink from a regular size bottle cap no problem until they get bigger and from what I understand that is a very good beginner species very docile and the term is erticating can feel like fiberglass on the skin or worse with different species.
This is my Brachypelma Hamorii/Smithi that is 1.5 inches to give you an idea of what they can drink from and this a power adequate bottle cap. Hope this helps.

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

@TarantulaMan138, I'd remove those rocks and raise that substrate to 1.5 times it's DLS to prevent fall injuries.

 

[ScorpionEvo687]

So I got a .25 inch Brazilian red and white sling after doing some research so basically I know they scare easily and have pretty bad hairs that can come off (forgot how to spell the term) he’s in a small deli cup (with tiny holes) with some substrate and a bottle cap for water and I fed him a prekilled cricket (I don’t think he ate it yet) anyways if he’s not a good “beginner-Intermediate“ species why so?

ps- the petstore put a cotton ball in there and said SLINGS can drink from them not adults is that true?

I think it's perfectly 100% fine as a beginner tarantula. I have heard they can be a little skittish/defensive for a NW terrestrial. Probably not as good of a beginner as a B. hamorii or G. pulchra (which unfortunately grow a lot slower) but it's certainly no OBT (which you also mentioned you own a sling of). GBB will probably be my first T, then if/when I get a 2nd T it'll probably be either an A. geniculata or N. chromatus. N. chromatus temperament doesn't sound too much worse than those other 2, and those other 2 are very commonly recommended hands-off beginner NW species.