Tarantula Advice Anyone?

[packy120353]

I have decided I am getting a tarantula exhibit for my Monster room. Can anyone give me some advice beyond the usual websites "care/feeding" stuff? I don't want to rush into it.  From what I can tell, depending on the species they are almost too simple to take care of.  There must be some new-owner mistake I can avoid?  I'm leaning toward a Rosie or a Curly-hair, does that sound appropriate? I appreciate any and all advice, please don't hesitate to email or message me, after all forewarned twice is eight-armed.
ps Rob Tullo you're an exotic pet guy do you have one?
THANKS,
Paul

[Gary D Macabre]

Hey Paul,
OK I'm not really a tarantula guy, although I know a few very dedicated enthusiasts.  And my daughter keeps a Rosie.  Either species is a good choice, however I understand that rose hairs may tend to be the more visible of the two spending less time burrowing or in hiding.  Myself I  would recommend going with the rose hair for that reason alone.  Both are quite large, docile and their hairs are rarely irritating to most people.  On top of that they are a temperate species which desire a dry environment which do well at a warm room temperature, which is much easier to setup and maintain than a tropical enclosure (and I know tropical enclosures, as most of my reptiles are tropical). 

OK here are some of the basic pointers and pitfalls I can offer.

1. NEVER drop a tarantula, especially from heights above three feet.  Their exoskeletons can crack and the animal can die.

2. African and Old World  Tarantulas can be very nasty and venomous, and should be for experienced keepers.  New world Tarantulas are the better choice for the average hobbyist.

3. Terrestrial spiders do not spin massive web structures in their enclosures and can be more visually satisfying.

4. If buying a spider as a "pet"  and breeding is not desired, if possible purchase a female spider as they tend to be larger and often have a significantly longer life span.

Rose hair Pitfalls and Pointers (lots moult related, as really that's the biggest thing):

1. 10-20 gallon enclosure is plenty large enough for one spider (they recommend only keeping one to enclosure unless breeding). Use a screen top for air circulation and remember they can still climb glass, so close and secure it.

2.  Warm room temps are fine.   75-85 deg. is usually recommended as ideal, but not necessary.   Better cooler than hotter than the recommended temps.

3.  Potting soil (not the fertilized stuff) or orchid bark is ideal for the substraight.  Bark, branches and dried leaves are ideal cage furniture.  Careful about any rocks that could tip or collapse and crush your spider. (Tiny buildings and  Matchbox cars would be cool too).

4. Keep their enclosures quite dry (when not in moult). Occasional misting is not going to harm the animal, but it really won't do anything positive short of annoying the spider.  When you mist the enclosure only mist half of the enclosure (again, when not in moult)

5. Keep a water dish in one corner with wet cotton for the spider to drink from, as they tend to avoid dishes of standing water.

6.  A couple or so crickets (or whatever you chose to feed) a week are plenty.  Crickets are carnivorous and even cannibalistic.  Leaving large numbers in the spiders enclosure can result in the loss of your spider (again especially during a moult cycle). 

7.  Rose hairs only really make web structures when going into moult.  If you see your spider making a mat in one corner leave it to it's work and avoid cage cleaning until the moulting process is complete.

8. Increasing humidity and misting frequency when you see this behavior, but do not soak the enclosure.  Humid and Wet are NOT the same thing.  (wet is always undesirable).

9. At this point remove all prey that may be remaining in the cage, as a bite from a cricket  during moult can easily kill your spider, they are very fragile and susceptible at this time.  This fragility lasts for some time after moulting before their new exoskeleton hardens, so wait a whole week post moult before feeding again.

10.  During Moult the spider will lay down on it's back curl up it's legs and look dead.  It's not, just leave it alone no matter how concerned you may feel.  You may in fact kill it if you interfere.

11. Oh and though it should go without saying. Being arachnids, normal household pesticides will kill them,  so be careful of what you put in their cages or spray in the room you keep them in.

There that should about do it.  Probably more than you need at this point.

