So I bought my first T finally. All input appreciated.

[Andrea82]

3-5 crickets (adults?) a week is a bit much imo. No experience with this species, but even my L.parahybana piggie didn't eat that much...

 

[Xafron]

3-5 crickets (adults?) a week is a bit much imo. No experience with this species, but even my L.parahybana piggie didn't eat that much...

How big was your LP? I saw somewhere LP could eat like 10-15 a week, but maybe that was poor information... Im really not sure how much to give this lil lady. 2 or 3? Surely 1 a week for a 4 inch T wouldnt be enough? The crickets are just the large size from Petsmart.

 

[Arachnomaniac19]

I do one adult cricket every week for my 2 incher, and in general one or two super worms every two weeks for adults.

 

[Xafron]

It is interesting to watch. I read on another site they can be "semi-arboreal" and she is climbing the sides of the tub webbing along it.

 

[Nightstalker47]

3-5 crickets (adults?) a week is a bit much imo. No experience with this species, but even my L.parahybana piggie didn't eat that much...

My LP female eats that many in one sitting, I usually give her three adult crickets at a time, sometimes more. But then again she is pretty big, and I slow it down when she gets overly fat.

It is interesting to watch. I read on another site they can be "semi-arboreal" and she is climbing the sides of the tub webbing along it.

Mine has behaved the same as most terrestrials I have, keep a moist spot available and the rest reasonably dry, they seem pretty content not hiding. I can say that my specimen is bold for her size, doesn't budge when I do maintenance and really hasn't been difficult to keep in the least, eats like a horse too.

 

[Xafron]

My LP female eats that many in one sitting, I usually give her three adult crickets at a time, sometimes more. But then again she is pretty big, and I slow it down when she gets overly fat.

Mine has behaved the same as most terrestrials I have, keep a moist spot available and the rest reasonably dry, they seem pretty content not hiding. I can say that my specimen is bold for her size, doesn't budge when I do maintenance and really hasn't been difficult to keep in the least, eats like a horse too.

How big is yours and how much do you feed her? And ya, she seems extremely confident. Not really afraid. She briefly got into posture and then bolted once when I pulled a long (human) hair off her butt, but other than that she's very relaxed so far.

 

[darkness975]

@Xafron In the future you should steer clear of purchasing invertebrates from reptile vendors. It appears that you got lucky with that one, but very often they are poor specimens since reptile vendors rarely know much about invertebrates.

 

[Xafron]

@Xafron In the future you should steer clear of purchasing invertebrates from reptile vendors. It appears that you got lucky with that one, but very often they are poor specimens since reptile vendors rarely know much about invertebrates.

I wouldn't know. While this is the first T I have purchased, the entire experience with Jabberwock Reptiles was pleasant. Relatively quick to answer questions, when I requested pictures he sent them, and he worked with me on the price because the first two I contacted him about were sold shortly after. And the prices were pretty reasonable to begin with too. The shipping process went smoothly. Did it like a lot of the other more commonly used dealers do, the tarantula was securely packaged. His shop has got pretty positive reviews as well. I do appreciate the advice, I will keep it in mind for future purchases from other stores. However I wouldn't assume just because he sells reptiles, that his Ts are neglected.

 

[darkness975]

However I wouldn't assume just because he sells reptiles, that his Ts are neglected.

I didn't assume that. But a lot of people will tell you that a great many reptile vendors are known for not being the best with invertebrates. Didn't say that every last one was bad, but the average tends to lean towards the negative.

 

[Nightstalker47]

How big is yours and how much do you feed her? And ya, she seems extremely confident. Not really afraid. She briefly got into posture and then bolted once when I pulled a long (human) hair off her butt, but other than that she's very relaxed so far.

Mine is still small, around 2 inch DLS. I usually feed her once or twice a week depending on the size of prey items. They aren't super fast growing, so they tend to put on weight pretty rapidly.

