Highlight-Lasidora parahybana

Meet Mitzy, the 1″ Lasidora parahybana that I acquired in February while getting another tarantula sexed.

Mitzy’s species is the 3rd largest in the world, giving her the reputation of being a “dinner plate” tarantula. In an ironic twist, some species are used for food. (Although I have been told that the taste is comparable to that of a soft shelled crab. I think I’ll pass on both, thank you!)

The L. parahybana is an aggressive eater, eating pretty much anything you can throw at it. Mice and lizards are a wild staple, although my preference is to only feed insects- mostly crickets and roaches. (For tiny spiderlings of other species, I do occasionally buy flightless fruit flies.) Which ever becomes your preference is fine, but remember that the LP is a new world species, so if they feel threatened they will not hesitate to flick hairs. Take caution to keep these hairs from entering your airways and eyes. If you do wind up with one of the urticating hairs in your skin, be prepared for an itchy rash. And yes, I do mean ITCHY. Also, as if I have to tell you, BE VERY CAREFUL of the fangs of this species! They can be up to 1″ long, and inflict an extremely painful bite. ALWAYS USE CAUTION WHEN FEEDING!!!

Mitzy may look harmless now, but someday she (I hope for a she, at least) will be extremely large and bulky, and will grow quickly into a nice roomie 20 gallon tank. If you acquire one as an adult, be sure to have an appropriate house. This means no large sided tanks because if your critter falls, it can be fatal. Also, a shallow water dish, and moderate humidity should be provided. Keep a spray bottle on hand to fill the dish from above your tank lid (if the LP’s size is too intimidating for you to put your hands in the tank) and to keep the humidity up. As your LP molts, (flips over and plays dead while shedding it’s exoskeleton) it will need extra humidity and a quiet dark environment. Cover the tank, and do not handle your LP for at least a week to be safe. This goes for all T’s, and although some people say to only wait 3 days, I prefer safe than sorry methods. Do not feed your critter at all during this period as crickets like to feed on, and possibly kill, molting tarantulas. (Even after they molt, tarantulas are very soft and easily killed by an aggressive keeper or hungry food source.)

Provide a hiding spot (hollow logs for BIG LP’s and film containers, or halved flower pots for smaller ones.)

Mitzy is now a 1″ spiderling, but was only 1/8″ when acquired. These suckers grow FAST so be prepared by reading a lot of books, blogs, and articles. Also, never be afraid to ask questions to other hobbyists. I do and always will, as there is so much to learn. Facebook, arachnoboards and the American Tarantula Society are great places to start. Many keepers also recommend a book called The Tarantula Keeper’s Guide as THE BEST BOOK on tarantula keeping.

I hope to have shared some information that may help you in your own endeavors as a tarantula keeper. The Lasidora parahybana is an excellent addition to any household as it is low maintenance, displays well, and makes for great learning for older children and adults alike. No walking, peeing on the carpet, or tearing up of your furniture.

Find me on Facebook. and use my resources to jump start your hobby today 🙂 OR, just search for your own. They are out there, and in the hundreds of thousands across the world.

I have been keeping T’s for 4 years, and probably will for many to come. I love the hobby, the tarantulas, and seeing children and adults take one home for the first time.

Good luck, and thanks for reading!

The creepy-crawly farm that grows 5,000 giant SPIDERS as big as a man’s hand (at least they don’t bite) (thisismoney.co.uk)
Advice about getting a Tarantula as a pet? (petsandcares.com)
What are the safest and most docile tarantulas you can keep as pets? (petsandcares.com)
Shopper shocked after finding tarantula on bunch of bananas (telegraph.co.uk)
To My Fellow Keepers (UPDATE) (sidnata.wordpress.com)
Isn’t it Cute? Chilean Farm Exports Tarantula Pets (thejakartaglobe.com)

Questions Answered

I had a few more hits on my blog today than expected. Being a blog about tarantulas, you can probably imagine that the stats are not stunning. However, the same questions and searches seem to keep coming up. Today, I will use the search terms from this blog today, along with some recurring questions/searches to get you to the right info.

