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Red123
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2030 Posts |
 Posted - 21/05/2013 : 13:00:03
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I am terrified of normal everyday spiders but I am strangley drawn to tarantulas. I am seriously considering purchasing a new addition to the family but want your opinions on size and care. I have been looking at several species and the ones I am most interested in are the;
Honduran curly hair,
Brazilian white knee,
Chaco golden knee
Mexican red knee.
I have no intention of handling the tarantula just observing it for both the tarantulas safety as well as my own. I have been looking at some that are advertised as being 1cm-2cm leg span and 2cm-3cm leg span. Just how difficult is it to keep such small ones healthy and alive. There is such conflicting care sheets about regarding housing heating and feeding that I feel as if my head is going to explode. I look at one and think ok then I look at another and its totally different. So what better place to ask than on here 
If any keepers of the above species could share some info on keeping and feeding such small tarantulas I would be very grateful. Or maybe some of you may feel that a different species tarantula would be more appropriate to a new keeper.
Thank you x |
Corn Snake
, 1.0.0 Amel (Stan),
Royal Pythons
1.0.0 Normal (Nigel)
1.0.0 Albino (Tony)
Boa Constrictor Imperator
0.1.0 (Agatha)Western Hognose
0.1.0 Normal (Stevie)
0.0.1 Schneider Skink (George)
1.0.0 Extreme Blonde Harlequin Crested Gecko (Bert)
4 GALS.
Tarantulas
Red Rump (B. Vagans) Jo.
Chaco Golden Knee (G. pulchripes) Charlie, Greenbottle Blue (C. cyaneopubescens) Gus, Honduran Curly Hair ( B. albopilosum) Titch, Mexican Fire Leg (B. boehmei), Salmon Pink Bird Eater(L. parahybana), Fort Hall Baboon (P. Lugardi) Blanche, Stout Leg Baboon (E. Pachypus) Graham, Chilean Rose (G. Rosea) Glen.
Border collie x (BoB), 2 Cats (Lucky & Dip), 17 Goldfish, and The Dubia Family |
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Auld Baldy
Ikea's Pimp
United Kingdom
1619 Posts |
Posted - 21/05/2013 : 14:21:38
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Yay! A another convert to the leggies. 
I'd suggest you go for a juvenile instead of a sling as a starter for ease of care and feeding. I started off with a Red Form Chile Rose and a New River Rust Rump. These were two of the least scary looking, described as docile and sub-adults were a reasonable size. They were also known to be the least likely to be 'kickers' giving off irritating defensive hairs. At this age they are normally established eaters and will take medium of large crickets.
Shopping list extras is straight forward and set up is simple.
I used 12"x12"x4" plastic cake storage tubs from Morrisons @ £2.50 each. These just needed 1/8" small ventilation holes drilled in the lid. You can also go for a small faunarium or acrylic enclosure.
A block of compressed coconut fibre for substrate. Cheap and a single block goes a long, long way. It expands big time when water is added.
A small water dish. These can be small reptile resin dishes or small sauce dishes. I got packs of 6 for £1 out of the Temple of Poundland.
Half a coconut shell or a small plastic plant pot cut in half for a hide.
You will also need a small tub for whatever feeder insects you opt for. These are normally crickets, dubia roaches or meal worms. The roaches are probably the best food item as they are more nutritional than crickets and mealworms. Poundland (surprise surprise!) do a perfect 'Clippy Box' just like a 'real' RUB with secure clips on the lid.
Other bits & bobs you need would be a pair of reasonable sized tweezers for spot cleaning, a soft artist or make-up brush for herding the crickets or spider.
For the feeder insects, a tub of bug water gel, Bug Grub and a couple of milk bottle tops for dishes will get you just about completely set up. Depending on size, two or three crickets per week is plenty.
Brazilian White Knee. Bit aggressive and known kicker.
Chile Rose. Generally a good starter T. Generally docile natured and not really prone to kick. (Mandy might disagree.) The only thing is that they can stop eating for several months! You thought Corns were bad with the snakey shakes!! 
Mexican red knee. Generally regarded as docile but chance of kicking if alarmed.
Aphonopelma Sp "New River". Nice wee beasty.
Curly Hair, Green Bottle Blue are another couple of contenders as starter T's.
Chaco Golden Knee. The bee's knees and next on my list. 
Best to read up on as many care sheets for each species and if you can see the actual T before buying or meet someone who has one, so much the better. Get used to the Latin names as local names can be misleading.
Start here and read the descriptions and suitability ratings on the Spider Shop.
http://www.thespidershop.co.uk/insect/index.php
If you are on FaceBook I can put you in touch with a decent (but mad) group that supplies a lot of T's.
