So Happy!

[SpiderLover]

GUESS WHAT?!?!?! MY DAD SAID THAT IF I SAVED UP ENOUGH $ TO GET A TARANTULA MYSELF, I COULD GET ONE!!!!

[Love Bird B]

Oh wow SpiderLover, I'm so happy for you!! I would think that Barracuda could, and would love to help you figure out how to wrangle one home.

[SpiderLover]

Thanks, Love Bird!

Barracuda, if you read this, could you help me figure out a way to get a tarantula? Like, what are pros and cons and stuff? I've looked up how to care for them and what to keep them in, but I need more info! Thanx a lot!

[CrazyCat]

Hey Spiderlover
That would be so awesome it you got a T

It's me by the way Riette.

[Barracuda 42]

SpiderLover, well hey there thats super great to here that you can get a T of your very own.. thats super to here!!!! Now as for first time T's, are you looking to be able to hold it or would you like one that has color and non handable? The best tarantula on the market at this time is very expensive, so i will skip that one but you can always check for info on it, its called the G. Pulchra also know as the Brazlilian Black, this is by far the best all around first time T to own, for the simple reason is its handable, "rarely" ever if not never tries to bite, wont flick hairs and is super sweet, but most of all a very very beautiful black velvet color, gets around 5 to 6 inches in size.. Now for the T thats very cheap on the market, Make sure to get a garunteed female, males wont live long and can have attitudes, Try a Rose Hair tarantula, Grammostola rosea, they are easy to handle and wont fling a ton of hairs. you can also look into others as well the Texas tan, Rio Grand Gold they are nice to stay small, the Mexican red knee, will fling hairs big time but not very argessive easy to work with. Or a tree tarantula like the Pink Toes, super fast!!! Now for cage set up, you want a 5 to 10 gal tank with slidding screen lid thats lockable or a xtra large critter keeper.. put on the bottom 3 inches of peatmoss mix, lightly moistend, a small cap lid for water, something for the T to use as a hide house say fake lof or cave or coconut hut, maybe one or 2 fake little plants nothing with spikes or points.. put a heating pad under one end on low, for lights you can use the tiniest of black lights make sure the bulb dont come in contact with the cage top. put it at one end and your good to go.. as long as the temps stay at 78 to 82 your good..
food consist of crickets say for a adult T 5 to 7 crix one day and if the T eats um all then feed again the next day if not wait few days then feed again, alot of Ts will go to town eatting almost everyday..
Now when ya have your money and everything set up and ready to go let me know and we shall find your T...;)

[emroul]

Now, just out of plain old curiousity, how do they flick hairs? I'm guessing it's a defense manuever, but how do they do it? And does it hurt if the hairs get you? Like, do they sting like Maise pepper spray (sp?) or something? Thanks for any info, I'm just curious..:)

Jennifer

['too crazy]

OK SpiderLover, you know I hate spiders but I'm happy for you! Does this mean you were able to convince your mom and dad?

[Barracuda 42]

Jennifer, they have longer hairs on there rump and use there back legs to kick, fling the hairs off as this is a good defence system for them, the hairs have tiny little barbs on them, the hairs are so small you wont even see them, they get into your skin and cause you to itch real bad sometimes people get a rash or inflamation from them, you deffinatly dont want to get them on your mouth, eyes or other places.. Some people dont even have any reactions to the hairs some have a bad reaction, and "no" it wont kill ya or put ya in the hospital, I have had only one T that really made me itch even though alot of the T's i have had did fling hairs only the Chevaron T was the worst when it came to iratating my skin.. What people wana do is try to stay out of the path of the flung hairs and if ya do get hairs on ya soak that area in soapy luke warm water then rinse and then apply vasaline to the area..

[SpiderLover]

'too crazy, they're not TOTALLY convinced, but I'm getting them there! Cuda, thanx for the tips and advice! I printed it out and put it in my binder......I've been keeping a binder collecting all sorts of T info!!!