Terrestrial to Arboreal

[Erica Danielle]

Good afternoon, everyone!

I’ve been doing research on a couple arboreal species, particularly Avicularia avicularia M1 and Carbinera vesicolor. I’ve recently acquired a Tliltocatl albopilosus and I’d really love to get an arboreal for my next Tarantula. I’ve read several threads pertaining to Avics and I’ve been looking at enclosures for whichever I decide to acquire.

My main question, is it okay for a newbie to go from a NW terrestrial to a NW arboreal? (Not any time within the next few weeks, but definitely as my next Tarantula. So still plenty of time to do more research). So far, what I know about Avics is they’re slightly more delicate than others. More so by needing more ventilation since stuffy, humid conditions kill Avics. (Ventilation holes being smaller than the carapace, of course). Add ventilation on the top so droplets of water can be added if needed for a molting T in a canopy. About 1-2” of dry substrate. No misting. Water dish on the ground & situated so the T cannot tip it over. Cork bark slab being positioned from sub floor towards the top of the enclosure with foliage (plastic plants) arranged at the top for anchor points and hiding. Make sure cork bark slab is situated in the substrate so it cannot move easily & harm the T. Enclosure being taller than it is wide. Less foliage at the sub floor so feeders can be seen. (Just wanted to add some of what I’ve learned here so no one thinks I’m just going to impulse buy an arboreal without doing research or putting any animal in harms way. I 110% stand behind the advice given here. I know you guys are educated in this hobby, know way more than I and you all care deeply for tarantulas, so I trust everyone’s opinion/advice here - maybe not everyone, but you get the idea. )

Not that I plan on getting an arboreal in the next couple days or weeks, but I really would like my next T to be arboreal (even if that’s 6 months away). Definitely sub adult or adult for the first. (And of course before making the decision to buy, posting photos of the enclosure to get advice from you folks!) All in all, being this would be a second tarantula, is acquiring an arboreal species a horrible idea? I understand I’m still very much so ignorant to the world of Tarantulas, so I will 100% understand if any member says to take it easy. My feelings will only be slightly hurt. Not enough to go cry in the closet but enough so to pout for a few days. Kidding, of course! But thanks to everyone in advance for any and all advice!

 

[bulbophyllum]

Sounds like a fine idea to me. My versicolors are calm and gentle. Not that it has anything to do with it but, they are also just so damn pretty.

 

[Poonjab]

It’s about time you got a T. With as much research and preparation as you did. I bet that thing drinks from a Gucci water dish . Congrats and no. It’s not a horrible idea. I would recommend a.avic.

 

[spideyspinneret78]

No, not a terrible idea at all! In fact, I think it's a great idea that'll broaden your experience. Avics are an excellent choice, and there are many interesting species and morphotypes to chose from! It sounds like you've done your research, which is fantastic.

 

[viper69]

is it okay for a newbie to go from a NW terrestrial to a NW arboreal? (Not any time within the next few weeks, but definitely as my next Tarantula

It's actually against the law. To be honest, a few weeks is nothing Ts barely change hah. There's no need to get another terrestrial if you want Avic.

So still plenty of time to do more research

These types of beginner questions pop up a lot. I say the same thing generally. You barely own one T, and while I acknowlege you have read quite a bit (you've put more good info in this post than most do!), you have little experience with Ts if I recall correctly.

Rather than hopping to your next T, raise the one you have now for a while- not weeks, not months, but longer....Rehouse gain experience etc., the research you have is great, but experience is key.

Avics aren't going anywhere, and there is no need to rush out and get another.

Where you will be in 8-10 years, remember getting a T is a commitment, and while Avics don't live decades, females can and do live up to 10 years..

C versi aren't the most calm IME. I've raised a lot of species and localities of Avics. The most laid back I've raised are A. avic morphotype 6, formerly known as A. metallica. Versi are a bit more nervous to split hairs, they are more voracious eaters though, both sexes.

 

[Ungoliant]

Not that I plan on getting an arboreal in the next couple days or weeks, but I really would like my next T to be arboreal (even if that’s 6 months away). Definitely sub adult or adult for the first. (And of course before making the decision to buy, posting photos of the enclosure to get advice from you folks!) All in all, being this would be a second tarantula, is acquiring an arboreal species a horrible idea?

Avicularia make fine second tarantulas (my first two tarantulas were Avicularia avicularia); it sounds like you're on the right track with your research.

