Need help with my new S. Calceatum

[b133d4u]

Background first, I suppose. I recently went to Repticon over the weekend and stopped by a pretty reliable seller to see if I could find a tarantula for a desktop terrarium I had been building. I showed them pictures of the tank and told them some specifics about the setup, and they recommended me that T.

So now my questions: I'd informed them I had never owned a spider before, but after looking around some forum posts here I'd found out that this one is definitely NOT one I'd want to start with. Unfortunately we're stuck with each other, so now I'm worried about making sure her setup is good. I've been told the setup needs to be far drier, which is upsetting since, you know, the seller told me it would be perfect for her, but I can take some steps to start drying it out ASAP. The substrate is great for burrowing, though, which I was told would be needed. I also use a UV growth lamp to help the plants, but I know scorpions shouldn't receive a lot of that light (thankfully I actually know what I'm doing with those), so I'm curious about the effect on my T. Really, any other suggestions would be great. It's an 8x8x12, as well, which I've seen is a good size for most T's, but I'm still not really sure about this one.

I know I shouldn't have bought her without being absolutely sure on my end, so I definitely screwed up and take responsibility for it, but here's hoping I have enough time to fix it for her.

 

[Demonclaws]

You would at least need a cork bark tube as a hide in there to begin with. Most Ts avoid light, tbh at the current state of enclosure, it is not suitable for any T.

I would suggest you sell the T asap, in the mean time look up beginner aboreal species and enclosures and adjust the enclosure accordingly. Or just keep the enclosure as it is, and don't put anything in it.

 

[b133d4u]

You would at least need a cork bark tube as a hide in there to begin with. Most Ts avoid light, tbh at the current state of enclosure, it is not suitable for any T.

I would suggest you sell the T asap, in the mean time look up beginner aboreal species and enclosures and adjust the enclosure accordingly. Or just keep the enclosure as it is, and don't put anything in it.

I appreciate the quick response. After looking around, I'm definitely considering selling her to someone more capable, though I'm not sure how I would go about that. Also, should I try and edge her back into her old enclosure for now so she doesn't get sick or anything? I'm worried about her bolting out if I try, but it's gonna be a necessity at some point; just don't know if I should just hold the thing up to the ground and tap her with tweezers or put the whole tank in a tub and chase her out or something. The latter sounds overly stressful, though.

 

[Pauli]

Also, should I try and edge her back into her old enclosure for now so she doesn't get sick or anything? I'm worried about her bolting out if I try, but it's gonna be a necessity at some point; just don't know if I should just hold the thing up to the ground and tap her with tweezers or put the whole tank in a tub and chase her out or something. The latter sounds overly stressful, though.

I don't have any experience with the species, so I won't comment on the rehousing now or later debate, but you ABSOLUTELY want to spend some time learning how to rehouse before you attempt it. Search the threads for rehousing advice and watch some youtube from reputable posters (Tom Moran is pretty much the standard). I'd also watch some "rehousing gone wrong" videos to give you an idea of what NOT to do and help you develop your plans B, C, and D in case things go sideways. And absolutely do it in your bathtub with the drain firmly plugged and the bathroom door shut with a towel blocking the crack under the door.

Personally, I wear leather gloves and use a skinny shish-kabob skewer as a prod when I rehouse the Ts I have no business owning; the idea that my prod is too skinny for a decently sized tarantula to scale and that my hands have some decent protection helps me stay calm when the unexpected happens. Even though neither of those things is even remotely true.

 

[b133d4u]

I don't have any experience with the species, so I won't comment on the rehousing now or later debate, but you ABSOLUTELY want to spend some time learning how to rehouse before you attempt it. Search the threads for rehousing advice and watch some youtube from reputable posters (Tom Moran is pretty much the standard). I'd also watch some "rehousing gone wrong" videos to give you an idea of what NOT to do and help you develop your plans B, C, and D in case things go sideways. And absolutely do it in your bathtub with the drain firmly plugged and the bathroom door shut with a towel blocking the crack under the door.

Personally, I wear leather gloves and use a skinny shish-kabob skewer as a prod when I rehouse the Ts I have no business owning; the idea that my prod is too skinny for a decently sized tarantula to scale and that my hands have some decent protection helps me stay calm when the unexpected happens. Even though neither of those things is even remotely true.

I managed to inch her back into her original enclosure without any issues. She's been remarkably calm since I bought her, which is a shame since she's so far beyond my experience. I appreciate the advice, and I'll definitely look into more of Tom's videos! Now I just gotta find a place that I can sell her, or, worst case scenario, offer her up to my local exotic sanctuary.

