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Old Word vs. New World Tarantulas

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A Comparison for the Potential Hobbyist

Back in the 90s when I was more into keeping snakes than tarantulas, my wife, Billie, and I attended a reptile expo in Massachusetts. While perusing the animals at the various tables, we saw a 10-gallon aquarium with about two inches of colorful aquarium gravel and a large black tarantula stood dead in the middle of it. It was easy to surmise that this spider was NOT happy, as it had its front legs raised high into the air and it would slap the ground every time a curious individual got too close to the tank. Although I did have two tarantulas at this time, I was still quite intimidated by them, and I found this threat display to be equally fascinating and terrifying. The cage was labeled simply, “Thailand Black Tarantula”, and I gave serious thought to purchasing the poor girl as she looked so stressed. I remember telling Billie, “their bites are no worse than a bee sting” so it wouldn’t really be dangerous to keep it.

What I didn’t know at the time was that this species was an Old World tarantula, and a bite from one would be a heck of a lot worse than a bee sting. I also had no idea that this was a shy, burrowing species, and the threat display was not due to the spider being “aggressive”, but because the setup was woefully inappropriate for it. 

My experience was definitely not a unique one, as people first discovering the hobby are often confused to hear hobbyists discussing two different groups of tarantulas; New World and Old World. Luckily, a little research will reveal the main reason for the delineation between the two.   

The simple explanation is that New World tarantulas are found in the western hemisphere and include Theraphosidae from North and South America and the surrounding islands. This includes species from the US, Mexico, all of South America, and the Caribbean islands. 

Old World tarantulas, on the other hand, are found in the Eastern continents including Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe.

Simple, right?

Now, being separated by an ocean isn’t the only difference in these two types of tarantulas. Anyone doing proper research will quickly hear New World spiders being described as calm, visible, and reluctant to bite. Even better, if they do happen to nip, their bites have been described as little more than “bee stings.” 

Conversely, they will also discover that Old World spiders have been stigmatized for being potentially dangerous to the point where new hobbyists showing interest in these more “advanced” species are admonished by experienced keepers for even considering keeping them. For some, these more defensive spiders serve as a way to show off how brave one is for keeping such a fearsome creature. For others, stories about painful bites and aggressive behavior have completely turned them off to the idea of ever keeping one of these spiders. 

Although there are absolutely key differences between New World and Old World species that all keepers need to be aware of, much that is made about these differences can be over exaggerated. With that in mind, let’s examine the major variances in these two types of spiders in terms of behavior and means of defense. 

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Tarantulas As Pets – The Good, Bad, and the Misunderstood

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When I was around 6, my father took me with him when he visited a local pet store. While my dad spoke to the clerk, I wandered around the small shop checking out the many animals offered for sale. As I walked by the standard gerbils, lizards, guinea pigs, and frogs, I noticed something that just about blew my young little mind. In a large aquarium in the center of the store was the largest spider I had ever seen in my life. Sure, I had seen tarantulas in the old black and white horror films I would watch on Creature Features with my mom, but those lurid depictions didn’t hold a candle to actually seeing one of these animals just inches from my face. This striking creature, which I would later come to learn, was a Brachypelma smithi, or “Mexican redknee”, an icon in the tarantula hobby, was the single most amazing and terrifying thing I had seen in my young life.

Thus began my fascination with tarantulas.

It wasn’t until almost 15 years later, after I moved out with my wife, that I FINALLY got my first pet spider. And, although it took some time, I eventually found myself diving headfirst into the hobby and amassing a collection of over 130 species. A teacher by trade, I felt compelled to share what I had learned about tarantulas and their care, leading to the creation of the website Tom’s Big Spiders. Here I could post articles about care and husbandry and answer the inevitable questions hobbyists might have. 

Although the majority of people who contact me for advice are those who either already own or are committed to acquiring tarantulas, there are a handful of folks who are on the fence and trying to decide if one of these giant hairy arachnids would make a good pet for them. Now, I’m obviously all in on the tarantula hobby and adore these creatures as pets. However, that doesn’t mean that experience hasn’t taught me that they are not the right animal for some folks. Like any animal, tarantulas have their pros and cons, and any potential keeper should be well aware of both the good and potential bad when preparing to bring a furry eight-legged friend into their home. 

