Chicken Spider Pictures

[Craig Bellamy]

Hi Colin,

I have about 145 spiderlings, a few adults, juveniles and sub adults.

I have a huge enclosure, 4 foot by 2 foot. The temperature ranges from 25c to 32c (night/day) as remember the area of Tambopata has a variety of temperatures. I periodically turn off the heating every two weeks for a day to resemble chilling winds you get from the mountains in Tambo, making sure it doesn't drop below 10c. Humidity is naturally very high as it is indeed tropical, so 85% should be just right although 100% in the wild is more common, but bear in mind, you have a breeze, while in the tank, air is stagnant. I do create a flow of air in the enclousure, by placing one low vent and another high vent at opposite sides of the tank.

I cannot tell you how much they appreciate a nice tank, unlike the blondi or many other tarantulas who would prefer to destroy it.

Regards
Craig

Craig.

I agree with James, some valid points made there.

If you could spare the time to put together a few paragraphs on how many you have, size of enclosure, temp / humidty etc etc. that would be appreciated. You've had them for a few years now so you must have the living conditions as correct as possible.

Regards

Colin

[Craig Bellamy]

Hi James,

I have had success breeding and at the moment have an egg sac.

Perhaps this will answer your question.

Regards
Craig

i agree on all points about protecting them.
how many do you have and what size have they reached? have you had success in breeding them yourself?
i'm thinking based on your descriptions they may be the "perfect" T
quite attractive too.
i'm sure they'd be quite popular if breeding commensed on any scale, though of course one hopes and prays that keepers would be responsible and give them the space they need.

[Craig Bellamy]

Hi James,

They are eating a mouse together as 6 inch juveniles. They never fight each other, they are pack tarantulas and very sociable.

Ask me any questions you may have.

Regards
Craig

nice pictures! i'm as curious as the others, too...
i assume in that last picture they're "getting along" and not fighting or eating each other? how cool is that!

[Craig Bellamy]

Hi Phil,

They are from the Tambopata region though not sure of the exact site.

Regards
Craig

The 'chicken spider' was a Pamphobeteus sp. if I recall. Is that what these are?

If so, then where were they collected?

[Craig Bellamy]

Hi Larry,

It is indeed the legendary Chicken Spider. It is a very chunkey spider and will take many years to reach maximum size. It is far prettier than the T.Blondi and will provide a lot more entertainment. I will post a few adult pictures later which will give you an idea of what we can expect.

Any questions, just fire away.

Regards
Craig

Is this the legendary chicken eating spider,supposedly bigger than a T.blondi? Its a handsome beast,and it does resemble a Theraphosa.

[Craig Bellamy]

Hi Lee,

I do have a male yes..

Regards
Craig

yes, where did you get them from??

also are any of them male??

[Craig Bellamy]

How did you get these, if you dont mind me asking. I thought the place where they came from was a protected area, and isnt peru closed for export?

Also are you in the UK

Hi Tim,

You never know where importers pick them up, they scour the world for opportunities and tend to be ruthless in their attempts to make a few bucks. They are generally very secretive about their activities, especially in protected regions such as this, but I dug a little deeper as I know something when I see it and this was not the usual tarantula but something very different.

Regards
Craig

[Craig Bellamy]

How did you get these, if you dont mind me asking. I thought the place where they came from was a protected area, and isnt peru closed for export?

Also are you in the UK

Hi Tim,

You never know where importers pick them up, they scour the world for opportunities and tend to be ruthless in their attempts to make a few bucks. They are generally very secretive about their activities, expecially in protected regions such as this, but I dug a little deeper as I know something when I see it and this was not the usual tarantula but something very different.

Regards
Craig

[lee smith]

have you been able to sex any of the moults?? as you might be lucky and have a male that may breed with one of the others.

i would love to have a group of these as slings, as they would be perfect for the study that im almost ready to start.

[Mark Pennell]

Hi
Martin is on Holiday at the moment, a few years back Martin supplied a dead specimen to Andrew Smith, and there were also legally exported live specimens in a USA University, as part of the study of the symbiotic relationship between the tarantula and a narrow mouth frog / toad. Etc.

Also a large number were strip mined from the area either for the dead trade or may have just made it out alive this is anyone’s guess. Needless to say this is a very interesting species and any description that has been made on this may not have taken in to account the one which sits in a jar at the BNHM.

I am sure Martin can be more specific on the dates, but I personally know he has been working on this since 1997-8. I am sure he would be taken part in this thread if he was not on holiday.

Great pictures BTW.

Regards
Mark

[Craig Bellamy]

More Chicken Spider Pictures

More Chicken Spider Pictures

[Craig Bellamy]

So based simply on a dealers word that they come from Peru and are a Pamphobeteus sp you think they are the chicken spider? the ones in the last picture remind me of one of the 2 species in the hobby being sold as P. "paltyomma". from Ecuador.

Comming from the pet trade with no location data they could be anything.



Sorry to say this but framing wont tell the species and only disection and comparison against a type specimen will determine what species they are (that is how things are done)



To be established as a species (preferably) a series would have to be preserved and disected which you dont want. To get protecction under CITIES (which only covers trade in species, and does nothing to protect them in the wild) they must be proven to be endangered in the wild = the trade being monitored Convention In The Trade In Endangered Species.

