P. metallica - should I get it or not?

[Helix]

Hi all..I need an advice regarding P. metallica.
I have a chance to get a P.metallica sling (size 2-3cm, or about 1 inch)..And as I consider them to be one of the most beautiful tarantulas, and there is one available at this moment so I am thinking about buying it.. I got limited space for tarantulas, so I would like to make the best of it.

The problem is that Im relatively new to tarantulas ( 6 months of experience), I got 9 of them(all of them are NW), and the most skittish and aggressive is my Nhandu chromatus.
So I can say that I dont keep aggressive species.

I respect all my spiders, maybe Im even more cautious then I should be, and I dont handle them except when one of my avics decides to take a walk out of his enclosure.

The thing Im worried about is Poecilotherias speed and venom. Speed because I wouldnt like to lose such a valuable and beautiful spider just if he decided to bolt at one time that I wasnt ready for it.

And venom is even bigger problem..I can handle getting bit..and maybe to suffer few days from it.. But because of my other hobbies and work, I cant afford myself to be sick and out for 2 weeks or more..
And I know that noone can guarantee that he/she wont get bit one day...it can happen anytime.

Other problem about venom is that I feel responsible for my family and I dont want Poecilotheria on the loose in my home. No matter how small the chance for it to bite someone else is, if it happened, it would be my fault.

I have read many topics and all guides I could find about Poecilotherias..but Im well aware that nothing can prepare me for it like the animal itself.


So my question is..should I get a P. metallica or not? I have to decide by the day after tomorrow. Also, any advices or tricks about keeping the Poecilotheria safer are welcome.

In advance, I would like to thank you for the advice.

 

[Redneck]

I would get it.. I have only been keeping T's for a couple months.. Kept scorpions for over a year.. And believe I am ready for a Pokie.. And I am sooo badly wanting a P. metallica.. Go for it.. I would if I could afford one or two or five..

 

[Berta]

I'd get it.

I love mine, and as many others have also said, I find it to be among the mellowest of my pokies.

I really wouldn't consider it bolting out of its enclosure to be a major concern. Once they have a hide set up, they're most likely to use that super speed to bolt into it and hide if you disturb the enclosure. I'm often a little intentionally disruptive when opening the enclosures at feeding time so that I can use that behavior to my advantage.

Your one issue may come when it's time to rehouse or ship, but there are plenty of great tutorials and suggestions on these boards for moving flighty Ts. If you go at it in a calm and steady way, you can usually get them to shoot out of one enclosure and right into the other without much trouble.

 

[Exo]

It is up to you at this point, it sounds like you know the risks involved and you will have to decide if they are worth it. I can give you a few more facts to enter into the mix....


Many people keep pokies for years and never get bit, if you use extreme caution the chances are very remote.


P.metallica are not very aggressive, they are very shy and would rather hide than bite. They are even less prone to biting than most other pokies.

I'm sure there are others who can give you other bits of advice to help you make up your mind. Good luck.

 

[Talkenlate04]

Of all the pokies I have owned I would hold my metallica first.

 

[Exo]

Of all the pokies I have owned I would hold my metallica first.

Not a very safe thing to do, but I get your point.

 

[robc]

Not a very safe thing to do, but I get your point.

P. metallica is pretty docile, I have held mine on many occasions......I have yet to see a threat pose from the female, the MM has but is still a lot more docile than most other pokies.

 

[spiderfield]

Like everyone else, its really up to you. If I wanted to get a certain species, i'd do my homework and get it if I felt ready. Based on your info, it sounds like you've looked into it already and have practically made up your mind, so go for it. This species isn't available often, from what i've seen, so take advantage and get 'em. I got a few specimens of this species earlier this year w/o having owned any arboreals before and they're growing and doing great. And of course, if you have any questions (unforeseen or not) there's always the forum to go to for help.

 

[Talkenlate04]

Not a very safe thing to do, but I get your point.

Beyond safe imo, but then again I have a little bit of experience. I am by no means telling a newbie to hold a metallica but I'd be more worried about my rosea biting me. I am not worried about her tagging me at all.

 

[DDaake]

I've heard alot about p. metallica and regalis being more docile than other pokies. Why is this? Does it have something to do with where they originate? I've got a female ornata I wouldn't handle for nothing.

 

[Moltar]

Hehe... if you go to a tarantula forum and ask "Should I get a ____?" don't expect many people to say no.

I don't have a P. metallica but my understanding is that with exception of the price they are one of the best starter pokies. Relatively docile and hardy, they don't get gigantic like some do (which can make them harder to wrangle) and, oh yeah, they're frikkin' gorgeous!

 

[x Mr Awesome x]

Of course you should get it. Then send it to me. PM me for address. Seriously though. Respect the animal and keep your senses about you and you'll have no problems.
-ben

 

[Helix]

Thank you all for the responses.

Well yeah, the only problematic thing would be rehousing it.. I doubt that it would bolt out of enclosure without a reason, but I ll have to be ready for anything..
Ill rehouse it in the bathroom thats for sure.

And about feeding...I tong feed my avics, but I dont think its a good idea to do it with a pokie.. So do you just throw in feeding item? And what about uneaten prey items? I want to avoid chasing roaches around the enclosure, so I can keep the disturbances to the minimum.

I also watched every video or tutorial about Poecilotherias ( including Robcs bite report ofcourse )

Yeah youre right about that Moltar..what answer should I expect to get at tarantula forum

@Mr Awesome - Hehe, Im not sure it would survive the trip from Croatia to Missouri

 

[Talkenlate04]

Well yeah, the only problematic thing would be rehousing it.. I doubt that it would bolt out of enclosure without a reason, but I ll have to be ready for anything..
Ill rehouse it in the bathroom thats for sure.

I should record me taking my female out and holding her. She is calm as can be. You won't have a problem rehousing.

 

[joshuai]

I was worried aout getting pokies also. But after i bought 5 regalis 5 ornata a metalica and a rufie, i would not worry about the metalica. when i rehouse mine i just coax her out of the old one, which she doesnt like to do, another thing they rarely run out of there cage, they just dont like to. and she just walks into the new one not fast or anything. the hardest part is getting her to leave her cage to go to a new one.lol Get that sling!!!

 

[Venari]

I've got a P Metallica, and I've never handled it other than the day I first received him from Martin and Amanda. He's very flighty, and will bolt at the first chance he gets. However, his stunning colors makes me glad I spent the money to get one

 

[TalonAWD]

I am so wanting the P. metallica. Even my wife wants it and she hates T's. If I had the chance I would buy them in a heart beat. i want a couple and very willing to pay.
If you have the chance get it heck why not. I'm dying for that same chance.

 

[james.m]

I will probably hear grief from voiceing my opinion on this but, to be honest, I would go for a mature opposite sexed T to pair with one you already have in your collection. Dont get me wrong, the beauty of a P metallica is par none, but if you are new and wanting to delve futher into the hobby there is nothing more gratifying then producing your very own sac. It truely is in a league all its own. If breeding is not an option, if only to experience it and sell/give away the slings, then I would get the gooty.

Good luck though in whatever decision you may go with.

 

[rvtjonny]

I should record me taking my female out and holding her. She is calm as can be. You won't have a problem rehousing.

Where's the video @ :?

I say go for it dude, you will be fine as long as you use your head and respect the T. hopefully ill have 1 on Saturday if anyone has them at the show.

 

[evicton]

Where's the video @ :?

I say go for it dude, you will be fine as long as you use your head and respect the T. hopefully ill have 1 on Saturday if anyone has them at the show.

Here's a link to him handling a P. Metallica its actually a bit old now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f96ITTEsGmA