My Caribena versicolor is still a sling, but so far I would say it is more skittish than any of my Avicularia avicularia have been. Avicularia avicularia are also easier to find as juveniles.

 

[Chroma Trigger]

Yay, you got your T. Albopilosus!

While both A. Avicularia and C. Versicolor are described as docile, personalities can really differ in individuals. My A. Avicularia was so incredibly docile, she did not want to move into her terrarium. I touched her back legs and all it would do is push them forward, making her look like a complete doofus. Luckily she is still a great eater and a cool webber! My C. Versicolor on the other hand is the only T that ever made me jump. I touched her back legs with a brush during a rehouse and she zoomed around the enclosure for 10 seconds, much like a centrifuge. Good thing I closed the terrarium door in time, otherwise she would have shot right out... So from my personal experience, I would recommend an A. Avicularia. Still love my Versi though

 

[Vanessa]

Firstly, you are not ignorant at all about the world of tarantulas - you're being too hard on yourself. Yes, you might be new to having hands on experience, but, if people did even a fraction of the research that you've done - these animals, and the hobby, would be far better off.
Dry with a water dish and plenty of ventilation. You have listed exactly what they need above. I would try to ensure that the cork bark, and fake plants, don't go all the way to the top - try to leave a bit of a gap so they web a bit lower than right at the lid. Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't, but I still try to leave a bit of a gap. They're fast, and they can jump, so rehousing is sometimes a bit of a challenge. Once they get established, they are not as likely to bolt out of their enclosures, but they don't like to be rehoused very much.
Avicularia avicularia M1 and M6 are going to be your most tolerant options. Seriously, you can't really get any more sweet natured than your standard Avicularia species. Caribena versicolor have this reputation as being just as tolerant, but really they aren't. They can be defensive sometimes, although it is not common. They are also far more skittish in my experience. I have heard of extremely few Avicularia avicularia M1 and M6 ever being in the least bit defensive.
I avoided the arboreal species for way too long. I didn't understand the hype surrounding them. Then, I got my first Avicularia - an adult female M1 - as part of a package deal with a terrestrial that I wanted and I was hooked immediately. I fell head over heels in love with them. I would have far more arboreal species if I had more room.

 

[Erica Danielle]

It's actually against the law. To be honest, a few weeks is nothing Ts barely change hah. There's no need to get another terrestrial if you want Avic.



These types of beginner questions pop up a lot. I say the same thing generally. You barely own one T, and while I acknowlege you have read quite a bit (you've put more good info in this post than most do!), you have little experience with Ts if I recall correctly.

Rather than hopping to your next T, raise the one you have now for a while- not weeks, not months, but longer....Rehouse gain experience etc., the research you have is great, but experience is key.

Avics aren't going anywhere, and there is no need to rush out and get another.

Where you will be in 8-10 years, remember getting a T is a commitment, and while Avics don't live decades, females can and do live up to 10 years..

I was hoping to get your insight too, especially since anytime Avics are mentioned, you’re one of the first people that are tagged lol.

I honestly just love learning about tarantulas so it’s so easy to read through the forums and take notes. I will wait... six days... before getting an Avic. (Lol) But you’ve made great points! I may go ahead and get a Grammastola pulchra in the meantime. (No one shall change my mind, ha.) I can say, undoubtedly, unless I pass away, I will always have spiders (not just Theraphosidae but true spiders as well, and centipedes and scorpions and I’ll stop there). I have read every post (excluding the ones about defensive OW’s) from today to May 2018, several pages from Tarantula Chat, all the Beginner Information, quite a bit from Biology of Spiders (although I’ll admit that book is a little above my pay grade lol) and all of Tom’s Blogs. I just cannot learn enough and I think with doing so much reading I tend to want to see what I’m reading about, if that makes sense. But I definitely understand that experience paired with research is best not just for me but the T’s as well. Maybe a GBB between the G. pulchra and then later an A. avic or a C. versicolor. (Talking down the road, over time). Until then I’ll just have to live vicariously through all you guys.

It’s about time you got a T. With as much research and preparation as you did. I bet that thing drinks from a Gucci water dish . Congrats and no. It’s not a horrible idea. I would recommend a.avic.

