Alright thanks.
I'm noticing the whole "pet rocK" analogy. He barely moves at all. 
All tarantulas are capable of high speed bursts, the difference is, how long these bursts are. Activity is low even with most active species. And, most spiders aren't aggressive towards human, defensive is better term, since most won't chase youAlright thanks.
Would you recommend another species? I don't want anything fast-moving or aggressive, but an active spider would be nice.
If he's a mature male, it's completely normal. He's looking for some hot girls
Hahaha. I also recommend Avicularia. Its a tree spider so you would need a different set up, but you need a different kind of spider to keep entertained. :]If he's a mature male, it's completely normal. He's looking for some hot girls
I could put a nice doll's dress on my hand and...All tarantulas are capable of high speed bursts, the difference is, how long these bursts are. Activity is low even with most active species. And, most spiders aren't aggressive towards human, defensive is better term, since most won't chase you
If I were you, I'd get Brachypelma or Avicularia as next T.
If he's a mature male, it's completely normal. He's looking for some hot girls
I definitely feel more at ease about it now, knowing that there really isn't anything special that needs to be done in order for him to thrive. 
From the sexing guides I've looked at, I have to assume it's a male.
Well that seems pretty lame then.
Yeah
I wouldn't want to try it until I'd read up on it enough to feel comfortable doing it.
Imagine if you did not find this forum, and the uneducated Petco people told you to go ahead and just get a another t and put it in there, and you did get a female who mated with your male who happened to be mature. You'd have accidentally bred. Next thing you know you'd be on here with an eggsac taking pictures and everyone would be like - what!? And you've have all these babies.Well that seems pretty lame then.
I was going to get a female in a couple of weeks anyway.
If you're going to handle him for the first time can I suggest you sit on the floor with the enclosure in front of you - even a small fall can be fatal to a T. (This is especially true if you're at all unsure - if the T decides to scarper it'll only fall a short distance).Going to try to handle him for the first time (not taking him out of his container though). I hope I don't get bitten!
Oh, oh! Sounds suspiciously like a newbie to me! I get the sense that this may be your first tarantula, or that you haven't had tarantulas for very long, that you may be a "newbie." In any case, to make sure that you're starting out on the right foot and have been introduced to all the basic issues, I'm going to begin with my soon-to-be-world-notorious NEWBIE INTRODUCTION.
Let's start the party!OMG! You haven't been reading those !@#$%! care sheets have you? Instead, read Care Sheets....
Five gallons (20 L) is okay if everything else is correct. We desperately need to see a photo of this thing. Most cages specifically made for tarantulas are made by reptile people. Tarantulas aren't reptiles. They require completely different cages and are cared for completely differently. You're going to find this out more and more as time goes on. It's part of your "tarantula training."
But, how much do you think is "plenty?" And the word you're groping for is "substrate." Be sure to read Substrate so you have a handle on what you're doing.
AAAaaaarrgghhh! These are desert tarantulas! They don't want either "moist" or "moss!" They want dry!
Ah! Something you may have done correctly. Can we see a photo of the setup to make sure? Please?
IT'S NEITHER A CANARY NOR A GUPPY! Any temperature you're comfortable at is just fine for it. YOU'RE THE FRAGILE SPECIES! NOT THE TARANTULA!
Don't try to feed a new tarantula for a week or so. Once you do start to feed it, give it its food in the evening just before you turn the lights out. Tarantulas not accustomed to cage life sometimes won't eat at first unless its dark. If the cricket isn't eaten overnight you may remove it the next morning, but I never did. The tarantula will eventually eat it when it's good and ready too.
You desperately need to read Temperature... as soon as possible!
For just about all normal sized, adult tarantulas, a water dish about the size and shape of a standard, traditional tune fish can is about right. But, enthusiasts have been known to use all sorts of silly things. The tarantula is easily capable of finding the water, whatever you do. Just make sure that clean water is always available. The major question is how much time and effort do you want to waste on fiddling with a water dish. A shallow dish will require filling often. A deeper dish can merely be sunk into the substrate a little.
The rule of thumb is to change the substrate and clean the cage at least once a year, usually just before the molting season. For most tarantulas that amounts to being late winter or very early spring. We do this to reduce or remove any potential vermin infestations in preparation for the tarantula's impending molt. However, Chilean roses pose a special problem because of their issues with the "Hemisphere Shift" and its effect on their annual cycle for the first few years after being imported.
AAAaaaarrgghhh! These are desert tarantulas! They don't want either "humidity" or "spray!" They want dry!
The subject of handling has been known to cause flame wars that rivaled the American Civil War in length and intensity! I will not go into it here. Instead, read the books mentioned in Stan's Rant.
