P. Pulcher?

[Div129]

Hello I’ve been keeping Ts for over a year, Im thinking of getting a P.pulcher and wanted to know how they are in your experiences? I own a GBB, D.pentaloris, G.pulchripes, Versicolor, N.chromatus, H.Incei, and T.albo. I would like a tarantula that would keep me on my toes and challenge myself a bit. I was thinking of an easier OW, or speedier NW. I was looking at the P.irminia but heard how some people say their are worse than most of their OWs and i’m not sure how ready I am to keep them. So I am now looking at P.pulcher, will anyone chime in on their experiences with them? Or maybe someone has another suggestion for a T I can look into.

 

[ladyratri]

I had my A. purpurea for about 8 months and my versicolor for 6 when I got my two P. irminias -- one of which was larger than either of my prior two T's. They definitely forced me to learn better rehousing techniques, but once they were housed properly, they much prefer to run and hide in their web fortresses when I touch their enclosure, and I very rarely get any kind of threat pose from either one. In fact, the sling basically hid for like 3 or 4 molts until it hit 2.5-3" and gained some confidence.

Personally, I also happen to think they're gorgeous. Though, my big girl is kind of a prima donna...


If you do get any of the speedier arboreals, I highly recommend watching some Tom Moran rehousing videos, and replicating the tools that seem most useful to you. When I moved the pretty lady pictured above into that enclosure, I pretty closely followed the techniques he shows in his P. irminia rehousing video, and it was the smoothest rehouse I've had yet. (With the biggest, fastest, and most defensive T I own.)

I'd also recommend whatever species you decide on that you build out the enclosures enough in advance to post pictures here. The more skittish or defensive a T, the more it seems that good enclosure design contributes to minimizing difficult behavior.

In the end tho, pick what you like!

 

[Div129]

I had my A. purpurea for about 8 months and my versicolor for 6 when I got my two P. irminias -- one of which was larger than either of my prior two T's. They definitely forced me to learn better rehousing techniques, but once they were housed properly, they much prefer to run and hide in their web fortresses when I touch their enclosure, and I very rarely get any kind of threat pose from either one. In fact, the sling basically hid for like 3 or 4 molts until it hit 2.5-3" and gained some confidence.

Personally, I also happen to think they're gorgeous. Though, my big girl is kind of a prima donna...
View attachment 458217

If you do get any of the speedier arboreals, I highly recommend watching some Tom Moran rehousing videos, and replicating the tools that seem most useful to you. When I moved the pretty lady pictured above into that enclosure, I pretty closely followed the techniques he shows in his P. irminia rehousing video, and it was the smoothest rehouse I've had yet. (With the biggest, fastest, and most defensive T I own.)

I'd also recommend whatever species you decide on that you build out the enclosures enough in advance to post pictures here. The more skittish or defensive a T, the more it seems that good enclosure design contributes to minimizing difficult behavior.

In the end tho, pick what you like!

Thank you, that irminia is gorgeous! Thank you for the information too, ill watch the rehousing videos! Although knowing how reclusive irminias are I think ill go for a pulcher. I would be getting a sling that comes in with the enclosure (I am picking them up from the breeder as we are in the same city). so the enclosure build should not be too much of an issue. I will be updating on what I get

 

[viper69]

Hello I’ve been keeping Ts for over a year, Im thinking of getting a P.pulcher and wanted to know how they are in your experiences? I own a GBB, D.pentaloris, G.pulchripes, Versicolor, N.chromatus, H.Incei, and T.albo. I would like a tarantula that would keep me on my toes and challenge myself a bit. I was thinking of an easier OW, or speedier NW. I was looking at the P.irminia but heard how some people say their are worse than most of their OWs and i’m not sure how ready I am to keep them. So I am now looking at P.pulcher, will anyone chime in on their experiences with them? Or maybe someone has another suggestion for a T I can look into.

I owned P pulcher- same as the P irminia I kept.
If you have doubts- don’t keep them.

 

[Div129]

I owned P pulcher- same as the P irminia I kept.
If you have doubts- don’t keep them.

Ah I see, how about visibility? I think I am ready to try them out, although I do want to see them at least sometimes, ive heard that the irminia can be very cryptic.

I hope to one day get into pokies but I know how potent their venom is so for now ill go with Psalmos, plus I think they look gorgeous.

 

[jbooth]

Mine was bolty as a sling, now it's more steady, and bolder at 4". It hasn't felt the need to defend its hide or otherwise stand its ground, but I can tell by it's demeanor it would be perfectly happy to. Has no problem walking towards me to investigate.

 

[viper69]

Ah I see, how about visibility? I think I am ready to try them out, although I do want to see them at least sometimes, ive heard that the irminia can be very cryptic.