So, with that in mind, let’s break down the positives and negatives of keeping a pet tarantula! 

THE GOOD

They take up little space

One of the top perks of keeping a tarantula as a pet is that they need very little space when compared to other animals. With most full grown tarantulas reaching a maximum legspan of 5-6”, they require little more space than something comparable in size to a 5-10 gallon aquarium. Many keep their spiders on shelves, desks, dressers, or even nightstands. This makes them perfect pets for smaller apartments, bedrooms, classrooms, or even offices. 

Their small footprint in the home also leads to another popular aspect of the hobby; collecting. Because they take up such little room, many tarantula enthusiasts find themselves keeping more than one as they amass collections of several different species. Why would someone want more than one tarantula, one might ask? That leads us to our next point…

There are many to choose from 

C. versicolor

When you say the word tarantula, most people envision the basic big, brown hairy spider. What many don’t realize is that there are over 900+ species of tarantulas with different characteristics and that come in a myriad of sizes, patterns, and colors. There are terrestrial tarantulas that live mostly on the ground. There are fossorial species that live in burrows. And there are stunning arboreals that live up in branches of trees. There are spiders that like a dry, arid environment, and there are other species that require some moisture to thrive.

They also come in brilliant blues, greens, oranges, and even purples. When I first started my research into tarantula keeping, I was convinced that photos I was seeing of these animals with dazzling and rich colors were Photoshopped fakes. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the stunning images I was seeing were totally real. Between patterning, colors, size, and living requirements, there are many unique and interesting choices for the interested future hobbyist.  

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Hapalopus sp. Colombia Lg. “The Pumpkin Patch”

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A feisty new world “dwarf” terrestrial tarantula from Colombia

At a Glance

Old World or New WorldNew World
Terrestrial/Arboreal/FossorialTerrestrial
Moisture DependentYes (although adaptable)
TemperaturesRoom temps
Max Size3.5″ for females
TemperamentSkittish
Growth RateFast
Beginner Appropriate?Possibly

For several years after getting serious into the hobby, the mantra “bigger is better” informed all of my purchases. During these formative years, I ignored any species that was saddled with the unfortunate moniker of “dwarf” as I amassed a collection of the largest species the hobby had to offer. While perusing vendor lists for my next purchase, I repeatedly turned my nose up to any species that didn’t reach at least 5” DLS. At the time, I thought the idea of keeping a tarantula that wasn’t much larger than spiders I could find in my basement was kind of ridiculous.

Luckily, my ignorance didn’t last too long, as another keeper finally convinced me that I needed to add the small, feisty little species amicably referred to as the “Pumpkin Patch” to my collection. He explained that what this unique little spider lacked in mass, it more than made up for with a lively personality, gorgeous coloration, and a brutal feeding response. I received my first trio of tiny slings in August of 2014, and I was immediately enamored with this “pygmy” species. Since then, it has become one of my favorites, and in March of 2017, it became the first species that I successfully paired.    

As the common name implies, the Pumpkin patch hails from the country of Colombia. Although this country has four seasons, they remain relatively consistent due to its proximity to the equator. Temperatures here tend to be warmer closer to the coast and cooler at the higher elevations inland. Columbia experiences a minimum temperature of 66.7℉ (19.2℃) with high temps reaching 87℉ (29℃). It experiences a drier season from December to March and a rainy season from April to May. 

As a result, the Hapalopus sp. Colombia does well at normal room temperatures, which for most of us is upper 60s to mid-80 Fahrenheit (or around 20 – 29 Celsius). My first three specimens were kept between 68 and 72° F during the winter and between 72 and 80° F during the summer for the first few years I had them. Now, they are kept in the mid to upper 70s throughout the year. Even when kept at temps in the 60s, mine ate and grew quite well.

Many care sheets have this species listed as a “dwarf” tarantula, which is a bit misleading. There are actually two very similar Hapalopus species sold in the hobby; the Hapalopus species Colombian “large” and the Hapalopus species Colombian “Klein” or “Small.” Females of the “large” variant actually reach a max size of around 3.5-4” (8.9-10 cm), which would make it a bit too big to be a true dwarf. The “Klein” (German for “small”) on the other hand, reaches a max size of 2-2.5” (5-6.35 cm), which would make it a dwarf. At this time, the sp. “Klein” appears to be much less prevalent in the hobby. 

