Tarantula Novice!

[Annie Dowell]

Hiya,

I am really interested in spiders and having just started an animal management course at college, and convincing the parents that they are beautiful,fascinating animals - I'm allowed to keep them.

Readin books and asking tutors/other friends who own, I think I'd like to own a female Chilean Rose and a Female Cobalt Blue.

Basically, I need some advice.Do they need a heat mat or will they adapt to room temp?
Am I right in thinking they should be fed 2/3 crickets 2-3 times a week?
I intend to keep one in a glass tank and I need to get another for the other girl. I think it's 10l...is this too small?
What age am I best to get?
Also, I have been suggested so many differant substrates! I don't know what to think.

Any advice/tips/help is MUCH appriciated!

Thank you so much,
Annie

[Mark Pennell]

Annie
Good place to start is here!
plenty of good threads to read and enjoy, just to a search for questions you need to ask and 9 times out of ten they have been asked and answerd.

Also worth looking at the BTS guides

http://www.thebts.co.uk/index.html go here and see the menu at the top BTS Guides.

You'll need to keep both your tarantulas seperate and in there on tanks, and recommened a heat pad and thermosate too. This should be place on the back of the tank and polystrene on the back of that to reflect heat in.

Cheers
Mark

[Dan Kennard]

Hiya,

I am really interested in spiders and having just started an animal management course at college, and convincing the parents that they are beautiful,fascinating animals - I'm allowed to keep them.

Readin books and asking tutors/other friends who own, I think I'd like to own a female Chilean Rose and a Female Cobalt Blue.

Basically, I need some advice.Do they need a heat mat or will they adapt to room temp?
Am I right in thinking they should be fed 2/3 crickets 2-3 times a week?
I intend to keep one in a glass tank and I need to get another for the other girl. I think it's 10l...is this too small?
What age am I best to get?
Also, I have been suggested so many differant substrates! I don't know what to think.

Any advice/tips/help is MUCH appriciated!

Thank you so much,
Annie

Hi Annie. A female cobalt blue will be a very bad idea for a first tarantula - They look very nice, but they are very fast, very defensive, and have a nasty bite. Not to mention that you will most likely hardly see her - They are a burrowing species that spend almost all of their time under ground. You can liken them to pet holes so to speak.

A chilean rose is a very good choice for a first tarantula. They are usually quite docile, and bite reports are usually quite mild.

In regards to temperature, rosies are usually ok at room temperature. Unless you live in a somewhat cold house, or you don't have central heating on in the winter, then I wouldn't worry about using a heat mat.

2/3 crickets per week will be perfectly fine. Feeding a spider too often can result in health problems, reduced lifespan, and difficulties when it comes to the spider shedding it's skin.

Tanks size is usually down to personal choice. I tend to go for smaller tanks myself - this can avoid issues wherein the spider may find it difficult to find food. 10L isn't much of a measurement since it only measures the volume. You could have a thin, tall tank still measure 10L. I've kept rosies in all sorts, from glass tanks, to kritter keepers, to plastic cake tubs - and they've all been suitable.

As for substrate, I would personally use coconut humus. It's cheap, soft, and comes from renewable sources (unlike many peat substrates). However, it can have the tendency to grow mould and such if kept too warm and wet with reduced ventilation. Rosies prefer it on the dry side though, so there should be no issues in that respect.

Ages is once again a personal preference. Personally, I really dislike buying spiderlings, as I'm quite impatient. However, many people like to buy spiderlings and watch them grown and mature. If this is your first spider, then I would suggest buying a good sized juvenile or an adult/sub adult. Not that slings are difficult to look after in most cases, only that you have a higher chance of your spider experienceing death due to natural causes - In nature, the weak ones are weeded out. Survival of the fittest, and such. However, in captivity, this isn't the case, and weaker ones do get bought, and do unfortunately die for no aparrent reason.

Hope that helps.

[Annie Dowell]

Hiya,

Thank you so much for all of the help!

RE: the cobalt - I'll steer clear for a start then!

My house is heated, but they are to be kept in my animal room where the radiator is broken so a heat mat will be best!