I hope to one day get into pokies but I know how potent their venom is so for now ill go with Psalmos, plus I think they look gorgeous.

They are no more nor no less out than most Ts.

There aren’t many Ts that are out- they are easy prey in the wild.

Mine was bolty as a sling, now it's more steady, and bolder at 4". It hasn't felt the need to defend its hide or otherwise stand its ground, but I can tell by it's demeanor it would be perfectly happy to. Has no problem walking towards me to investigate.

Thats my AF G pulchripes as a juvi and adult- she confidently moves forward

 

[sparticus]

I have a sling. They are fast and bolty, but tend to bolt back to their hide once they are established in the enclosure. I use somewhat oversized enclosures for the psalmopoeus so they don't feel threatened by me getting too "up in their space." Good technique and enclosure setup is important. I have heard the venom is somewhat more spicy than most new worlds.

 

[jbooth]

Get a C. darlingi.. I guess the bite is nothing for an old world, pulcher probably worse, and it webs the snot out of stuff and will sit out... I do love the pulcher though, not trying to stop you lol

I see this or a half body most of the time, sometimes all the way out, even in daytime though, unless I overfeed. Did let me open the door for the pic without ducking...

 

[Div129]

Mine was bolty as a sling, now it's more steady, and bolder at 4". It hasn't felt the need to defend its hide or otherwise stand its ground, but I can tell by it's demeanor it would be perfectly happy to. Has no problem walking towards me to investigate.

I have a sling. They are fast and bolty, but tend to bolt back to their hide once they are established in the enclosure. I use somewhat oversized enclosures for the psalmopoeus so they don't feel threatened by me getting too "up in their space." Good technique and enclosure setup is important. I have heard the venom is somewhat more spicy than most new worlds.

Ah i see, when I do get mine ill make sure to get a larger enclosure with various hiding places.

They are no more nor no less out than most Ts.

There aren’t many Ts that are out- they are easy prey in the wild.

I see this or a half body most of the time, sometimes all the way out, even in daytime though, unless I overfeed. Did let me open the door for the pic without ducking... View attachment 458226

oh yes thats fine, I already got some that are always out anyway

My d.pentaloris is the same, well I didn't even get to see her at all until I've had her for around a year.

Get a C. darlingi.. I guess the bite is nothing for an old world, pulcher probably worse, and it webs the snot out of stuff and will sit out... I do love the pulcher though, not trying to stop you lol

I was interested in darlingis, I love their look and I might get one in the future, unfortunately nobody nearby has any slings available right now.
I am aware of the the medical significance of the pulcher's bite and I think I don't mind it. I am going to take caution when moving them, and won't handle them.

 

[jbooth]

Well, it's possible the pulcher might get you through a stroke with a bite at least, but I'm not sure how you remember which spider to squeeze when you're having a stroke.. "I'm mumbling and I don't have one of those .... things!" I think it's also capsaicin mimicking for the pain component so it might wake you up anyhow lol.

 

[cold blood]

Psalms may hurt a little more, but they are no more dangerous than other NWs.....and I willl add that I have read many a Psalmo bite report where the person bit describes minimal or insignificant pain.

I cant say personally cause, well...its really easy to not get bitten by a t, so my personal experience with bites is zero.

 

[Tarantuland]

All psalmos are fast moving and kept similar, grow fast and easy to keep alive. You can get away with minimal rehousing because of the growth rate. If you’ve been keeping Ts a year and want one, I’d say go for it.

People say Ceratogyrus are the easiest OW, but I think M balfouri and I mira are even more docile

 

[slocoj91]

I have a question, OP.

What would or could make you dread rehousing? If you don't know, what do you think would be most likely to make you dread a rehousing?

I have my own answers/thoughts relating to this, but will include those when you answer. I think that way round makes the most sense

 

[Div129]

All psalmos are fast moving and kept similar, grow fast and easy to keep alive. You can get away with minimal rehousing because of the growth rate. If you’ve been keeping Ts a year and want one, I’d say go for it.

People say Ceratogyrus are the easiest OW, but I think M balfouri and I mira are even more docile

Thanks! the person I will be getting the slings from has some balfouris, I think they are gorgeous! I was thinking of maybe getting one when i do get the psalmo since getting more than one sling will lower the price of each.

I have a question, OP.

What would or could make you dread rehousing? If you don't know, what do you think would be most likely to make you dread a rehousing?

I have my own answers/thoughts relating to this, but will include those when you answer. I think that way round makes the most sense

I do feel like I enjoy rehousing most of my Ts, the worries I have when rehousing would be them hurting themselves.

My worst rehousing would be my pentaloris, she is very bolty but usually bolts in her hide. Well of course rehousing is a whole different story, she can go from a 0 to 100 in a second. I do own dartsfrogs and my ranitomeyas have taught me to never blink whenever you work with them, they truly do seem like they are teleporting you dont even see them jump they just disappear.