Furthermore, there has been some confusion over the years surrounding the name of this spider. In the United States, this species is sold as Hapalopus sp. Colombia “Large.” However, overseas a seemingly identical species is sold under the name Hapalopus formosus. Although there is speculation that these two spiders are the same species, it has never been scientifically proven that the hobby form is indeed H. formosus. Until this theory is explored and settled through taxonomic study, it’s important to keep the two species separated to avoid potentially mixing two different species. 

Slings

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Keeping Moisture Dependent Tarantula Species

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Keeping Moisture Dependent Tarantula Species (And How to Maintain Moist Substrate)

Author’s Note: Although tarantula husbandry “care sheets” often make a point of stating “ideal humidity” requirements, these numbers are arbitrary and should be ignored. There is no such thing as an ideal humidity level, and serious keepers abhor the “h” word. I’ve been keeping tarantulas for years, and I never monitor humidity inside the cages. Trying to maintain ridiculously high (and bogus) humidity levels in tarantula cages is a great way to end up with dank, stuffy enclosures and dead tarantulas. In the hobby, we don’t say that tarantulas need high humidity; instead, we say that they are “moisture dependent.” And, the key to keeping moisture dependent species healthy is moist substrate. For more on this topic, please read my article “Humidity, Temperatures, and Tarantulas.” 

Keeping moisture dependent species for the first time can be particularly stressful, as there really isn’t much out there explaining how exactly moist substrate works. Many care sheets will mention “misting” or “spraying” as a means to keep the moisture levels in enclosures up. Some will even go so far as to prescribe a certain schedule for misting the enclosure, like every other day or twice a week. Unfortunately, misting is often not the best and most practical way to get your spiders the moisture they will need.

Although misting can provide a burst of moisture in an otherwise dry enclosure, it does little to maintain higher moisture levels for the long term. Spraying or misting only soaks down the surface of the substrate and the decorations in most instances. This is a great way to give your spiders an alternative to the water dish for getting a drink, and many species, like Avicularia, will siphon moisture right off the glass and plants. However, for species that require constant dampness, misting and spraying falls short. The problem is, if an enclosure is properly ventilated, the surface moisture will quickly evaporate, leaving the substrate to dry out within hours. 

This can be even more of an issue during the cold winter months when your home’s heat is drying out the air and leeching moisture from the enclosures. A keeper using misting or spraying to keep the substrate damp will be spraying much more often. Also, keep in mind that spraying and misting can be stressful for the tarantulas, as the sudden burst of air and water vapor can startle your spider.

Forget Misting; Make it Rain!

For moisture dependent species, in most instances, spraying and misting alone is not going to be enough. With tarantulas that require dampness, you want to ensure that the lower layers of substrate, not the surface layer, remain moist. In fact, the surface can dry out a bit which, along with good ventilation, helps prevent mold from forming. 

An old juice bottle modified with some holes to be a watering bottle.

When adding moisture, I like to simulate a ground-soaking rain shower. Instead of spraying, I have a bottle with several small holes in the cap that I use like a garden watering can. I will aim the water at the edges of the substrate, where the dirt meets the side of the enclosure so that the water can seep down between the two and reach the bottom layers. If you’re having trouble getting the water to seep down through, you can always use a pencil to push some channels down between the substrate and side of the enclosure to allow the water to travel down through. Although some of the surface will obviously be damp when I’m done, the lower levels of substrate will also be rehydrated. This means even after the top levels dry up, the lower layers will retain that vital moisture.

How do I tell if my substrate needs more moisture?

This one is actually quite easy. Moist substrate will always have a darker hue to it than dry substrate. Once the surface of moist substrate starts to dry out a bit, it will be paler in comparison to the lower levels of moist substrate. When that darker band shrinks below the halfway point of the total level of substrate, it’s time to remoisten. 