Keep me posted

Gary Dawson
Owner/Director
Herpetological Garden Canada

[packy120353]

Gary - Thanks a ton! I've been doing "web-based" research but I still learned alot from your tips - very good to know that Rosie is less shy and more active and I will go with a female. Looking forward to adding an invertebrate to my little zoo. Also considering a newt tank, which I have had before  - I love to watch them eat, talk about The Lost Continent! Thanks again and perhaps I'll send off an announcement and pic when the blessed day arrives.

pk

[michblk]

Never give your spider radiation or growth hormones.

BK

[packy120353]

I will not. But I was thinking of a little guy in a diaper holding a nail. 

[monsterphile]

I have decided I am getting a tarantula exhibit for my Monster room. Can anyone give me some advice beyond the usual websites "care/feeding" stuff? I don't want to rush into it.  From what I can tell, depending on the species they are almost too simple to take care of.  There must be some new-owner mistake I can avoid?  I'm leaning toward a Rosie or a Curly-hair, does that sound appropriate? I appreciate any and all advice, please don't hesitate to email or message me, after all forewarned twice is eight-armed.
ps Rob Tullo you're an exotic pet guy do you have one?
THANKS,Paul

Paul,  I nvere had a tarantula, but I do think that the rose-haired are the way to go, as they are known for being docile.  I did pick one up once at the pet store.  Someone was buying one and the girl who worked there was nervous about removing it from the little display tank.  I volunteered to help and scooped the spider out just fine. 

Another small exotic that I think is cool is the emperor scorpion.  Held one of those once too, although I let the experienced handler take it out of the tank and hand it over.  They are very cool, especially when eating.

Both of these little guys could make for a neat living diorama a la their cinematic big brothers.  An Incredible Shrinking Man custom figure would be a real treat for a tarantula.

Rob

[MonsterArt]

I had a pet tarantula for several years. Her name was Samantha, and she was a Mexican Rosie. Beautiful spider. She was also one of the stars of an independent movie I made called SPIDER BITE.



Another thing to keep in mind in that some people have an allergic reaction to the spider's hairs. So don't rub him on your sister's kid's head.

Enjoy your arachnid!

Frank

[poseablemonster]

Paul, when I see a spider, I step on it!  Especially a big, hairy one!!! Just foolin'; I hope you enjoy your big, hairy spider. 
My brother and his wife have one, and they love it.  Clarence, I think...he made a big backdrop for the tank that looks like an old movie poster that reads something like: "ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT CLARENCE!" And in the cage, there are a couple little demolished buildings.  It's a pretty neat set-up. 

[packy120353]

Cool, cool and cool! I'm planning on having one by next weekend - been down cleaning the Monster room to make an area for the tank

[michblk]

I will not. But I was thinking of a little guy in a diaper holding a nail. 

From what I remember nails are not good for spiders...

BK

[packy120353]

Good point you are right  - thank you! Ix-nay on the ail-nay.

[Toy Ranch]

I had a Rosie about 20 years ago.  That was a cool pet, but she got out and the dog ate her.  I saw her legs hanging out of his mouth..   Her name was Fred Thing.  When I was very young, I decided I didn't like the name Bobby and wanted to change it to Fred Thing.  Fred was a co-worker of my father's, and Thing from the Addams Family.  I had 3 imaginary playmates during the Fred Thing era....  King, Spider, and Devil. 

Gary pretty well covered it all with his most excellent post and advice.  Have fun with your new pet!

[SpankRamen]

Don't put little sweaters on it & carry it around in your purse.

[raycastile]

You'd think I'd be the first one in line to have a pet tarantula, but no.  My attitude is actually pretty close to Andy's.  People spend good money hiring pest control companies to get crawly things OUT of their house.  Why deliberately bring one IN the house?  Tarantulas just don't fascinate me.  Reptiles are a different story.  I love reptiles!  Lizards, snakes, turtles, all those scaly critters.  I know a lot of herp people also dig spiders, but I never made that connection.

Paul, when I see a spider, I step on it!  Especially a big, hairy one!!! Just foolin'; I hope you enjoy your big, hairy spider. 
My brother and his wife have one, and they love it.  Clarence, I think...he made a big backdrop for the tank that looks like an old movie poster that reads something like: "ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT CLARENCE!" And in the cage, there are a couple little demolished buildings.  It's a pretty neat set-up. 

[fmofmpls]

Paul, the welcome mat is always out here at Castle Famous but only for visitors with two legs. Leave the spider home please.