 

[FrDoc]

I put a like on your post about selling it ASAP. I would also suggest that seller is much less than “reliable”. If they had spoken with you for two minutes, and knew what they were doing, they would not have sold you that animal. I keep S. calceatum and believe they are one of the most outstanding tarantulas to keep for those who are ready. I don’t even jump on the bandwagon about newer keepers having them if that newer keeper has done their research, and is even theoretically prepared, as that spider is not from the depths of Gehenna but is definitely not one with which to trifle. I do not mean this in anyway pejoratively, but the picture of that enclosure is all wrong. I will not even begin to remark about corrections to be made because I would not in any way appear to be facilitating you keeping a spider that you are by your own admission unprepared to keep, nor did you even look to obtain it. Please, just sell the T, learn a lesson about dealers, and snag an A. avicularia or a C. versi. During the first rehouse, one of them running up your arm is funny, not so with an S. cal.

 

[b133d4u]

I put a like on your post about selling it ASAP. I would also suggest that seller is much less than “reliable”. If they had spoken with you for two minutes, and knew what they were doing, they would not have sold you that animal. I keep S. calceatum and believe they are one of the most outstanding tarantulas to keep for those who are ready. I don’t even jump on the bandwagon about newer keepers having them if that newer keeper has done their research, and is even theoretically prepared, as that spider is not from the depths of Gehenna but is definitely not one with which to trifle. I do not mean this in anyway pejoratively, but the picture of that enclosure is all wrong. I will not even begin to remark about corrections to be made because I would not in any way appear to be facilitating you keeping a spider that you are by your own admission unprepared to keep, nor did you even look to obtain it. Please, just sell the T, learn a lesson about dealers, and snag an A. avicularia or a C. versi. During the first rehouse, one of them running up your arm is funny, not so with an S. cal.

I appreciate the honesty. I was actually looking at some avicularia at the con, but we all see how that went haha But I will definitely be selling the poor girl. Hopefully I can find someone local-ish so I'm not shipping her out in the dead of winter.

 

[FrDoc]

Unfortunately, I will also bear this news. They are dirt cheap, and very common. Additionally, their reputation also keeps many folks from desiring to keep them. I’m going to PM you with a thought.

 

[Liquifin]

S. calcaetum are very annoying to deal with, much worse than my H. maculata. We live in the same state, but I already have 4 of them. I gotten 3 for very cheap and one was given to me for free, so I'll pass from this one, no hard feelings. If it's female, it'll sell at some point so there's no need to worry about being stuck with her for a long time. Although people look down on this species, there are some people who seek these types of OW T.'s.

 

[SonsofArachne]

Yeah, the idea of putting a S. calceatum in enclosure where the whole front opens is a nightmare waiting to happen. And the dealer who sold it to you either had no idea what he was doing (unlikely), or just cared about making a quick buck, which makes them a jerk.

 

[b133d4u]

Yeah, the idea of putting a S. calceatum in enclosure where the whole front opens is a nightmare waiting to happen. And the dealer who sold it to you either had no idea what he was doing (unlikely), or just cared about making a quick buck, which makes them a jerk.

Yeah, I'd bought scorpions from them before, and had little issues, but I also dealt with a different employee all those times. The one I bought the T from seemed to be in a senior position, but they were really pushing it on me, even as I was looking at some juvenile ornamentals. They kept saying stuff like "Those won't be able to go in that tank, but this one is perfect!" and "You pay for size, but with this one you won't have to worry about anything going wrong!" I'm definitely gonna avoid that particular representative, if not the store entirely, especially since that employee has also given me some questionable advice regarding an O. glabifrons.

 

[Vanessa]

Selling a Stromatopelma to a brand new person is absolutely NOT a reliable, or ethical, thing for a dealer to do. It is downright irresponsible and idiotic.
I am another one voting on you selling it asap.

 

[Arachnophoric]

Just goes to show that you need to exercise caution as a newer keeper going to an expo - while there are definitely good dealers that wouldn't dare steer you wrong, there are just as many bad ones who'll peddle terrible advice and tell you just about anything in the name of making a sale. I'll bet the reason they were pushing her so hard on you is that they can be a bit difficult to get rid of and you didn't know any better when they were convincing you to buy her. Sorry you got such a rough start, that enclosure as-is definitely isn't appropriate for any tarantula. Are those real plants in there? If you are wanting to get an Avicularia, you'll need to do a fair bit of revamping. Here's a couple helpful threads on Avicularia (and by extension, Caribena and Ybyrapora) care.