I'll post some general pictures of set up and accessories to give you a better idea of what I've yabbled on about.
Alan. |
1.0.0: Miami Normal: Taggart
0.0.1: Carolina Normal: Wee Woody
0.0.1: Grey Rat Snake: Mirkey
0.0.1: Amel Corn: Blaze
1.0.0: Carpet Python: Vambo
0.0.1: MBK: Fester
0.0.1: Florida King Snake : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1. California King Snake: El Diablo Diego
0.2.0 Tarantulas : Ermintrude & Euphemia. |
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Red123
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2030 Posts |
Posted - 21/05/2013 : 15:51:36
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| Well thank you Alan. Very helpful. Feeders are to much of problem as I have a colony of Dubia roach for the skinks so can get my hands on any size required also have mealworms and morio worms. Not sure if an adult would morios or not, guess they would. I have read that several people say that the chili rose tends to burrow a lot and I would prefer a species that would be out in the open alot of the time hence the brazilian white knee and chaco being on the list of possibilities. I haven't got a clue when it comes to the latin names. I am forever copying and pasting into google for a common name and picture lol. |
Corn Snake
, 1.0.0 Amel (Stan),
Royal Pythons
1.0.0 Normal (Nigel)
1.0.0 Albino (Tony)
Boa Constrictor Imperator
0.1.0 (Agatha)Western Hognose
0.1.0 Normal (Stevie)
0.0.1 Schneider Skink (George)
1.0.0 Extreme Blonde Harlequin Crested Gecko (Bert)
4 GALS.
Tarantulas
Red Rump (B. Vagans) Jo.
Chaco Golden Knee (G. pulchripes) Charlie, Greenbottle Blue (C. cyaneopubescens) Gus, Honduran Curly Hair ( B. albopilosum) Titch, Mexican Fire Leg (B. boehmei), Salmon Pink Bird Eater(L. parahybana), Fort Hall Baboon (P. Lugardi) Blanche, Stout Leg Baboon (E. Pachypus) Graham, Chilean Rose (G. Rosea) Glen.
Border collie x (BoB), 2 Cats (Lucky & Dip), 17 Goldfish, and The Dubia Family |
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Auld Baldy
Ikea's Pimp
United Kingdom
1619 Posts |
Posted - 21/05/2013 : 16:31:20
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Good start with the feeders.
It just depends which Chile Rose (or any T) you get. My Red Chile Rose hardly moves but the standard Rose is always on the go. It isn't a tunneler but acts like a bulldozer shunting the substrate from one corner to the other then shunting it back again which is brilliant to watch. Both are well mannered but Mandy's seems to be looking to be slapped with an ASBO.
You can only go so far by the general descriptions of their nature, there is always one that is a renegade.
BTW, the T's are even worse than Corns about only having one. Once you get started you will want more. I know that I do. |
1.0.0: Miami Normal: Taggart
0.0.1: Carolina Normal: Wee Woody
0.0.1: Grey Rat Snake: Mirkey
0.0.1: Amel Corn: Blaze
1.0.0: Carpet Python: Vambo
0.0.1: MBK: Fester
0.0.1: Florida King Snake : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1. California King Snake: El Diablo Diego
0.2.0 Tarantulas : Ermintrude & Euphemia. |
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Callazagy
Yearling
United Kingdom
506 Posts |
Posted - 21/05/2013 : 19:40:47
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| Yeh pretty much what AB said. I went with a grown on Mexican Red Leg, I don't handle it but it does kick when cleaning. It does burrow a lot but I see it on a regular basis. Ive got 24ltr RUB for a fairly deep substrate of pro reps spider life substrate. Got a piece of cork bark in there which it digs under. Fed on crickets, a few a week, but working on a roach colony. |
* 2.1 Corn Snakes (Arthas - Normal, Tilion - Anery Lav, Yavanna - Stripe) * 1.1 Cape House Snake (Jenson & Ginetta) * 1.0 Carpet Python (Irian Jaya Jag - Grantly) *
* 1.0 Amazon Tree Boa (Omen) * 1.1.2 Crested Geckos (Brindle, Harley, Noumea & Farino) * 0.0.2 Gargoyle Geckos (Pazuzu & Vesper) *
* 0.0.1 Mexican Red Leg Tarantula (Aragog) * 1.1 Leopard Geckos (Kara & Darwin) * 1.0 Dog (Labrador - Barney) * 1.0 Cat (Casper) *
* 1.0 Western Hognose (Hamilton) * 1.0 Apricot Pueblan Milk Snake (Tweek) * 0.0.2 Common Musk Turtles (Erin & Ira) *
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Mort13
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5599 Posts |
Posted - 23/05/2013 : 00:33:21
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Well I too am scared of spiders, I don't react quite as bad as I used to since getting the T's though. Picked up Tarantula number 5 on Sunday oops! 