Okay... the basic plan is to set up as simple and basic a cage as will support the tarantula, make sure it has water, THEN GO AWAY! Leave it alone. Don't feed it. Don't fuss with it. After a week, check the water dish, and refill it if needed. Throw in one (1) cricket. Come back the next day to see if the cricket was eaten. You may safely leave the cricket in the tarantula's cage for several days if you wish. Repeat this once a week. Period!
Not offended in the least, I specifically searched for a forum dedicated to Tarantulas, with a community who knew what they were talking about, so that I would receive some criticism. I want to learn as much as possible.Oh, oh! Sounds suspiciously like a newbie to me! I get the sense that this may be your first tarantula, or that you haven't had tarantulas for very long, that you may be a "newbie." In any case, to make sure that you're starting out on the right foot and have been introduced to all the basic issues, I'm going to begin with my soon-to-be-world-notorious NEWBIE INTRODUCTION.
If I'm mistaken, I apologize. But, even if you aren't a newbie I suggest that you read through it for review. (I just LUVS doing this!) Please stand by while I load the canned message.
[size=+1]HEY PEOPLE! WE'VE GOT ANOTHER NEWBIE HERE![/SIZE]
Cue the mariachis, the confetti, and the clowns.
Whiskers, please don't be offended! I've been messing with tarantulas longer than most people on this forum have been alive, and I still consider myself a newbie. I'm just having a little fun with you.
:biggrin:
Okay, let's get down to business. First, the pleasantries:
[SIZE=+1]"Welcome to the hobby!"
"Welcome to these forums!"[/size]
Now, to get you started on the right foot I urge you to read the following webpages.
Stan's Rant - A little initial boost in the right direction.
BE SURE TO READ AND HEED THE WARNINGS! They'll save you a bundle of cash and maybe a few dead tarantulas!
BE SURE TO READ THE BOOKS! The books will not only answer all your questions, but will also answer all the questions you hadn't thought to ask!
Myths, Misconceptions, and Mistakes Perpetuated by Tarantula Enthusiasts - A growing list of bad information in the hobby. Be sure to explore all the links.
And since you have a Chilean rose tarantula (Grammostola rosea) you definitely should also read Care and Husbandry of the Chilean Rose Tarantula - How NOT to let your Chilean rose tarantula drive you to the funny farm!
Lastly, you should read Substrate to get to the down and dirty of the situation.
:roflmao:
Additional Thoughts:
Good Starting Philosophy:
Most newbies start out trying to make tarantula care as complicated as possible, fretting over all sorts of silly things. For the beginner at least, and for most of us experienced aficionados as well, the best philosophy is, SIMPLE IS BETTER! As long as it supplies the basic necessities, the simpler your tarantula's cage is, the less there is to go wrong.
The Search Function:
Don't take this as a criticism, but if you don't already know about it, please learn to use the Search function at the top of the page. It'll save us all a lot of time and effort. Most novices and even many seasoned enthusiasts fail to appreciate that 95+% of all tarantula issues have already been addressed, sometimes ad nauseam, on these forums. All you need do is look for the discussions.
A Basic Operating Principle:
If you can't find an answer to your concern using the Search function (after all, search engines are far from perfect), by all means ask us. Remember,
"The only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask."
"And, dumb questions are always easier to deal with than dumb mistakes!"
Fire away!
"We aims to please."
Also, has no one told you?
[size=+2]THE TARANTULA KEEPER'S LAMENT
Like those potato chips,
you can't have just one!
You've been warned![/size]
(And, we offer a tip of the ol' hat and our profound thanks to the Frito-Lay Company for institutionalizing the progenitor of this little joke.)
Visit the webpages. Read the warnings. Read the books. Watch these forums. Do the searches.
DON'T DO ANYTHING ANYBODY TELLS YOU UNLESS ITS CONFIRMED IN ONE OF THOSE BOOKS, OR WE CONFIRM IT HERE!
IGNORE THE !@#$%! CARE SHEETS!
Then, get back to us with any concerns you may have. We're here to help.
Again, you need to read, READ, READ!
Lastly, it would help a lot if you would post several photos of your tarantula from several different angles, and several photos of its cage from several different angles. A few cell phones work okay, but most can't focus close enough, and proper focus is very important. If at all possible use a better camera. Maybe borrow one from a family member or friend? A picture is worth 1000 words! Besides, "We LUVS pichers!"
End Canned Message
Hobo beat me to it, but I'm still going to stay the course and give you the full, nickel tour.
OMG! You haven't been reading those !@#$%! care sheets have you? Instead, read Care Sheets....
The one webpage you really need to read is the one recommended by Hobo: Care and Husbandry of the Chilean Rose Tarantula.
Five gallons (20 L) is okay if everything else is correct. We desperately need to see a photo of this thing. Most cages specifically made for tarantulas are made by reptile people. Tarantulas aren't reptiles. They require completely different cages and are cared for completely differently. You're going to find this out more and more as time goes on. It's part of your "tarantula training."
