Poecilotheria Colony

[Richard Goram]

We have been thinking about starting a colony of Poecilotheria slings in a communal tank but wanted some advice first, so I have a couple of questions:
1. Is there a particular species that would be more suited to this? We were thinking about P.formosa.
2. Can individuals from a different egg sack be introduced later? ie for breeding purposes.

Thanks for any replies and any other advice gratefully received.

[Colin D Wilson]

If messrs Jackobi or Gabriel don't respond on this thread, get in touch with them directly as they're your arboreal guru's.
There's obviously others in the forum who are knowledgeable, but from what solid advice i've read in Michael and Ray's posts, it's well worth picking their brains to get it right.

[Ray Hale]

I keep a colony of regalis ( 20) together. they are all siblings and I have never introduced a spider from a different eggsac. They are all sub adult and there are at least 6 males in there. The tank is 36 inches by 24 inces by 18 inces deep, Makes feeding interesting.

[Phil Rea]

I'm sure it does Ray. You don't want 20 of the blighters running up your arm at the same time

[Ray Hale]

Thats why I dont feed them Angela does

[Colin D Wilson]

Well i think i'll add your name to my list of guru's Ray,

Did you keep them all together as slings and move them to progressively larger enclosures or did you start them off in the large one, ?
and do you think you'll have a problem when the males fully mature or do you think the enclosures large enough for them to have a wandering territory each?

Sorry for nicking your thread Richard.......my interest for knowledge is sparked

[Richard Goram]

Did you keep them all together as slings and move them to progressively larger enclosures or did you start them off in the large one, ?
and do you think you'll have a problem when the males fully mature or do you think the enclosures large enough for them to have a wandering territory each?

Sorry for nicking your thread Richard.......my interest for knowledge is sparked

Feel free. These are all questions I would have asked too.

[Ray Hale]

They were kept together as slings in a large cereal continer and then as they grew I placed the cereal container in the bigger enclosure ( Its still there,,,you dont think Im putting my hand in do you?).

To be honest the males have never shown any aggresion towards each other and sit next to each other most of the time. very strange.
Ill try for a pic tomorrow

Rya

[Colin D Wilson]

Ill try for a pic tomorrow

Rya

That would be great, thanks Ray

I've tried with avics, had a friend who tried with pokies both to no real avail

[Glen Feasey]

Thats why I dont feed them Angela does

Us cowards stand together Ray, as i would'nt feed them either lol

[Phil Rea]

Thats why I dont feed them Angela does

Fair enough Ray

[Richard Goram]

There is an excellent article on this subject in the last BTS journal (vol.22, No.2) by Ray Gabriel. Very informative and answers alot of questions.

[Christian Elowsky]

I keep a colony of regalis ( 20) together. they are all siblings and I have never introduced a spider from a different eggsac. They are all sub adult and there are at least 6 males in there. The tank is 36 inches by 24 inces by 18 inces deep, Makes feeding interesting.

I've heard many times that keeping them crowded is the only way to pull it off. Too much space gives an opportunity for the establishment of territories, which then allows for siblicide.

Will you be following this colony until mating occurs, or separate them before that?

I ask, as I heard anecdotally, of a colony of P. murinus beginning siblicide with the males first, and I'm interested in other observations in other communally kept species.

Also, what and how often do you actually feed them?

Thanks!

Christian

[Christian Elowsky]

No really, what's the feeding regimen and the plan for when they reach maturity?

[Ray Gabriel]

There are a few indications in these comments but i must keep something for the Pokie book.

BTW i will have small juv formosa and spiderling miranda at the BTS exhibition, still living together, these are the best IMHO for colonies.

Ray