Grammostola

[Nicola Dolby]

A "marshmallow snake"! That is something I'd really like to see. I think a lot of my snake trouble comes from seeing the very snakes and other little nasties at the zoo. I remember going to Chester zoo when I was little and they had a Boa there which looked at me as if to say "lunch". I hated the reptile house because the alligators were not only big but they could get to within about 3 foot of the public, the way the enclosure was set up. Yes there was wire mesh and it was "safe" but for a child thats scary. Having said that one of my funniest spid moments happened at Chester zoo. I was looking at the tanks with scorpions etc. and I saw this big tank labelled "Goliath Bird Eating Spider". Well I looked and couldn't see it and then there it was! Right next to me on the other side of the glass all the time! I'd never seen any arachnid that big before. I remember thinking to myself "I wonder where the antenne is for the remote control!"

[Louise~Nichols]

That's the problem with phobias, the object of terror becomes larger than life...and with a large specimen of boa, the terror becomes huge!! LOL
I loved Chester zoo as a kid, my Gran took me there on a number of occasions when I went to stay with her, so I've got very fond memories of the time I spent there.
I love your *remote control* Goliath experience!! I was guilty of always having my face pressed against the glass, and the thrill factor of suddenly finding the animals were right there staring back!

So...marshmallow snakey (also known as Grammostola Snakeyii...for the sake of being on topic, lol) you wished to see? Well here he is, the first pic is of Mr Dibley, and the other snake is Mr Bitty. (And for Little Britain fans...that's how he got his name, the young man has a bra fixation!!)





Aren't they a bit different to the *monster boa*?

[James Box]

Louise, those are great examples of the legendary Legless Tarantulas!

it'd be lovely to keep Grammastola's together, but nevermind.
Louise, i'd love to see that cambridgei colony!
Mary just gave me two more, bringing my total to 4...but i'd be nervous about putting them together. maybe another time.
in the meantime, i have put 6 Holothele incei slings together in a large tub, and will be checking them tonight.
they are young, so hopefully not going to cannibalise anytime soon.
as for behaviour, when i initially tried 5 in a small container to see if there was any aggression, the most interaction i saw was two slings batting each other a bit with their forelegs, and then one going round the other.
it could've been aggressive, but they solved their differences without either one backing down.
or it could've been "oh look, you're a spider too, how interesting! ok, bored now."
colonial Pokies, yet another thing to try one day...

[Colin D Wilson]

Grammostola snakeyii ?
A new undescribed species is it ???

Maybe this would have been been better in the advanced discussion forum then

Nice to see some of your wonderfull collection again Lou.

[Nicola Dolby]

Brilliant snakes Lou! I must admit I'd feel more confident with the second one, the first looks too gentle and for someone whose rescued a poor, defenceless fluffy shrew from a big nasty cat before only to have the gentle cute thing embed its teeth into my finger (and nearly out the other side), I profer the stronger looking ones. I know where they're coming from! Even so the colours are beautiful and I must admit I feel a little jealous. Thanks again.

[Louise~Nichols]

@ James...legless Tarantulas...teehee!! Absolutely mate! You'll get to see them if you get brave enough to cope with *girl's night*...other than that, we're gonna have to have a curry night, and you can meet the *we're hiding in our webs so you can't get photos* community of Cambridgei.

@ Colin...advanced discussion? Advanced and this 'ere Noodle, a primitive legend in her own lunchtime, in the same sentence...flip's sake...what do I have to do get me own *nutcase zone*?!! LOL The snakes are looking forward to welcoming you and Shane back again...when all of the babies are hatched out and feeding there will be plenty of *choice picks*.

@ Nicola...you're very welcome. The top guy, Mr Dibley has been doing phobia work for many years, and visits schools (multi-talented, has his own transport...kidding!)...he's never bitten anyone in his life. Mr Bitty is the younger of that pair, and again, isn't known for aggression even when in breeding condition.
The real major thing is...if a cornsnake bites you, it won't bite right through your finger...their teeth simply aren't big enough. It's more like getting scratched by a bramble at worst, and that's judging it from a big specimen perspective. I had a grump who was 1.5kg in weight and she took great delight in biting...and even when doing her worst, the marks from her bite had vanished after half an hour!
If you ever fancy a crazy day trip, let me know.

[James Box]

yeah Louise, don't see that girl's night thing happening. but a curry just might have to be arranged!

[Nicola Dolby]

did someone mention curry?

[Colin D Wilson]

A curry...surrounded by spiders and snakes....in good company...... worth a 55 mile drive in my book !!

[James Box]

A curry...surrounded by spiders and snakes....in good company...... worth a 55 mile drive in my book !!

worth a train ride to me haha!

and of course i'd love to see people over as well, though give me warning so i can clear the tip that is my house

[Louise~Nichols]

WOOOOO!! Nicola, you're up for a curry night too then?
Excellent...I'll have to start making plans in advance, and Colin...you could even practise your Carmen Miranda routine... *hides* LOL

James..I don't know why you find *girl's night* soooo scary...all I said was...*you're suffering will be legendary, even in hell*!! hehehehe

[James Box]

Louise, let's just say it'd be LESS scary if all you did was stick me up with chains and hooks!

[Louise~Nichols]

Louise, let's just say it'd be LESS scary if all you did was stick me up with chains and hooks!

Pffffft...I'm sure I'll be suitably occupied, so you won't have to worry what I might do to you!! LOL Although...I still don't see the problem with wearing high heels and a skirt, James!!

[James Box]

no worries, then! that's what you can wear. i'll just stay home anyways, thanks!

[Nicola Dolby]

All I can say Louise on the subject of heels is that you've not had the pleasure of walking half way accross Bristol from the Aztec hotel to the train station on a sunday morning in February because there were no buses and no room in the case for "comfortable" shoes! Trust me next year I'll be prepared!
Ah....curry. I could just do with black-eyed peas in a mushroom and tomato sauce with feneugreek and cumin(Lobhia aur khumbi- I didn't make these names up, please don't blame me) followed by pork vindaloo and a side serving of Sookhe Aloo (potatoes with ginger and garlic) with Kutchi bhindi (sweet and sour okra); some mushroom Pullao (Khumbi pullao) and to finish peppermint ice cream with Major grey mango chutney (Yum yum)
Can't wait myself!