pulchra are much smaller...like 6"...pulchripes a little smaller, but right in the neighborhood at 7".
I've heard repeatedly that AF G. pulchra can push 7 inches - just misinformation then?
Likewise, many told me that female pulchra can reach 7" albeit their growth is slow
exaggerrations or over-estimations...they can be bulky.
Considering there is nothing of such name, I am gonna bet it is just seriously misspelled D. diadema
My bad! I realized that like yesterday reading the wiki page but was too lazy to edit it lolConsidering there is nothing of such name, I am gonna bet it is just seriously misspelled D. diadema
just always be wary and you'll do wonderful!
Yeah before I hold a T or a scorp I tap them gently with the tweezers to move them to the side wall of the enclosure and then move them to my hand. I know they hunt by sensing vibrations mostly lol which is why I don't want then to think my fingers are goodThat's a solid line up for stater inverts! Absolutely wondrous creatures! One piece of advice though, many NW terrestrials aren't inherently defensive, but most of them have wicked feeding responses. Especially species from the genus Lasiodora, Nhandu, Phormictopus, Theraphosa and the likes.
So beware that your LP will probably try to eat and rush at anything that moves in your enclosure
About D. diadema, they seem easy enough and regarding the enclosure size I think a 10 gallon tank should be plenty? Only thing that's a bit difficult about them is their speed but they really aren't that skittish from what I've seen. They also look creepy to most ppl but I'm not arachnophobic so I don't care, I actually think they look cool.You may want to post about the D.diadema in the other arthroverts section, there is more knowledge about them over there with some seriously experienced people (no offense @cold blood
I've briefly looked at the basics because I was interested in getting a 'whipspider' but this species can be a bit tricky to keep for new keepers. They also need a LOT of space because of their antennae being so long/wide.
The vinegaroon is cool, I'd like to have one too but they're a bit pricey here and I'm saving up for a H.nasicus
L.parahybana can be fun, but when you want size AND good looks I'd go for A.geniculata. Get just as big, are murderous food disposals and grow really fast. The urticating hairs are roughly the same though. How much you're affected by them increases over time but some people never develop a reaction. Then there is me. I'm now seriously allergic to most NW urticating hairs in such a way I don't have much NW species anymore
Rash and blisters and having cold-like symptoms when one of those hairs get in my nose... It was just too much unfortunately.
I'd also seriously reconsider handling them, especially the bulky NW species you're interested in. If you drop them, or they decide they have had enough and make a run for it, it doesn't take much height for them to actually die. Their abdomen is basically a balloon made of skin, filled with fluids and organs which can rupture very easily. Ruptures rarely end well.
misinformation....i thought the same...then i got one (and now a bunch)....theyre quite easy to care for.lood
I've briefly looked at the basics because I was interested in getting a 'whipspider' but this species can be a bit tricky to keep for new keepers. They
Adult female sizes are very often exaggerated... sometimes greatly. Although I have met a large Lasiodora parahybana, they do not commonly get anywhere close to what people claim they do. Same with Grammostola pulchra and pulchripes. The possible maximum that they could get to, and what they actually do get to the vast majority of the time, could be far different. And while I have met Lasiodora parahybana who are very tolerant and laid back - that is not guaranteed at all for that species. The others are far more likely to be on the more tolerant end of the spectrum. I hope you aren't buying that LP in the hopes that you can handle them, because there is a very good chance that you will be very disappointed.
I think that they might have been easier for you, since you have tarantula experience, but it was unanimous with everyone I spoke to that they would not consider Damon species to be a good beginner for someone who has never had them. Yes, I was told that I probably would do okay with them, having the tarantula experience that I do, but nobody would recommend them for beginners.
Huh, when it came to them I was given them, so I kind of blindly felt my way through their care. I'm surprised they don't consider them good for beginners....I think their size and growth makes them good, I have some little florida whips that seem hardy, but are really picky eaters and seem to grow slower, although they wont ever get all that big at all.
I have heard that moulting issues are far more common with them - despite people giving them ample room. I know experienced tarantula people who have sworn off Amblypygi completely due to their experiences with Damon medius and Damon diadema specifically. They said that they were always losing limbs and dying during moulting.
I had two (sold them both), one was flighty and liked to kick hairs for fun, the other was a grumpy cow.
They don't reach the 10" leg spans claimed, the vast majority don't get over 8".
What a great photo
I called and cancelled the LP, A. geniculata is a little bit pricier but it does seem to be a much safer pet to have and that makes all the difference for me. I'm pretty sure it's obvious at this point that I'm not afraid of arachnids, but I still want as small issues as possible.
A.geniculata are not 'safer' than L.parahybana... They have the same disposition only A.geniculata are less cranky, usually. But you really want to keep your fingers away from an A.geniculata because everything that moves in their vicinity means food to them, be it a waterdrop, cricket or your finger. Definitely do not handle your A.geniculata if you like your fingers