April the G. Rosea (pic heavy)

[Hurrok]

Hi everyone! Thought I'd update April our G. Rosea since we have had her for almost a year. When we got her at an expo she was just a wee little sling: tiny, cute, and a totally different colour.

Since then she has molted a few times and has changed drastically. She became darker, plumper, and of course a lot hairier! Since I thought it would be interesting I thought I'd share the changes along the way as she ages and continue.

Anyways, here she is when we first got her:

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/4136/img5497k.jpg

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/6811/img5498n.jpg

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/1230/img5499m.jpg

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/954/img5500o.jpg

After the First and Second Molt:

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/4140/img5506ou.jpg

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/3731/img5563c.jpg

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/8743/img5565se.jpg

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/2083/img5821gm.jpg

[Hurrok]

http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/1686/img5942s.jpg

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/6646/img6251g.jpg

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/4250/img7244nu.jpg

And more recently:

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/7589/img7701d.jpg

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/746/img7698s.jpg

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/3048/img7697h.jpg

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/7718/img7696wa.jpg

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/1650/img7883f.jpg

[Hurrok]

Now I do have a question....how often should she be molting? She has only done so 3 times since last April (2012) but eats no problem...Is this normal?

[Mark Taylor]

That's cool will it get much bigger?

[Hurrok]

That's cool will it get much bigger?

Thanks! And yes, she started at about 1 inch across (including the legs) and is now around 2.5 inches across. I believe they can get around 5 inches or more across! Some get as big as your palm ;)

[Rogue628]

She still has growing to do. Mine spans my entire hand.

I can't answer your questions as to molting. I've had mine since July and I'm thinking it was full grown when I got it. It has yet to molt or even look like it may go into molt.

Seeing yours so little makes me feel like I've missed something getting an adult.

[Hurrok]

She still has growing to do. Mine spans my entire hand.

I can't answer your questions as to molting. I've had mine since July and I'm thinking it was full grown when I got it. It has yet to molt or even look like it may go into molt.

Seeing yours so little makes me feel like I've missed something getting an adult.

I thought so, since I see some at the pet store sometimes and they are massive!

I have noticed most people do get them as adults, so I completely understand. I guess adults don't molt that often then?

I definitely recommend getting one at a young age, it just makes it that much more interesting. Seeing how much they change and how much they grow is too cool! Plus you can't beat a $15 price tag at an expo ;)

[Mark Taylor]

I wouldn't like it to get out if she gets that big lol.
How do you know it's a she?

[Hurrok]

I wouldn't like it to get out if she gets that big lol.
How do you know it's a she?

Hahaha, well that's why you should start with a sling, super small compared to the adult size! Plus G. Rosea's are known for their calm attitude and generally good disposition. She has only flicked hairs once when we first got her but never since.

To be honest I don't. I am just judging by the size of the abdomen since males tend to have a smaller abdomen. I don't know much about sexing but I believe it takes a few years before you can actually confirm the sex. I'm just hoping for a female since they live longer apparently.

[Rogue628]

Girls have a 'big booty' lol. Males abdomen stays about the same size as the thorax while females get bigger. At least that's one way of attempting to figure out sex. I believe mine is a male.

As far as getting out, I keep mine in a 10 gallon tank with a locking lid. I've never once caught it attempting to escape. It's pretty lazy though. It gets fed and fresh water and seems to be happy in the environment I've given him.

For reference to size and possible gender identification, here's a pic of mine...

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g191/SVRogue/IMG_20120907_135739.jpg

For the record, I got it to face my fears of spiders. Although it's rare that I hold it, when I do it's really docile and just kind of ambles along. It's not been defensive the first time. Having this one has definitely given me a new appreciation of spiders. I no longer want to put a bullet in a wall to kill one :laugh: It's been a nice pet to have. They're pretty easy to care for and rose hairs are known to be docile. I like watching it eat and sometimes it will spin webs which are really cool, but kind of icky to clean up.

[Mark Taylor]

I have never owned a spider before and I was looking at getting a white knee tarantula a few weeks ago I would have gone for a new born so I could see it grow but I am putting it on hold till I am 100% sure I can give it what it needs.

