Here are a couple of Isis, my Brachypelma smithi, after her molt. I couldn’t get the molt itself because she appears to be standing on top of it, and the light for the photos was irritating enough without me grabbing things from her film container hide…..I will post new measurements of Isis and Annabel Lee (L. parahybana sling) in a few days.
Isis Molt 8.22.10
(Isis) Brachypelma smithi after Molt 8.22.
I was finally able to capture my elusive Nhandu coloratvillosus on camera yesterday morning, as we were both in rare form. It was actually sitting outside of its burrow, and I was able to assemble a light and my rink-e-dink webcam in perfect time!
This one, unlike the Chromatus of the same species, likes to hide, and only comes out when it is looking for food. So, the reward for sitting so pretty?
A freshly killed cricket!
Bon Appetit!
N. coloratvillosus Spiderling
Nhandu coloratvillosus Spiderling
Nhandu coloratvillosus Spiderling
*After picture time, I put the cricket in his deli cup (pre killed) and I went to work. By the time I got home, both N. Color, and the cricket had vanished…..
Zero the Tigerrump and Buddha
Nhandu chromatus spiderling
Aphrodite the Brachypelma boehmei
Annabel Lee the Lasidora parahybana
These are just some of the pictures I have of the new spiderlings. I am now in possession of Serj photos (A. chalcodes sling), which I have been lacking and will post later. There are also some Hissers I will be posting.
My N. coloratvillosus likes to hide in her deli cup, so she was MIA for photo time. I even have a second L. parahybana named Raven that will be featured later.
Saturday, I make some additions to the Buggy Zoo, and to the desktop of Sid and Nata. As stated in an earlier blog, I have been grabbing quick info care sheets for some of the species I was considering. Those can be found in the care sheets page on this blog.
I was going to announce my picks on Friday, but circumstances have led me to make an earlier decision. The winners of the Spider Throw Down are:
L. parahybana
C. fasciatum
B. boehmei
N. chromatus
and
N. coloratvilosus!
Congratulations to all the winners!!
Also, as a special treat for Tara- the A. insignis who lost her male friend, another male A. insignis and BABIES will be coming to live in the zoo on the desktop!
I, myself, am SUPER STOKED!! Thanks to all the neato websites, videos, and care sheets that made my search both educational and fun!
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
Spider Zoo.- MY NEW STORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am still working out the bugs, but the kits are available now!!!
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.
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.
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.
Next weekend I get to add a couple more new spiderlings to the zoo. I am pretty excited about this as I have thoroughly enjoyed watching my Red Knee, Arizona Blond, and Davis Mnt Rusty slings.
I am currently undecided which slings I will be taking home, so over the next week I will be featuring a few species that I am interested in. Each day I will choose a sling or 2 to feature, and for each, I will post a care sheet as well as a picture from the web of that sling as an adult.
I will post here as usual, but possibly start a Care Sheets section on this blog, as well as a page of sheets on my website BuggyZoo.com.
Here are a few of the species I am considering:
If all goes well, I hope to be somewhat educated about the species I decide to get so the thing has a chance of survival! So far, with the exception of a single roach, everyone is alive and well.
I must admit- I am now addicted to tarantulas.
From the Desktop of Sid and Nata 