Mystery Tarantula

[Godzilla2000]

At the request of my local Petshop, I have decided to float these pictures around of their Mystery spider just to see what my fellow Tarantula Enthusiasts might think it will be. My personal opinion is that this is a Red Phase Chilean Rosehair but I could be mistaken. Either way I will buy this little sucker from them. They just need to price it which means they need to know what it is.

 

[TheDon]

Looks like a rosie to me. But could be wrong.

peace

TheDon

 

[Static_69]

Originally posted by TheDon
Looks like a rosie to me. But could be wrong.

peace

TheDon

yup.

 

[Godzilla2000]

Here's another one.

 

[TheWidowsPeak]

id say rosie as well

 

[Godzilla2000]

Originally posted by TheDon
Looks like a rosie to me. But could be wrong.

peace

TheDon

I thought it was a Rosie. But the big and more important question is whether she's a Red Phase. If so I am buying her.

 

[TheDon]

Ya it could be a red phase its definately more reddish than mine

http://galileo.spaceports.com/~tarantul/rose.htm

peace

TheDon

 

[Damnathius]

I've seen a few red phase Rosies in my LPS, and the hair was distinctly red against a slightly darker than normal body color that left no doubt that they were not normal G. rosea.

I could be wrong... Maybe they were something else?

 

[Mojo Jojo]

Looks like a plain 'ol rosie to me. I don't think that it is a redphase. When you see a red phase, I don't think that you will have to ask if it is a red phase or not. You will know.

Jon

 

[arachnopunks]

yeah I'd say rosie. Is it gravid? maybe it's the angle on the picture. Alot of times pet store have wild caught G. roseas and they can be gravid and on occasion have a parasite. This is rare but can happen. You should buy it if for no other reason to get it off that bark.

 

[WYSIWYG]

It looks like a red phase rosy to me.

Wysi

 

[Professor T]

This does look like what many call the red phase of the Chilean Rose Hair. I wonder how many T's that are identified as red phase G. rosea are actually a different species?

I'll be the skeptic and contrarian and go out on a limb and say the "red phase" T's that don't act like typical G. rosea are a different species commonly misidentified.

I guess subspecies could behave differently, but I have my doubts in the case of the Rose Hair "red phase". In my experience, the "red phase" is less tolerant of cooler temperatures than the "pink/brown phase".

The reports of more aggressive "red phase" Rose Hairs also has me question conventional wisdom.

Anyone else have their doubts? :?

Different Color Phase Rose Hairs

 

[Buspirone]

I say its a red phase rosie. With mine you definitely get a different color depending on the light and which direction it is coming from. Then you have the flash from the camera that will make it look different in pictures. Depending on those factors the setae will look whiteish grey or brownish red but then add more light from another direction and the same setae appear to look red.

 

[Joanie]

My brother has a red phase rosehair that's just a bit brighter than the one in the pics....though pics aren't always accurate, like Buspirone said.

I think that pet store has a red phase rosehair, myself.

Joanie

 

[dennis]

I thought G. rosea too at first, but the carapace looks different ...


Dennis

 

[schlinkey]

I'd say a regular rosea.. I got a red phase one, and she's quite the more fire-red than that one

 

[Godzilla2000]

Well.....I've seen the specimen up close. She looks to be around 2.5 - 3 inches long. Her opisthosoma is starting to get quite dark though so I believe she's ready to molt soon. Needless to say, Red Phase or not I will purchase her from the people at the petshop just in case she might molt and have a fiery red color after molting.

 

[Immortal_sin]

here is a good comparison, the male is the red phase, and the female is plain ole brown...you can really see the difference when you see them both!

 

[Godzilla2000]

Well....comparing these two pictures, I'd say the Mystery T is a Red Phase. And I did tell the owner I am buying her tomorrow.

 

[Steve Nunn]

This spider is definately a Paraphysa sp., probably P.manicata or P.scrofa. IT ISN'T A G. ROSEA!

Cheers,
Steve