Many folks new to keeping moisture dependent species will panic when they see the surface of the substrate drying out, prompting them to add more moisture too soon. This can lead to overly dank, stuffy conditions. Again, we do not need the surface to remain moist, and a drier top layer is no cause for alarm as long as the lower layers remain damp. One must always keep in mind that a tarantula looking for moisture can burrow down to find the level it needs. In the wild, tarantulas will use their burrows to escape extreme temperatures and conditions, including drought.   Continue reading →

Cerotogyrus darlingi “The Rear-horned Baboon” Care and Husbandry

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Cerotogyrus darlingi “The Rear-horned Baboon”

FOR THE VIDEO VERSION, CLICK THE LINK ABOVE!

The Ceratogyrus darlingi or “Rear Horned Baboon” is an amazing little spider that gets its common name from a black horn that grows from its carapace. Unlike the fovial horns of other Ceratogyrus species, the C. darlingi’s protuberance slants towards the back of the spider. Although the purpose of this horn is still up for speculation, this unique feature makes for an incredibly cool ornamentation. 

The Ceratogyrus darlingi is unique Old World species that hails from savannah biomes in the countries of Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe in southern Africa. Here, this spider experiences a climate that sees both a hot and dry season as well as a rainy season, and temperatures that range from 68° F to 88° F (20° C to 31° C). As a result, the C. darlingi does well at normal room temperatures, which for most of us is upper 60s to mid-80 Fahrenheit (or around 20 – 29 Celsius). My first two specimens were kept between 68 and 76° F during the winter and between 72 and 80° F during the summer with my current two being kept in the 70s. Even when temperatures were on the cooler side, mine continued to eat and grow well.

Some keepers read about the warm and dry seasons with periodic droughts and immediately designate this species as an arid one. Unfortunately, what many fail to take into account are the rainy seasons, in which this spider would be exposed to much more humid and moist conditions. Furthermore, as a burrower, the C. darlingi would construct burrows down into the earth, where it would find more moisture and temperate conditions. 

Slings

Although it’s true that they are adaptable, and adult specimens seems to do well on dry substrate with a water dish, I’ve found that slings and juveniles appreciate moist substrate. Start your spider with moist substrate, and allow the top layers to dry out a bit. This will allow your sling to dig to the moisture level that it needs. When you notice that the darker band that indicates moist substrate starts to shrink, it’s time to add more water. For smaller sling enclosures, I like to use a pipette to direct the water down into the dirt. This makes it easier to avoid flooding the spider’s burrow. In these instances, a syringe will also work.

For tinier slings, a deep dram bottle or 5.5-oz (163 ml) deli cup will work great for an enclosure. Larger, more established slings will do well in a 16 to 32-oz (.47 to .94 10.64 L) deli cup or something around that size. Feel free to experiment with what works for you, but just be sure to keep ventilation holes small enough that they do not permit escape. If the enclosure size permits, I like to add cork bark and a water dish. All of my slings did some burrowing, with two of them moving a lot of substrate around like mini bulldozers as they landscaped their living space to their liking. As a general rule of thumb, it’s always prudent to make sure that slings have access to moist substrate. Continue reading →

Harpactira pulchripes “The Golden Blue-legged Baboon” Care and Husbandry

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Harpactira pulchripes “Golden Blue-legged Baboon”

FOR THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS ARTICLE, PLEASE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE!

Over the years, there have been dozens of newly introduced tarantulas species that have caught the eyes of hobbyists with their undeniable beauty and the illusion of being a rarity in the hobby. In the past, the Poecilotheria metallica and Monocentropus balfouri were two spiders that delighted keepers with their gorgeous blues while draining wallets with their steep costs for even the smallest slings. Even today, with both species being readily available in the hobby, they still command high prices.

When photos of the Harpactira pulchripes first circulated on the forums in 2012/2013, many keepers couldn’t wait to get one of these stunners in their collections. However, even tiny slings commanded exorbitant prices, with the first round of captive bred slings imported into the US selling for $500 and higher. When I acquired my first two specimens in the summer of 2015, it was the most I had ever paid for tarantulas. Today, many keepers consider the Harpactira pulchripes, a striking gold bodied and metallic blue legged beauty, to be one of the hobby’s crown jewels, and this species still pops up on many wish lists. Thankfully, as this species is easily bred, it has become readily available with slings now commanding between $50-$100 USD. 

