Old World Equivalent to Brachypelma boehmei

[LucN]

Hello, everybody !

First off, a quick background on my experience thus far. I've had my 1st tarantula, a (likely WC) G. rosea in early '09. It was only a year later that I acquired my 2nd T, a then unsexed 1.5" Brachypelma boehmei. It turned out to be female after it molted months later after initial acquisition. Not long after that, I decided to venture into Old World territory and acquired a 1" unsexed Ceratogyrus darlingi which later on turned out to be female as well. Months later acquired unsexed 1.5" B. smithi and N. chromatus. To cut things short, I came across some financial issues so I was forced to sell off most of my Ts. All I kept was the B. boehmei since it has the best lifespan potential.

The B. boehmei is currently in a semi-dedicated closet and recently molted perfectly and reached the 3" mark. I have space for just one more T and would like an Old World T for variety's sake. Is there an Old World species out there that could be considered an equivalent to my B. boehmei ?

Here's the qualities I'm looking for :

Strikingly colorful

Mildly defensive (So that scratches off the OBT/Hmac/Scal)

Doesn't web/hide *too* much

Great eater

Arid Species (So that kinda limits me to mostly baboons, huh ?)

Terrestrial/Opportunistic burrower

A lifespan over at least 10 years for a female

Upon doing much research, one possible answer is Monocentropus balfouri, but I would strongly prefer less expensive alternatives. Then there are others like Pterinochilus lugardi, Ceratogyrus marshalli, Eucratoscelus pachypus and... *maybe* Augacephalus sp. although I don't see these are exceptionally colorful.

Any other ideas ?

Thanks to anyone who can suggest a species that has the majority of those qualities.

-Luc

 

[Bumblingbear]

M. balfouri as you said meets all of your criteria.

My suggestion is to just save up and get the spider you really want since you have limited space.

 

[LucN]

M. balfouri as you said meets all of your criteria.

My suggestion is to just save up and get the spider you really want since you have limited space.

Aside P. murinus (which I'd rather avoid), M. balfouri does seem to have everything although I'm not sure if they could be considered a "semi" display species given their burrowing tendancies. They also tend to be quite expensive out here in Canada, which make it hard to invest in one given it's unsexed. Rearing out a male when I wouldn't be sure how to pack properly for a breeding loan would depress me so much.

Edit : If I can't find anything else by a couple of weeks, I could stick to NW and get a GBB, but that would defeat the purpose of this thread.

 

[synyster]

I don't want to cut your hopes but all of the above that you mentioned are defensive T's. I can't think of one OW that isn't. Even M.balfouri has it's nasty temper...

 

[LucN]

I don't want to cut your hopes but all of the above that you mentioned are defensive T's. I can't think of one OW that isn't. Even M.balfouri has it's nasty temper...

I'm well aware all OW T are defensive to an extent. Let me put it this way : Any OW that isin't as crazy defensive as an OBT/H.minax/S.cal ie. won't likely run after me if I happen to disturb it accidentally during maintenance.

 

[Formerphobe]

Synyster took the words right out of my mouth.
Monocentropus balfouri are expensive everywhere! Otherwise I'd have ten of them! And I understand they tend to be pet holes.

Of course there are exceptions to every 'standard', but my OBT is nowhere near as defensive as the descriptions I've heard. Whenever I have reason to go into its enclosure, it always runs down one of its multitude of burrows. I have yet to get a defensive display from it. It is very visible, too, being somewhat of a busybody. It's primary tunnel is against the side of the enclosure where it can see what is going on. And definitely colorful.

What about a GBB? Though I think both OBT and GBB fall short on the lifespan you're looking for.

 

[LucN]

Though I think both OBT and GBB fall short on the lifespan you're looking for.

Really ? I keep seeing everywhere that the expected lifespan for females is 10-15 for both species. Compared to an M. balfouri, an OBT is extremely cheap, shipping would be more expensive than the spider itself. I'm sure slings are a handful as well.

 

[synyster]

+1 my P.murinus isn't quite defensive either but it always depends on the individual.

GBB's are NW's so it's pretty much out of the OP's primary objective

I don't think that many T's will run after you when you open the enclosure. That would be considered an aggressive species and not defensive. There has been some aggressive exceptions (mostly stories about Haplopelma genera) but there pretty rare...

I'd go for a Pterinochilus sp. pretty much any one There cheap, hardy, females can live over ten years and can go well without daily maintenance (guessing thats the reason there in a closet!)