Remember that if you do not find an answer here, you can always join InsectGeeks, visit forums, or ask around your social networks to see what their experience is. Although most information is useful, you will find outdated or unusable info around the web, so SEARCH WISELY!

The FIRST THING I would recommend is to get a copy of the TARANTULA KEEPERS GUIDE by Stanley A. and Marguerite Schultz. This is considered the “bible” of the keeping hobby, and is recommended by most top breeders/dealers and hobbyists. GET THIS BEFORE YOU GET YOUR FIRST TARANTULA.

If you already have a T, and still have questions (and you should) GET THE BOOK.

Then, NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK.

I have many friends across insect geeks, facebook, on forums, and elsewhere. When I see a blog or site that shares information in a readable non-ad flashy way, I contact the webmaster and compliment them. This opens up a dialogue for future questions, and lets them know that their hard work is helping someone. (Like ME!)

Now, on to today’s searches:

brachypelma boehmei when will she get the colors:

My boehmei has colors, and she is only a half inch. Look closely, and if you notice yours getting dark and ugly, then it is probably time for a molt.

why is my b. smithi is pacing?

Could be a hunger thing, could be that her soil is too moist, could be that she is looking for a retreat. Try to fix each of these and see if it helps. Usually, the pacing stops shortly after the problem is addressed. My A. avic was doing this, and I realized that I had forgotten to put a climbing branch in after a cleaning. When I put the branch back in, Sid climbed up and made a nice new web. The pacing ceased.

parahybana on girls hand

My parabyana is too small to be handled (1″) and I have seen her flick hairs…so I cannot help you there. Try Google Pictures.

aphonopelma sp care sheet

Try THIS

n. chromatus care sheet

Try THIS and add enough soil to allow for burrowing!!

brachypelma smithi spiderling care

YER KILLIN ME SMALLS!!!!! Try THIS and if yours is as small as mine (1 1/2″ls approx) use a film canister as a hide. These are GREAT for any terrestrial spiderling!

how fast do rose hair slings molt

I am not too familiar with a rosie as a sling, but I do know that as adults, there is NO TELLING. Rosies do their own thing at their own pace. If your sling gets sluggish, gets ugly and darker in color, and refuses food, you are probably headed for a molt. Hit up some forums for more info.

spiderling care sheet

SEE ABOVE ANSWERS! Please be more specific. Certain spiderlings (like my E. cyanognathus and P. subfusca require more humidity, and different set ups than other spiderlings.) When you hit the forums, have a species in mind so the community can better assist you.

If you have any specific questions for me, please use the form on the right to ask it. I won’t bite! If I can’t answer a question. I will be more than happy to find the answer for you because it will probably benefit me and my growing tarantula zoo as well!!

You can always email me directly at 8pinktoes@gmail.com too….

Thanks for looking!

~Tia Marie

Care sheets updates

A few months back I made some quick care sheets for various species using photos and info from around the web. Now that I have acquired a few new slings, I decided it was time to update the care sheets using my own photos and some information relevant to my critters to give you a quick overview of the desktop.

To see these updated sheets, just visit this link HERE.

The site BUGGYZOO will now host the “Meet the Zoo” page as well.

I see a lot of searches for the Cyclosternum fasciatum and Nhandu chromatus, so I will be sure to keep these pages updated frequently.

Each care sheet now has my critter’s LS, name, common name, and photo- as well as information on temperament and housing etc.

I have been promising these updates, so finally, here they are!

Newbie Tools- Things I have been learning…

Here is a short list of things I use, or have learned over the past few months as a newbie keeper.

1- Naming is important if you don’t want to say proper names over and over again: EXA- Cyclosternum fasciatum, Brachypelma boehmei (which I had been mispronouncing for weeks!), Aphonopelma (unnamed sp.) “Davis Mountain Rusty” etc….. Zero, Aphrodite, and Tank are much easier to say, and much easier for my husband to pronounce when he is talking to me. It is the common place in which he can understand the language that I am speaking…all else leaves him utterly confused….