Harpactira pulchripes ​are Old World tarantulas found around the town of Makhanda (previously Grahamstown) on ​the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. This region experiences a temperate climate, with relatively warm weather all year round with high temps that reach 80 F (27 C) in the warmest month with lows of around 59F (15C). In the cooler months, temps rise only to around 68F (20C) in the daytime and drop to 42 F (5.6 C) during the chillier evenings. Rainfall ranges from about 3” (75 mm) in the wettest month and 1.3” (33mm) in the driest month. As a result, species care sheets that indicate this tarantula needs to be kept at higher so-called “ideal” temps should be ignored. Continue reading →

Caribena versicolor “The Martinique pinktoe” Husbandry Notes

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The Jewel of the Antilles!

For a video version of this article, click the link above!

(Note: The following article is an update on my original C. versicolor husbandry article from October 19, 2014. )

Despite being very common and established in the hobby, there is perhaps no tarantula available right now, save maybe the T. blondi, that causes owners more stress over the husbandry than the C. versicolor. When I first got into the hobby, I was immediately amazed by this gorgeous arboreal, which starts as a stunningly-blue sling and morphs into a fuzzy, multi-colored adult. The C. versicolor has been one of my favorite spiders to grow up, as it is beautiful and colorful in every stage of its life. 

The Caribena versicolor hails from the island of Martinique, one of the Caribbean islands. With a tropical climate all year round, Martinique is generally hot and humid 12 months of the year, with plenty of rain and sunshine during both its dry and wet seasons. This spider lives the lush forests and banana plantations, creating its heavily webbed home in the crooks and hollows of trees. For some amazing video of this spider in the wild, I encourage you to check out the channel World of Spiders. 

Anyone researching this amazing species will likely find information that is frustratingly confusing and contradictory. On one side are the keepers who still say this species is difficult to keep due to strict humidity requirements. However, keepers who have had success with this spider argue that humidity and moisture are not as important as good cross ventilation, and that a stuffy, humid cage will prove to be a death sentence for this animal. Unfortunately, while focusing on the high heat and humidity of their natural habitat, some folks tended to ignore that the island usually enjoys air-circulating winds for most of the year.  

These dank enclosures resulted constant mention of SADS, or “Sudden Avic Death Syndrome”, the name of the phenomena where a seemingly healthy Avicularia (the versicolor’s old genus) suddenly dies for no apparent reason. The message boards and chat groups were rife with stories of these little blue spiders curling and dying suddenly and without an obvious cause. Many now believe that these deaths can be attributed to the misguided husbandry of keepers struggling to maintain bogus high humidity requirements. Continue reading →

Euathlus sp. “Red” or “Fire” is now Homoeomma chilensis

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Homoeomma-chilensis-titleFinally, our little hobby darlings drop the “species” label (and find themselves in a new genus)

The new paper, First record of Homoeomma Ausserer, 1871 in Chile and description of two new species (Araneae, Theraphosidae) by Rubén Montenegro V., Milenko A. Aguilera & María Eugenia Casanueva brings with it significant changes for two of the hobby’s favorite little dwarf tarantulas.

  • The species originally referred to as Eauthlus sp. “Red” or “Fire” is now Homoeomma sp. chilensis.
  • The species originally referred to as Euathlus sp. “Yellow” is now Homoeomma orellanai.

For those who have been in the hobby for a while, this news isn’t exactly shocking. Euathlus has long served as a bit of a “place holder” genus for spiders who have not been adequately described. The hobby staple, Brachypelma hamorii, for example, was once Euathlus smithi. It has long been thought that this species would be moved into the genus Homoeomma once it was properly studied and examined, and many vendors had already begun labeling them as Homoeomma sp. fire.

Now, for changes like this to become truly “official”, the paper has to be published, peer reviewed, and accepted by the scientific community. With the paper having just been published this month, I’m not sure if this has happened yet. However, as with all name changes, word will spread quickly and many will have questions as to why this species is suddenly listed under another name. Vendors may also change the names on their websites, which can lead to some confusion.

Personally, I’m excited about this new development. Anytime species get properly described, it’s a good thing for science AND the hobby. As always, there will be some folks who are reluctant to adopt the new name due mostly to sentimentality and a misunderstanding of how scientific names and species identifications work. I know of a couple folks who refuse to call the species formerly known in the hobby as “B. smithi” the correct name of “B. hamorii.” Still, it’s important for folks to understand and appreciate that a name change, although jarring and confusing at first, is a sign that these creatures are getting much needed attention from taxonomists and the scientific community.