But, how much do you think is "plenty?" And the word you're groping for is "substrate." Be sure to read Substrate so you have a handle on what you're doing.
AAAaaaarrgghhh! These are desert tarantulas! They don't want either "moist" or "moss!" They want dry!
You HAVE BEEN reading those !@#$%! care sheets, haven't you! Come one, now! Fess up!
Ah! Something you may have done correctly. Can we see a photo of the setup to make sure? Please?
IT'S NEITHER A CANARY NOR A GUPPY! Any temperature you're comfortable at is just fine for it. YOU'RE THE FRAGILE SPECIES! NOT THE TARANTULA!
Don't try to feed a new tarantula for a week or so. Once you do start to feed it, give it its food in the evening just before you turn the lights out. Tarantulas not accustomed to cage life sometimes won't eat at first unless its dark. If the cricket isn't eaten overnight you may remove it the next morning, but I never did. The tarantula will eventually eat it when it's good and ready too.
The only time when there might be a problem with leaving a cricket with a tarantula is when the tarantula is preparing to molt. When the spider is actually on its back and shedding its skin it's pretty much helpless and crickets have been known to try to eat the tarantula, causing it some harm and the enthusiast great stress. But, your tarantula may not molt until sometime in October through January (probably), or maybe not for a couple of years. But the subject of molting and Chilean roses is much more complicated than that. You need to read Care and Husbandry of the Chilean Rose Tarantula and then get back to us to fill in the finer points.
As a group, tarantulas need little food, and Chilean roses are the avant-garde in that respect. Your Chilean rose will live for two (2) years without eating if it has to, for instance. Don't stress over food. When you do feed it, feed only one (1) cricket a week or four (4) to five (5) crickets a month. NO MORE! It's okay to mete the crickets out every week, feed them all at once, or adopt any schedule that fits your routine. Your choice. Just remember ONLY AN AVERAGE OF ONE (1) A WEEK! NO MORE!
You desperately need to read Temperature... as soon as possible!
For just about all normal sized, adult tarantulas, a water dish about the size and shape of a standard, traditional tune fish can is about right. But, enthusiasts have been known to use all sorts of silly things. The tarantula is easily capable of finding the water, whatever you do. Just make sure that clean water is always available. The major question is how much time and effort do you want to waste on fiddling with a water dish. A shallow dish will require filling often. A deeper dish can merely be sunk into the substrate a little.
The rule of thumb is to change the substrate and clean the cage at least once a year, usually just before the molting season. For most tarantulas that amounts to being late winter or very early spring. We do this to reduce or remove any potential vermin infestations in preparation for the tarantula's impending molt. However, Chilean roses pose a special problem because of their issues with the "Hemisphere Shift" and its effect on their annual cycle for the first few years after being imported.
So, in your case, clean the cage every February regardless of when the tarantula molts. Also, tarantulas are normally very clean, odorless pets. If the cage develops an odor it means things have become too dirty and it's time for a cage cleaning regardless of the time of year.
AAAaaaarrgghhh! These are desert tarantulas! They don't want either "humidity" or "spray!" They want dry!
You HAVE BEEN reading those !@#$%! care sheets, haven't you! Come one, now! Fess up!
You NEVER spray or mist a Chilean rose. For that matter, you NEVER spray or mist any tarantula! Spraying or misting tarantulas is SOOOoooooo twentieth century! The only reason anyone might wish to spray or mist is to raise the humidity in the tarantula's cage. And we now know a much, MUCH, MUCH better way to do that. IF you think your tarantula needs a higher humidity you merely cover the cage to eliminate almost all ventilation. The water evaporates from the water dish to raise the humidity slowly and constantly with absolutely no effort on your part, and without annoying your tarantula.
The subject of handling has been known to cause flame wars that rivaled the American Civil War in length and intensity! I will not go into it here. Instead, read the books mentioned in Stan's Rant.
Okay... the basic plan is to set up as simple and basic a cage as will support the tarantula, make sure it has water, THEN GO AWAY! Leave it alone. Don't feed it. Don't fuss with it. After a week, check the water dish, and refill it if needed. Throw in one (1) cricket. Come back the next day to see if the cricket was eaten. You may safely leave the cricket in the tarantula's cage for several days if you wish. Repeat this once a week. Period!
You really, badly, desperately need to read those books! You really, badly, desperately need to read those webpages! You really, badly, desperately need to perform a lot of searches on this forum!
BUT, DON'T DO ANYTHING ANYBODY TELLS YOU UNLESS ITS CONFIRMED IN ONE OF THOSE BOOKS, OR WE CONFIRM IT HERE!
There! I've done enough damage. I'll leave you now to do your homework. YOU NEEDS TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK! :laugh:
Enjoy your little, 8-legged, desert hermit!
Gonna go read those webpages now.