Tips for a new owner?

[Kraine]

I just recently bought my first tarantula, a baby Grammostola pulchra. I already love Blueberry dearly, and I want to make sure it lives for a long time. Do you have any tips that a new spider owner should definitely know to keep their spider healthy?

I've been keeping it moist and warm in the enclosure, making sure no direct sunlight hits it. And though the box is small, I have half of it covered and half uncovered so that the spider can hide or hang out in the light when it wants. It's been eating crickets very readily so far, I've been feeding every three days about. (I love watching it eat, so cool!)

Here's the spiderling:
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hpho...72387829314_1227810273_31681758_2976243_n.jpg

 

[Cuddly Cobalt]

I just recently bought my first tarantula, a baby Grammostola pulchra. I already love Blueberry dearly, and I want to make sure it lives for a long time. Do you have any tips that a new spider owner should definitely know to keep their spider healthy?

I've been keeping it moist and warm in the enclosure, making sure no direct sunlight hits it. And though the box is small, I have half of it covered and half uncovered so that the spider can hide or hang out in the light when it wants. It's been eating crickets very readily so far, I've been feeding every three days about. (I love watching it eat, so cool!)

Here's the spiderling:
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hpho...72387829314_1227810273_31681758_2976243_n.jpg

once it gets big enough, ditch the humidity and give it a tray for water, grammastola actually hate water so they like their cages dry, BUT only do that when its older

 

[advan]

once it gets big enough, ditch the humidity and give it a tray for water, grammastola actually hate water so they like their cages dry, BUT only do that when its older

G. pulchra likes it a little more humid than say a G.rosea. Just overflow the water dish a little and you will be good to go.

Congrats on the new friend! Welcome to the boards and hobby!

 

[Kraine]

:] Thanks very much for the welcome. I'll keep this in mind once it's ready for a water dish.

 

[Obijuan56]

And though the box is small, I have half of it covered and half uncovered so that the spider can hide or hang out in the light when it wants

Just saying, this sounds like you leave the lid open, I would not recommend that, tarantulas are known for being able to escape, leaving an open lid would just make it easier.

 

[Kraine]

Haha, no, the lid is closed. I have half of the clear container draped with a towel.

 

[Dave]

You're doing great! Now go get some more. lol

 

[Obijuan56]

Cool, well then, it looks like you have everything under control, I agree with Dave, get some more, it all starts with one and then you just can't help but get more

 

[Kraine]

Hahaha, well after looking at all these threads and wonderful pictures, I'd love to get more. But that'll have to wait. I want to take it slow, at least until I'm out of college! : p I think I can only keep one little secret at a time.

 

[Cuddly Cobalt]

Hahaha, well after looking at all these threads and wonderful pictures, I'd love to get more. But that'll have to wait. I want to take it slow, at least until I'm out of college! : p I think I can only keep one little secret at a time.

you could get a P.murinus, yes they are very aggresive and fast but they are one of the easiest tarantulas to care for

 

[xhexdx]

you could get a P.murinus, yes they are very aggresive and fast but they are one of the easiest tarantulas to care for

They're not aggressive.

 

[Cuddly Cobalt]

They're not aggressive.

OBT? yes i am pretty sure they are known for being aggresive

 

[groovyspider]

i think defensive is the proper term and anywya guys yes obt may be tanks but totally diffrent world and he probably could not handle that yet why not a.... lp or maybe a brachy or another gramostola

 

[xhexdx]

OBT? yes i am pretty sure they are known for being aggresive

They're defensive.

 

[Kraine]

I'm a girl, and yeah I think I'll stick with my G. pulchra for now. :] Not planning on handling anything until I'm really familiar with its temperament anyway.

HAH, I just looked up OBT to see what it stood for, and after the orange baboon T, I saw "Orange Bitey Thing." Made me chuckle.

 

[Cuddly Cobalt]

I'm a girl, and yeah I think I'll stick with my G. pulchra for now. :] Not planning on handling anything until I'm really familiar with its temperament anyway.

HAH, I just looked up OBT to see what it stood for, and after the orange baboon T, I saw "Orange Bitey Thing." Made me chuckle.

thats what they are known for XD

 

[Formerphobe]

he probably could not handle that yet why not a.... lp or maybe a brachy or another gramostola

Depends on which individual of which species read the tarantula book... I don't generally handle any of mine as a rule, except during rehousing, etc. As far as defensive, my two LPs are far more prone to fang display than my OBT. I even left a couple of T books by their enclosures, hoping they would figure it out... No such luck. These two will 'agress' and try to come out of their enclosures after food, water, tongs, etc slapping with their legs and baring their fangs every time. OBT peeks out its burrow to have a look-see, but has offered no defensive display to date. Though I doubt I would try to handle this one either.

I think I can only keep one little secret at a time.

LOL I slipped three more in under the wire today. My family knows I have 'some' tarantulas. I just don't mention numbers any more.

 

[Embers To Ashes]

Hmm... tips for a new owner...

#1 Dont listen to what the guy at the pet store tells you
#2 they can not drink from water crystals
#3 When its on its back it is not dead, it is molting
#4 they do not need any heating fixtures as long as your house is around 70-79F
#5 Dont let anybody tell you its gross or ugly. If they do, tell them it will get 2ft long. continue to exagerate intill they leave the room.


AND ONCE YOU HAVE ONE YOU CAN NEVER GET ENOUGH!

 

[Kraine]

Hmm... tips for a new owner...

#1 Dont listen to what the guy at the pet store tells you
#2 they can not drink from water crystals
#3 When its on its back it is not dead, it is molting
#4 they do not need any heating fixtures as long as your house is around 70-79F
#5 Dont let anybody tell you its gross or ugly. If they do, tell them it will get 2ft long. continue to exagerate intill they leave the room.


AND ONCE YOU HAVE ONE YOU CAN NEVER GET ENOUGH!

Hahaaa, from what I've read, I agree with all these statements. I think I'll be prepared for all of these things now. Especially #5... if they insult my Blueberry.. then they can beat it. :]

 

[xhexdx]

Hmm... tips for a new owner...

#1 Dont listen to what the guy at the pet store tells you
#2 they can not drink from water crystals
#3 When its on its back it is not dead, it is molting
#4 they do not need any heating fixtures as long as your house is around 70-79F
#5 Dont let anybody tell you its gross or ugly. If they do, tell them it will get 2ft long. continue to exagerate intill they leave the room.


AND ONCE YOU HAVE ONE YOU CAN NEVER GET ENOUGH!

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