A couple of questions on my first T

[Stanley A. Schultz]

I will be getting my first tarantula shortly (red phase Chilean Rose). I have been reading up everything I can find on their care, but my problem is that I'm getting differing opinions on what's best depending on what I read. ...

First, read http://people.ucalgary.ca/~schultz/stansrant.html.

Then, read http://people.ucalgary.ca/~schultz/roses.html.

99% of the time all that other garbage and equipment is completely useless. Save your money. Buy another tarantula.

Simple is better. (Cheaper too!)

[Stanley A. Schultz]

I'll beat Stan to his own link:
http://people.ucalgary.ca/~schultz/roses.html ...

All I could do was laugh! Thanks, Pete!

[Sarah Willis]

Thanks for those links. I ordered the Tarantula Keeper's Guide a few days ago and am awaiting its arrival so I'll be poring over it when it gets here.

[Stanley A. Schultz]

Thanks for those links. I ordered the Tarantula Keeper's Guide a few days ago and am awaiting its arrival so I'll be poring over it when it gets here.

You don't have to wait! Go to a public library and read it some slow afternoon or check out a copy to read at home. I don't know about the UK, but in North America (aka "The Colonies" ) they're FREE.

Enjoy your literary tarantula!

[Sarah Willis]

No need, it arrived already - it will be bedtime reading for the next few days )

[paul fleming]

You need to relax a bit and stop worrying lol.....it is really not that difficult keeping T's and especially a chile.
I am sure you will be fine.
Can't wait to see your pictures.
The first T of many I might add too.
Paul

[Sarah Willis]

Haha, yes, I have done now I've got her and she's been here a few days. She seems quite happy. I've posted a few photos in the Pix section now.

[steve wilkins]

sarah, it's true what they say about chile rose's not needing much heat- in fact, spidershop suggest that reports of aggressive ones,are ones kept too warm. (check spidershop's website & you'll see). if your chile starts getting stroppy, that's the time to turn the heat down.

[Sarah Willis]

Well, so far she seems happy. I've just got the heat mat under one-third of the tank and it keeps the warm end around 24 degrees and the cool end at 18. Mostly she sits at the warm end at the moment.