OBT, Honduran Curly Hairs, and a Salmon Pink Bird Eater!

[CitizenNumber9]

Ok everyone I'm a newbie to the tarantula hobby and have already failed at keeping an A. Avic so I definitely wanna get some more advice this time! I'm soon to be ordering some OBT's, some Honduran Curly Hairs, and an LP.

Other than the basic terrestrial setup, is there anything special I should include when getting ready for the LP and the Curly Hairs? Also, I've heard that OBT's are pretty hard to kill and are simply GORGEOUS.....but I've also heard that they can be kept as aboreals OR terrestrials. Is this true? If so, is one more preferable to the spider?

Edit** Btw they are all only about an inch in size, not adults.

 

[Curious jay]

I'd say to avoid the OBT for now, although harder and very nice to look at they're also extremely fast, generally highly defensive and have medically significant venom.

Gain some experience first hand with the LP and B. albopilosum first then do research, more research until you feel comfortable with what you're getting into, maybe even purchase one of the Psalmopoeus genus before jumping to OW.

As for the other two, no special care needed just a regular terrestrial setup.

 

[CitizenNumber9]

I'd say to avoid the OBT for now, although harder and very nice to look at they're also extremely fast, generally highly defensive and have medically significant venom.

Gain some experience first hand with the LP and B. albopilosum first then do research, more research until you feel comfortable with what you're getting into, maybe even purchase one of the Psalmopoeus genus before jumping to OW.

As for the other two, no special care needed just a regular terrestrial setup.

Would you still recommend leaving the OBT even though I don't plan on handling it?

 

[Poec54]

Would you still recommend leaving the OBT even though I don't plan on handling it?

No. It's an advanced species. I refer to them as 'Orange Fury.' You're not ready for one yet, you don't want a bite or an escape. Albopilosum and parahybana are good choices. You really should get a pulchripes.

 

[Keith B]

Would you still recommend leaving the OBT even though I don't plan on handling it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eeWGtHs-J8

Here's a video of one suddenly zipping out of sight.. whoa speedy! Speaking of speedy, you slow down too lol.. we were just talking about you POSSIBLY getting an LP.. and now you want an OBT . Not handling it won't matter when it comes out and tags you in an instant when you make a wrong move.. I have twelve T's due to limited space, and I MYSELF haven't even had an OBT yet! Have a little patience.. A Curly Hair is actually one of the ideal tarantulas to get your feet wet with. Only one that's a beginner species. Like Jay said, if you want to experiment with a fast arboreal with a little attitude, Psalmopoeus would be a safer choice, and IMO P. irminia's colors are more striking than OBT anyway.. matter of opinion though. Psalmopoeus I wouldn't recommend yet though. Just don't want you moving too quickly and losing another T. Going from killing an Avicularia in a week, to keeping several T's at the same time is a big jump in responsibility, don't you think? From the sounds of it, you're shopping so hastily, you don't even know what's out there yet. You might stumble on another species that you're attracted to in the next 2 hours and want one of those too. Just calm down, and shop smart. Unless you're 85 years old or something, you'll have plenty of time to keep beginner, intermediate, and advanced T's. And keep them all in order, not just gobble them all up on a whim. Thanks to patience, reading, and research, I haven't killed anything yet. My fifth T since I got back into keeping, was my first Avic. She was .5" with 7 legs when I got her, and she's behind me right now coming out of her sixth molt with all her appendages. I absorbed the successes and failures of others, and compiled it into a reliable care regimen. You want to be successful, not just wing it, and risk the T or yourself in the process. I know they're awesome, believe me I do, and I want hundreds.. but they also deserve everything we have to offer if we're to keep them in captivity.

 

[buddah4207]

I have been keeping taranrula for almost a year and I have almost 30 T's all of them new world. Most of them are basic terrestrial tarantulas (lasiodora, grammastola, brachypelma), I just recently picked up my first GBB and plan on moving on from there

 

[CitizenNumber9]

No. It's an advanced species. I refer to them as 'Orange Fury.' You're not ready for one yet, you don't want a bite or an escape. Albopilosum and parahybana are good choices. You really should get a pulchripes.

Again, pulchripes is the Chaco Gold Knee? I'm still learning the scientific names I'll cancel the order for the OBT's then, I just thought they were very pretty, though I couldn't handle them. (Not to mention there was a special for them

 

[Hydrazine]

You could get a Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens instead of OBT, if you desire something between a terrestrial and an arboreal. Very rewarding to watch growing - the colour transformations are AMAZING, great webber, but tends to hang out outside (at least mine does), not exactly slow but manageable, prefers to retreat into its lair instead of being defensive.

Grows at decent speed, got mine in February at cca 2 cm DLS and (presumably) he tripled his legspan since then.

Oh, and before Poec54 swoops down on me, the handling was accidental Indy didn't want to go to the new home, but chose to explore in a different direction when being coaxed out of his tiny vial I bought him in.