 

[Mojo Jojo]

Maybe a Ceratogyrus spp.? Might be too webby?

 

[oogie boogie]

I'd say narrow down your objectives. Get GBB. Forget everything else. You wont be disappointed. It does web a lot but show itself more often than OBT and M. Balfouri.

 

[LucN]

I'd say narrow down your objectives. Get GBB. Forget everything else. You wont be disappointed. It does web a lot but show itself more often than OBT and M. Balfouri.

I can handle OW, I've already had a C. darlingi that was on display half the time, especially during the late evenings. I could pick C. marshalli given they are sexually dimorphic (foveal horn starts to be real obvious at 1.5" for females going by my experience with my C. darlingi) so I wouldn't even need a molt to know whether it's male or female. On the other hand, I'd have to say that P. lugardi and A. junodi are also quite handsome despite their not-so stunning coloration and are much more affordable. What turns me slightly off is that all the dealer currently has are 1/2" slings. I hesitate given they are so delicate at that size.

Another possible NW alternative would be Aphonopelma moderatum, but given a good majority of them on the market tend to be WC, I'd rather not support such a practice. Makes me wonder if there is a lot of CB of those out there.

 

[BrettG]

E.pachypus?

 

[Mez]

Augacephalus sp.

 

[LucN]

E.pachypus?

I would definitely pick, but alas the dealer has none in stock.

So now it's between C. marshalli, P. lugardi and *maybe* P. muticus. I don't want to spend more than 50$ on an unsexed sling. The first two's care regimen is straight foward, I'm not too sure about my third choice.

I've done some digging in old threads and see many conflicting care tips. Some say provide moist substrate, others dry. Also P. muticus would really do a number for my patience since they grow so slow. I also like the fact that they tend to be relatively long lived like Brachypelma, Grammotosla and Aphonopelma. I could get lucky and score a young female (1.5") but I wouldn't go in further until I'm absolutely sure on the care regimen. One thing I want to avoid is mold/mites in my enclosures. Thus far my B. boehmei's is looking great with no signs of "unwanted guests". I'd probably pick P. muticus because of the lifespan, but unless someone with experience can tell me that they definitely can be kept "bone dry" with a water dish, I'd rather go with C. marshalli or P. lugardi.


Any experiences, guys ?

---------- Post added at 10:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 AM ----------

Augacephalus sp.

The dealer does have A. junodi, it goes over my "budget" by a bit. It's one that I would make an effort to buy if it was 1" at least. I prefer buying them at an inch or more since they are much more hardy. Looking back at the dealer's list, the only baboons an inch or more are P. muticus (50$) and M. balfouri (250$). I still have a hard time justifying spending 250$ even for one amazingly beautiful spider... unless it were a confirmed female and even then, that is really pushing it. I'll wait it out in case they end up getting 1" Ceratogyrus or Pterinochilus. If all else fails, I guess P. muticus will be in order once the correct setup is clarified (moist vs dry substrate).

 

[Merfolk]

Selenocosmia arnsdti are somehow a good equivalent. S dichromata too but that one is a pitbul!!!

 

[Mez]

My Augacephalus dosnt burrow, even though it could if it wants, I even got worried and made one for it, but it just flattened it down and silken over it. It's a great display T, and for a baboon fairly docile.
Selenocosmia sp are fast, humid loving burrowers, hardly comparable to any Brachypelma!

 

[LucN]

My Augacephalus dosnt burrow, even though it could if it wants, I even got worried and made one for it, but it just flattened it down and silken over it. It's a great display T, and for a baboon fairly docile.
Selenocosmia sp are fast, humid loving burrowers, hardly comparable to any Brachypelma!

I've read on various threads here and elsewhere that Augacephalus sp. tend to be fairly laid back. Perhaps that's what I should try. I'd assume these are fast growers like most baboons ? Say if I obtain a 1/2" sling, would it grow to 1" by the next molt ? What I'm mostly worried about is killing the sling by providing too much moisture. If I could get it to 1+" within a couple of months, then it would be smooth sailing.

 

[Mez]

No idea. I have an adult female and it hasn't molted.

 

[Formerphobe]

expected lifespan for females is 10-15 for both species.

Give or take. I was thinking of the 20 - 30 year Brachy- and Aphonopelma species.

 

[Mez]

Hah. I just went to check on my Augacephalus sp..not happy with water time!

It 'pulled a lividum'!