I've 3 of the 4 you've mentioned and the Brachys (Curly Hair and Red Knee) are the most chilled out, the Curly Hair being the sweetest most docile of all mine. The Curly Hair is also the architect of the bunch, totally rearranged its home. Not had a kick out of them....yet
The Chaco is pretty chilled, threw a pose at the paint brush once but then dashed off and hid lol. They are beautiful looking T's.
As for the Chilean Rose, as Alan has mentioned, I have a red phase psychopath! She's kept at room temp so her behaviour can't be blamed on being kept too warm. She's attacked the brush when trying to herd her, went through a phase of pouncing on the water bowl when trying to remove it for filling up and has attacked her water before now....oh and she's kicked! On the up side she's a great feeder (Chileans are well known for fasting) and is always out in the open.
Another species that may be worth looking into is the Euathlus sp. Red (Chile Flame), these are known for being very docile and active T's too. They don't get as big as the others you've mentioned but are attractive little ones.
I'd definitely recommend going with a juvi rather than a sling for your first as they are more robust. Good luck with your search, you'll most likely end up with more than one species in the end anyway. They really are fascinating beasts. |
      
3.1.0 Corn snakes, 1.0.0 T-Albino Cape House Snake, 0.1.0 Western Hognose,
1.0.0 MBK, 0.1.0 Childrens Python, 1.0.0 Nicaraguan Dwarf Boas
0.0.1 Occelated Skink, 1.0.0 Leopard Gecko, 1.0.3 Tarantulas, 0.0.2 Damon diadema
1.0.0 C0ckatiel,
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Auld Baldy
Ikea's Pimp
United Kingdom
1619 Posts |
Posted - 23/05/2013 : 01:47:45
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| He-he! About the Chile being known to fast. Obviously nobody told Euphemia, the new adult rescue. She didn't show any interest in a locust so I dropped in a mealie beetle which promptly scurried under a matted bit of substrate. She clocked the movement and spent two minutes playing Whack the Mole trying to pin it down. Eventually she just lost the rag and shredded the mat to pieces and it was game over. Jeez! Does she have an impressive set of fangs!! Certainly designed by nature for efficiency. |
1.0.0: Miami Normal: Taggart
0.0.1: Carolina Normal: Wee Woody
0.0.1: Grey Rat Snake: Mirkey
0.0.1: Amel Corn: Blaze
1.0.0: Carpet Python: Vambo
0.0.1: MBK: Fester
0.0.1: Florida King Snake : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1. California King Snake: El Diablo Diego
0.2.0 Tarantulas : Ermintrude & Euphemia. |
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Red123
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2030 Posts |
Posted - 27/05/2013 : 19:01:59
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Well I have gone and done it, a Chaco Golden Knee should be joining my family on wednesday. He's a juvenile just over 2" so not to small but still plenty of growing to do. Apparently he's eating 2 medium crickets every 4 days but I am hoping he will be partial to dubia roach as I have a colony of them. He will be known as Charlie though obviously won't know if its male or female for some time, figured Charlie could be for a male of female though Never dreamt I could get so excited over a spider, its worse than when getting a new snake. We are sorting his house out tomorrow. He will be living in a tub until he gets bigger then he will probably move in to an exo terra as a sub adult/adult.
Can't wait lol |
Corn Snake
, 1.0.0 Amel (Stan),
Royal Pythons
1.0.0 Normal (Nigel)
1.0.0 Albino (Tony)
Boa Constrictor Imperator
0.1.0 (Agatha)Western Hognose
0.1.0 Normal (Stevie)
0.0.1 Schneider Skink (George)
1.0.0 Extreme Blonde Harlequin Crested Gecko (Bert)
4 GALS.
Tarantulas
Red Rump (B. Vagans) Jo.
Chaco Golden Knee (G. pulchripes) Charlie, Greenbottle Blue (C. cyaneopubescens) Gus, Honduran Curly Hair ( B. albopilosum) Titch, Mexican Fire Leg (B. boehmei), Salmon Pink Bird Eater(L. parahybana), Fort Hall Baboon (P. Lugardi) Blanche, Stout Leg Baboon (E. Pachypus) Graham, Chilean Rose (G. Rosea) Glen.
Border collie x (BoB), 2 Cats (Lucky & Dip), 17 Goldfish, and The Dubia Family |
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Auld Baldy
Ikea's Pimp
United Kingdom
1619 Posts |
Posted - 27/05/2013 : 20:48:45
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Congratulations! A Chaco is next on my list but won't be for another couple of months. Curses! 
It should be fine with the Dubias. They are nutritionally better than crickets but just be careful not to over feed.
