Psalmopoeus cambridgei

[Tenevanica]

I am enamored by this species. This species (and Hapalopus sp.) is right up next on my wish list. If I acquired one right now this would be my fifth tarantula, and I'm not sure if I'm ready yet, in particular for the speed. Every tarantula that I've kept before has been relatively slow moving. I'm just worried that the moment I open the cage to do maintainance it will bolt out of the cage and under a bookshelf faster than I can react. How easily startled is this species? I know they're usually not aggressive, and are pretty hardy, but the speed scares me. Also, do these guys do fine at room temperature? High 60s low 70s kind of range. Thanks!

 

[viper69]

I am enamored by this species. This species (and Hapalopus sp.) is right up next on my wish list. If I acquired one right now this would be my fifth tarantula, and I'm not sure if I'm ready yet, in particular for the speed. Every tarantula that I've kept before has been relatively slow moving. I'm just worried that the moment I open the cage to let the T out it will bolt out of the cage and under a bookshelf faster than I can react. How easily startled is this species? I know they're usually not aggressive, and are pretty hardy, but the speed scares me. Also, do these guys do fine at room temperature? High 60s low 70s kind of range. Thanks!

How long have you owned Ts? If you aren't sure, then don't get it. After looking at your list of Ts, you'd be better off getting a fast moving terrestrial first for a taste, get a GBB.

I've owned 2 members of this genus, they can and will bolt if the opportunity presents itself, ie they feel threatened, they don't have enough room in their home etc. I owned irminia and it wouldn't rocket out the moment the lid was lifted, but it certainly thought about it. My pulcher is even more likely to take off.

W/that said, generally they are a secretive genus, and to some degree likely to run to their burrow before jetting out of their container.

Make no mistake, all Ts move faster than a human can react. If you can catch a T while it's striking prey, let me know!

Temps would be OK, with a slightly lower metabolism in that range, not life threatening by any means.

Psalmo's are one of the fastest NW Ts after Taps.

 

[Tenevanica]

How long have you owned Ts? If you aren't sure, then don't get it. After looking at your list of Ts, you'd be better off getting a fast moving terrestrial first for a taste, get a GBB.

I've owned 2 members of this genus, they can and will bolt if the opportunity presents itself, ie they feel threatened, they don't have enough room in their home etc. I owned irminia and it wouldn't rocket out the moment the lid was lifted, but it certainly thought about it. My pulcher is even more likely to take off.

W/that said, generally they are a secretive genus, and to some degree likely to run to their burrow before jetting out of their container.

I've owned T's for eight months. I've actually thought about getting a GBB, but I haven't been able to find any great deals. Usually they sell for $50 for 1/2 inch slings.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

I have only one at the moment, but owned tons -- those had/have written 'Frebies' all over the body have a 0.1, raised from 1 cm sling. They are very, very hardy T's. Room temperature is fine (of course, uh, not too/that cold).

They are super fast, not like genus Tapinauchenius, but that's a mere detail because, yes, they are fast. But that's all, along with a somewhat potent venom (compared to the average NW, i mean... a nothing compared to OW like arboreal Baboons), because i seriously can't talk about them being that defensive/s.

IMO they aren't if housed properly. They love to "fight" with molts ah ah and to create stuff with dirt & web. I love P.cambridgei.

P.irminia are in general much more defensive, more than some 'Pokies'.

Edit:
You are right, GBB price is very high in the US according to what i've heard here.
with $50 here you can buy a juvenile 0.1 :-/

 

[viper69]

I've owned T's for eight months. I've actually thought about getting a GBB, but I haven't been able to find any great deals. Usually they sell for $50 for 1/2 inch slings.

I don't know you personally, however the average T owner I've encountered isn't ready. All things being equal, I doubt you are either.

Too many new people just see Ts as pretty things to collect, and they want the next new thing to them in their collection before they have properly learned the most they can w/what they have. There's no rush to get the "next" T whatever that may be. I'm not suggesting you are such a person, but there are many like yourself who get a bunch of Ts really soon, and end up getting Ts that they have no business owning because they over estimated their ability/knowledge and UNDERESTIMATED the T they regretted getting/trying to get rid off.

