What is GBB (Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens) temperment like?

[DannyH]

My mom thnks tarantulas are evil, so I need to convince her a GBB won't kill me.

 

[wesker12]

I feel you on that homie! My mom doesn't like them either
have 16 t's anyway (got them in a 3 month period)
had 4 gbbs come in yesterday - super voracious hunters - took out a roach bigger than it before it even hit the ground
gbbs are skittish and will run before they bite but arent as fast as pokies or psalms
venom wont do much to a person so its cool
if it ever escapes wont be to hard to find - super colorful and web alot so its visible

 

[Shell]

They are skittish and fairly fast, and quick to kick hairs. Nothing extreme about their temperments.

It certainly won't kill you (then again, no tarantula will ) they are more likely to kick hairs and/or run and hide before they bite.

 

[kanito107]

thats correct my GBB would run whenever i feed it or startle it, i thought it was going to be a little more aggresive which im sure they can get but mine hasnt shown any aggresion.
exept when they eat, they devour theyr kill which is very fun to watch,

 

[Shell]

thats correct my GBB would run whenever i feed it or startle it, i thought it was going to be a little more aggresive which im sure they can get but mine hasnt shown any aggresion.
exept when they eat, they devour theyr kill which is very fun to watch,

They are not typically defensive (tarantulas are defensive, not aggressive by the way) tarantulas. Hair kickers yes, skittish and flighty yes, but overly defensive and quick to threaten/bite, no.

 

[xhexdx]

Shell's advice is spot-on.

 

[Ryancw93]

Well, I only own a .75" atm.. But every T is different, just like people.. Overall, if you prod it, it will either hide, or flick hairs. If you smack it, it will try and bite in defense. Isn't that how all of them are?

 

[Shell]

Overall, if you prod it, it will either hide, or flick hairs. If you smack it, it will try and bite in defense. Isn't that how all of them are?

No, not at all. I have many NW terrestrials that really don't care what I do in their enclosure, they neither hide nor kick hairs (and some that kick but don't hide.) As far as defensive, OW's in general, need far less reason than being "smacked' to get defensive, sometimes all it takes is the slightest disturbance to their enclosure for them to go into defense mode. Every species is different, some are more prone to kicking hairs, some to running and hiding, some to threat displays and striking and some really don't care about much at all.

 

[0siris]

It really depends on the specimen, but it is definitely not the best handling tarantula. Mine seems very skittish and has a voracious appetite, as most GBBs do. Something as simple as water droplets hitting the substrate trigger her to run over and strike.

If this is your first tarantula then perhaps you should start with something less skittish. I just can't recommend a GBB if you want to introduce a misinformed and nervous family member to the hobby.

To echo Shell, I can't think of any tarantula that can kill you. You can have an allergic reaction to the venom which may be life threatening; however, the same can be said about a bee sting.

 

[Shell]

To echo Shell, I can't think of any tarantula that can kill you. You can have an allergic reaction to the venom which may be life threatening; however, the same can be said about a bee sting.

Actually, I believe, but I could be wrong, that I read something that said that the venom of tarantulas lack the enzymes (or something) that cause anaphylactic shock. If I am correct about reading that and it's true, then they would not be able to cause the same reaction that bees can cause to some people. The worst possibility from tarantula bites, would be infection of the wound ( a full grown spider would leave some pretty decent puncture wounds) or in the case of an OW, heart palpitations, breathing difficulty, muscle cramps etc.

 

[vickywild]

My baby GBB seems quite skittish but hey, I'd be pretty skitish if a giant 20 times the size of me was opening my house up every few days.

 

[0siris]

Anything foreign introduced to the body can cause an allergic reaction. The symptoms you mentioned, plus a few more: swelling, cramps, nausea, difficulty breathing, feeling flushed, dizzy, etc, etc, etc...

These are classic symptoms of an allergic reaction. To clarify: an allergic reaction is not an anaphylactic reaction. It is merely a type of allergic reaction that happens to be life threatening. What makes it life threatening is stricture of the airway due to swelling accompanied by pulmonary edema, wheezing, increased respiratory rate, BP, and a plethora of other symptoms.

Now imagine the perfect storm: A person with asthma, COPD, and high BP gets bitten by a T. I'm sure you can see where the seemingly common symptoms of being bitten: "heart palpitations, breathing difficulty, muscle cramps etc." may become a BIG problem.

 

[Merfolk]

Unless it's Atrax or Phoneutria, healthy adults are rarely killed by spiders anyway.... as for GBB, it's quite hyperactive and food aggressive, but not that bitey once you made clear your finger is not a prey. A handled GBB might have you running after it ; )

 

[DannyH]

Bad news guys, I did bad on a quiz, so no new GBB for me .

 

[D3N2]

Actually, I believe, but I could be wrong, that I read something that said that the venom of tarantulas lack the enzymes (or something) that cause anaphylactic shock. If I am correct about reading that and it's true, then they would not be able to cause the same reaction that bees can cause to some people. The worst possibility from tarantula bites, would be infection of the wound ( a full grown spider would leave some pretty decent puncture wounds) or in the case of an OW, heart palpitations, breathing difficulty, muscle cramps etc.

Yea, I read something along those lines too. I think it had to do with T venom being peptides (short strands of amino acids), as opposed to full-sized proteins of most bee/wasp venom, and the body not being able to detect it, which makes it less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

EDIT: Forgot to say, sorry to hear that DannyH. Study harder next time!

 

[wesker12]

Aww im sorry bro
study harder! it was just a quiz - ace the test!

 

[ArkanoviTigrovi]

Every tarantula has it's own personality, but GBB's tend to be less defensive than other T's.

 

[ZergFront]

Quiz? I'm lost in translation.. your Mom give a quiz?

 

[0siris]

probably a quiz at school man...

His mom seems to be the misinformed one, I doubt she would be giving him quizzes on tarantulas...