Duke1907
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- May 26, 2021
- Messages
- 38
Hello to all. Got a long post here. Questions within.
I always say this first when posting here... I'm a noob, having only been in the hobby for a little more than a year. I'm also not a kid, I'm grown, more than middle-aged, even.
So. That being said, I own what I consider a fair number of tarantulas, atw from docile North American NWs to some NW arboreals to African OW dwarfs and a couple other baboon sp. I've got a bit of experience keeping many kinds with varying temperaments.
But I've never had a Poecilotheria.
Until now.
I feel that it is relevant to quantify that.
So I purchased a couple new T's from a reputable local breeder last weekend, all NW dwarfs.
He offered me several freebies, among them a 1.5 inch P. rufilata.
I didn't want it at first. I was like "No. Get a horrida or another pulcher or some scrubland terrestrial. Don't go with the Asian arboreals yet. You're not ready."
But the more I thought about the rufilata, the more I wanted it. The more I felt that I had the stones to handle it. Unwise? Possibly. But Dude. It's a FREEBIE rufilata. I mean you know? If I hadn't known and trusted the breeder I would've been less inclined to even consider it. But I do know and trust the dealer and he's always went out of his way to do me right. Every spood I've got from him was healthy and all of them are still thriving. I've got NWs and OW's from him. So I just couldn't pass this pokie up. A freebie rufilata. I still can't believe it!
Anyhow now I've got my first pokie, again a 1.5 rufilata sling maybe a little bigger dls.Closer to 2 inches maybe, is my thought. Haven't had a chance myself to get a proper measurement, as it mostly hides or calmly boogies into it's tube when I approach the enclosure. It doesn't bolt so far, not that I've seen. It's very chill, confident in it's camo and danger level I suppose... Except during feeding. I'll get to that in a minute.
It seems to be healthy enough. Housing went more smoothly than I ever expected. I made it a point to be patient, calm and alert, tried to be aware of it's body language and what mood I felt it was in. Quite frankly, I was consciously having to hold my butthole shut. I was nigh crapping m'self. Don't get me wrong...I feel I'm ready to care for this spider. I've seen speed and defensiveness and Ive learned to keep from panicking (so far) as far as catching an escapee. Still, there's always that little sliver of caution, uncertainty. The "Demon of Discord," I call it. Like Jack the Ripper is looking in your window or something, know what I'm sayin'?
But hey, Blim Blam. T was quite calm. Took a few minutes, (maybe I was being a little overly cautious, but really there's no such thing when you're dealing with an Asian OW, or any other sp. for that matter, now is there?) but it went right in. Nice and easy.
Again, THAT being said, I've watched Tom Moran's vids, Dave's Little Beasties vids on dealing with this sp.(and many others). I've looked at bite reports (there's only one on here that I could find about this one and the overall result didn't seem to be on the level with some of the other species. Could've been a low-dose bite, ) and I've read thread after thread on this forum and others about this spider.
But on many threads here, both about this species and others, three main things have stood out to me somewhat more than others. These things are:
1. Do your own research, and do as much research as you can stomach, learn everything you can find before getting the animal. (Luckily I've been researching pokies of many, many different species since before I ever got my first Tarantula, so I felt I already had that one down aces. But I still watched more when I decided to get it, some over and over). I've spent hours on here, Arachnoboards, researching just Poecilotheria, not to mention hundreds of other species. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty much OCD when it comes to research. That's one reason why I'm so long-winded and why I'm here right now. It's a mind problem. Trust me. I got the papers. But I'm comfortable in all my psychoses. Onward.
2. Another thing is to take and provide pics of the T in question (if it'll stay still long enough that you can get them,) and the present enclosure you have it in. This helps the other members to have a much more definitive idea of how to help the OP with any questions said person has. I've completed this step too. All pics I have so far will be posted below.
And 3. Ask your own questions no matter how much research you've done, even on here. It's better to err on the side of caution and take a chance of someone being grumpy toward you and use any info that benefits you than to be a wuss, not ask a question, and take a chance on an ER (or maybe even a casket) visit that could possibly have been avoided if you'd had the stones to ask in the first place.
I know some aren't a fan of this #3 thing bc some questions have been asked so frequently that some members are sick of answering them. (I.e. Here's one: "I just got an Arizona blonde. How should I care for it?") I get that. I've even felt that way on some sites from a few ppl. You know, frustrated at some 8 year old who snuck a tarantula into the house without parental permission and without knowing the first thing about the T or the care involved or the parents' opinion on the whole "Big a$$ spider" deal. Yes, I'm talking to you, all social media. Maybe even a few ppl here. But I digress once again.
