Glasgow Andy asks Questions

[Andrew Murdoch]

Thanks everybody for the welcome. I have a good few questions so here goes:
1. My viv has a lid on it with mesh for ventilation, I read that Tarantulas can get caught up on this as they have hooks on there 'feet', should I make an alteration or will things be ok?
2. Should I use fresh water at all times, I mean change the water daily, and is tap water ok?
3. How long can a Tarantula remain in its retreat, I aint seen mine for a couple of days?
4. I get crickets from the pet shop, I have had them for just over a week, there are now some dead crickets in the box, can these dead crickets contaminate the live ones and make them bad for my Tarantula?
5. I saw wax worms in the pet shop, the owner said they are a good treat for a Tarantula, I am aware that they pupate, will a Tarantula still eat pupated ones?
6. I have been looking at the different types of Tarantula and came across the King Baboon Tarantula, it said it was considered an 'experts' Tarantula. Why is this?
7. Are there ever BTS shows in the Glasgow area, or Tarantula shows for that matter?
8. Is there such a thing as a breeders list where enthusiasts can purchase Tarantulas?

Anyways I am sure to come up with many more questions. Thanks again for the welcome.

[Phil Rea]

Thanks everybody for the welcome. I have a good few questions so here goes:
1. My viv has a lid on it with mesh for ventilation, I read that Tarantulas can get caught up on this as they have hooks on there 'feet', should I make an alteration or will things be ok?

Tarantulas can get their hooks caught up in mesh, there's no doubt about that, but having said that, many people use it without problems. Depending on the type of mesh, large tarantulas can chew thier way out of it too

2. Should I use fresh water at all times, I mean change the water daily, and is tap water ok?

Tap water should be fine. I use cooled tap water that has been boiled in a kettle.

3. How long can a Tarantula remain in its retreat, I aint seen mine for a couple of days?

Depending on the species, indefinitely. Don't worry if you haven't seen it for a few days.

4. I get crickets from the pet shop, I have had them for just over a week, there are now some dead crickets in the box, can these dead crickets contaminate the live ones and make them bad for my Tarantula?

They can't really contaminate the live ones as far as I know, but they can attract phorid flies which can be at best a nuisance, and at worse a real problem.

5. I saw wax worms in the pet shop, the owner said they are a good treat for a Tarantula, I am aware that they pupate, will a Tarantula still eat pupated ones?

Yes they will, but some tarantulas can be picky about their food. I have a G. rosea that would only eat brown crickets. Not black ones, not roaches, not anything else, but just those! A few moults later and she'll eat anything

6. I have been looking at the different types of Tarantula and came across the King Baboon Tarantula, it said it was considered an 'experts' Tarantula. Why is this?

Probably because it can get very big and is considered quite a defensive (not aggressive) and fast spider. If you buy one as a spiderling and watch it grow, you can get used to it over time. However, if you buy an adult/subadult one straight away and you're not used to spiders in general, then it may be quite a steep and potentially painful learning curve.

7. Are there ever BTS shows in the Glasgow area, or Tarantula shows for that matter?

Someone else will have to answer the Glasgow bit. The BTS show is held every year in the Midlands.

8. Is there such a thing as a breeders list where enthusiasts can purchase Tarantulas?

Anyways I am sure to come up with many more questions. Thanks again for the welcome.

There is the BTS Bulletin Board on here and for sale forums on various other boards. There are also places like the Spidershop which sell online.

[Louise~Nichols]

Hi Andy, I just wanted to ask if you are keeping the crickets fed & watered too?
I put mine into a plastic tank with a shallow water dish which has a cotton wool ball in to prevent drowners...then I feed the crickets on a variety of stuff such as cricket diet, fish food, cereals, apple, lettuce etc. The tarantulas then get a lot of nutrition out of the bugs we give them.