P. Murinus

[lee smith]

i would suggest placing a small pot or tub over him and sliding a piece of card under it. thats the safest way to transfer most terrestrial T's.

[Phil Rea]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I'm gonna rehome him on Mon when I get some coir to mix with my vermic.

How old is your murinus Phil? Very healthy looking specimen there!

Any tips on moving him when he's as small for re-housing?

It's a juvenile, don't know the exact age to be honest. I haven't got around to sexing it yet, but it moulted about a week and a half ago and I've got the exuvia. I've got a pile of them to do (all labelled thankfully), but I'm up to my neck in work at the moment

I wouldn't worry too much about moving him when he's a small sling. Generally they'll go where they're steered. More than likely if you gently push his back legs with a paintbrush or something similar, he'll go where he's directed.

Just bear in mind that they can have quite a turn of speed on them, and you'll be fine

[Neil Ashby]

Some people refer to them as an OBT ( orange baboon tarantula )

Tho ive read that OBT is actually short for .... Orange Bitey Thing

I have one myself and all i can say is , it is EVIL !!!!!!!!!!
She will go for anything that moves , ive even seen her attack a bit of webbing that moved slightly in a breeze !

And quick ??? she is like lightning . I recently moved mine into a new home and i was sweating , my heart was thumping ! . Although it went well and i moved her without getting bitten , i was shaking like a leaf !!

A friend of mine also has one but is so afraid of dealing with her ,he has asked me to take her in , so if anybody wants one let me know !

[Glen Feasey]

Neil,

I would love to own one, where abouts are you?

Glen

[Neil Ashby]

ive emailed you Glen

[Glen Feasey]

Neil,

Replied, i will keep in touch!

Thanks, Glen

[Richard Simmonds]

Yeah i've heard that you have to watch your fingers with this species,Good looking but a nightmare.
Good luck

[Nicola Dolby]

P. murinus

Hi. a little tip with moving tarantulas. They cannot bite you if they have a cricket stuck on the end of their fangs! Some people say if you touch their back legs you can nudge them forward, DON'T try this with a Pterinochilus please. I've tried this with 4 tarantulas and they do not like it. Here's a picture of my UMV Pterinochilus, I was given my 'red' one last month and the moment it got into its enclosure the thing dived into the cave I'd made and walled herself up. She has since moulted (I had a peek the other day) and she's fine, but not wandering about yet. She's looking more like an 8 legged furry carrot every day (with fangs). This pics a bit old now, the UMV girl is still as soppy as ever though. I call her Nosferatu, though she's about as aggressive as a ball of fluff!

[Michael Kingwell]

I see you're going to re-house in the next couple of days........
I have 4 of these (2 slings 1 sub and 1 adult) and rehousing is more of a pre-move worry than the act itself.

For this sp I have plastic snap lid cartons (about 8"x8"x10" for my 2" slings.) 2" substrate with a cork climg attached to the side (I use bonsai wire secure the cork to the side through 2 holes drilled) This sp prefer it on the drier side.......
Do the re-housing in the bath. Put the plug in and have a fair sized spare empty pot ready (just in case of an escapee moment). Personally I have the new home all set up with crickets already in the tank so no need to faf around feeding whilst the T is still not settled.

When you come to re-home be firm and purposeful. I know that with the write up this sp gets you will be worried but accidents tend to happen when you're not pre-planned or nervous. I use a photo film pot (clear), a little paint brush and a pair of blunt nosed tweezers (for lifting anything out of the way). Steer the sling into the pot and move it that way.
If things do go wrong and it runs over the top and into the bath..... you have the clear pot to drop over it. No rush, move it when ready.

As slings go they are a medium to fast paced sp. You will get used to their speed but remember at this size they dont want to confront, they want to hide...... Wait till it gets to adult-hood.
First pic, sling after re-housing
Second pic, adult after re-housing....... Spot the difference???

[Robin Johannessen]

This is the best care sheet I have ound on this P.murinus

http://venomlist.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10985

From my own experience, they are ok as long as slings. They run away from you ,instead of confront you. When they get a bit older, like juvenile, they begin to misbehave
My little juv is about 7-9cm/2.8" - 3.5" in legspan. Each time I tuch it`s enclosure, he raises on it`s hind legs. If i try to open the enclosure, by taking off the upper part of it, it`s slams it`s legs to the ground repeatedly.
I love this species, they are so beautiful,fast and agressive


Greets
Robin