So. Since I feel like my remaining goals are to post the pics and ask the questions, here's what I THINK I know.
I know this pokie (rufilata) gets enormous, some say ten inches or even more. (Sorry...don't know the metric measurements for reference.) I know it does, or can, and that is a fact. It's one of the largest species out there, rivaling even the T stirmi size wise.
I also know that it reportedly possesses what is arguably the most potent venom of any tarantula on the planet, with some claiming that other pokies have worse venom and some claiming that this is the worst one. I accept that.
Some claim it's the P. met. Some say regalis, ornata, etc. Some say H Mac or Stro cal. I don't want to be bitten by any of them, period. Not a pokie, not a chalcodes, not anything in between. Ever
I've been stung by almost every wasp or hornet there is, some repeatedly, and I dislike it absolutely. So I do not handle T's, even as slings, though I've had a few scuttle across my hand during rehousing. But I see no point in purposeful handling, IMO. No benefit either way, for the T or for the keeper.
But if you handle, hey. More power to you. Up the Irons. Git 'R done. I've nothing against you. But I don't handle my own T's and that's it.
I also know that many species have negative "mythology" surrounding them. Some ppl say that their OBT is docile as a kitten when the mythology says they are the devil, and I know for a fact that my own G. pulchra (which are supposedly slow moving T's and docile as kittens) is a maniacal monster who would kill me given the chance. I know that my pulcher is flee rather than fight but don't back it into a corner. She's fast. Oh yes.
I also know that some mythology just may be the truth. It's there for a dang good reason
So my questions are these:
Does my setup in these pics look ok to you all for the sp. relevant to it's size? (About 2 inches).
It's of course an arboreal setup with about 2.5" damp sub, taller cork tube angled up with two entrance holes at top, fake leaf glued to top for extra cover, water dish glued to top.
So far, I've been misting "rain" a little. I've read maybe twice a month? Is that cool? Unessesary? More? Less? Stop it altogether?
Anything else I could do, or consider doing with the enclosure?
It's not bioactive. Just moist with hide(s) and plants and water dish. Too much? Not enough?
I also know that this sp. is endemic to Ghats, India and I think I saw parts of Sri Lanka (?) Think I have those right. Plz correct me if I'm in error there. TIA.
Therefore, I think it gets a monsoon season or at least a heavy rainy season in the wild (very damp and moist) and can handle dry conditions as well.
Is this true? Accurate? If not, what is the best approach to moisture levels? Is it physiologically equipped for both extremes? If so, lasting how long?
Right now, I've got it fairly moist in there. Do I let it dry out, then moisten again? If so, how long should I let it dry out for? I need.
I've read they do fine at room temps. I keep it °75 or so (sorry...don't know the Celsius measurement.) In your counsel, does that sound acceptable for this sp?
Feeders are exclusively crickets. I do not tong feed, I just drop the feeder to the spider. I've done that with this one once and It did feed fast and well in it's new enclosure on day two of my owning it.
Is this a good way to go about feeding, in your opinion?
Spood seems to like it ok so far. BTW I favor using crickets bc they seem to always elicit a ferocious feeding response, no matter what species I give them to, which I love to see. I mean let's face it. That's one of the best things about the hobby, right? Again, just IMO.
So I know for a fact that it likes crickets. It had it's offered cricket in it's fangs almost in midair. So I already got to see a little of that infamous speed. I'm glad. That counts toward a few exp's She's got the speed. That's for sure. The myth lives up on that one!
Crickets are good feeders for this one, right? Wrong?
Next, I was only able to find one bite report on this sp, and that one is right here on Arachnoboards.
Are there any bite reports on this T that I missed that anyone could point me to, or has anyone been bitten by one of these that has not filed a report? I sure would like to hear from you about it . Obvious reasons. Hope you're doing well.
That's all the questions I can think of at the mo. So here we go. Pics.
These two are from when I first got it home. It's still in the 2 oz deli cup from the dealer in these pics. So it's probably closer to two inches than an inch and a half. I love the green that sets it apart in the pokie kingdom, but none of the other colors are visible yet. I can't wait to see them one day, hopefully.
Would that size I mentioned make it a "juvie?" Or would it still be considered a sling? Just curious.
These are from when I first got him or her home. Was in a two inch deli cup, so in reality, spider is probably closer to two inches than an inch and a half.
These next few pics are of the 32 oz deli cup setup I housed it in. Tried to get multiple angles showing inside and out. Spood is inside cork so I didn't leave it open long enough to take more than a few. These last are a couple shots of my overall collection. I provided them so it can be known that this pokie is not my first T.