At present there is no legal trade in the export of wild caught from Peru only (from what i can gather) 3 captive bred species on Chenalonia, THERE IS a legal DEAD trade and i can get 100s of dead Pamphobeteus sp at $2 ea...not that i would want any.

Without disecting a specimen and comparing against type we wouldnt know if it has been already described, but i do know someone who has been working on this.



Ok to classify we need specimens to disect, Paul Hilliard is retired, Some people can do a theraphosid description in a weekend to do one properly (especially with Pamphobeteus) will take years so it wont happen quickly

But you are correct they should be taken into captivity and bred. same as many other spider out there. but even if we get huge captive breeding populatons going and we end up giving them away as they have no financial value this will still not stop the trade in dead specimens.




And i wont start on common names.

You probably wont like my comments so i apologise for that but that is how things are.

Ray

Hi Ray,
I see nothing wrong with talking about common names, this is what a forum is all about.

I have confirmation and the expertise to know that these are in fact Pamphobeteus species from Tambopata region described as the "chicken spider". Images supplied are all still juveniles, but the adults look very chunky in appearance, identical colouring and act as described. I am sure Martin would be able to confirm this, with more pictures if necessary.

I say to Martin, Andrew and the committee, lets get this species described and press forward for CITES if indeed they are endangered, which I believe the could well be on its way behind the scenes. I am absolutely certain, a few enthusiats reading this forum have this species but prefer to keep it quiet. I do not condone the trade of dead animals for many reasons. A classic example is on ebay, which could only escalate further the demise of the already fragile populations.

Craig

[Neil Ashby]

Hi Craig

will you be playing for Liverpool next season mate ?

[Mikhail F. Bagaturov]

Hi Craig!

Can You recall the exact year they're imported and You've bought them?
Do You knew anything about the other spiders from the same stock?
Is it possible that they come from the same stock aquired by H-J Peters and were described as Pamphobeteus petersi lately by Schmidt - what do You think of this?

[Ray Gabriel]

I acquired these years ago unknowingly from an importer who knew very little other than Peru labelled Pamphobeteus sp, like Martin acquired, didn't know what they were until later when I happened to realise they are very unique indeed. Firstly they stick together like Meerkats, they sleep together, hunt together and are probably the most interesting tarantulas out there. Nothing comes close in terms of entertainment. Not to mention they are pretty, non aggressive and rather calm.

So based simply on a dealers word that they come from Peru and are a Pamphobeteus sp you think they are the chicken spider? the ones in the last picture remind me of one of the 2 species in the hobby being sold as P. "paltyomma". from Ecuador.

Comming from the pet trade with no location data they could be anything.

Unlike some enthusiasts out there, I do not wish for these to be framed or dissected to confirm the species. I would rather them pass away naturally someday first and do research on their behaviour meanwhile. I do believe there are many with these species but are careful about coming forward, which serves little point in the long term

Sorry to say this but framing wont tell the species and only disection and comparison against a type specimen will determine what species they are (that is how things are done)

I do however think that they should be quickly drafted as an established species so that they can be protected under CITES and bring many over beforehand to breed so that importers don't eliminate them from the wild before it’s too late. Martin has been discussing this for many years but I am surprised it has not been done yet. The locals and indeed many arachnologists, especially from Peru, have known about these tarantulas for decades if not much longer so the species could be already described yet somehow not widely available information

To be established as a species (preferably) a series would have to be preserved and disected which you dont want. To get protecction under CITIES (which only covers trade in species, and does nothing to protect them in the wild) they must be proven to be endangered in the wild = the trade being monitored Convention In The Trade In Endangered Species.

At present there is no legal trade in the export of wild caught from Peru only (from what i can gather) 3 captive bred species on Chenalonia, THERE IS a legal DEAD trade and i can get 100s of dead Pamphobeteus sp at $2 ea...not that i would want any.

Without disecting a specimen and comparing against type we wouldnt know if it has been already described, but i do know someone who has been working on this.

In my humble opinion, it is an obligation, especially in this day and age of rapid extinction to classify them so we can protect and breed them before they are wiped out. We need a certified arachnologist to undertake this mission to get it done once and for all, perhaps Paul Hilliard of the NHM would be so kind as to work with Andrew or Martin and do the work, which would be naturally fairly quick due to their confirm whereabouts.

Ok to classify we need specimens to disect, Paul Hilliard is retired, Some people can do a theraphosid description in a weekend to do one properly (especially with Pamphobeteus) will take years so it wont happen quickly

But you are correct they should be taken into captivity and bred. same as many other spider out there. but even if we get huge captive breeding populatons going and we end up giving them away as they have no financial value this will still not stop the trade in dead specimens.

These are not pets and require a lot more space than regular tarantulas as they need to be in a group to flourish and are pretty active like hamsters, always up to something together, little busy bodies. Very aware of presence. Would make an incredible exhibit at ZSL as it would attract and educate more effectively rather than the standard lethargic solitary type which serves little as an Ambassador other than to scare

And i wont start on common names.

You probably wont like my comments so i apologise for that but that is how things are.

Ray