What is your recommendation for my first Arboreal tarantula

[TarantulaFanBoy]

If you've never seen any threat displays, then how is it not classifiable as docile? As I've said, the speed is manageable, especially if you buy a smaller spider. I'll reiterate: if their growth rate is an issue, you can manipulate feeding frequency/amount and temperature. One of my regalis mature females took more than three years to mature, and she was fed LOTS very frequently. As for the base color, Poecilotheria spp. are FAR from jet black. In fact, they're some of the most beautiful tarantulas on the market.




I'll reiterate (for the third time): if their growth rate is an issue, you can manipulate feeding frequency/amount and temperature. One of my regalis mature females took more than three years to mature, and she was fed LOTS very frequently.

The speed and temperaments of Poecilotheria spp. are WAY overrated IMO, and it's a shame many hobbyists are too scared to ever attempt to own one.

The speed and Temperament of Poecilotheria are Overrated? Say that to Rob who was just Bit by a Ornata.... And he has been keeping t's for years.

 

[JimM]

TBH, I'd recommend P. regalis as a beginner arboreal to anyone.

Someone comfortable around such animals yes..."anyone"???
Hardly. The Pokies as a genus are NOT for everyone, and recommending any such species to a beginner without knowing exactly what
that person is comfortable dealing with is irresponsible at best.

Rather than typing a tome of a post trying to explain this to you, see this thread.
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=168286&highlight=newb

 

[jayefbe]

The speed and temperaments of Poecilotheria spp. are WAY overrated IMO, and it's a shame many hobbyists are too scared to ever attempt to own one.

It's not that people are worried about the speed or temperament of Pokies. They're perfectly manageable (if you know what you're doing) and are rarely defensive. The problem is that their venom is so severe that a simple slip-up has the potential to be devastating. Even if they were as docile as an Avic or as slow as a Brachy, some people would still be hesitant to get them simply due to their potent venom. The combination of great speed and potent venom creates a powerful package that should not be thrust upon newbies as an introduction into the world of arboreals. I firmly believe that many first-time owners can do fine with a Pokie, but that's a decision for them to make. Telling a nervous and naive newbie that a Pokie will be fine is just asking for trouble.

3) The only arboreal genus with fast growing spiders is Poecilotheria, in which females can mature in 1.5 years and males can mature under in under 1 year. Arboreal baboons also may match their growth rate

I disagree. I don't know any arboreals that I wouldn't consider fast growers. Of the arboreals, I also believe that H. macs are some of the slowest growing.

 

[paul fleming]

My AF regalis can move at warp speed when she wants to and although she is not as nasty as my other Pokies.......I bite from her would no doubt give me a very bad day.
If you feel comfortable with one ,get it.
All I was saying was Pokies,maybe with the exception of P.metallica,are not normally classed as beginner spiders.
Good luck if you get it,you are bound to enjoy it big time anyway
Paul

 

[Moltar]

Although they are generally pretty calm (for an OW) P. regalis do have a crazy streak that can really surprise you. Once a dubia got underneath a clump of dirt/web and startled my adult fem regalis. She thought something much bigger than a roach was in there with her and she went insane. This girl was hissing, slapping the ground, striking, circling, striking again... this went on for several seconds (an eternity in spider time) and with motion so fast I could barely follow it. If that had been my hand she was attacking instead of a clump of inexplicably mobile dirt I would have had a Bad. Day.

So yeah, they're pretty chill in general but the potential is there and with venom like a pokies you do NOT want to get tagged.

Don't let that scare you though, lol. I just wanted to voice that counterpoint.

 

[Endagr8]

The speed and Temperament of Poecilotheria are Overrated? Say that to Rob who was just Bit by a Ornata.... And he has been keeping t's for years.

Considering how many pokies Robc has, a bite is much more likely. However, other keepers have kept more pokies for longer amounts of time than Robc and have avoided bites.

 

[Robineng]

Considering how many pokies Robc has, a bite is much more likely. However, other keepers have kept more pokies for longer amounts of time than Robc and have avoided bites.

That guy know hows to handle the pokies though. Someone who is new and just about to get their first arboreal will in many cases not have a single clue about how to handle a non-cooperative Poecilotheria.

 

[Protectyaaaneck]

You don't hold non-cooperative tarantulas...

 

[paul fleming]

You don't hold pokies either.....unless you fancy a trip to the ER of course

 

[Ariel]

maybe not, but what happens when the pokie decides to freak? Rob wasn't holding the ornata when he got bit. That could happen to ANYONE.

 

[paul fleming]

maybe not, but what happens when the pokie decides to freak? Rob wasn't holding the ornata when he got bit. That could happen to ANYONE.

I WAS replying to this in an earlier post
"You don't hold non-cooperative tarantulas... "
Paul

 

[Ariel]

I WAS replying to this in an earlier post
"You don't hold non-cooperative tarantulas... "
Paul

I wasn't reffering to just your post, but the earlier ones as well.

 

[paul fleming]

Pokies are not beginner (arborreal) spiders....no OW is in my opinion.
That sounds better ;P

 

[JC]

Here is a nice and easy way of judging whether or not the animal in question is suitable for a novice.

Would you allow your ten year old son/daughter keep it as their first arboreal?

 

[Ariel]

Pokies are not beginner (arborreal) spiders....no OW is in my opinion.
That sounds better ;P

much. and I COMPLETELY agree. my third T and second arboreal was an OW (C. shioedtei) and she was a doll, but I know had it been my unruly P. regalis, I would have reeeaally regreted it.

 

[sharpfang]

Cambridgei are QUICK......

So is my Irminia "Lightning".....You just gave me the name, thanks!

Man - she's Grumpy!

Get a A. Fasciculata! {perhaps Iridopelma, I don't see that though}

- Jason

 

[Endagr8]

You don't hold pokies either.....unless you fancy a trip to the ER of course

That's surprising, coming from you, spit.

maybe not, but what happens when the pokie decides to freak? Rob wasn't holding the ornata when he got bit. That could happen to ANYONE.

Any tarantula could bite anyone at any time if you're not careful enough.

 

[JC]

Any tarantula could bite anyone at any time if you're not careful enough.

The question is, which spider can you afford to take a bite from?

 

[jayefbe]

Any tarantula could bite anyone at any time if you're not careful enough.

Yes, but the vast majority of tarantula bites won't lead to an ER trip and a month of severe pain and muscle cramping. That is why 'most' people shouldn't start out with pokies. There is no margin for error. If a Psalmo bites you (IMO a more defensive and faster genus than Pokie) it'll be painful, but not turn you into an old man, ruin the next two weeks, make it hurt to breathe painful. It has nothing to do with their speed, temperament, or likelihood of a bite. It has everything to do with the fact that a small mistake can lead to severe consequences. With other species those consequences aren't nearly so dire.

 

[paul fleming]

That's surprising, coming from you, spit.

Any tarantula could bite anyone at any time if you're not careful enough.

If you check the pic of the pokie handling.....I was not handling as such.......it got out of it's enclosure and I coaxed it onto my wrist......a bit different my friend
Either that or it could have run riot around the house.
Paul