Of Newbs and Acanthoscurria geniculata

[phear_me]

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Am a scorpion guy (have also kept frogs, newts, salt water fish, and snakes) who is thinking about picking up a tarantula.

I like the look of Acanthoscurria Geniculata.

Would like to get some opinions based on experience. I've looked over the care sheets.

Am also open to suggestions. I believe I can handle easy and medium species given my experience with high humidity scorps. Am not worried about venom/aggressiveness as scorps give you more to worry about than tarantulas and I NEVER handle my inverts.

Mostly, I'm looking for the "cool" factor in terms of behavior or appearance. I think that makes sense since I won't be handling them.

Am excited to hear your thoughts.

Thanks Guys!

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[fartkowski]

C. cyaneopubescens (greenbottle blue) are cool species.
They web alot, most of the time are in the open, and have great colors.
There are so many others. I suggest you look thru photo threads. That is a great way to see what they look like.
I will warn you tho, you will probably find a whole bunch you like and in no time have a huge collection.

 

[Moltar]

Particularly with respect to behavior and apearance the A geniculata is a good choice for what you're lookin for. Like fartkowski said though, there are bunches other of t's out there that fit the bill. I have an A genic that's about 5" and she is just fearless. Threat displays here, there, everywhere. she sits out in the open and eats anything that comes into the enclosure. She's already a pretty big t and really only a 'teenager'. Most brachypelmas and grammostola's are equally bold and display as well but not as feisty. They're more like bumps on a log.

 

[GailC]

Genics really are a easy species to keep. You can keep there substrate dry or slightly damp, mine will sit in his water dish if it gets too dry so I usually keep his cage damper.
He has a nice large hide but rarely uses it, preferring to sit out in the open waiting for food. Will attack anything that come in his cage thinking its food. His is the one enclosure I NEVER put my hand into, I know I would be perceived as food and get bit. He even tries to bite water when I pour it into his dish resulting in a wet T every time.
great eater, fast growing, beautiful and bold. Just about the perfect display tarantula.

 

[jharr]

I concur. A. genic is a great species. Not the most colorful, but beautiful and the cool factor is definitely there. Mine attacked the water too. I would fill the dish with a turkey baster, so it made vibrations on the ground. I always wonder if the more aggressive species are that way because of poorer eye sight. Mine was a hair kicker too. Fortunately, I only have a mild sinus reaction. Fast grower and great for showing off to friends because they will eat at the drop of a cricket/roach, and everyone wants to 'see it move'.

Good luck,
J--

 

[Annie3Ponies]

Oh, definitely! My genic was my favorite. Very showy and a major eater. Sadly he went MM on me, and is now history, but I am getting another once shipping conditions get more stable and I get my tax refund.

In fact, I was thinking of just having my refund sent directly to Botar, since he will be getting it all anyway.

 

[DrJ]

Acanthoscurria genicultas are really pretty easy spiders to keep, but they have some personality characteristics you don't see very often elsewhere. They can be pretty territorial over their water dish, so changing their water can be exciting at times. They are also known to play "tag the water" when filling the dish in their enclosure. A fun thing to note on this species will be that you will never need a dog again! These are highly skilled cricket catchers and will play "catch the cricket" with you all day! The cricket will never touch the ground! That is if you toss it right...Similiar species outside the Acanthoscurria genus would be the Nhandu chormatus. The chromatus is arguably THE prettiest tarantula in the hobby. Looks a lot like the genic, but a little more vibrant and the carapace has a silver look to it. However, the chromatus is a bit smaller, so if size is a consideration I would recommend you stick with the geniculata.

 

[Mushroom Spore]

If you like big, pretty spiders, take a look at G. aureostriata and L. parahybana too.

My first ever tarantulas was a three-part order: C. cyaneopubescens and the two abovementioned species. Besides the C. c. being fast as lightning (didn't escape on me though), never had any problems or complaints, and I love 'em all.

G. aureostriata has the stripey look if you like that part of genics, while L. parahybana is a more subtle blend of darks and pinks that not everyone enjoys - but I do! Pictures really don't do them justice. Plus parahybana are insanely cheap if you get a spiderling, so you can just add one to a larger order from most dealers for no real loss and plenty of benefit.

EDIT: The water bowl possessiveness/tag-the-water game is not exclusive to A. geniculata. Every species I own does it, and many others have been reported...pretty common T behavior.

 

[ChondroGirl]

I recommend the Acanthoscurria geniculata, too, although they are a bit aggressive. Mine is possessive of her plant and water bowl and quickly attacks anything entering her cage. We use tongs to remove her water dish and she usually grabs her water dish if she sees us removing it, so then we have to push her off of it with tongs or a snake hook. She will attack a paintbrush and leave venom on it.