I would encourage anyone interested in this change to read the accompanying paper. Along with the reclassification of these two species were a couple other very interesting informational nuggets.

Interesting Tidbits:

  • These will be the first two Homoeomma species to be found in the country of Chile. Previously, this genus was known to be found in Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Argentina and Peru.
  • In the wild, H. chilensis was found in shallow burrows beneath rocks and under tree trunks. Burrows were generally no deeper than around 5 cm.
  • They were observed eating ground beetles, wasps, and other spiders.
  • Possibly the most interesting revelation is that H. chilensis adults were found to occupy burrows in close proximity to other adults, sometimes mere centimeters apart. One particularly fascinating photo included in the papers shows three burrows in about a 1 square foot area.

Generally, once a paper is widely accepted, the changes will be reflected in the World Spider Catalog . Those who want to follow the progress of this new development will want to check in there.

Caribena versicolor (Antilles pinktoe) Breeding Notes … and Babies!

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Spoiler: The Breeding Was a Success!

For those interested in possibly breeding the Caribena versicolor in the future, here is an account of my pairing. All in all, it was a rather simple endeavor from start to finish, and I would encourage others to try it. And for those looking to acquire some of these little blue beauties, be sure to read to the bottom of the article…

The Pairing – November 26, 2017

In November of 2018, I paired my mature female Caribena versicolor with a mature male lent to me by Tanya at Fear Not Tarantulas. I had raised this female from a sling, and she is currently about 5 years old. She was fed very well leading up to the pairing and was quite plump before the breeding attempt. I have never attempted to breed her before this pairing.

Upon opening both enclosures, the male, who was incredibly active, came right out and approached the female within 30 seconds. The female appeared startled at first, and a quick “scuffle” ensued which caused the male to back off for a few moments. However, he quickly regrouped and approached her again, and she was very receptive. After a very brief courtship in which they entangled legs and the male tapped on her a bit, they coupled. I observed two insertions before the two disentangled and the male calmly walked away. I did not try to pair them a second time, as I was pretty sure the first pairing was successful.

The entire event took only about 5 minutes total from beginning to end. The female showed no aggression toward the male and did not try to consume or pursue him when they had finished.

The Female Makes a Sac – December 27, 2017

About two days after the pairing, the female webbed herself up completely in a funnel web down the side of the enclosure. Although she had webbed up a bit of a “chamber” for her last molt, she thickened the sides, especially on the Plexiglas, and closed off the ends. I tried offering her crickets the day after she was bred, but she showed no interest in eating.

Caribena versicolor

On December 28th, I noticed that she had finally created an egg sac. This sac was about 1″ in diameter. During the incubation period, I kept her enclosure on a high shelf that ranged in temperature from about 78° F to 80°F.  I kept her water dish full, and once a week I would open the enclosure and use a large bottle with holes in the top to simulate a rain shower. I would use this technique to moisten part of the substrate so that enclosure wouldn’t become too dry.

For this breeding, I chose not to pull the sac and instead left it with the mother. She continued to care for it perfectly during the incubation period, constantly rolling and moving it to keep the eggs from sticking or getting crushed. She was an excellent mother throughout the entire process.

2nd Instar Spiderlings Emerge – February 18, 2018

Finally, I came down on the morning of February 18th to find that several little blue 2nd instar slings had emerged. Over the next three days, the rest of the brood freed itself of the sac, and little blue spiderlings lined the entire inside of their mother’s web den.  Instead of immediately spreading out and leaving the web, the slings huddled together while the mother stood over them.

As the mother’s enclosure offered several means of escape for the tiny slings, including gaps and vent holes, I had to sling-proof it before any of the little ones could get away. I used some cheesecloth and clear cellophane tape to cover up the vents and gaps. The cheesecloth kept the slings inside without restricting ventilation.

Despite my best efforts, I apparently missed a corner, and I woke up one morning to find a sling’s toe poking from the breach. With the slings now starting to spread out and wander a bit, it was time to separate and house them.