Is there any special requirements at moulting time i should know about or anything like that?

I am really excited about getting a rose and look forward to learning more!

[Annie Dowell]

Just measured the tank - It's 30cm left to right, 18cm front to back, and 20cm top to bottom.

[Annie Dowell]

Sorry, another question!

Where would I get the substrate from? A good pet shop?
Am I better getting from a breeder or shop?I was hoping to get one from Amazon in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

Do they need any - not sure what to call them! - toys in their cage- like logs or rocks or anything?

I was going to put them a plant pot in so that she can hide in there. I was going to cover it up like a little cave.

And you're supposed to put a sponge in the water to stop drowning?

I'm sorry for all the q's! I must seem like a right tarantula-idiot!!!

[Dan Kennard]

"Is there any special requirements at moulting time i should know about or anything like that?"

Yes - leave the spider alone. In most cases, the moult will go fine. Some suggest raising the humidity a little, but I'm personally not one of those people.

"Just measured the tank - It's 30cm left to right, 18cm front to back, and 20cm top to bottom."

That would be a very good size. Make sure it has a tight fitting lid though.

"Where would I get the substrate from? A good pet shop?
Am I better getting from a breeder or shop?I was hoping to get one from Amazon in Ashby-de-la-Zouch."

There are many places you can get substrate and spiders from. Usually pet shops add markup to their prices, so if you want to get a good deal, try shopping online. Try www.thespidershop.co.uk, www.tarantulabarn.co.uk, or if you're looking for the best deals, look on the classified sections of tarantula and reptile forums.

"Do they need any - not sure what to call them! - toys in their cage- like logs or rocks or anything?"

Rocks are a bad idea. If your spider was climbing the cage, and then fell on one, then there's a good chance of a fatality. Logs and fake plants are usually for our benefit - to make the tank look a lttle less barren and more aesthetically pleasing.

"I was going to put them a plant pot in so that she can hide in there. I was going to cover it up like a little cave."

Hides are quite important in making the tarantula feel secure, and safe. A half plant pot will be fine.

"And you're supposed to put a sponge in the water to stop drowning?"

This is a big no no. Sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria and mould, and anyone who suggests them needs to do some reading up. An open, shallow water dish will be just fine.

"I'm sorry for all the q's! I must seem like a right tarantula-idiot!!! "

We all have to start from somewhere

[Annie Dowell]

Thank you so much for all of your help. You have been brilliant!I have bought one of those little plant pot dishes, that hold the water. It's really shallow and think it'd be a good water dish.

I'm worried about getting the humidity right, I have no idea how damp/dry it should be.

As for crickets, do they need any food/heat or substrate?

My local exotics have reserved me a calm rosie, who is about 1 or 2 years old.

What other kinds of tarantula are suitable for first time owners?

[Eleanor]

I agree with everything DanHalen has said.

[quote=Annie Dowell;44496]I'm worried about getting the humidity right, I have no idea how damp/dry it should be.

Humidity is not important for a rose and I would keep it dry, with a water bowl. Dry won't hurt, but too humid might if you're not careful, so it's easiest and safest to keep it dry.

As for crickets, do they need any food/heat or substrate?

It depends how long you intend to keep them. You could just put a piece of carrot or orange in their tub to keep them hydrated, or to keep them healthier for longer, move them into a slightly larger tub with cardboard rolls to hide in and a mix of some dried food like cereal - they like fish food flakes too - and a piece of fruit or vegetable for moisture. You won't need to heat them.

What other kinds of tarantula are suitable for first time owners?

The quick answer - anything you feel ready for having read a bit about them first! But the easiest and most calm are best if you're unsure, and that includes anything in the genus Brachypelma or Grammostola. Bearing in mind that individual spiders can vary in their personalities!

[Eleanor]

Oh I also meant to say that I always use ordinary potting compost for substrate. Most people would say it should be sterilised before use, but I don't do that any more and have not had any trouble. If you want to sterilise it, bake it in a dish in the oven until it's hot through, or microwave it.

Enjoy your new spider! You will find them so much more rewarding as pets than you imagine, and addictive too...

