So I’ve had one tarantula for a few years and am thinking about buying a few more but want some advice first…

[HumidElk525633]

I have had a single B. Hamorii as my first and only tarantula for about 3 years now and am happy to say she is doing great and just recently molted for the third or fourth time. I’m thinking of purchasing more species in a fairly sized order from fear not tarantulas but am wondering if I may be moving too fast. I’m thinking of ordering 5 T’s. Those five T’s are the following:

• CHROMATOPELMA CYANEOPUBESCENS
• BRACHYPELMA ALBICEPS
• BRACHYPELMA BOEHMEI
• DAVUS PENTALORIS
• GRAMMOSTOLA PULCHRA
• 
  Do you guys think I’m moving too fast and should maybe buy one or two of these or do you think I should be fine since these are pretty easy species to keep? I also tend to go on vacation two or three times a year (maybe once around Christmas, once around April, and once around july) for about a week. Would the slings be able to go that long without food or filling the water bowl and misting? Keep in mind I would feed them a day or two before the trips and make sure the water bowl is full before I leave. Thank you for any replies!

 

[Gilligan]

Misting is unnecessary in most cases unless it’s for tarantulas drinking. As long as the substrate is the required moisture and the water dish contains at least some water, vacations should be fine. Slings will be more than ok if they don’t get fed for a week.
If you feel you are moving too fast, you can acquire one T at a time at a speed that feels comfortable. If you feel up to the challenge by all means get all 5. Just make sure you have the room for all the adults, not just the slings, and that you can provide the care all 5 new ones would need. This is more of a question only you can analyze and answer.

 

[HumidElk525633]

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate you taking the time to hear me out. I feel I am up to the challenge since they are easier species to keep but I guess I just wanted to hear it from someone else. I have plenty of room for the adult T’s and will definitely give all the care they need. Also I don’t mist the enclosure often but thought I’d add it in to the post for good measure.

 

[campj]

Some people own a hundred spiders in their first year. Some people own a few spiders for ten years. Just depends on the individual, so I guess you're in a better position than anyone to judge whether or not you're ready.

For reference, within six months of owning my first spider, I'd purchased (well traded) a variety of Asian fossorials, some baboons, and bought five sub adult Poecilotheria ornata. Also owned a bunch of hot scorpions. I felt ready, I did it, zero issues.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I have had a single B. Hamorii as my first and only tarantula for about 3 years now and am happy to say she is doing great and just recently molted for the third or fourth time. I’m thinking of purchasing more species in a fairly sized order from fear not tarantulas but am wondering if I may be moving too fast. I’m thinking of ordering 5 T’s. Those five T’s are the following:

• CHROMATOPELMA CYANEOPUBESCENS
• BRACHYPELMA ALBICEPS
• BRACHYPELMA BOEHMEI
• DAVUS PENTALORIS
• GRAMMOSTOLA PULCHRA
• 
  Do you guys think I’m moving too fast and should maybe buy one or two of these or do you think I should be fine since these are pretty easy species to keep? I also tend to go on vacation two or three times a year (maybe once around Christmas, once around April, and once around july) for about a week. Would the slings be able to go that long without food or filling the water bowl and misting? Keep in mind I would feed them a day or two before the trips and make sure the water bowl is full before I leave. Thank you for any replies!

Nah you’re moving A good speed those are all great beginner Ts . Now the Davis is faster I think .. I’ve never owned one though. Misting is irrelevant mostly unless it’s in a spot your t can drink it . I wet the sub in a corner or two and let the t decide which spot to sit .

 

[nicodimus22]

They're low-maintenance pets. Most people could probably own 10-12 tarantulas and not feel stressed because they just don't need that much time or attention relative to other pets.

Having said that, plan out your T room or area for the adult-sized enclosures and don't exceed it.