This one is after rehousing, so no webbing done yet

 

[CitizenNumber9]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eeWGtHs-J8

Here's a video of one suddenly zipping out of sight.. whoa speedy! Speaking of speedy, you slow down too lol.. we were just talking about you POSSIBLY getting an LP.. and now you want an OBT . Not handling it won't matter when it comes out and tags you in an instant when you make a wrong move.. I have twelve T's due to limited space, and I MYSELF haven't even had an OBT yet! Have a little patience.. A Curly Hair is actually one of the ideal tarantulas to get your feet wet with. Only one that's a beginner species. Like Jay said, if you want to experiment with a fast arboreal with a little attitude, Psalmopoeus would be a safer choice, and IMO P. irminia's colors are more striking than OBT anyway.. matter of opinion though. Psalmopoeus I wouldn't recommend yet though. Just don't want you moving too quickly and losing another T. Going from killing an Avicularia in a week, to keeping several T's at the same time is a big jump in responsibility, don't you think? From the sounds of it, you're shopping so hastily, you don't even know what's out there yet. You might stumble on another species that you're attracted to in the next 2 hours and want one of those too. Just calm down, and shop smart. Unless you're 85 years old or something, you'll have plenty of time to keep beginner, intermediate, and advanced T's. And keep them all in order, not just gobble them all up on a whim. Thanks to patience, reading, and research, I haven't killed anything yet. My fifth T since I got back into keeping, was my first Avic. She was .5" with 7 legs when I got her, and she's behind me right now coming out of her sixth molt with all her appendages. I absorbed the successes and failures of others, and compiled it into a reliable care regimen. You want to be successful, not just wing it, and risk the T or yourself in the process. I know they're awesome, believe me I do, and I want hundreds.. but they also deserve everything we have to offer if we're to keep them in captivity.

I'm a 17 year old girl you can't blame me for being a little impulsive haha x) I'll try to cool my jets a little, if that doesn't work then my parents and wallet will keep me in check! I still want to get the LP and the curly hair though, I'll curb my craving for the beautifully dangerous T's for now truthfully I don't need the 10 curlies I'm going to order, but I know someone who will take a couple and the rest I'm sure I can find homes for (once I have my female).

 

[ReclusiveDemon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eeWGtHs-J8

Oh, man, that looks unreal. How does anybody deal with something that darn fast? It was gone, almost literally, in the blink of an eye.

 

[Hydrazine]

Again, pulchripes is the Chaco Gold Knee? I'm still learning the scientific names I'll cancel the order for the OBT's then, I just thought they were very pretty, though I couldn't handle them. (Not to mention there was a special for them

Yes, Grammostola pulchripes. Decent growth rate (definitely fast for a Grammostola), amazing colors, very manageable temperament.

 

[CitizenNumber9]

Oh, man, that looks unreal. How does anybody deal with something that darn fast? It was gone, almost literally, in the blink of an eye.

That was WAY faster than an Avi!

---------- Post added 11-27-2013 at 10:19 PM ----------

You could get a Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens instead of OBT, if you desire something between a terrestrial and an arboreal. Very rewarding to watch growing - the colour transformations are AMAZING, great webber, but tends to hang out outside (at least mine does), not exactly slow but manageable, prefers to retreat into its lair instead of being defensive.

Grows at decent speed, got mine in February at cca 2 cm DLS and (presumably) he tripled his legspan since then.

This one is after rehousing, so no webbing done yet

Wow that is beautiful! Are they very hard to keep?

 

[Poec54]

That was WAY faster than an Avic

Yes, and the fangs aren't a bluff. They will bite the crap out of you if your fingers are in range. They're beautiful, but you work your way up to OBT's. They can easily be a beginnier's worst nightmare (and for the people you live with if it gets loose). This is why it's best to take it in stages and not jump into the deep end too quickly.

 

[Hydrazine]

Well, I'm no expert, but I found my C.cyaneopubescens sling to be easy to maintain, not very demanding, it just needs some space and a vertical base to web on, likes it dry.
My setup is a side-lidded 12cm glass cube with mesh ventilation on top, a ceramic "rock" that serves as base and anchoring for the web, and a water dish.

 

[CitizenNumber9]

Like Jay said, if you want to experiment with a fast arboreal with a little attitude, Psalmopoeus would be a safer choice, and IMO P. irminia's colors are more striking than OBT anyway.. matter of opinion though. Psalmopoeus I wouldn't recommend yet though.

I was looking at those earlier btw, I thought they were much prettier than the OBT, I just didn't want to kill it. I definitely agree about not being ready for that one!

---------- Post added 11-27-2013 at 10:32 PM ----------

Well, I'm no expert, but I found my C.cyaneopubescens sling to be easy to maintain, not very demanding, it just needs some space and a vertical base to web on, likes it dry.
My setup is a side-lidded 12cm glass cube with mesh ventilation on top, a ceramic "rock" that serves as base and anchoring for the web, and a water dish.