2-Film containers are the gifts of GODS!! They can be used for scooping, digging, hiding, transporting and subduing prey. They are also great for dead cricket removal!

3-A DIG KIT IS NECESSARY! My dig kit contains the above mentioned film container, a paintbrush, the bottom of a sweater gift box (The kind that lazy people like me use to give sweaters at christmas ’cause I am too lazy to wrap OR get a better gift!) I also have a flashlight on hand at all times, and a spoon.

4-Dig Kits Are Necessary when someone like me wanted a better view of my spiderlings and put them in jars with too much soil. (and then a week or so of NOT seeing my spiderlings at all!, 10 minutes with the jar and a dig kit, and you may find your spiderling somewhere in the big brown soil void. I like to use my dig kit on the bed. My husband likes to sit on the couch at these times.

5-Holding a tarantula in bed is fun- unless your husband is eating. Apearantly he does NOT want to see Sarva, no matter how sweet she is!

6-Tarantulas are a great way to spend the money you saved from quitting smoking! If your husband does not want the tarantulas, offer to take up smoking again. Chances are, you will be a master keeper in no time!

7- Tarantulas dance. I call it the “I Got Food” dance.

8-Forums are useful! You may look like a newbie, but little do those people know, you are only asking stupid questions so that real newbies won’t have to be embarrassed when they go to ask them!

9- 3 cool tarantulas beat your neighbor’s froofy Bischon poodle yappy thing in the pet department hands down. Your dog wears T- Shirts? My tarantula does the “I got food” dance.- a 10cents cricket is well worth the spending! …..no Cesar Milan video necessary.

10- Crickets are for quick feeding, or you will surely pack up and leave your home from the stench.

I have many more newbie thoughts…and these are in no random order. I will keep the list running, and if you have a newbie thought, please share! Real newbies would hate to feel alone and retarded when it comes to keeping…

I will be keeping that Finger, Thank you very much!

So much for fixing Buddha!

Every time one of my tarantulas moves from its jar into an official tank or keeper, I place a water resistant mini Buddha in one of the corners. Usually everyone ignores the Buddha, but my C. fasciatum (Zero) has found him useful to make webbing from.

Tonight, I managed to shift the tank, knocking over the Buddha. Zero was playing aboreal, so I thought I could simply get my hand in the tank, and put the Buddha upright again. Besides, Zero had just finished a good sized adult cricket, so I had no reason to worry…..

Come to find out, Zero is just a fan of attacking ANYTHING within the enclosure that moves. I managed to pull my fingers out right before it reached them. It stopped, and appeared to look up at me as if saying:” I’ll get you next time, my pretty, and your little dog too!!”

Buddha still sits on his side, and I am adding fast and VERY AGRESSIVE to the 1.5″ C. fasciatum care sheet.

Zero the Tigerrump and Buddha

*When this photo was taken, Zero actually walked up to where I was photographing, and sat there watching me. Photogenic, but very eerie…..

Lasidora Parahybana-Salmon Pink Bird Eater

Salmon Pink Bird Eater

Legspan: 9-11″ (3rd largest species in the world)

Terrestrial– Meaning that they need longer tanks as opposed to tall enclosures. Long Critter Keepers are good for this. L. parahybana is very bulky and is a poor climber. Falls could prove fatal.

Humidity: 70-80% Should be lightly misted once a week. When they reach a leg span of 1.5″, they should be provided a small water dish.

*I use moss from a local forest to place in the water dish to keep everyone (spider and food) from drowning.

Growth Rate: VERY Fast

Life Span: NO INFORMATION FOUND.

Species: New world. Will readily flick hairs when irritated. (Slightly Nervous) very bold species- can be found basking in the open.

*Eats: Crickets (adult) and roaches (spiderling).

