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)

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 $:\$

Pardon the rambling, but again I slept like crap, and am in need of another gallon of coffee before the day gets rolling.

When I get time, I will also be posting pics of the elusive Tank, my reclusive Aphonopelma sp. “Davis Mountain Rusty”.

Siddhartha’s Journey

Today is just another day for 4 of my tarantulas. (With the exception of Serj, who was caught eating a roach this morning-FINALLY. *why I was up looking at spiders at 1am I will never know)

Sid, however, will have to adjust to a new tank set up. I am rearranging her tank, and adding a long piece of driftwood that I took out in January for molting reasons. I hope this helps her, as she hasn’t eaten in about 3 weeks (since her last molt), and has torn her web to shreds. She has also been pacing, which really worries me.

In order for me to clean out her tank, I will need to remove her into a smaller plastic jar. The hissing roach I have left is occupying the critter keeper, so Sid will have to tough it out for about 15 minutes in my dollar store holder.

I hope Sid takes well to the transformation.

*In other news*

I dropped off the 35mm film from Monday’s picture day, so I should have the pics back in a week. I SERIOUSLY need to stop spending money, and get a friggen digital.

Jars and Societies

I have just relocated the slings again. This time, to sturdy jars. The deli cups seemed a bit flimsy when compared to the weight of my cat, Frank. Over the past couple of days he has taken a real interest in the desk where all of my tarantulas sit, and I didn’t want to take the chance that he would jump on top of them while I was at work. He did that to a few crickets a couple of weeks ago (squishing 2), but luckily I was home to save the rest.

The jars are made of glass, and the lids are made with thick clear plastic that I was able to make air holes in with a drill. I added a film cartridge to each jar (another fine use for this item), and 3 different levels of coconut substrate to suit each sling. Now, they are safe, easier to feed, and easier to peek in on. They seem to really like their film holders!!

My older T’s have sturdy lids on their tanks, and Nata is also covered with a book on spiders (fitting, right?)

I will attempt another feeding tomorrow, as Tank has definitely not eaten yet.

In other news, I am now officially a member of the American Tarantula Society!! I am stoked to be getting their magazine, and am waiting confirmation so I can post to their forums. Happiness!!

Day 2: 2 Girls, one Deli Cup (Ea.)

I don’t know their individual sexes yet, but I am hoping they are female.

I did manage to get 2 of my slings into larger deli cups, but one of them- the Davis Mountain Rusty (Aphonopelma un-named) managed to hold onto my finger mid transfer, and was quite adamant about NOT going into her new cup. I had to coerce her in with the nifty camera film holder- the same one that scoops mini feeder roaches with ease.

I gave each relocated sling 2 feeders. I am unsure of what was eaten yesterday as feeder roaches apparently like to burrow. $:\$

My A. Chalcodes (Arizona Blonde) was left in her mini cup, as she is still too tiny to be moved. I also have no idea if she ate her feeder roach yesterday. I will give her a single roach in a little while, just in case.

New Spiderlings! (and some other goodies too!!)

Today I brought home 3 new slings! An Aphonopelma (unnamed) “Davis Mountain Rusty”~who sits at a stunning 1/2″, an Alphonopelma Chalcodes (Arizona Blonde) who measured in at a whopping 1/4″, and last but not least, a Brachypelma smithi that comes in first place at an extraordinary 3/4″!!!!!

Now, these may not seem like very big tarantulas, but rest assured, they are certainly larger than the 1/8” slings I saw huddled in a cup at The Invert Shop.

David, the owner/keeper/feeder/breeder/builder/handler/temperature moderator/roach shipper and egg sack baby sitter was kind enough to spend a couple of hours going over his various species, and many roles as an online invertebrate dealer. I had the privilege to see his shed-errr…shop full of critters that make up his hobby.

Everywhere I looked there were boxes and keepers and tubs and tanks and cups full of invertebrates lazily awaiting their next meal of captive bred cockroaches and other crawling goodness.

Looking at his shop almost made me embarrassed as I nervously went over the various species I had at home. “An avicularia-Pink Toe, and a G. Rosea.” 2 Tarantulas, 2 tanks. No need to label, as they look nothing alike-and no need to devote a whole room to them as their 10 gallon tanks take up little more than 3/4 of my livingroom desk.

I felt more like a wishful-thinker, instead of a full blown hobbyist.

After about 2 hours with David, all that changed and I am now a bit richer in knowledge, and a whole lot more excited as there is an experienced keeper not far from my home. I am sure there will be many trips to the Invert Shop in the near future, or at least a few emails with progressive Tarantula photos, and the occasional plea for help.

I am now up 3 tarantulas, 2 Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, and a colony of feeders.

I am pretty confident in my ability to keep 3″ tarantulas alive…. so now what am I supposed to do with slings????

I guess that I will be figuring it out as I grow right along with them.

Tomorrow’s challenge:

FROM ONE CUP TO ANOTHER-WITHOUT LOSING A SLING

My new little one’s are in need of a bit more space, so we will see how it goes.

Sid and Nata

Siddhartha and Nataraja are the first tarantulas that I have ever owned. Each resides in their own aquarium, as A. avacularias and G. Rosea should never live under the same roof- so to speak. I have only been in the hobby for about a year now, and with that comes my experience as a new keeper.

I love my tarantulas, and even though the idea of keeping one was strictly for photography, I have grown to love and treasure my “newbie” collection.

Today, Sid and Nata officially became the cornerstones of an expanding family in this household, as 3 spiderlings (and a couple of cockroaches) are now a fixture here.

These are my trials, thoughts and successes as a new keeper, and if Sid and Nata can bare with me, eventually they will make it to town. At that time, their tolerance of my clumsiness and ignorance will pay off in the gratitude and education of many. (GULP!)