 

[Grimmdreadly]

Ya,Walmart.Cheaper than Home Depot/Lowes.Go to the housewares dept.Specifically,storage and kitchen.
Walk up and down the isles.Youll be amazed at what makes great T enclosures.

I've been saying this for years

 

[Grimmdreadly]

How big was your LP? I saw somewhere LP could eat like 10-15 a week, but maybe that was poor information... Im really not sure how much to give this lil lady. 2 or 3? Surely 1 a week for a 4 inch T wouldnt be enough? The crickets are just the large size from Petsmart.

I'd go with two superworms every two weeks.

Congrats on the gorgeous first T.

 

[spotropaicsav]

My only input is that your T is lovely, enjoy

 

[Xafron]

Question. My T is less active today than yesterday, and her abdomen is losing hair. Is she in premolt or is this due to stresses from being shipped and put in a new home?

 

[Xafron]

As soon as I posted that she started crawling all over the place. I'm just jittery I guess

 

[cold blood]

Question. My T is less active today than yesterday, and her abdomen is losing hair. Is she in premolt or is this due to stresses from being shipped and put in a new home?

They don't "lose" hair...they rub it off...and its not really an indicator of anything other than that it was flicking. It does allow you to see the skin, and that can be an indicator as the skin will darken (actually blacken) when near molting.

 

[Xafron]

They don't "lose" hair...they rub it off...and its not really an indicator of anything other than that it was flicking. It does allow you to see the skin, and that can be an indicator as the skin will darken (actually blacken) when near molting.

I had seen somewhere that they lose the hairs close to a molt but perhaps that was wrong (seems to be a lot of that going around for Ts haha). It may very well be flicked hairs.

 

[Caseyface]

Ah, those first days are so fun. I didn't realize how addicting tarantulas could be. I started with an adult female (AF) Brachypelma albopilosum (Honduran Curly Hair) that I purchased from Backwater Reptiles. They are a classic example of what @darkness975 was referring to. Their Ts are shipped in containers with loose substrate to be bounced around in. It is horrible. However, I have purchased from Jabberwock three or so times without any issues. All of my specimens have been very healthy and shipped professionally, they are all still doing well(as is Chabi, my B. albo).

Your new one is absolutely lovely. Pretty soon you'll be buying shelving solely for new tarantulas. Seriously. I started with one, and four months later, I am pushing 30. I literally cannot stop.

EDIT: Accidentally tagged the lovely @boina. Sorry!

 

[cold blood]

I had seen somewhere that they lose the hairs close to a molt but perhaps that was wrong (seems to be a lot of that going around for Ts haha). It may very well be flicked hairs.

They often flick more in pre molt...but not always and its certainly not always associated with pre molt. But no, they dont just fall out...ts that dont flick molt with full rumps of setae.

 

[Xafron]

Ah, those first days are so fun. I didn't realize how addicting tarantulas could be. I started with an adult female (AF) brachypelma albopilosum (Honduran Curly Hair) that I purchased from Backwater Reptiles. They are a classic example of what @boina was referring to. Their Ts are shipped in containers with loose substrate to be bounced around in. It is horrible. However, I have purchased from Jabberwock three or so times without any issues. All of my specimens have been very healthy and shipped professionally, they are all still doing well(as is Chabi, my b. albo).

Your new one is absolutely lovely. Pretty soon you'll be buying shelving solely for new tarantulas. Seriously. I started with one, and four months later, I am pushing 30. I literally cannot stop.

@Caseyface I don't have a ton of space and I work in retail haha. I also have a number of other pets already. So I don't know if I can get away with that many, both because of space restrictions and not having a ton of money. I would like more eventually though.

She's beautiful. When I'm not at work, I'm often at my computer and I have her setup right next to me where I can watch her do her thing. She is pretty active for the most part. Have yet to actually see her move any sub around though.

And ya I've watched unboxing videos to see what good shipping looks like. Jabberwock Reptiles did an excellent job. Healthy T too from what I can tell, and for a really good price based on what I've seen these sold for elsewhere online.