NW verses OW

[AmberDawnDays]

I'm fairly new to the hobby. As some already may know, I got into this hobby Dec. 2016. I only have NW beginner and intermediate species. I haven't really felt the desire to add any OW species to my collection, but I am curious about what people see in them? What's all the fuss about?

I know some OWs are really pretty, but so are some NWs. I know OWs they have lots of attitude and that's probably pretty cool, but is that all? I'm just wondering, what exactly does everyone love about OW tarantulas?

I don't think I'm anywhere near ready for an OW, but I'm still a little curious.

 

[grayzone]

For me theyre just personal prefrence. The slender, sleek look of OW arboreals combined with the patterns, attitude, and individual mannerisms they tend to have really just draw me in way more than the bulky, cute, and hairy NW ts.

Dont get me wrong, i have sp of both i keep (or drool over,) but im predominantly OW for sure

 

[Venom1080]

***Having(!) a defensive spider is a great new experience. Their cage slapping and venom is just more thrilling than pet rocks.

 

[Tanner Dzula]

there are many things that make us want OW's. i cant speak for anybody else, but i can share why I personally wanted to take the plunge.

for me one of the biggest reasons was Rarity, sure there are some Common OW's(IE: OBT's)
but most of the OW's are pretty rare, especially here in the states, when compared to NW's.
NW's are cool, and can be very beautiful species, but for some reason I've always personally been Drawn to Some of the rarer asian and african species.

another big reason is urticating hairs. i love NW's and one of my most favored tarantula in my collection by FAR is my L. Parahybana. BUT one of the biggest turn offs for me is the hairs. it doesn't happen often, but getting hairs kicked by her is always something that quite literally ruins my day. even with Full Sized gloves and a Long Sleeve shirt, ETC its still unbearable getting haired, especially if any manage to get anywhere near your face/neck.
even when she is not specifically kicking her hairs, but even dealing with Removing Old Molts, or during rehousing, it always ends in me covered in hairs and being increbley irritated for days.

and while yes there are some NW's that done have urticating hairs(and yes i have many of them, like The Psalmo's and such) but not having any hairs was a Big motivation to work towards OW's for me.

another factor is growth rate. while there are still some slow growing OW's, there are MANY extremely slow growing NW's IE: grammastola species in particular.

Me and a buddy both picked up T's in the same week almost 2 years ago, he got a G. Pulchra and i got a P. Murinus, they were about the same size ~1", and we both feed our T's and such on almost identical schedules.

Currently he just gave me the G. Pulchra about 2 weeks ago, its maybe pushing 1.5"-2" currently, and thats FULLY stretched out.
meanwhile the OBT is now a Female Pushing almost 5" a maybe a molt away from being bred with My Soon to be mature Male.

obviously this is just one comparison but for the most part, all my OW's seem to grow much faster(with some exceptions of course) then most of my NW's.

i have a P. Sp panama that i got at last years Tuscon reptile show as a sling, its not going to be 1 year later, and he only just recently molted for the first time, where as the Chilobrachys i picked up at the same time, is going on its 4th molt.


the last big factor for me was just the look/appearance/colors of the OW's.
sure there are very pretty NW's and some with very vibrant colors, but the uniqueness of the OW's is what got me.
they may not always be as bright, but their patterns always seem just that much more complex.

even simple looking spiders like most baboons, are still beautiful with their FishBone patters or almost dalmatian like Spots.
or some of the unique patterns of Pokies and such.



plus, as a side note, one of the other many factors to play in is conservation.
A lot of the OW's are possibly not going to be around much longer in the wild, like P. Metallica's, T. Insignus and such, and because of this, the potential to be able to Own and help preserve, even if just a small amount, feels really redeeming in the end.

 

[miss moxie]

Well, for me, their colors and patterns can be really beautiful, things that you can't get in a NW tarantula. Like the different patterns and colors on a Poecilotheria. There is no tarantula similar to Poecilotheria in looks. Sure, a lot of pokies look pretty similar with subtle differences so as a genera it isn't the most diverse. But they're unique from other genera, for sure.

Some people like the spice of them. I have to admit, the threat posture and striking scared the heck of me the first few times. Then it was kind of fascinating and a rush to watch. I don't mean I provoke it but when it happens it's a kick in the pants in the -best- way.

The no hair kicking thing is a plus, and there is something about the baboon's body shape that makes them very unique from NWs. I love the shape of my two M. balfouri juveniles.

 

[Moakmeister]

Aside from wanting to have more than just what the New World has to offer, nothing about Old Worlds scream "hey get this" to me. At least not yet. I don't even think the OBT looks as cool as a lot of New Worlds. I like the B. albopilosum far more than the OBT. And if I want a huge hisser, I would get a Theraphosa, which also has the bonus of being the largest spider on earth.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

***Having(!) a defensive spider is a great new experience. Their cage slapping and venom is just more thrilling than pet rocks.

Well, my man... had a Phormictopus cancerides (0.1) in the past that I named Tonton Macoute so much she was defensive.