Wait, that's a green bottle blue? It doesn't look like the kinds I've seen o.o

 

[Hydrazine]

Psalmos are gorgeous, but lightning fast as well, and renowned for their temper. At the expo I bought mine, I was talking to a breeder and mentioned Psalmopoeus irminia as my possible next choice (which ultimately proved true) and was told to "Get a poecilotheria instead, Psalmos are more ill-tempered than Poecis."

 

[Curious jay]

These boards have tons of information and helpful users around to help with questions. When experienced users tell you "that T is fast" take heed to that and don't be the silly person who shrugs off the info and ends in a bad predicament with a collection if spiders they're scared to open the tank on let alone rehouse etc. (no personal shot but I've seen it happen fairly often on here.

Another thing... Make sure you do a decent amount of research before diving in
On buys, with your level of experience I'd recommend staying with new world genuses currently.

And remember even spiders labelled as docile can vary in temperament so keep that in mind.


GBB are very easy to keep, give them a dry setup with some webbing anchors and leave it to go to town with the webbing. Also great feeding responses from these guys.

 

[CitizenNumber9]

Psalmos are gorgeous, but lightning fast as well, and renowned for their temper. At the expo I bought mine, I was talking to a breeder and mentioned Psalmopoeus irminia as my possible next choice (which ultimately proved true) and was told to "Get a poecilotheria instead, Psalmos are more ill-tempered than Poecis."

But they're so beautiful they're worth it! Wouldn't it just boil down to switching habitats and feeding it in an almost bare room with something stuffed under the door so it couldn't escape? Like a bathroom?

---------- Post added 11-27-2013 at 10:42 PM ----------

These boards have tons of information and helpful users around to help with questions. When experienced users tell you "that T is fast" take heed to that and don't be the silly person who shrugs off the info and ends in a bad predicament with a collection if spiders they're scared to open the tank on let alone rehouse etc. (no personal shot but I've seen it happen fairly often on here.

Another thing... Make sure you do a decent amount of research before diving in
On buys, with your level of experience I'd recommend staying with new world genuses currently.

And remember even spiders labelled as docile can vary in temperament so keep that in mind.


GBB are very easy to keep, give them a dry setup with some webbing anchors and leave it to go to town with the webbing. Also great feeding responses from these guys.

That will probably be one of the next T's on my list then once I find homes for all of the extras that come with my order of course
One thing I boast about is my complete lack of fear when it comes to dangerous animals (probably to the point where most people think I'm just acting stupid) but I still try to be smart about things and heed warnings others give me (what teenager doesn't?)

---------- Post added 11-27-2013 at 10:44 PM ----------

These boards have tons of information and helpful users around to help with questions. When experienced users tell you "that T is fast" take heed to that and don't be the silly person who shrugs off the info and ends in a bad predicament with a collection if spiders they're scared to open the tank on let alone rehouse etc. (no personal shot but I've seen it happen fairly often on here.

Another thing... Make sure you do a decent amount of research before diving in
On buys, with your level of experience I'd recommend staying with new world genuses currently.

And remember even spiders labelled as docile can vary in temperament so keep that in mind.


GBB are very easy to keep, give them a dry setup with some webbing anchors and leave it to go to town with the webbing. Also great feeding responses from these guys.

That will probably be one of the next T's on my list then once I find homes for all of the extras that come with my order of course
One thing I boast about is my complete lack of fear when it comes to dangerous animals (probably to the point where most people think I'm just acting stupid) but I still try to be smart about things and heed warnings others give me (what teenager doesn't?)

 

[Hydrazine]

But they're so beautiful they're worth it! Wouldn't it just boil down to switching habitats and feeding it in an almost bare room with something stuffed under the door so it couldn't escape? Like a bathroom?

Irminia can wait, stick with the 'safer' species for now. My Morgana is surprisingly tame compared to what I hear about Psalmos, yet I'm quite glad I don't have to interact with her much. She did throw a threatpose once though - when I spoke loud while leaning over her enclosure

---------- Post added 11-28-2013 at 05:45 AM ----------

Wait, that's a green bottle blue? It doesn't look like the kinds I've seen o.o

Yes, it's what people commonly call green bottle blue (I don't like common names).
You've probably seen adults - blue legs, blue carapace with greenish metallic undertones, orange opisthosoma. As I've mentioned before, they undergo amazing colour transformations as they progress from black-and-tan slings.

 

[Curious jay]

One thing I boast about is my complete lack of fear when it comes to dangerous animals (probably to the point where most people think I'm just acting stupid) but I still try to be smart about things and heed warnings others give me (what teenager doesn't?)

^^^^ forget bravery that will only cause complications for you.

For example.... You could be brave one day and decide to remove a cricket by hand from an OBT enclosure... That bravery will quickly follow with a realisation of great stupidity and searing hot pain followed by two bleeding fang marks.

Respect is the word you want to practice around Ts or any dangerous animal for that matter. Give the animal te respect it deserves you will get on alot better than rash acts of bravery.