L. parahybana is large enough to consume pinky mice. Though I may find another source….

*This is how my entire collection is fed. Feeding practices may vary by enthusiast, and in some cases, specie

Nhandu Chromatus/Coloratvillosus- Brazillian Black and White

Nhandu sp.

Legspan: 5.5-6.5″

Terrestrial– Meaning that they need longer tanks as opposed to tall enclosures. Long Critter Keepers are good for this.

Humidity: 60-80% Should be lightly misted once a week. When they reach a leg span of 1.5″, they should be provided a small water dish.

*I use moss from a local forest to place in the water dish to keep everyone (spider and food) from drowning.

Growth Rate: Fast

Life Span: 15-20 years, if not longer.

Species: New world. Will readily flick hairs when irritated.

*Eats: Crickets (adult) and roaches (spiderling).

*This is how my entire collection is fed. Feeding practices may vary by enthusiast, and in some cases, species.

Poecilotheria Regalis-Indian Ornamental

This is a neat looking spider that I refer to as a Poe. (As in, Edgar Alan.) But most enthusiasts refer to the Poecilotheria species as Pokies.

Pokie

Legspan: 8-11″

Aboreal– Meaning that they need taller tanks as opposed to short/long enclosures. 10 gallon tanks are good for this.

Humidity: 80-85% Should be misted, but spiderlings should be misted more often, and when they reach a leg span of 1.5″, they should be provided a water dish with moss in it.

Growth Rate: Fast

Life Span: Up to 10 years, if not longer.

Species: Old world. Fast, agressive, will inflict a nasty bite.

*Eats: Crickets (adult) and roaches (spiderling). Pokies prefer flying insects, locusts and others.

Brachyhpelma Boehmei-Mexican Flame Leg

These little guys are probably my favorite looking tarantulas.

Mexican Flame Leg

Legspan: 5-5.5″

Terrestrial– Meaning that they need longer tanks as opposed to tall enclosures. Long Critter Keepers are good for this.

Humidity: 50-65% Normal room humidity, but spiderlings should be lightly misted once a week. When they reach a leg span of 1.5″, they should be provided a small water dish.

*I use moss from a local forest to place in the water dish to keep everyone (spider and food) from drowning.

Growth Rate: Slow, and they will reach maturity in about 5 years(?)

Life Span: Up to 30 years, if not longer.

Species: New world. Will readily flick hairs when irritated, but still easily handled.

*Eats: Crickets (adult) and roaches (spiderling).

*This is how my entire collection is fed. Feeding practices may vary by enthusiast, and in some cases, species.

Molting and Digging

I woke up this morning, after a crappy sleep, and was thrilled to see that my Aeluropoda insignis had molted! She was about 2 1/2″ before the molt, so I am hopefully going to get the chance to measure her new body after work. Since I wasn’t expecting to get cockroaches when she was given to me, I know nothing about her- so, every little thing that signifies health and well being makes me grin REALLY BIG!

Since I am on the subject, if you know or have any decent care sheets on this little beauty, send them my way PLEASE!

I have browsed the net and come up with very little. (Funny how I was just talking with another enthusiast about this very thing-a LACK of info on the net.

*Enthusiasts, hobbyists, professional breeders and the like- PLEASE start putting your experiences out there! People like me wind up with critters that would benefit from accurate and accessible care sheets! If you have a blog or website dedicated to the invert hobby, let me know so that I can link it- not just for me, but for other enthusiasts!)

Pics coming soon of my roach molt!

Now, on to the subject of digging-

I had the privilege of digging out Tank yesterday. She had been MIA for about a week, and so I sat with her jar, a spoon, the nifty film container, a new jar and the gift box lid. I dug for about 10 minutes(a very tedious and delicate process) and finally found Tank buried about 3/4 of the way down in the center of the jar. I see no signs of any molting, but she is now visible in a shallower jar, with a roach or 2 to feast on…if she EVER eats $:\$