I also have a fear of spiders but not the big ones at least you know when its on you lol.

[Rogue628]

Tarantulas are pretty easy to keep. Mine is kept at room temp, but my room temp never gets below 75. I'm not sure how docile the choco white knees are, but I recommend researching the different ones to see which ones make the best pet for beginners. Rose hairs and Mexican Redleg/Redknee are the first two I can think of. I think Curly hairs and Costa Rican Zebras are good as well, but not sure. Pink toes make good first aborreals, but IIRC, they don't make good first T pets.

With a little research, you'll find one that's pleasing to the eye and is docile for a beginner. Good luck!

[Starbuck]

Two easy ways to sex a tarantula: on tarantulas with at least 1 1/2 inch carapaces (thorax), look at the molted skin on the bottom of the abdomen, close to the junction with the thorax, on the inner side. You will see two pair of white/pale booklungs, and a middle genital pore. on males this pore is relatively simple and looks like a rectangular plate. Females will have two pockets on either side of the plate, looking kind of like 'rabbit ears'. This character gets easier to see as the spider/sheds gets bigger, but the plate itself is much smaller than the booklungs, so look carefully! You can find images online to help with your specific species.

The other way to sex a tarantula: ADULT males will have a structure on the tip of the pedipalp used to insert sperm into the female. The pedipalp is the FIRST pair of 'legs', closest to the mouth. Many male spiders hold these pedipalps tucked up, sort of like a praying mantis, so the structure may be hard to see, try looking from the side. Additionally, some male spiders will have a large spine or hook on the underside of the first pair of actual legs, 2nd from the mouth, used to hold the female up while mating.

Adult male tarantulas live for about 2 years after reaching sexual maturity, and TEND to be lankier and skinnier than females. They rarely shed after reaching amture size, and spend a bit more time roaming around the tank. Adult females will continue to shed about once a year, and may live upwards of 10-20 years post sexual maturity. They tend to be heavier bodied.

Congrats on your G. rosea, my first tarantula was a flame leg i reared from a wee little sling as well, its so neat to watch them grow and get so big :)

[Hurrok]

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g191/SVRogue/IMG_20120907_135739.jpg

For the record, I got it to face my fears of spiders. Although it's rare that I hold it, when I do it's really docile and just kind of ambles along. It's not been defensive the first time. Having this one has definitely given me a new appreciation of spiders. I no longer want to put a bullet in a wall to kill one :laugh: It's been a nice pet to have. They're pretty easy to care for and rose hairs are known to be docile. I like watching it eat and sometimes it will spin webs which are really cool, but kind of icky to clean up.

Very nice! He definitely seems more leggy and skinny compared to mine :p I like how colourful he is :D

I'm on the same boat, although I wasn't really afraid of spiders...I just didn't like them on me that much haha. But since getting April it has opened my eyes and helped me get over that fear of having a spider on me. I'm happy that I got her!

G. Rosea's are totally the way to go too, I heard Mexican Red Knees are a little more aggressive though?

[Hurrok]

Two easy ways to sex a tarantula: on tarantulas with at least 1 1/2 inch carapaces (thorax), look at the molted skin on the bottom of the abdomen, close to the junction with the thorax, on the inner side. You will see two pair of white/pale booklungs, and a middle genital pore. on males this pore is relatively simple and looks like a rectangular plate. Females will have two pockets on either side of the plate, looking kind of like 'rabbit ears'. This character gets easier to see as the spider/sheds gets bigger, but the plate itself is much smaller than the booklungs, so look carefully! You can find images online to help with your specific species.

The other way to sex a tarantula: ADULT males will have a structure on the tip of the pedipalp used to insert sperm into the female. The pedipalp is the FIRST pair of 'legs', closest to the mouth. Many male spiders hold these pedipalps tucked up, sort of like a praying mantis, so the structure may be hard to see, try looking from the side. Additionally, some male spiders will have a large spine or hook on the underside of the first pair of actual legs, 2nd from the mouth, used to hold the female up while mating.

Adult male tarantulas live for about 2 years after reaching sexual maturity, and TEND to be lankier and skinnier than females. They rarely shed after reaching amture size, and spend a bit more time roaming around the tank. Adult females will continue to shed about once a year, and may live upwards of 10-20 years post sexual maturity. They tend to be heavier bodied.

