Ive been adopted by "Spike"

[Tony Lowe]

Hi to all.
I'm totally new to spider maintaining! I've managed to have a tarantula adopt me!

Not being one to see any creature suffer neglect & cruelty, Spike came to live with us about a week ago. There is a very small picture of him(?) with my "name" I think. If I get courageous I'll publish them to a website and link it in, or post here if I can.

Up to now, he has been identified as

1. Lesser Black
2. Chilean Rose
3. Curly Hair

And a few other names besides, but I don't think we need to know those in mixed company

I was told by his previous that he only required feeding once every 6 months. I gave in to his sad looks and apart from a shiny new home with peaty flooring and a mopani log for hiding under or climbing on to get a better view of BBC TV, he is currently taking about 6 crickets a day. Seems to have spun web strands over the surface of the flooring as well, but only part of it, not all.

He seems happy enough. Quite active. I suppose I must be doing something right, but you are the experts (reading other posts) so any suggestions?

I don't wat to get into collecting different ones - I'll see this one into retirement, but thats it (possibly )

So its over to you!

[Elaine Ross]

Hi Tony. Welcome to the forum and the tarantula addiction

The picture isnt showing up next to your name but you can upload the pics to photobucket and link here. We can then possibly tell you what kind of T you have and then can tell you the right kind of care for the type of T.

Feeding every 6 months? oh good grief. Try not to let her overfeed though. I feed mine 3 or 4 crickets (suitable sized for the Tarantula) per week and have a dish of water available at all times. I use milk bottle carton lids without cotton wool or sponge as they are a breeding ground for bacteria.

It sounds like you have her on a good substrate and if she is eating well and webbing then thats a good sign Sounds like you are doing ok so far.
Elaine

[Neil Ashby]

Elaine , if you click on his avatar pic ,you can see the T in his profile for some reason , but it is too small to say what it is !

[colin haris]

I don't wat to get into collecting different ones - I'll see this one into retirement, but thats it (possibly )

So its over to you!

Hi tony! Welcome to the forum!

I've only been a keeper of T's for 5 weeks now and at the time i only wanted one....just to see what its like....now i have two and i'm ready for my third! (when my wife finally stops saying no!)
The more experienced guys will tell you better than i can, that T's are very addictive....resistance is futile!

I'd love to see spike so get a pic up of him.
Good Luck!

[mary walters]

My money is on albopilosum. Feed every 6 months?? strewth!!!!
Welcome to the addiction, you think you can stop at one??????

[Colin D Wilson]

Hi Tony,

nice to see you're doing the right thing and taking it on board

I'm going to go along with Mary looking at the little picture, B albopilosum (curly hair)
What size is it, 6 crickets per day is a fair amount even if it's an adult. I would cut down a tad, i only feed that many adult crickets to my smaller species adult T's per week (give or take)

Good luck

Colin

i don't think you'll stop at one tarantula though, give it time

[Nicola Dolby]

Hi Tony,
can I just add that its great what you've done. People who are prepared to care for animals like that are really the best. You've made my day. Thank you.

[Mike Conabeer]

Hi Tony, welcome on board, having had a look at your picture I am inclined to agree with the ID as a Curly Hair (Brachypelma albopilosum), as has also been mentioned I would recommend stepping the feeding down a little & maybe only offering once every week, this should be more than enough for a decent sized Curly.

Well done for making the space & effort to take this spider in & prevent it from any further neglect, I hope you have it for many years to come & as others have said you may find that the spider keeping bug will truly bite you too!

All the best,

Mike.

[Tony Lowe]

Not so shy Spike

He/She is becoming a bigger attraction in my office than the graphics I'm supposed to sell!!!

Still there's one pic that I took, someone suggested makes an excellent poster so.....

I've attached one to help those who can, identify. Spike is about 5 inches diameter (And if he could---- say's Hi)

[Nicola Dolby]

Hi Spike! have fun.

[colin haris]

Hi tony
just had a look at your recent picture and it does look like you have a Curly Hair (Brachypelma albopilosum) as Mike and Colin say.
Its a good first T as they are hardy and normally friendly
Good Luck!