Brachypelmas are beautiful and out in the open, too, but not as aggressive. Most of mine are pet rocks that occasionally explore their cages in the evening. They don't care of you remove their plants or water bowl and are pretty docile.

Depends on what you are looking for...

 

[DrJ]

EDIT: The water bowl possessiveness/tag-the-water game is not exclusive to A. geniculata. Every species I own does it, and many others have been reported...pretty common T behavior.

Granted, this may not be "exclusive" to the species, it is most noted within this species. Most other tarantulas do not engage in these activities with such enthusiasm and panache! If you have others that do this, I'd say that is rather unique.

 

[syndicate]

great first spider to start with!

 

[phear_me]

There are SO many to choose from. I'm utterly overwhelmed, so lets try to narrow this down:

I would prefer a medium large to large species
I would prefer an medium aggressive to very aggressive species
I would prefer a spider with interesting display behavior
I would prefer a spider that looks particularly beautiful and/or menacing (beautiful to me doesn't mean a bunch of pretty colors - but the whole package)

The species must be of easy or medium difficulty.

Keep the suggestions coming.

I'm really enjoying the help and this thread. Picking them out is half the fun!

Species I am looking at so far based on pictures - maybe you guys can help me correlate them against what I want since it's hard to get an idea for size and impossible to judge behavior from pics.

Acanthoscurria Geniculata / Natalensis
Brachypelma Auratum
Megaphobema Mesomelas / Peterklaasi
Nhandu Chromatus
Pamphobeteus sp. ("Chicken Spider") - Does this look as menacing in person as it does in the pics?
Poecilotheria Fasciata / Formosa / Miranda / Subfusca / Ornata / Pederseni / Regensi / Strialis
Pterinochilus Murinus
Vitalius Paranaensis/ Roseus / Vellutinius

Also, Singapore and Malaysian Blues

That's a good start. Suggest more if you like. The BEST help I can get is to eliminate entire genus that don't fit the bill (too small, arboreal, boring, ugly etc) so I can work within certain lines and really narrow it down. I am counting on all of you for help so please chime in. The more info you give me the better.

THANKS GUYS! REALLY MEANS A LOT TO ME!

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[Drachenjager]

Granted, this may not be "exclusive" to the species, it is most noted within this species. Most other tarantulas do not engage in these activities with such enthusiasm and panache! If you have others that do this, I'd say that is rather unique.

by whom?
My P. sp. platyomma does this as do my GBB, P. cancerides, A. seemani and sometimes G. rosea

 

[Drachenjager]

There are SO many to choose from so lets try to narrow this down:

I would prefer a medium large to large species
I would prefer an medium aggressive to very aggressive species
I would prefer a spider with interesting display behavior
I would prefer a spider that looks particularly beautiful and/or menacing (beautiful to me doesn't mean a bunch of pretty colors - but the whole package)

The species must be of easy or medium difficulty.

Keep the suggestions coming.

I'm really enjoying the help and this thread. Picking them out is half the fun!

hmm sounds like Pterror murinus to me lol

 

[phear_me]

hmm sounds like Pterror murinus to me lol

Ha. I had to go through 10 pics before I found one that WASN'T all pissed off.

Awesome.

This is the sort of thing I am talking about. Doesn't need to be "aggressive" but I tend to gravitate towards spiders that do something neat or unusual that's enjoyable: be it aggressive behavior, webbing, being active or simply by their looks.

Thanks bro.

It's not added to list.

Tell me more about it. And, the best help is to either comment on something on my list - or to help me eliminate a species and most importantly a genus based on what I'm looking for.

I am going to start a new thread I think so my post can be at the top as I will be adding and eliminating species.

Would REALLY like the community to be involved in this.

Thanks!

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[phear_me]

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[SNAFU]

A.Genic is awesome, also up at the top of my list of "terminator" T's: Lasiodora Parahybana-common name Salmon Pink Birdeater. Prices are usually low if you get a juvi or sling, they grow fast and are insane eaters with bottomless pit appetites. Yes, they will strike at water as you fill the dish, (my 5"+ female does) and as an added bonus ,you have the chance at one day owning a 9-10" monster that will strike fear into the heart of any invert or vert unlucky enough to be dumped onto his/her turf.
A.Genics or L.Paras both have the whole "Cool" factor down to a science and I don't think you could go wrong with either. L. Para's can get just a bit larger otherwise I'd have a tough time deciding on just one for a display.
But-before someone else says it, we can't forget the P.Cancerides-(I see Drach mentioned already). Aggressive, does'nt hide, huge eaters and up to about 9" as adults. Mostly dull colored but can go through a purple phase that rivals any Xenesthis.
Good luck on your pick. I say avoid the stress and just get one of each...