Need some help (warning, it's a little vague lol)

[SuzukiSwift]

Hey everyone!

There's a T in a store here I'd like to get, however they only know its name in Chinese and don't know the english
for it. It's smallish at the moment, maybe 3 inch leg span, black but not jet black, and quite hairy. It was on a wet
looking substrate. Normally I'd just take a pic and put it here but they don't allow me to take pictures, which is pretty
lame. Can anyone help me out? I know it's extremely vague, but if you guys could just chuck out some names that
fit I can look them up and see if it's the one. I think they're still young, so they could look different as they go through
a few moults

Thanks so much!

 

[SamuraiSid]

Thats not much to go on, aha.

Was the colouration the same all over the exoskeleton?

 

[Aviara]

Can they give you the region the species is native to, at least? There really isn't any info in that post that lends itself to an ID. There are far too many dark, hairy spiders in the taratula world! Could you maybe explain to them that you only want to take a picture in order to identify the species before you purchase it?

 

[SuzukiSwift]

Haha yes I realise how vague it is! They said I could take a picture, however the T is in a small murky plastic
container (it's China, they don't treat living things well, it's really sad to see) and they won't allow me to take the
lid off for a clear shot, I tried taking one through but it just doesn't work. I think I'll try again, but I'll just open it
first and apologise later =D

As for the markings, it had some white on top and it had utricating hairs, so I'm pretty sure it's new world. The only
two species they have in the store are this one and Chilean Roses if that helps?

 

[grayzone]

Sadly, there is absolutely NO WAY somebody will be able to ID the tarantula without at LEAST a pic. Even then, unless its something ultra common, you could get mixed opinions on a t. You MAY be able to at least get it narrowed down at best.

If you DO go back, tell them youre taking pics OR NO DEAL.. if they want your money bad enough, whats wrong with that? If they wont play by YOUR rules (to an extent) they arent a good store to buy from IMO.

---------- Post added 08-12-2012 at 08:09 AM ----------

Also, remember that depending on what developmental stage the t is at, it could be hard as well.
No ID can be 100% accurate with just a photo (again , unless SUPER COMMON) If i were you, id just go back, take its lid off and decide if you like the look of it or not, and haggle with the worker. Tell them its unID.. tell them if its being housed wrong (even if its NOT.. if they dont know what theyre selling BOTH PARTIES can play dirty:biggrin and that its over priced.
You COULD get a better deal

Anyway, if you DO like it bring it home anyways and take LOTS of pics. Post them. Get the t narrowed down at least, so that way you can get proper care narrowed down as well. Post more pics in time as it gets older until you DO/CAN get a solid ID

 

[Sharno]

Write the name phonetically in English and have them write it in Chinese characters and scan into an image file. I bet if no one here can help then one of the forums in Europe can.

 

[SuzukiSwift]

Unfortunately there's no reasoning with them, there are no pet stores here, these tarantulas are being sold to be eaten, no one cares whether
I buy one or not. I feel so sorry for them! (the Ts)
However I figured out what species it is with a little hunting! They're pink-toed tarantulas (saying they had pink feet would've been a big hint in my description, but I forgot to include it lol) Sorry to annoy you guys! Thanks so much!

Any hints for taking care of them? I've found out they need good ventilation and humidity around 80% and they're aboreal. But what's this about them
being able to be housed together? I'm pretty skeptical of that, I reckon they'd attack each other eventually

 

[grayzone]

AAH.. maybe THATS what was throwing you off.. As far as i know there is no all black avic. Looking at them through a barely visible container COULD be the reason you couldnt id it sooner though.

Also, from what i understand, avic communals do NOT go over well..

 

[SuzukiSwift]

Haha I didn't think so no! They look like amazing Ts, awesome colour contrasts, docile, and they're aboreal and I don't own any aboreal T's yet! However they seem a little difficult to take care of, very strict humidity level and the tank has to be cleaned regularly. I don't suppose you own any of this species, what is it like caring for them?

 

[Nikki1984]

In my experience: their care is not very different/difficult at all, supply them with an arboreal set up, water dish and moisten the soil weekly (some keepers keep them drier than this as well). If they are wild caught Avics you can fasten a water dish higher up in the enclosure or sprinkle some water on a wall of their enclosure to make sure they are drinking. ... If that is what the T is. I say get it regardless.

 

[grayzone]

that is about it.. ive owned quite a few avic slings. Some die, but most make it.. All were housed the same way. If you unsure of it, id recommend buying one that is 2-3+" already and go from there.. slings tend to seem a bit more fragile (but nothing unmanageable)
The whole humidity needs to be precise thing is crap too IMHO.. i take care of them the same as most other slings i own (even terrestrials that like it dry).. as slings the vast majority of water requirements come from food intake and humid/dampened sub.

Proper ventilation seems to be an issue too.. If you DO get one, just ask questions while constructing its enclosure/deli/vial whatever.. People will help

 

[Storm76]

AAH.. maybe THATS what was throwing you off.. As far as i know there is no all black avic. Looking at them through a barely visible container COULD be the reason you couldnt id it sooner though.

Also, from what i understand, avic communals do NOT go over well..

In the wrong light - A. purpurea look nearly completely black with the exception of the purple carapace...just as a hint regarding Avics...

Haha I didn't think so no! They look like amazing Ts, awesome colour contrasts, docile, and they're aboreal and I don't own any aboreal T's yet! However they seem a little difficult to take care of, very strict humidity level and the tank has to be cleaned regularly. I don't suppose you own any of this species, what is it like caring for them?

Avics are probably the most famous beginner arboreals out there really. They are made more fragile than they are, too.

a) Slings up to 2,5" can be kept nicely with moist substrate and maybe putting a few droplets of water into their webbing once a week.
b) Depending on the enclosure, you can keep bigger ones with dry substrate and just an approximately sized waterdish for humidity and as fresh water supply with the once a week a few droplets of water in their webbing if you want to
c) Ventilation is a must - too much moisture + bad ventilation makes for a dead avic often (they often start growing fungus in their booklungs and die off by that in that case) - so cross-ventilation is the way to go.

They aren't that hard to keep, they are hard to distinguish, though. Avicularia is THE most messed up genus in existence and is still not revised. It's hard to identify most of them (with a few exceptions) but they're mostly docile, slightly skittish and very nice looking. Plus, not the bigges arboreals with 4-5" normally. Some species get up to 6" but that's already an exception for Avics...

Also, BrettG is a good address to turn to on the boards here if you have more specific questions regarding that genus

Enjoy that T - they're quite awesome in my opinion and very much worth keeping them.

 

[SuzukiSwift]

Thanks so much everybody! Im gona go get him/her tomorrow! =D