Speaking of which, a new H. Gigas...

[elephantspider]

I am a little worried that I might have gotten myself in a little over my head. I have had a few T's in the past, and I didn't really think much of it, as they were both very simple experiences with great outcomes. I have been interested in keeping another T for about 2 years now, and the opportunity with the wife came up where she was willing (this is a rare thing) to let us spend some extra cash on something that wasn't to necessary. The first thing that came to mind was a new spider. I had been told that it would be pretty easy to get a B. Smithi from the local pet store, and I was excited. Sadly, I don't know what was going on with their prices, but I was requoted at $160 for a 1". I decided to go with a different T, and chose the H. Gigas off the list thinking that it sounded like a fun challenge and a step in the more advanced keeper direction. I did hours of research since then, and I am really exicted about our new addition to the home, but am a little worried that I might be a little out of my league. I have heard/read some pretty interesting stories about these T's, and I was just looking for some advice from those in the know (i.e. you great folks).

I feel that I have a pretty sound set up:
*10 gallon tank
*6 inches of 66% peat 33.333 (repeating of course) top soil
*large open water dish
*80-85% humidity (as read off of new thermo gauge)

Is there anything I should know before setting that big beast down into its new lair? any tips? anything about what I should expect to be different from my nice sweet docile species that I've kept in the past?

Much love to you all! Glad to be a part of the community!

Glenn
p.s. lots of updates and pictures to follow the homecoming!

 

[LimaMikeSquared]

Hi, I've got some H.Gigas slings which I'm bringing on. They are deep burrowers, which make lots of interlocking burrows, and are the swimmers of the T's. If you use the search on the thread you will be able to find out all sorts of info on them, plus all the swimming pool experiments people have tried.

 

[LimaMikeSquared]

..... and they are reputed to be agressive, some very very agressive. One of my slings chases the torch light around its pot - thats the one I'll keep I expect, it's a bit of a character.

 

[Orchidspider]

I have a 6" gigas and she's really cool. Shes only aggressive when I cause her to be. I go by my own saying "an animal is only dangerous IF you make it dangerous" I gave my girl a large critter keeper, and half of it is shredded eco earth coconut, and she has a cork hide. Shes burried everything and made her own tunnel system, and is perfectly mild mannered when I see her out. I feed her roaches and night crawlers.

I keep it damp all the time as they are from rainforests. She has reared up on her legs to show me that she has rights and wishes, and I respect that. I also put a back ground on my cage because they hate light. Thus she has burrowed on the side of the back ground. When I want to see her in her burrow, I just lift up the back ground and can see her with a light. I also keep the back ground side out of direct light. Looking at her in her burrow is neat.

If you want something to hold, you have the wrong spider, but if you want an easily maintained, large, African spider with interesting behaviors and with nice rich velvety brown coloration, you have a GREAT spider! I think they are a really pretty spider and hope you get to like yours. Ive NEVER regreted getting mine and I think the aggression thing is over done... If you just let it be and do its thing- it wont be aggressive (if you have to move it just treat it like any other sensitive spider and use containers and forcips- no fingers- but thats with any tarantula), just doing its thing and allowing you to watch it do it- how cool!