The Psalmos I own all move very nimbly and very quickly in everything they do.


As for GBBs, I've never seen or paid more than $35-40 for a sling.

 

[Tenevanica]

I don't know you personally, however the average T owner I've encountered isn't ready. All things being equal, I doubt you are either.

Too many new people just see Ts as pretty things to collect, and they want the next new thing to them in their collection before they have properly learned the most they can w/what they have. There's no rush to get the "next" T whatever that may be. I'm not suggesting you are such a person, but there are many like yourself who get a bunch of Ts really soon, and end up getting Ts that they have no business owning because they over estimated their ability/knowledge and UNDERESTIMATED the T they regretted getting/trying to get rid off.

The Psalmos I own all move very nimbly and very quickly in everything they do.


As for GBBs, I've never seen or paid more than $35-40 for a sling.

I try to take it slow, and when I do want to take big leaps (this is the first one actually) I get the opinions of others. I am very knowledgeable about tarantulas and their husbandry, but I don't have the experience. You can read all you want about how fast or aggressive an animal is, but you will never get a sense of it until you've experienced it. Trust me, I treat tarantulas with mad respect because I know what they can do, and what they can do can hurt me...

As for the GBB, you're right. IDK what I was thinking when I made the $50 comment, I just remembered them being kinda pricey.

 

[Yanose]

one of the reasons i never got a GBB was the expense i would not pay more than 35 or 40$ for one but lately have not found any that cheap or i would have had it.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

One reason, indeed, is: Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens (along with Ephebopus murinus IMO) aren't easy to breed T's, and 0.1 are voracious male eaters we failed hard, back then (prior to the Italian Arachnids Ban of 2003) but finally we succeeded lol one day.

 

[viper69]

As for the GBB, you're right. IDK what I was thinking when I made the $50 comment, I just remembered them being kinda pricey.

They have always held their price well over the past decades, the demand is always there for many reasons. Good luck.

 

[Yanose]

my advice is never get and animal that makes you nervous it sucks if you own a T that makes you sweat bullets every time you have to do anything with it we want excitement not fear and stress

 

[Poec54]

Cambridgei grow fast, males can mature in a year or less. Start with a sling and you have a big spider before long. They bolt less often as they grow, but if spooked, they can zip out of their cage and be very hard to catch. You just watch a grey blur run across the room. Bites are very painful.

There are some inexpensive spiders that are a poor choice for beginners. Likewise for color. You'll have a more enjoyable, and less stressful time, if you work your way up, starting with hardy, relatively calm species. Be in a big hurry and you can have an escape, or a pet you're afraid of.

 

[z32upgrader]

I agree with the rest of the posters here. Get a quick terrestrial before you get one of these. As an example of their speed and ferocity, watch this video:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jt3x9r37hb3lh0q/Psalmopoeus cambridgei.mp4?dl=0
Download for best quality.
You can't be wishy-washy about it. They will make a fool out of you if you're not ready.

 

[lalberts9310]

I would also not recommend getting one if the thought of their speed makes you feel uncomfortable. They can be extremely fast, I had a sub-adult bolt up my arm onto my back with absolutely no time for me to react, though being the calmest of the genus in the sense that they are less inclined to bolt and less skittish than the rest of the genus, they can still boogy if they want to. I would also suggest you get a fast moving, skittish terrestrial to get you comfortable with speed before getting a psalmo.

 

[shaneshac]

. I'm just worried that the moment I open the cage to let the T out it will bolt out of the cage and under a bookshelf faster than I can react.

Can i ask why you would want to let the T out?

 

[borotasinisa]

Mine P.cambridgei is one of my favorites, because is beautiful (even more in person, pictures aren't representative at all), has very extremely good feeding response and almost never hides, even when she was a sling. I think if they have adequate enclosure in terms of space, substrate and climbing surface (wich they will also use to make a hide) it will reduce chances of bolting out of the enclosure to a minimum. If you are afraid of this anyway you can always switch the lid of enclosure with some transparent plastic and feed that way until you get used to their speed. Sometimes is hard to get them out of enclosure when they settle in right.

 

[Tenevanica]

Can i ask why you would want to let the T out?

That was an error. I didn't mean to type that lol. I edited the post with what I meant to say.