[Dan Kennard]

Thank you so much for all of your help. You have been brilliant!I have bought one of those little plant pot dishes, that hold the water. It's really shallow and think it'd be a good water dish.

I'm worried about getting the humidity right, I have no idea how damp/dry it should be.

As for crickets, do they need any food/heat or substrate?

My local exotics have reserved me a calm rosie, who is about 1 or 2 years old.

What other kinds of tarantula are suitable for first time owners?

Don't worry too much about humidity - there are comparitively few species in the hobby where humidity is any real issue. Rosie's prefer it on the dry side for the most part. If the substrate is too damp for them, you will often see them scale the sides of the tank to get away from it. Dry substrate, moderate temperature, and an open water dish will do the job fine.

In regards to the pet shop, I'd take what they say with a pinch of salt to be honest. Most rosie's that are stocked are actually wild caught specimens, so unless they can guarantee it was captive bred, then they won't really have any idea how old it is. They do take a long time to reach adult hood though. A 1-2 year old rosie may only be a couple of inches or less depending on heat and feeding routines.

Heating crickets will reduce their lifespan, and if any are mature males, they will chirp very often and very loudly. Some people like the sound, but after 13 years or so of keeping spiders, they really get on my nerves now, so I mostly use locusts and roaches. If you keep them too cool, they can slow down and die, so if I were you, to increase longevity and minimise the chirping, I'd just keep them at room temp. In regards to feeding them, it's mostly down to personal choice. I've successfuly bred and reared spiders before on a diet of crickets that have eaten nothing but the bran flakes they are packaged with. So from a nutritional standpoint, there's speculation as to whether a balanced diet for the cricket will be of any real benefit to the spider. If anything though, feeding the crickets will prevent them from eating each other. If you expand in to reptiles at any point, then feeding the crickets a healthy and balanced diet will be quite important.

There are lot's of tarantulas that could be considered good for beginners. Most species belonging to the brachypelma, grammostola, and aphonopelma genera will be fine. If you fancy trying something a bit different, like an arboreal tarantula, then many species of the avicularia genus are good for beginners also. A personal favourite of mine which many beginners overlook is the green bottle blue (Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens). Look it up if you have the chance. They can be a little bit on the skittish side, but are otherwise a very beautiful species with simple husbandry requirements.

[Eleanor]

A personal favourite of mine which many beginners overlook is the green bottle blue (Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens).

Tough as old boots (relatively speaking), stunningly coloured, don't hide too much, and make huge webs. I've always found them quite interactive - they can learn to come and take food out of the forceps - but don't stick your finger in there. These are also favourites of mine. Once again, I agree with DanHalen.

[Annie Dowell]

Hello,

Thank you so much for all of the help! I have bought a Chilean Rose and after spending lot's of time talking to the shop owner, have her on compost and moss. I personally think it's too damp but I won't spray it and hopefully it'll dry out a bit. She is sat on top of her pot atm. I'm so nervous roundher but I think I'll get braver. The lady was a bit sketchy about her age so I have a feeling she was wild.
I'm not going to handle her, just let her chill out! Here is a quick pic - not very good.

Introducing Charlotte...

[Annie Dowell]

p.s. rep to you both

[Mark Harrison]

Re: tarantula novice

Thats a lovely looking Rosea Annie, i have the RCF (red colour phase) and its a beautiful, although your spider looks older than two Rosies can live for a loooong time. Hope your lucky enough not to have a "crazy" rosie , and you will soon find yourself with lots more spiders. You said you live in Ashby-de-la-zouch? I live in atherstone down the road and find that a few shops in leicester are very good for taranatula supplies and are not too overpriced. Try this link http://www.scales-tails.co.uk/

A personal favourite of mine which many beginners overlook is the green bottle blue (Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens). Look it up if you have the chance. They can be a little bit on the skittish side, but are otherwise a very beautiful species with simple husbandry requirements.

Although i totally agree Dan that C.Cynaeopubescens are an amazing spider i have found they are rare and when they are for sale they can fetch quite a price, and most spiders people often recommend to beginners are recommended due to their relative cost.

Hope you enjoy your 1st spider...