I always say this first when posting here... I'm a noob, having only been in the hobby for a little more than a year. I'm also not a kid, I'm grown, more than middle-aged, even.
So. That being said, I own what I consider a fair number of tarantulas, atw from docile North American NWs to some NW arboreals to African OW dwarfs and a couple other baboon sp. I've got a bit of experience keeping many kinds with varying temperaments.
But I've never had a Poecilotheria.
Until now.
I feel that it is relevant to quantify that.
So I purchased a couple new T's from a reputable local breeder last weekend, all NW dwarfs.
He offered me several freebies, among them a 1.5 inch P. rufilata.
I didn't want it at first. I was like "No. Get a horrida or another pulcher or some scrubland terrestrial. Don't go with the Asian arboreals yet. You're not ready."
But the more I thought about the rufilata, the more I wanted it. The more I felt that I had the stones to handle it. Unwise? Possibly. But Dude. It's a FREEBIE rufilata. I mean you know? If I hadn't known and trusted the breeder I would've been less inclined to even consider it. But I do know and trust the dealer and he's always went out of his way to do me right. Every spood I've got from him was healthy and all of them are still thriving. I've got NWs and OW's from him. So I just couldn't pass this pokie up. A freebie rufilata. I still can't believe it!
Anyhow now I've got my first pokie, again a 1.5 rufilata sling maybe a little bigger dls.Closer to 2 inches maybe, is my thought. Haven't had a chance myself to get a proper measurement, as it mostly hides or calmly boogies into it's tube when I approach the enclosure. It doesn't bolt so far, not that I've seen. It's very chill, confident in it's camo and danger level I suppose... Except during feeding. I'll get to that in a minute.
It seems to be healthy enough. Housing went more smoothly than I ever expected. I made it a point to be patient, calm and alert, tried to be aware of it's body language and what mood I felt it was in. Quite frankly, I was consciously having to hold my butthole shut. I was nigh crapping m'self. Don't get me wrong...I feel I'm ready to care for this spider. I've seen speed and defensiveness and Ive learned to keep from panicking (so far) as far as catching an escapee. Still, there's always that little sliver of caution, uncertainty. The "Demon of Discord," I call it. Like Jack the Ripper is looking in your window or something, know what I'm sayin'?
But hey, Blim Blam. T was quite calm. Took a few minutes, (maybe I was being a little overly cautious, but really there's no such thing when you're dealing with an Asian OW, or any other sp. for that matter, now is there?) but it went right in. Nice and easy.
Again, THAT being said, I've watched Tom Moran's vids, Dave's Little Beasties vids on dealing with this sp.(and many others). I've looked at bite reports (there's only one on here that I could find about this one and the overall result didn't seem to be on the level with some of the other species. Could've been a low-dose bite, ) and I've read thread after thread on this forum and others about this spider.
But on many threads here, both about this species and others, three main things have stood out to me somewhat more than others. These things are:
1. Do your own research, and do as much research as you can stomach, learn everything you can find before getting the animal. (Luckily I've been researching pokies of many, many different species since before I ever got my first Tarantula, so I felt I already had that one down aces. But I still watched more when I decided to get it, some over and over). I've spent hours on here, Arachnoboards, researching just Poecilotheria, not to mention hundreds of other species. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty much OCD when it comes to research. That's one reason why I'm so long-winded and why I'm here right now. It's a mind problem. Trust me. I got the papers. But I'm comfortable in all my psychoses. Onward.
2. Another thing is to take and provide pics of the T in question (if it'll stay still long enough that you can get them,) and the present enclosure you have it in. This helps the other members to have a much more definitive idea of how to help the OP with any questions said person has. I've completed this step too. All pics I have so far will be posted below.
And 3. Ask your own questions no matter how much research you've done, even on here. It's better to err on the side of caution and take a chance of someone being grumpy toward you and use any info that benefits you than to be a wuss, not ask a question, and take a chance on an ER (or maybe even a casket) visit that could possibly have been avoided if you'd had the stones to ask in the first place.
I know some aren't a fan of this #3 thing bc some questions have been asked so frequently that some members are sick of answering them. (I.e. Here's one: "I just got an Arizona blonde. How should I care for it?") I get that. I've even felt that way on some sites from a few ppl. You know, frustrated at some 8 year old who snuck a tarantula into the house without parental permission and without knowing the first thing about the T or the care involved or the parents' opinion on the whole "Big a$$ spider" deal. Yes, I'm talking to you, all social media. Maybe even a few ppl here. But I digress once again.