Separated and Rehoused the Slings – February 21, 2018

We started by carefully opening the cage and removing the mother. Using a paintbrush, I coaxed her away from the slings and into a deli cup. Although she was reluctant to move, she did not become defensive or nasty. With mom out of the way,  Billie and I spent the next hour getting the slings out of the web and into their enclosures (dram bottles and small deli cups). Fortunately, the slings didn’t attempt to scatter, but instead congregated in groups as they tried to hide. This made things MUCH easier. We had placed the mother’s enclosure inside a large Sterilite container in case the babies tried to bolt, but it never became an issue.

When all was said and done, we had 148 lively slings! Being 2nd instar, the slings were very active and ready to eat. I gave the ones I kept a couple days to settle in and to start webbing before offering the first meal. For the first feeding, I used pinhead red runner roaches, which I prekilled and dropped in each sling’s webbing. So far, all have eaten twice.

Versi Babies for Sale!

Unfortunately, with all I have going on with the blog, YouTube channel, and now my podcast, I don’t have the extra time I would need to raise and sell my own slings. Although several folks have inquired about buying directly from me, that’s just not practical for me at this time. However, for those who want to get their hands on a couple of these gorgeous blue slings, you’re not out of luck.

A few days after the slings were rehoused, we got a visit from Tanya Stewart and Rachael Pan from Fear Not Tarantulas. They picked up all but a few of the baby C. versicolors (I held onto five for myself), and they will selling them online from their store and at expos. Tanya is a very well-respected and trusted dealer in the hobby, and folks will have the option of getting more for their shipping money by possibly ordering other species from her diverse selection.  Even better, Fear Not is offering 15% off the price of a C. versicolor sling if you use the code “tom” at checkout. C. versicolor are always in demand, and the slings are going fast, so be sure not to wait too long if you want to grab one.

Moving ahead, I will continue to pursue breeding projects that interest me and with species there is a demand for.  At the moment, I’m hoping to have my M. balfouri and H. pulchripes both bred after what appeared to be successful pairings. I will obviously keep folks updated if and when anything develops!

‘T’ Time Adoption/Rescue Facebook Group- An Interview with Samantha Miller

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A brand new group hoping to fill a much needed hole in the hobby. 

Several years back, I got an email from a frantic hobbyist who was preparing to start his freshman year in college. With only a few weeks to go before he was to move into his dorm, he made an unfortunate discovery; this particular school didn’t allow any pets in the freshman dorm rooms. This young man had amassed a modest collection of a half-dozen or so tarantulas, and his mother, an arachnophobe, had already made it quite clear that the animals couldn’t be left behind. Instead of enjoying his last remaining days before starting school, this poor guy was desperately trying to find a new home for his beloved pets. He was even willing to part with them for free if they went to a good home, and he was hoping I might know of some place that would be willing to take his collection and ensure his animals got the proper care.

Over the years, I’ve received several similar emails from hobbyists looking for someone to adopt their pets, and I’ve usually directed them to the classifieds section of Arachnoboards or FaunaClassifieds. The truth is, although there are obviously a plethora of options for folks keeping warm-blooded vertebrates like cats, dogs, ferrets, etcetera, the options for invertebrate keepers are quite limited. Although a few shelters will take in the oddball invert, most know little about their care or are particularly interested in dealing with the “creepy crawlies.” I’ve heard of cases of people with one or two spiders donating them to a school science teacher or a friend or family member, but what does one do when she has several spiders? Or, perhaps someone has outgrown the hobby and recognizes that he no longer has the passion to keep these animals. Where should he go to get them new homes? Sure, Craigslist and the classifieds can work, but selling off larger collections can take time…and emergency situations can lead to strict deadlines.

Then there are hoarding cases or instances in which a keeper dies leaving behind dozens of pets that no one wants or knows how to care for. What happens to these animals after being confiscated by the authorities?

Well, now there may be a new option.

While chatting with hobbyist Samantha Miller, I learned about her idea to create an adoption and rescue service specifically for inverts. Within weeks, she had set up the ‘T’ Time Adoption/Rescue group on Facebook in an effort to see her idea come to fruition. With the membership numbers swelling and the group off to quite the auspicious beginning, I caught up with Samantha to learn more about this fantastic and much-needed new group.

Thanks for taking the time to chat, Samantha! Continue reading →