Taking a plunge in the hobby of inverts keeping (invertebrates) and being so deeply hooked
Spiders even though they’ve established a wicked image when they appeared in movies and gave people nightmares. Another cultural and social fallacy is that they are
[color:2f37=red]“venomous” and can kill human-beings with just a single bite. They are always misunderstood and stereotyped as frightening inhabitants of the planet we live in.
But as we separate the facts from the misconceptions, Tarantulas are indeed wonderful creation of evolution.
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Arboreal – These are tree dwelling Tarantulas that live entirely in trees. Some examples are the Avicularia and Poecilotheria species. They require delicate care in captivity and need a stable and balance humidity. Thus, they are more challenging to keep.
Terrestrial – These are ground dwelling Tarantulas that live in holes and fallen tree barks in the wild. These are probably the easiest type of Tarantula to take care of. They don’t require much attention if given the proper conditions that they need. Some popular species are from the genus Brachypelma and Grammostola.
Burrower – From name itself, these species live deep down the ground. They usually sit and wait for a prey in the opening of their
[color:2f37=blue] “tunnel” and then snatch the victim into their burrow.
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New World Tarantulas are from North and South America. They are fairly docile and calm. NW T’s are probably the beginner’s Tarantula. They don’t bite right away when threatened but they will kick their urticating hair to put off the attacker.
Old World Tarantulas on the other hand are “
aggressive” and “
fast” moving spiders. They are mostly found in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Since they lack urticating hair, their main form of “
defense” is their nasty bites.
New World Tarantulas are a little bit gentle than the Old World Tarantulas. Of course, there are exceptions.
BUT in general, Tarantulas would rather run away than bite or kick hair.
Urticating hairs covers the abdomen of the Tarantula. They kick it from their backs and launch a cloud of small barbed hair to their potential enemy like other animals or even humans. The results are skin irritation such as a week of itching and redness; uncontrollable sneezing and restricted breathing when inhaled; and even temporary blindness when it gets in the eyes.
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THE BITEThe venom of Tarantulas cannot kill a human being though there is the pain similar to a bee or wasp sting. Allergic reaction (and/or slight fever) might occur to children and elder people. They also
DO NOT carry any disease that can be picked up by us or any other animals.
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MOLTINGIs the process of shedding the Tarantula’s old exoskeleton and producing a new one. It is their way of growing. Molting occurs depending on how often you feed your spider. The often you feed it, the faster it molts and grows. Though the shorter its lifespan becomes.
Molting usually takes one to several hours before the Tarantula gets out of its old shell. The spider makes a web matting, lie on its back (or side) and start the process.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]This is a very crucial situation for the Tarantula. It is very
weak and
sensitive at this moment. The spider
must not be disturbed in order to avoid stress. Remove any live (uneaten) prey items (especially crickets) that might stress out or EAT / KILL the helpless Tarantula.
Proper humidity is needed so mist the side of the enclosure and overflow the water dish.
The Tarantula will not eat for several days or weeks before a molt. It is the pre-molt stage. Some other signs are big, swelling abdomen; bald patches at the back that will eventually darken; inactivity; and dull coloration.
Post molt?It will also take several days and weeks for the new exoskeleton to harden AFTER molting. Do not feed nor handle the spider and wait for a week or two before feeding it. It is still fragile and weakened because of using too much energy during the molt. You will see the Tarantula do its “stretching” and adjustments for its new legs and body parts. I usually give a large prey to my Tarantulas two weeks after a molt.
Another great thing in a Tarantula’s molt is that you can guarantee and determine its sex through its exuvium (cast skin).
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Female spiders have flaps which are called spermathecae that are used in storing sperms. Males obviously do not have these.
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FEEDSDespite of having eight eyes, Tarantulas are almost blind and they should be fed live prey so that they can sense it through movements (vibrations). They are adept hunters by nature so they will not heed any dead and unmoving meal.
A varied diet is a must in order to provide them the proper nutrition that they need.
and here are some feeders:
1. Blaptica dubia
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]2. Blatta lateralis
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]3. Crickets
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]4. Superworms
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]——
Where to keep them?
You can keep Tarantulas in a custom-made all-acrylic enclosures. Small slings and juveniles are kept in small delicups.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]The rack’s legs are sunk in little containers filled with water (mixed with dish-washing liquid) to avoid ant attacks. Also put oil in the lower sides in case some ants manage to pass the first defense.
note: Stagnant water alone might invite mosquitoes to breed there.
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IS THAT SOIL?[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]The ever-trusted Coco Peat Brick from Ace Hardware!
Tarantulas (and other inverts like Scorpions) need an appropriate substrate in their tanks. Coco peat (coco dust) has the ability to hold moisture for a very long time. It helps to maintain the right amount of humidity that a specific Tarantula needs.
Also provide each one of them a wide and shallow water dish because spiders
DO DRINK. If the water dish’s high, I put some rocks or pebbles inside so that the spider won’t drown.
Clay pots and driftwoods as hides are not that essential but if you want to give them their natural environment, add some in their enclosures. It will also make them calm because Tarantulas prefer to stay in dark places since they are nocturnal creatures (active at night only). Do not put them in a place where there is direct sunlight.
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ACCESSORIES[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]1. 10″ Stainless Forceps for catching feeders and for removing uneaten food and frass (like the one in the picture below).
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]2. Some sticks for poking.
3. Water sprayer for refilling the water dishes and misting the walls of the enclosures for controlling humidity.
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“WHY TARANTULAS?”pros:1. You don’t need to walk a Tarantula in the morning and at night.
2. No need to give it a bath.
NEVER.
3. Tarantulas don’t (censored) on the floor and to anywhere else but inside their enclosure. You won’t even notice that they (censored).
4. They don’t make loud noises. They don’t smell.
5. It’s OK NOT to feed your Tarantula up to a month. Just leave them with a source of water.
6. Tarantulas don’t have lice and ticks though they are prone to mites. But mites are just fine in controlled population.
7. You don’t have to give them vitamins nor take them to the Vet.
8. Tarantulas don’t take up much space in your house. Good pet suggestion for yuppies, busy individuals, and for those who have a small residence like me.
9. Very low maintenance. You don’t have to clean their tanks regularly.
10. Fulfilling.
cons: (just to be fair)
1.
ADDICTING. Once started, you will then start dreaming of having all the species available around which will lead you to impulse buying.
2. Impulse buying will surely minimize the “life span” of your pay check.
3. Keeping Tarantulas means keeping (breeding) different kinds of insects like crickets (males’ chirps are irritating when place inside the house); roaches (some roaches really stink like B. Lateralis); and worms (which will make your mother and sister scream) because it’s not practical spending a lot of money to buy feeders every week, or worst, everyday.
4. Tarantulas won’t love you back. They won’t cuddle you nor play fetch with you.
5. You can’t train your T’s to do tricks like “sit”, “play dead”, or “kill him”.
6. Won’t guard your house not even your room.
7. You will unconsciously be an instant ”basurero” when you have a lot of T’s in your captivity. You will collect gravy dishes; tissue rolls; deli cups; tree barks; branches; broken terra cota; leaves; rocks; pebbles; even plastic spoons because there will always be a possible use for those junk. Yes, there will always be.
8. You wouldn’t allow anyone spray insecticides and air fresheners near your room. Good luck to mosquitoes and house roaches.
9. Your girlfriend, wife, or any special partner will be jealous to your inverts weeks after your first purchase.
10. People will avoid you because they’ll think you’re a weirdo.
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Hope this info will help a lot of new T keepers
More power pep!
Sat Apr 23, 2011 1:03 am
super nakaka relate ako.
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