 

[Div129]

So I decided to go ahead and get the pulcher! I will be picking the sling up tomorrow.

 

[Arachnophobphile]

Hello I’ve been keeping Ts for over a year, Im thinking of getting a P.pulcher and wanted to know how they are in your experiences? I own a GBB, D.pentaloris, G.pulchripes, Versicolor, N.chromatus, H.Incei, and T.albo. I would like a tarantula that would keep me on my toes and challenge myself a bit. I was thinking of an easier OW, or speedier NW. I was looking at the P.irminia but heard how some people say their are worse than most of their OWs and i’m not sure how ready I am to keep them. So I am now looking at P.pulcher, will anyone chime in on their experiences with them? Or maybe someone has another suggestion for a T I can look into.

No matter what keepers tell you about THEIR T doesn't mean you'll have the same experience if you get the same one.

For example, I have a super chill P. Irminia that is always out on display. Does that mean if you get an irminia that yours will be the same, NO, it does not.

Always keep that in mind with any T. People have OW's that are chill or NW's that slap the ground everytime you walk by their enclosure.

If you're asking questions out here on this stuff then that means you have alot of research to do than asking a few questions to us.

 

[Div129]

No matter what keepers tell you about THEIR T doesn't mean you'll have the same experience if you get the same one.

For example, I have a super chill P. Irminia that is always out on display. Does that mean if you get an irminia that yours will be the same, NO, it does not.

Always keep that in mind with any T. People have OW's that are chill or NW's that slap the ground everytime you walk by their enclosure.

If you're asking questions out here on this stuff then that means you have alot of research to do than asking a few questions to us.

oh yes, I have been researching about the pulcher day and night for awhile now especially in terms of care (Its hard to get a definite answer on what they are like in terms of personality cause they vary) as I've also been talking to friends that are local to me that own them, although I do want to know other's personal experiences with the species as I know how bad care sheets are, I wanted to know other's Ts personalities and what I should be expecting or maybe even outliers. as I do not agree on impulse buying.

also I won't be getting the Balfouri as I don't think getting two unfamiliar slings at a time is a very good idea.

 

[Arachnophobphile]

oh yes, I have been researching about the pulcher day and night for awhile now especially in terms of care (Its hard to get a definite answer on what they are like in terms of personality cause they vary) as I've also been talking to friends that are local to me that own them, although I do want to know other's personal experiences with the species as I know how bad care sheets are, I wanted to know other's Ts personalities and what I should be expecting or maybe even outliers. as I do not agree on impulse buying.

also I won't be getting the Balfouri as I don't think getting two unfamiliar slings at a time is a very good idea.

You're from Indonesia, you have a genus of tarantulas that are at the top of my list, Lampropelma.

I have done alot of research on that genus. They have some wicked venom, are crazy fast and highly defensive. I've seen people interact with Lapropelma nigerrimum like they were docile NW T's. I've also seen the defensive side.

I've also read bite reports. Some of the worse body cramps I've read about that last for weeks even a couple of months.

So....am I ready to get one and raise it from sling to adult, yes that I am.

So why I have I not? Due to the strength of this T's venom I cannot risk the people that live with me their welfare and the damage to the hobby that could arise if bitten.

If I was by myself sure but not with others living with me, no.

You also have to consider sling vs adult. Slings are fast but manageable. Adults will give you a run for your money if you take risks or your just starting out in keeping T's.

 

[Div129]

You're from Indonesia, you have a genus of tarantulas that are at the top of my list, Lampropelma.

I have done alot of research on that genus. They have some wicked venom, are crazy fast and highly defensive. I've seen people interact with Lapropelma nigerrimum like they were docile NW T's. I've also seen the defensive side.

I've also read bite reports. Some of the worse body cramps I've read about that last for weeks even a couple of months.

So....am I ready to get one and raise it from sling to adult, yes that I am.

So why I have I not? Due to the strength of this T's venom I cannot risk the people that live with me their welfare and the damage to the hobby that could arise if bitten.

If I was by myself sure but not with others living with me, no.

You also have to consider sling vs adult. Slings are fast but manageable. Adults will give you a run for your money if you take risks or your just starting out in keeping T's.

I sometimes see their slings for sale here for around $15-30. They are incredibly beautiful, although, like pokies I think I'll just marvel at them in other's collection. I am not even sure if I will ever get into pokies, as much as I love them.

I fully agree with what you said, some T's venom are just too risky for me, while I never plan to handle them and make sure to always be cautious when handling them, sometimes accidents do happen.

As for slings or adults, I will be getting a sling so I can grow with it and get to know the T's temperament, also the T I am looking to get is from a friend that is willing to give advice if needed. I will be coming over to observe the T and might not even pick it up yet.