 

[viper69]

I have had a single B. Hamorii as my first and only tarantula for about 3 years now and am happy to say she is doing great and just recently molted for the third or fourth time. I’m thinking of purchasing more species in a fairly sized order from fear not tarantulas but am wondering if I may be moving too fast. I’m thinking of ordering 5 T’s. Those five T’s are the following:

• CHROMATOPELMA CYANEOPUBESCENS
• BRACHYPELMA ALBICEPS
• BRACHYPELMA BOEHMEI
• DAVUS PENTALORIS
• GRAMMOSTOLA PULCHRA
• 
  Do you guys think I’m moving too fast and should maybe buy one or two of these or do you think I should be fine since these are pretty easy species to keep? I also tend to go on vacation two or three times a year (maybe once around Christmas, once around April, and once around july) for about a week. Would the slings be able to go that long without food or filling the water bowl and misting? Keep in mind I would feed them a day or two before the trips and make sure the water bowl is full before I leave. Thank you for any replies!

All good choices- albiceps are very very slow growers, same with pulchra

But not Chromatopelma!

Week- just make sure they are plump before you leave.

 

[MariaLewisia]

I agree with the others - it's all up to personal preference. Some might take decades before deciding to take on another T, others only take a year and they're off in the triple digits. What's important is that you feel ready and comfortable taking in more tarantulas, and of course that you have the space and time for them.

I like your list! Easy species. The D. pentaloris and C. cyanopubescense grow faster than the Brachypelmas and Grammostola which is always fun.

No need to worry about going away. Feed the slings and give them water the day before and they'll be more than okay for a week.

So to sum it up: go for it! lol

 

[Wolfram1]

I think its fine but like always i want to warn you, about a month to 3 months after is the time the craving to buy new ones raises its ugly head.

These ones are fine, you had a few years to contemplate, but if you notice the thought 'oh i forgot to buy this one, i really need it' smash that thought with a big stick and wait a few more months before deciding....

the people who dont do that quickly end up with huge collections

 

[HumidElk525633]

Lol I’ve had those thoughts for the three years I’ve had my first T. Thank you for the replies and advice. I feel I’m ready and have planned out my space for the adults already. Pretty excited about these species! Also looks like I’m getting a Chaco golden knee as a freebie. Thank you everyone

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

I totally agree with Wolfram there. If you spread them out a little, you can enjoy that new spider rush longer. I know ordering more at a time online saves you in shipping, but I find going to conventions a fun way to grab them individually.

 

[coolnweird]

I typically acquire new spiders in groups of 2-4, that way the shipping cost is diluted a bit but it's not as overwhelming as a shipment of 10 new animals all at once. I think that after 3 years you're more than ready to take on some more spiders, just make sure you research the requirements for each species! This site is an amazing resource, and I really enjoy Tom Moran/Tom's Big Spiders for video content.

 

[HumidElk525633]

Update: still haven’t ordered anything I finally got the itch to get some more t’s again and started doing a ton of research. Within a couple months I’m going to be acquiring a mid sized order (hopefully a freebie too). Just ordered some tarantula cribs enclosures and made a substrate mix to prepare. I’m going to be ordering a T. Vagans, B. Boehmei, D. Pentaloris, C. Cyaneopubescens, and an H. sp Columbia Large. I feel ready and am confident I can care for them all now. Also getting 2 k. Hibernalis and a Hogna Miami. I’m going on a two week vacation soon so I’ll be getting them after that and then in May I’ll be going to Japan for two weeks and my dad will be feeding and giving them water while I’m gone. Thanks everyone for the replies and advice, I’m really starting to love this hobby. My B. Hamorii is about 4 years old now and is around 2 inches; cannot wait until she (hopefully a she) gets larger so that I can truly admire her bright orange and white coloration. Thanks again🫡

 

[Matt Man]

You are making good "New additions" for your level. Try to find a T. kahlenbergi instead of the vagans. They have brighter, longer red hairs. Are you ordering adults, sub adults, juveniles or slings?

 

[HumidElk525633]

Slings. All T’s are 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch. I’m pretty confident I can care for them since I have experience with dozens of true spider slings fresh out of eggsacs that are 1/8-1/4 of an inch. Currently raising 5 barn funnel weaver slings at their second molt. The k. Hibernalis are 1.5-2” and the Hogna Miami is an inch.