Chicken Spider Pictures

[Craig Bellamy]

Hi Toran,

I am sure within a few years everyone will be able to get their hands on these species but I cannot emphasise enough how much care and space they need. You are right in saying these need to be protected as they only occupy a very small region, so lets get breeding or ruthless opportunitists will strip the place clean to sell either dead or alive.

Regards
Craig

I have read this whole thread and these have to be the most amazing T I have ever laid eyes on. communal WOW big WOW just nice These need to be protected. Thanks to the OP for posting

[Abi Skeet]

Hi Abi,

I keep them in a huge 4x2x2ft tank with a giant burrow just like in the wild. They use every inch proactively. Ideal anyone that kept them would give them the same space.

Thats the same size tank as we have.how many do you have?do you have any other T's?

[Robert Farmer]

If you had the facility to video communual hunting/feeding now that would be something...

Have you made any observation on communications within the brood, or does it seem to be an instinct thing?

So many questions, so many possibilities...

[Craig Bellamy]

Hi Abi,

I have 145, I don't have any other species although I have many others in the past.

regards
Craig

Thats the same size tank as we have.how many do you have?do you have any other T's?

[Craig Bellamy]

Hi Robert,

A video would be good. Will work on one in time.

They just tend to work together, no hostility, even under times of pressure. It is true that all species, even humans will turn on each other in life threatening situations, but they seem to show considerable restraint.

One example is moulting. It is absolutely fascinating to see a 6 inch T moult whilst others are literally resting against it. They just seem to pile on top of each other. Most amusing! They are not spiderlings but very large tarantulas!

I can tell you for sure, if i placed a carcass of whatever size, they would all be on it within 30 minutes like flies to ...

They don't fight over prey, they just take a corner and eat the whole thing up together, rip bits off. Its like watching a pack of lions.

The bottom line is they are fully aware of each other and value the communal power unlike Poecilotheria that may live next to each other, but will eagerly eat each other if the situation points that way. Trust me I've seen it! There was no such thing as a communal tarantula until the Chicken spider came along.

Regards
Craig

If you had the facility to video communual hunting/feeding now that would be something...

Have you made any observation on communications within the brood, or does it seem to be an instinct thing?

So many questions, so many possibilities...

[Abi Skeet]

Does there seem to be a pecking order between them like lions or wolves?
Like the alfa adults?

[Craig Bellamy]

That's a very good question Abi, I'm glad you asked that and research is essential for establishing this.

There is no strict hierarchy as they are allowed to come and go as they please and you cannot have an alpha male for obvious reasons. So generally as with all animals, the bigger, faster and smarter individuals prevail, but there are certainly no bullying or domineering tactics like pack mammals. Theraphosids are simple animals with very simple brains which are used in spurts to conserve energy.

Regards
Craig

Does there seem to be a pecking order between them like lions or wolves?
Like the alfa adults?

[Sam Heaton]

Craig
What do you feed these spiders? i know that you probably feed them bog standard crickets but do you vary their diets and feed them things like cockroaches and locusts, etc. In my opinion they could certainly take down a fuzzy mouse and if they hunt in packs even more so

[Robert Farmer]

Et Al

Who is to say P.antinous does not behave the same way let alone any
Pamphobeteus species for that matter.


Cheers

Mark

If that's the case how many of you now are thinking "communual Pamphobeteus set-up" right now...

Def something worth trying should there be a good deal on slings kicking about..?

[James Box]

Craig
What do you feed these spiders? i know that you probably feed them bog standard crickets but do you vary their diets and feed them things like cockroaches and locusts, etc. In my opinion they could certainly take down a fuzzy mouse and if they hunt in packs even more so

it is not legal in this country to feed live rodents to other animals.

[Craig Bellamy]

Yes it is illegal. You are only allowed to feed invertabrates alive, however I don't think that stops people from feeding live vertabrates. It is legal in the states and most other countries, you only have to look on Youtube and there are dozens of mouse/tarantula videos.

it is not legal in this country to feed live rodents to other animals.

Answering Sam's question below, The only live animals I feed are crickets for nutritional reasons. Though I do chuck in a large dead rats, adult chickens and any friends that have expired their worth Would anyone care to be a volunteer?

Craig
What do you feed these spiders? i know that you probably feed them bog standard crickets but do you vary their diets and feed them things like cockroaches and locusts, etc. In my opinion they could certainly take down a fuzzy mouse and if they hunt in packs even more so

[J M Clegg]

The feeding of live vertabrates is NOT ILLEGAL - please see the threads regarding the T's on Youtube started by Glen Feasily contains references regarding the legality of such.

Simon Battern even cut and pasted the documentation from the 1911 act outlining such!

You should read all the threads as the also include a reference I made to the chicken spider which has now cropped up again!

[Craig Bellamy]

Could you be more specific about these posts by giving links etc

The feeding of live vertabrates is NOT ILLEGAL - please see the threads regarding the T's on Youtube started by Glen Feasily contains references regarding the legality of such.

Simon Battern even cut and pasted the documentation from the 1911 act outlining such!

You should read all the threads as the also include a reference I made to the chicken spider which has now cropped up again!

[J M Clegg]

Craig If you look in the thread "T's on Youtube?" By Glen Feasey started on 04-07-07 02:28 PM.

You need to then find the post by Simon.

I have added a reply to that thread which has pulled it back to the top of the forum topics.

[AndyM]

Hello,

FYI.

The 1911 act which is refered to in this thread is now out of date due to the 2006 animal welfare act.

Therefore any reference made to this act is irrelevant. I think if you look closely at the new act it would be found that the feeding of live vertibrates as prey is illegal unless you can prove suffering would occur by not doing so.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

Regards.

Andy.