Amazon was all sold out of Gucci so I had to settle for Micheal Kors. Lol. I’ve been planning on uploading a photo of her (from what I’ve seen on here with ventral sexing, I’m pretty sure it’s a she, but I’ll upload a photo of her underside soon) but I’ve been trying to let her settle in without taking photos so she isn’t super bothered with a bright flash while trying to acclimate. (Not that I’m 100% sure it’d bother her all that bad, but I just thought I’d let her settle in a bit). I was so happy when “she” came in!

Yay, you got your T. Albopilosus!

While both A. Avicularia and C. Versicolor are described as docile, personalities can really differ in individuals. My A. Avicularia was so incredibly docile, she did not want to move into her terrarium. I touched her back legs and all it would do is push them forward, making her look like a complete doofus. Luckily she is still a great eater and a cool webber! My C. Versicolor on the other hand is the only T that ever made me jump. I touched her back legs with a brush during a rehouse and she zoomed around the enclosure for 10 seconds, much like a centrifuge. Good thing I closed the terrarium door in time, otherwise she would have shot right out... So from my personal experience, I would recommend an A. Avicularia. Still love my Versi though

I’ve had the same happen with a Wolf Spider! (Totally different, I know lol). But I’ve kept several Wolf Spiders (not for long periods but more so to observe and release after a month or so). That’s when I realized just how different the personalities of the same exact species can be. I’ve had a female wolf spider that was the most lax spider I’ve ever seen. (I LOVE watching Wolf Spiders feed!) But anyways, the next wolf spider I kept, she was super skittish. I touched her with a paper straw and she ran around the enclosure for 2 mins, lol. So I just left her be at that point. I was lucky enough to watch a Wolf Spood spin a phantom egg sac & had another actually have a viable egg sac be made.

Sorry for the ramble. I could talk spiders all day lol.

 

[viper69]

I was hoping to get your insight too, especially since anytime Avics are mentioned, you’re one of the first people that are tagged lol.

I honestly just love learning about tarantulas so it’s so easy to read through the forums and take notes. I will wait... six days... before getting an Avic. (Lol) But you’ve made great points! I may go ahead and get a Grammastola pulchra in the meantime. (No one shall change my mind, ha.) I can say, undoubtedly, unless I pass away, I will always have spiders (not just Theraphosidae but true spiders as well, and centipedes and scorpions and I’ll stop there). I have read every post (excluding the ones about defensive OW’s) from today to May 2018, several pages from Tarantula Chat, all the Beginner Information, quite a bit from Biology of Spiders (although I’ll admit that book is a little above my pay grade lol) and all of Tom’s Blogs. I just cannot learn enough and I think with doing so much reading I tend to want to see what I’m reading about, if that makes sense. But I definitely understand that experience paired with research is best not just for me but the T’s as well. Maybe a GBB between the G. pulchra and then later an A. avic or a C. versicolor. (Talking down the road, over time). Until then I’ll just have to live vicariously through all you guys.

It makes sense.

Being objective— a lot of people come here just like you, and after a short time- a few years etc realize it was just a phase and the Ts are dumped onto someone else.

We have people who owned one T for many years and for some reason ended up breeding.

There’s plenty of time.

 

[Erica Danielle]

It makes sense.

Being objective— a lot of people come here just like you, and after a short time- a few years etc realize it was just a phase and the Ts are dumped onto someone else.

We have people who owned one T for many years and for some reason ended up breeding.

There’s plenty of time.

I completely get it. I was actually reading a thread the other day where an old-timer was saying one of his friends got into the hobby because he owned so many tarantulas & then the guy ended up giving away the T after a couple months because it was so “boring.” I’m not really 100% sure what some people expect a tarantula to do? I mean if mine isn’t putting on at least a 4 star Barnum & Bailey experience, they’re getting sold. But seriously, the T just existing and doing spider things is good enough for me. I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t eventually want to get into the OW’s and such but that’s a long, long way down the road. I should’ve asked if getting an OBT would’ve been a good second choice, then Avic avic wouldn’t sound so bad. Haha. But thank you for all your advice & input.

 

[Chroma Trigger]

I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t eventually want to get into the OW’s and such but that’s a long, long way down the road.

These were my exact words like 1 month before I visited a reptile expo. Now I have a Poecilotheria Metallica sling at home . I think you are the opposite of an impulsive buyer, but never underestimate the power of a T right in front of you, combined with the right price tag

 

[viper69]

I should’ve asked if getting an OBT

And then I would tossed you into the same pile as the rest, despite your good research. Keep reading! And get your Avic at some point.