Still today I keep saying that venturing into certain NW's so called 'intermediate', moving out from the 'brachy/grammo/GBB' etc league, there's to remain impressed by certain speed and temperament of some Theraphosidae. Granted, the venom is not near the one of certain OW's.

With that said, everything is null in confront of our benign Mother, the Goddess 0.1 Pelinobius muticus PBUH (Peace Be Upon Her)

What's all the fuss about?

The "fuss" is the Goddess*

* 0.1 Pelinobius muticus PBUH (Peace Be Upon Her)

 

[Tanner Dzula]

Well, my man... had a Phormictopus cancerides (0.1) in the past that I named Tonton Macoute so much she was defensive.

Still today I keep saying that venturing into certain NW's so called 'intermediate', moving out from the 'brachy/grammo/GBB' etc league, there's to remain impressed by certain speed and temperament of some Theraphosidae. Granted, the venom is not near the one of certain OW's.

With that said, everything is null in confront of our benign Mother, the Goddess 0.1 Pelinobius muticus PBUH (Peace Be Upon Her)



The "fuss" is the Goddess*

* 0.1 Pelinobius muticus PBUH (Peace Be Upon Her)

i will admit, The goddess, P. Mutinous(before i knew she was the goddess) was one of the Few T's that really made me want to get into OW's.
So large and yet so elegant at times when they are out and about.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

i will admit, The goddess, P. Mutinous(before i knew she was the goddess) was one of the Few T's that really made me want to get into OW's.
So large and yet so elegant at times when they are out and about.

Ah ah "P. Mutinous" sounds lovely

Yes you can say that, man... it's incredible how much amazing features possess the Goddess*.

Once she also granted me the 'Extreme Wisdom' just posing her rear legs upon my head, where Dura Mater is located

* 0.1 Pelinobius muticus PBUH (Peace Be Upon Her)

 

[nicodimus22]

I'm just wondering, what exactly does everyone love about OW tarantulas?

Being perfectly honest, they're pretty much the exact opposite of what I want in a tarantula. And that's a cool aspect of this hobby...your interest and participation in it can be as narrow or broad as you choose, and there are tons of different species to choose from.

 

[AmberDawnDays]

Being perfectly honest, they're pretty much the exact opposite of what I want in a tarantula. And that's a cool aspect of this hobby...your interest and participation in it can be as narrow or broad as you choose, and there are tons of different species to choose from.

Very true. I still have quite the list of NW species that I want. I just haven't found the need to venture into OW species yet.

Aside from wanting to have more than just what the New World has to offer, nothing about Old Worlds scream "hey get this" to me. At least not yet.

Same

 

[AmberDawnDays]

***Having(!) a defensive spider is a great new experience. Their cage slapping and venom is just more thrilling than pet rocks.

It sounds interesting for sure. I love it when my A. Geniculata attacks the water as I refill her dish. He also gave me several threat poses when I rehoused him. That was quite amusing.

I just have this fear in me that I wouldn't be able to handle the speed of an OW and pairing that with potent venom makes me stay away from OW species for now. I know I'm not ready for one, but I'm still slightly interested.

 

[efmp1987]

Some people are adrenaline junkies. They are drawn to Pterinichilus murderous. Albos and Albis; Brachy's n' Grammy's sound like kind grandmothers who would give you cookies and shower you with tackle hugs of fluffiness. Definitely not for the not faint of heart.




Credit to whoever took this pic of this Grammy.

 

[AmberDawnDays]

The "fuss" is the Goddess*

* 0.1 Pelinobius muticus PBUH (Peace Be Upon Her)

I need to look up this species for sure.

 

[efmp1987]

I need to look up this species for sure.

They get huuuge. And their attitude huger still. I do not dream of one ROFL. @Chris LXXIX what have you done!?

 

[Chris LXXIX]

I need to look up this species for sure.

Yes, you should. Everyone should. Everyone should join and worship our benign Mother.

We are devoted people struggling frantically 24/7 for 'remove heresy' with the help of the Goddess* and, by Jove, we wouldn't give rest to our souls until heresy will be defeated!

* 0.1 Pelinobius muticus PBUH (Peace Be Upon Her)

 

[miss moxie]

Speaking of how large they get, what is the "biggest" OW?

 

[Chris LXXIX]

I do not dream of one ROFL.

Heretic!

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Speaking of how large they get, what is the "biggest" OW?

I'd say certain 0.1 (genus) Hysterocrates are indeed giants. The Goddess* as well. Bulky and big.

Certain 0.1 'pokies' are on the somewhat 'big' side nonetheless, but not like those.

* 0.1 Pelinobius muticus PBUH (Peace Be Upon Her)

 

[Venom1080]

It sounds interesting for sure. I love it when my A. Geniculata attacks the water as I refill her dish. He also gave me several threat poses when I rehoused him. That was quite amusing.

I just have this fear in me that I wouldn't be able to handle the speed of an OW and pairing that with potent venom makes me stay away from OW species for now. I know I'm not ready for one, but I'm still slightly interested.

Just get a Psalmopoeus already. That's a great entry, or Phormictopus.