Additionally, their reputation also keeps many folks from desiring to keep them.

I find this fact incredibly unfortunate, as I wholly agree that they're fantastic spiders for those who're ready, and H. maculata who is probably on par with them gets so much more attention. Not to knock the H. mac at all, but S. cals deserve a little more love too.

Yeah, the idea of putting a S. calceatum in enclosure where the whole front opens is a nightmare waiting to happen.

I have my 6" AF housed in a front-opening 12x12x18 ZooMed for a year and a half and have had zero issues or "nightmare" scenarios - the important factor being that she has taken up residence in a large secure woodround that she spends a vast majority of her time in. My immature male is much more of a flight risk, because he's in a top opening enclosure with a cork slab and thus much more panicky. While my female just hunkers down in her tube when it's too bright in the room or she gets disturbed, the male will frantically run all directions, including up towards the opening of his enclosure, if he can't find a dark spot to hide in.

 

[b133d4u]

...that enclosure as-is definitely isn't appropriate for any tarantula. Are those real plants in there?

Yeah, it's a bioactive setup I've been cultivating for awhile. It's pretty upsetting that no T would be comfortable in it, but I guess that'd be my fault for not looking into it ahead of time. I'd tried looking into possible critters and about the only things I could find that would be alright in such a small tank were arboreal T's and mantids, but tropical mantids are illegal around here so I guess it's a bust. I appreciate the threads, though! I'll definitely give them a look and see if there's anything I can work through!

 

[Arachnophoric]

Yeah, it's a bioactive setup I've been cultivating for awhile. It's pretty upsetting that no T would be comfortable in it, but I guess that'd be my fault for not looking into it ahead of time. I'd tried looking into possible critters and about the only things I could find that would be alright in such a small tank were arboreal T's and mantids, but tropical mantids are illegal around here so I guess it's a bust. I appreciate the threads, though! I'll definitely give them a look and see if there's anything I can work through!

You absolutely could do a bioactive setup, but they're a fair bit trickier to maintain safely for a tarantula and as a newer keeper I'd suggest getting T care in general down before attempting to go bioactive. That particular setup you looks far too wet without enough cross-ventilation. Tom Moran on youtube does some bioactives you could look at to get some ideas for the future.

 

[b133d4u]

You absolutely could do a bioactive setup, but they're a fair bit trickier to maintain safely for a tarantula and as a newer keeper I'd suggest getting T care in general down before attempting to go bioactive. That particular setup you looks far too wet without enough cross-ventilation. Tom Moran on youtube does some bioactives you could look at to get some ideas for the future.

I'll definitely look into that, thank you!

 

[SonsofArachne]

I have my 6" AF housed in a front-opening 12x12x18 ZooMed for a year and a half and have had zero issues or "nightmare" scenarios

I was actually thinking more for a new keeper, I should have been more clear. While I keep my S. calceatum in a top opener, I do have several pokies in front opening enclosures and I wouldn't recommend that for a newbie either.

 

[Arachnophoric]

I was actually thinking more for a new keeper, I should have been more clear. While I keep my S. calceatum in a top opener, I do have several pokies in front opening enclosures and I wouldn't recommend that for a newbie either.

Ah, I was wondering if that was the distinction you meant. In that case yes, I can agree with that. A newer keeping might be more likely to end up with a face full of T that way.

 

[Vanessa]

Just goes to show that you need to exercise caution as a newer keeper going to an expo - while there are definitely good dealers that wouldn't dare steer you wrong, there are just as many bad ones who'll peddle terrible advice and tell you just about anything in the name of making a sale.

Yes, I agree. However, if you have done your homework, really done your homework, then they would never be able to get away with it. Not only would you have come across this species, and their reputation, in your research, but you would also know exactly where to search on your smartphone while you're standing at the booth. I mean, even the mention of Africa should make a brand new person refuse immediately.
They can only get away with selling them to brand new people if brand new people know nothing about them.

 

[Olan]

Yeah, it's a bioactive setup I've been cultivating for awhile. It's pretty upsetting that no T would be comfortable in it, but I guess that'd be my fault for not looking into it ahead of time. I'd tried looking into possible critters and about the only things I could find that would be alright in such a small tank were arboreal T's and mantids, but tropical mantids are illegal around here so I guess it's a bust. I appreciate the threads, though! I'll definitely give them a look and see if there's anything I can work through!

What about Amblypygi? I think they like high humidity and vertical space. Just put a cork slab for them to hide behind during the daylight hours.