S. calceatum

[Denny Teasdale]

Hey everyone,

Well pardon the expression but I've got the "bug"...was wondering if anyone could shed any light on S. calceatum for me....temp, humidity, temperament et al just I seen one today and I quite like the look of it...! I've check wikipedia but nothing about them on there so any info is greatly greatly appreciated...

[Mark Shingleton]

hi,
as far as i know, and i could be wrong, i dont have one of these, but just been reeding on the ats forum about them. they say plenty of substrate to burrow and fresh water at all times. temp in 70's and a moderate humidity, dont flood it but dont forget it.
im just passing on what i read, hope it helps. ( i also read they have a nasty bite, but cant say anything about temprament, as i said i dont have one.)

[Denny Teasdale]

Cheers Mark,

Decided to have a look on youtube for them, should have done that first really...! A vid from "Jon3800" popped up and I can safely say he's put me off getting one...!!!!

He's got a large collection and he says that it's the fastest, meanest and got the worst bite in his collection.....!!! Ah yes that'll be that one on the back burner then...Lmao one day maybe...??

Thanks for replying though...!

[Nicola Dolby]

Stromatopelma calceatum. From west coast of Africa (Ivory Coast area). Keep like pokies and other arborials (temperature & humidity). They are an ARBORIAL species and very fast but timid. Will defend their nest though. Live in the wild high up in the canopy. have potent venom but as I say timid and won't bite unless you go looking for it. for further reference ask R. Gallon. (PS they're lovely spiders. I've kept one myself and I hope you have all the fun in the world with yours!!)

[Stephen jordan]

Hi Denny, I've had a look at these too. I don't see why if you exercise caution at all times why you couldnt keep one. I went for a H lividum, saw a blue spider and got me one, She's been ok no matter what reputation they have, I respect her speed, and her privacy. I'd say buy a sling of an aggressive species and watch it grow, and get to know its individual behaviour. I know what you mean by got the bug too! I have a cabinet to build, and making room for a load more later in the year...hopefully get to the BTS exhibition too to pick up some more of my wish list

[darrell hetzel]

i wouldnt be turned off by one acount. mine has never shown the slightest bit of aggression. it just sits and does its own thing. really fun to feed. as far as the deep substrait goes, (and i do not claim to be an expert by any means) i belive that Eucratoscelus pachypus is somtimes sold as S. calceatum. they are terrestrial, and i belive are deeper burrowers.

[Nicola Dolby]

You're right Darrell. I have a couple of pachypus (pachypi?) here and they are deep burrowers. They also like it a bit on the dry side as opposed to the tropical calceatum. In fact you couldn't get two more different African species! This 'aggression' thing concerns me though. Tarantulas are beautiful, gentle creatures (unless you're a cricket). Yes they can be shy and defensive but if they weren't many species would be extinct in the wild by now. As for the venom, just look at their natural environment. Spiders will adapt their venom to overcome prey and, where they have no other means, to protect them from natural predators (which is possibly why old world t's have a reputation for having stronger venom than new world ones. Also tarantulas who might be prey to monkeys in the wild might evolve venom with more toxicity toward primates over the generations. As humans are primates this might explain why some genera (Poecilotheria, Stromatopelma etc.) are "more venomous" to humans (though I'm not sure how this ties in with A. robustus & co.) Nonetheless tarantulas are not 8 legged pit-bulls and when I hear about how "venemous and aggressive" a tarantula is it makes me think the point has been missed. Never be put off by a tarantula's reputation, just use common sense and give them plenty of TLC and you'll have the best creatures on Earth to look after!

[Denny Teasdale]

Cheers one and all...I must admit my mind is being swayed towards getting it...It's convincing the Mrs...if I can get her on side I'll defo have it...!

[James Box]

You're right Darrell. I have a couple of pachypus (pachypi?) here and they are deep burrowers. They also like it a bit on the dry side as opposed to the tropical calceatum. In fact you couldn't get two more different African species! This 'aggression' thing concerns me though. Tarantulas are beautiful, gentle creatures (unless you're a cricket). Yes they can be shy and defensive but if they weren't many species would be extinct in the wild by now. As for the venom, just look at their natural environment. Spiders will adapt their venom to overcome prey and, where they have no other means, to protect them from natural predators (which is possibly why old world t's have a reputation for having stronger venom than new world ones. Also tarantulas who might be prey to monkeys in the wild might evolve venom with more toxicity toward primates over the generations. As humans are primates this might explain why some genera (Poecilotheria, Stromatopelma etc.) are "more venomous" to humans (though I'm not sure how this ties in with A. robustus & co.) Nonetheless tarantulas are not 8 legged pit-bulls and when I hear about how "venemous and aggressive" a tarantula is it makes me think the point has been missed. Never be put off by a tarantula's reputation, just use common sense and give them plenty of TLC and you'll have the best creatures on Earth to look after!

i couldn't agree more. i have living proof in my African specimens, just for this example...they are gentle as anything until i spook them lol, which i don't mean to do, but when you're bigger than something, you're bound to inadvertently scare it from time to time.
my P lugardi was even a gentle and caring mother, and i've never even got a threat display from my Augacepholus sp "Mozambique"
as for toxicity...i don't see why that's ever a concern when, if you take due precautions and avoid risk, it's never going to be a problem...
even the least active venom can be lethal to someone with an allergy or sensitivity...

Just to stay moderately on topic, S. calceatum is a lovely species that i've sadly never owned, though i've had its semi-close relative H. maculata.

to my eye, they are two of the loveliest arboreal tarantulas in the world, perhaps second to Psalmopoeus, if i were to generalise, and on par with Avicularia, though in a totally different way.

[Nicola Dolby]

I know what you mean James, though I've never kept Psalmopeus (I struggle to spell it):$ and I do love Poecilotheria. One thing I forgot to mention Denny is that Stromatopelma are NOT communal in any way. If you are buying more than one, you'll need more than one tank! Good luck!

[Denny Teasdale]

Thanks again one and all...some very useful info, now just to convince the Mrs...!! she's digging her heels in so I might just leave it for a bit and come back to the subject when she wants something...! lol

[James Box]

I know what you mean James, though I've never kept Psalmopeus (I struggle to spell it):$ and I do love Poecilotheria. One thing I forgot to mention Denny is that Stromatopelma are NOT communal in any way. If you are buying more than one, you'll need more than one tank! Good luck!

oh you've gotta get some Psalmopoeus! think Lee has some reduncus from Wes Flower's and my breeding hint hint

Denny, good luck convincing her...what's her reluctance based on?

[Mark Harrison]

I agree with james, psalmopeus are amazing...esp the (*cough cough*) Irmina lol. Everyone should own one.

[Mark Pajak]

Stromatopelma calceatum are fantastic spiders! Just remember that when the freak out they run up things.

[Denny Teasdale]

Denny, good luck convincing her...what's her reluctance based on?

The fact she's not as enthusiastic about them as me and my newly conquered phobia...she doesn't mind Roxy my G. rosea so I might have a bit of work on my hands...lol