As always, photos must follow. |
1.0.0: Miami Normal: Taggart
0.0.1: Carolina Normal: Wee Woody
0.0.1: Grey Rat Snake: Mirkey
0.0.1: Amel Corn: Blaze
1.0.0: Carpet Python: Vambo
0.0.1: MBK: Fester
0.0.1: Florida King Snake : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1. California King Snake: El Diablo Diego
0.2.0 Tarantulas : Ermintrude & Euphemia. |
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Mort13
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5599 Posts |
Posted - 28/05/2013 : 19:43:09
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Yay, congrats on the Chaco. He should be showing some nice colouring at that size too.
I feed my T's dubias with no issues, aside from the B.smithi that's not fed yet for me (early days). As Alan says, just be careful not to overfeed as it can cause problems with moulting etc.
Will look forward to pics soon. |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 28/05/2013 : 21:23:51
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| Lol, good luck with your new addition! Was that from Needham Mkt? ;) btw, I assume you know they have changed hands now? |
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Red123
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2030 Posts |
Posted - 29/05/2013 : 08:04:16
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No I bought him from Dean on RFUK.
Yes we have been over to see BigKev at Scales & Tails in Needham Mkt. Really nice bloke, extremely helpful and the shop has greatly improved both by stock and overall cleanliness. Well worth paying another visit if you haven't already. The only issues I have is that he really lives up to his name, must be 6 1/2ft plus I felt a right shrimp standing next to him being just over 5ft lol. Think we will paying regular visits to the shop now :) |
Corn Snake
, 1.0.0 Amel (Stan),
Royal Pythons
1.0.0 Normal (Nigel)
1.0.0 Albino (Tony)
Boa Constrictor Imperator
0.1.0 (Agatha)Western Hognose
0.1.0 Normal (Stevie)
0.0.1 Schneider Skink (George)
1.0.0 Extreme Blonde Harlequin Crested Gecko (Bert)
4 GALS.
Tarantulas
Red Rump (B. Vagans) Jo.
Chaco Golden Knee (G. pulchripes) Charlie, Greenbottle Blue (C. cyaneopubescens) Gus, Honduran Curly Hair ( B. albopilosum) Titch, Mexican Fire Leg (B. boehmei), Salmon Pink Bird Eater(L. parahybana), Fort Hall Baboon (P. Lugardi) Blanche, Stout Leg Baboon (E. Pachypus) Graham, Chilean Rose (G. Rosea) Glen.
Border collie x (BoB), 2 Cats (Lucky & Dip), 17 Goldfish, and The Dubia Family |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 29/05/2013 : 11:40:08
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Lol - when we went (he'd only just taken over at that point so still needed more stock - I knew he was getting a few tarantulas in so that's why I'd guessed incorrectly you bought from there) he stayed sitting down which is quite handy - I'm only 5'4 as well!!  Seemed a really nice bloke, I'm really glad they didn't close down. |
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Red123
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2030 Posts |
Posted - 29/05/2013 : 13:47:29
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I was tempted, he had a Chilean Rose in when we went over but he had only just taken it in and it needed feeding up. Knowing that roses can be a bit iffy with feeding put me off that a little. He had just sold a Chaco golden Knee :( so missed out on the one from there.
Charlie has arrived and is now settling in to his new home. I love him already lol. He's busy exploring his tub moving around almost constantly at the moment. He is showing his colours and is quite furry. He is a little bigger than I was expecting. Oh and it wasn't to scary moving him from his packing in to his house, just a little lol. Just ordered The Tarantula Keeper’s Handbook by Schultz and Schultz as so many people say it is very good to read and I have a feeling Charlie will not be our only T :) |
Corn Snake
, 1.0.0 Amel (Stan),
Royal Pythons
1.0.0 Normal (Nigel)
1.0.0 Albino (Tony)
Boa Constrictor Imperator
0.1.0 (Agatha)Western Hognose
0.1.0 Normal (Stevie)
0.0.1 Schneider Skink (George)
1.0.0 Extreme Blonde Harlequin Crested Gecko (Bert)
4 GALS.
Tarantulas
Red Rump (B. Vagans) Jo.
Chaco Golden Knee (G. pulchripes) Charlie, Greenbottle Blue (C. cyaneopubescens) Gus, Honduran Curly Hair ( B. albopilosum) Titch, Mexican Fire Leg (B. boehmei), Salmon Pink Bird Eater(L. parahybana), Fort Hall Baboon (P. Lugardi) Blanche, Stout Leg Baboon (E. Pachypus) Graham, Chilean Rose (G. Rosea) Glen.
Border collie x (BoB), 2 Cats (Lucky & Dip), 17 Goldfish, and The Dubia Family |
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Tarantula Help
