Info on Mexican Redknee / Goliath Birdeater.

[paolo_28]

Hey everyone, I'm thinkng of going for a spider, but before I do, I'de like to do some info about Mexican Redknee / Goliath BirdEater.

Prices,temp,humidity,substrate,feeding schedule, and stories/experience.

Are there any reputable breeders in or near Toronto. Pictures would be nice as well and note that this is going to be my first spider.

Replies and advices will be appriciated.

Thanks everyone.

Paolo.

[nuno]

Paolo, I'm gad to see that I influenced you to towards spiders. I took the time to research your questions here goes...

Goliath Birdeater-This tarantula is belongs to the rain forest in northern South America. This is the the largest species on earth. Adults have been known to exceed a quarter of a pound in weight with an 11-inch leg span. These animals readily flick painful urticating hairs, and when provoked will bite with their one inch long fangs!

Mexican Redknee-The Mexican Redknee is a burrowing tarantula and belongs to the regions central Mexico. Because of their beauty and docile nature these animals have become the most popular pet tarantula of all time.

I would ask Chris @ creepy-crawlies@rogers.com He helped me alot in making my decision and is a very nice guy.

I would also ask Robert@Robert Boudreau he can help you aswell.

I would also give Grant from PCPC a call cause I think he's the only person that sells them directly from the toronto area his number is 905-274-8018.

[OttawaChris]

If you are a newbie to the tarantula world the goliath (Theraphosa Blondi) is definitely NOT a good choice.

They are quite grouchy and are one of the hardest to care for in captivity (they are quite sensitive to heat/humidity variations) These guys are renowned for having some of the absolute WORST urticating hairs and let me tell you... they dont think twice about using them. If you are deadset on buying a goliath get yourself a spiderling. WC adults seldom do well in captivity. I suspect this is largely due to how they are caught from the wild...not pretty at all.

The Mexican Redknee (Brachypelma Smithi) is a pretty good starter spider. They are quite easy to care for when compared to most other species. Temperature and humidity requirements are very flexible, as they are a desert species. This is a very long-lived spider too. They are quite docile, meaning they are reluctant to bite. In my experience they never hesitate to kick a cloud of hair up at you when you bother them though.

Feel free to drop me a line if you have any other questions.

[AstroZombie]

Hehehe...

I think Paolo has been talked out of a Goliath as a first T.
We gave a little demonstration today with a tempermental little Cobalt Blue that lil guy (Elvis) always freaks me out, quick as lightning and literally drips venom.

Here's a list of starter T's that I recommend from experience....

Rose Hair (G. rosea)
Pink Toes (A. avicularia)
Mexican Red Knee (B.smithi)
True Mexican Red Leg (B.emila)
Honduran Curly Hair (B. albopilosum)
Costa Rican Zebra (E.seemanni)
Costa Rican Red (B. angustum)
Pink Zebra Beauty (E. campestratus)
Chaco Golden Knee (G. auerostriata)

Ottawa Chris is a great source of info when it comes to T's
(hopefully he agree's with my choices)


some links for you .....

www.arachnopets.com
www.e-spiderworld.com
www.swiftinverts.com
www.petbugs.com
www.tarantulas.com
www.giantspiders.com
www.CentralPets.com

The Arachnopets web community is eerily like sSnakeSs....forums, care sheets, chat, etc....
:medzoomey

Do some research and keep asking questions:thumbsup:

:skull: Jenn:skull:

[paolo_28]

Thanks for the info and suggestions guys.

AstroZombie> Thanks for that lil'demo you showed me today. It was very interesting, took quite a few important notes. Please let me know when you get that shipment in next week.

[marisa]

I started with a Pink Toe. I had him for about two years, he died as males live shorter lifespans than females normally.

Now I have a Bolivian Pink Tarantula as well as a Brazilian birdeater. The birdeater is expected to be slightly smaller or as big as a Goliath. An let me tell you the rate this guy is growing is absolutly astonishing.

You will LOVE having a tarantula. That's what I wanted to share!

Marisa

[paolo_28]

Thanks Marisa

[paolo_28]

Marisa> I'de love to see some pictures of your T's.

[marisa]

Here you go:
This is Maude, the Bolivian Pink Tarantula. I believe they are supposed to get anywhere from 5-7 inches or so...someone told me 8 but I am thinking smaller..not sure though...she is normally a very active spider, rarely hiding and molts about once every two months.

<img src="http://members.rogers.com/mattl/maude02-18-03.jpg">

This is Ned, the Brazilian Pink Birdeater. First picture is right before a molt...the second is moments after fully emerging from his old skin. If you look at the toliet paper tube in both photos you can get an idea how much size he puts on in just one molt.
<img src="http://members.rogers.com/mattl/ned2.jpg">
<img src="http://members.rogers.com/mattl/ned02-12-03.jpg">



Marisa

[marisa]

Both these spiders are never fully "full"

Both will eagerly accept pinkies, and crickets. Although it takes literally a dozen or more crickets to fill each one up at this point. So basically I fed them a pinkie or two, then a few days later I give them 6-15 crickets. When they get large enough I will be feeding them mostly fuzzies, and probably roaches. As crickets aren't cutting it anymore really.

Marisa

[Pixie]

I can only speak of Mexican red knee tarantulas or Cobalt blues as they are the only species I currently own and that I've done much research on.

As others have mentionned above, a Mexican red knee is a good starter tarantula. They are docile and not very aggressive, the most they will usually do is flick urticating hairs at you. They are know to do this often when stressed but in my personal experience, I've only seen my Charlotte do it twice in the two years that I have had her.

Now, I prefer not to handle my tarantulas, my personal choice. But you can do this with a red knee. With short regular handling sessions, you can get to handle your tarantula without stressing it too much and it being nice and calm.

I tend to like visually striking T's so I opted for a red knee as my first. Love their colours! Others in the same family are fantastic looking and generally have the same disposition (b. boehmi and b. emilia). I suggest you look for a sub-adult female. They live a much longer life (some up to 25-30 years), and I would also look for CB specimens. WC T's are often harder to keep and are more tempermental.

Gook luck,
Pixie

[paolo_28]

Thanks for the pictures Marisa, I thinks when I'm ready, I'm going to go for a Mexican RedKnee (B. Smithi).

Does anyone know a good breeder that lives in or near Toronto, or any reputable pet stores?

Paolo.