So. Since I feel like my remaining goals are to post the pics and ask the questions, here's what I THINK I know.
I know this pokie (rufilata) gets enormous, some say ten inches or even more. (Sorry...don't know the metric measurements for reference.) I know it does, or can, and that is a fact. It's one of the largest species out there, rivaling even the T stirmi size wise.
I also know that it reportedly possesses what is arguably the most potent venom of any tarantula on the planet, with some claiming that other pokies have worse venom and some claiming that this is the worst one. I accept that.
Some claim it's the P. met. Some say regalis, ornata, etc. Some say H Mac or Stro cal. I don't want to be bitten by any of them, period. Not a pokie, not a chalcodes, not anything in between. Ever
I've been stung by almost every wasp or hornet there is, some repeatedly, and I dislike it absolutely. So I do not handle T's, even as slings, though I've had a few scuttle across my hand during rehousing. But I see no point in purposeful handling, IMO. No benefit either way, for the T or for the keeper.
But if you handle, hey. More power to you. Up the Irons. Git 'R done. I've nothing against you. But I don't handle my own T's and that's it.
I also know that many species have negative "mythology" surrounding them. Some ppl say that their OBT is docile as a kitten when the mythology says they are the devil, and I know for a fact that my own G. pulchra (which are supposedly slow moving T's and docile as kittens) is a maniacal monster who would kill me given the chance. I know that my pulcher is flee rather than fight but don't back it into a corner. She's fast. Oh yes.
I also know that some mythology just may be the truth. It's there for a dang good reason
So my questions are these:
Does my setup in these pics look ok to you all for the sp. relevant to it's size? (About 2 inches).
It's of course an arboreal setup with about 2.5" damp sub, taller cork tube angled up with two entrance holes at top, fake leaf glued to top for extra cover, water dish glued to top.
So far, I've been misting "rain" a little. I've read maybe twice a month? Is that cool? Unessesary? More? Less? Stop it altogether?
Anything else I could do, or consider doing with the enclosure?
It's not bioactive. Just moist with hide(s) and plants and water dish. Too much? Not enough?
I also know that this sp. is endemic to Ghats, India and I think I saw parts of Sri Lanka (?) Think I have those right. Plz correct me if I'm in error there. TIA.
Therefore, I think it gets a monsoon season or at least a heavy rainy season in the wild (very damp and moist) and can handle dry conditions as well.
Is this true? Accurate? If not, what is the best approach to moisture levels? Is it physiologically equipped for both extremes? If so, lasting how long?
Right now, I've got it fairly moist in there. Do I let it dry out, then moisten again? If so, how long should I let it dry out for? I need.
I've read they do fine at room temps. I keep it °75 or so (sorry...don't know the Celsius measurement.) In your counsel, does that sound acceptable for this sp?
Feeders are exclusively crickets. I do not tong feed, I just drop the feeder to the spider. I've done that with this one once and It did feed fast and well in it's new enclosure on day two of my owning it.
Is this a good way to go about feeding, in your opinion?
Spood seems to like it ok so far. BTW I favor using crickets bc they seem to always elicit a ferocious feeding response, no matter what species I give them to, which I love to see. I mean let's face it. That's one of the best things about the hobby, right? Again, just IMO.
So I know for a fact that it likes crickets. It had it's offered cricket in it's fangs almost in midair. So I already got to see a little of that infamous speed. I'm glad. That counts toward a few exp's She's got the speed. That's for sure. The myth lives up on that one!
Crickets are good feeders for this one, right? Wrong?
Next, I was only able to find one bite report on this sp, and that one is right here on Arachnoboards.
Are there any bite reports on this T that I missed that anyone could point me to, or has anyone been bitten by one of these that has not filed a report? I sure would like to hear from you about it . Obvious reasons. Hope you're doing well.
That's all the questions I can think of at the mo. So here we go. Pics.
These two are from when I first got it home. It's still in the 2 oz deli cup from the dealer in these pics. So it's probably closer to two inches than an inch and a half. I love the green that sets it apart in the pokie kingdom, but none of the other colors are visible yet. I can't wait to see them one day, hopefully.
Would that size I mentioned make it a "juvie?" Or would it still be considered a sling? Just curious.
These are from when I first got him or her home. Was in a two inch deli cup, so in reality, spider is probably closer to two inches than an inch and a half.
These next few pics are of the 32 oz deli cup setup I housed it in. Tried to get multiple angles showing inside and out. Spood is inside cork so I didn't leave it open long enough to take more than a few. These last are a couple shots of my overall collection. I provided them so it can be known that this pokie is not my first T.
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