 

[Erica Danielle]

And then I would tossed you into the same pile as the rest, despite your good research. Keep reading! And get your Avic at some point.

If I’m being perfectly honest, whenever I first joined Tarantula related FB groups, and members would freak about certain things (like a noob getting an OBT), I had the mindset of “a tarantula is a tarantula, no matter which.” Now I completely understand why experienced keepers can get so agitated with certain situations. For instance I read a thread here last night about a Stromatopelma calceatum escapee who, from my understanding, belonged to someone who was new to the hobby. That was an eye opener, for sure. My views and mindset regarding keeping has changed, drastically, since I first began. So I can only imagine if I didn’t do research and only got a T based on appearance, for example. But thank you again for the advice! I’ll definitely continue to research and read.

 

[Erica Danielle]

These were my exact words like 1 month before I visited a reptile expo. Now I have a Poecilotheria Metallica sling at home . I think you are the opposite of an impulsive buyer, but never underestimate the power of a T right in front of you, combined with the right price tag

I can only imagine. I’ll be the one at the next expo walking around murmuring to myself “You’ve got to wait. I know that one is awesome, but you’ve got to wait. But it’s only $35... but you need to research this some more.” Haaa. But seriously, I am definitely starting to understand why keepers say this hobby can be so addictive.

 

[Gavin Sons]

Yeah i started with 1 B. Emilia 10 weeks ago and that grew into a B. Hamorii then a GBB then a C. Versicolor. I'm like you and read everything i can to get it right, mostly here from experienced keepers.

 

[Poonjab]

I can only imagine. I’ll be the one at the next expo walking around murmuring to myself “You’ve got to wait. I know that one is awesome, but you’ve got to wait. But it’s only $35... but you need to research this some more.” Haaa. But seriously, I am definitely starting to understand why keepers say this hobby can be so addictive.

Its the speed and the risk associated with OW’s. That’s why people preach gain experience. Know how to respond when the unexpected happens. I was rehousing an OBT, everything was going as planned. About halfway into the catch cup, the lil bugger took off at the speed of light and ended up on my wrist. Having experience with similar situations with less venomous T’s, I was able to stay calm and cool and get it into the new enclosure with zero risk to me or the T. If I was inexperienced and didn’t know how to act in the situation, it probably could have went worse. It’s pretty rare that things like that happen if you use common sense, but unfortunately sometimes the unexpected happens.

 

[Erica Danielle]

Its the speed and the risk associated with OW’s. That’s why people preach gain experience. Know how to respond when the unexpected happens. I was rehousing an OBT, everything was going as planned. About halfway into the catch cup, the lil bugger took off at the speed of light and ended up on my wrist. Having experience with similar situations with less venomous T’s, I was able to stay calm and cool and get it into the new enclosure with zero risk to me or the T. If I was inexperienced and didn’t know how to act in the situation, it probably could have went worse. It’s pretty rare that things like that happen if you use common sense, but unfortunately sometimes the unexpected happens.

No doubt. It’ll be a good, long time before I personally keep OW’s. A very, very long time. Not only to build experience and skills but for my kids to grow a bit. (Not that people who have toddlers don’t keep OW’s but an inexperienced keeper plus two toddlers plus OW tarantulas is a recipe for something to go wrong. Even though I’m sure people do it without fail but I’d rather work up the ladder system over the next 10-20 years and so on.) That’s just what I personally feel more comfortable doing, as far as OW’s go.

 

[viper69]

If I’m being perfectly honest, whenever I first joined Tarantula related FB groups, and members would freak about certain things (like a noob getting an OBT), I had the mindset of “a tarantula is a tarantula, no matter which.” Now I completely understand why experienced keepers can get so agitated with certain situations. For instance I read a thread here last night about a Stromatopelma calceatum escapee who, from my understanding, belonged to someone who was new to the hobby. That was an eye opener, for sure. My views and mindset regarding keeping has changed, drastically, since I first began. So I can only imagine if I didn’t do research and only got a T based on appearance, for example. But thank you again for the advice! I’ll definitely continue to research and read.

That's not the first person who picked something beyond their skill sets it seems, we see that often.

I use the analogy of cars... when you first learn to drive, you aren't driving a Pagani, you are driving a Toyota. There are reasons for this as you know. Glad you learned the difference!