Congrats on your G. rosea, my first tarantula was a flame leg i reared from a wee little sling as well, its so neat to watch them grow and get so big :)

Wow, thanks for all that info! I'm guessing when she gets bigger it will be easier to spot the markers? Her molts are decently small :p

Thanks! :D I'm very happy with her, she just started to dig and do some burrowing with lots of web. Such a cool thing to see when you open up her enclosure. I think getting them as slings is the way to go too, watching them grow and change is just so rewarding :)

[Rogue628]

I'm not entirely sure. I've read so many different stories on those that are supposed to be good beginner T's, I get confused lol. I do know that the rose hairs are the most docile. I know to stay away from OBT's and the two that I like...the greenbottle blue and the cobalt, are pretty aggressive with the cobalt being very aggressive. I wish they weren't as I'd love to have them. The greenbottles have one of the most drastic color changes and the cobalts are the most beautiful IMO. Even if I don't handle them, I don't like having a species I'm wary of being aggressive. :(

[Hurrok]

I'm not entirely sure. I've read so many different stories on those that are supposed to be good beginner T's, I get confused lol. I do know that the rose hairs are the most docile. I know to stay away from OBT's and the two that I like...the greenbottle blue and the cobalt, are pretty aggressive with the cobalt being very aggressive. I wish they weren't as I'd love to have them. The greenbottles have one of the most drastic color changes and the cobalts are the most beautiful IMO. Even if I don't handle them, I don't like having a species I'm wary of being aggressive. :(

I've seen the GBB and they are stunning, but I do know that they are pretty aggressive. I'm not really one to have something I can't hold so it isn't the best for me but hey, maybe one day I will change my mind and have one just as a display animal.

I dont think the Red Knees are that aggressive, just a bit more compared to the Rosea's temperament. A hear they are a good beginner spider as well too, maybe it just depends on the spider you end up getting. I hear some G. Rosea females can be aggressive but so far April has been really good. :)

[valid]

Very cool c:
It is interesting to see how much they change over time.

If I were ever to purchase a tarantula (which will probably be never) It would be an indian violet. I think they are beautiful, though not really know for being great starter spidys.

[Rogue628]

Very cool c:
It is interesting to see how much they change over time.

If I were ever to purchase a tarantula (which will probably be never) It would be an indian violet. I think they are beautiful, though not really know for being great starter spidys.


I had to google the indian violet...such a beautiful creature! They're also web spinners which would make for a really unique display animal. Now I want one! But they're so aggressive!

How do you clean an enclosure of an aggressive tarantula? Would it be best to attempt to scoop it into a deli cup with a lid and let it out once you're finished? Although I've heard a few T keepers say that once they're in the forever home, they really don't need cleaning. I spot clean the webbing out of my T's enclosure and anything else that may look unhealthy to keep in there. But I have cleaned and changed it's enclosure once and that was because I went from eco earth bricks to repti bark and it seems to like it better.

I would eventually love to have a cobalt or even the indian violet, but I need to know proper handling of them when it's necessary.

[DragonsEye]

Now I do have a question....how often should she be molting? She has only done so 3 times since last April (2012) but eats no problem...Is this normal?

For a juvenile that is quite normal. The younger the sling the more frequently they molt with mature adults eventually going years between molts. Also the longer lived species tend to be slower growers and so molt less frequently then the short lived species.

To be honest I don't. I am just judging by the size of the abdomen since males tend to have a smaller abdomen. I don't know much about sexing but I believe it takes a few years before you can actually confirm the sex. I'm just hoping for a female since they live longer apparently.

Abdomen size is irrelevant with regard to sex -- particularly with immature Ts. Often sexually mature males will have smaller abdomens, but that is by no means written in stone. Many other factors come into play. Hurrok, your T is likely large enough to be sexed now from examination of its most recent molt. Easiest thing would be if you have a herp show you can attend. If you do, then a day or two before the show, put the molt in a deli container with a damp papertowel. Take it (towel-container-& all) to the show and see if a vendor will sex it for you. If you have a magnifying glass, take that with you as well.

A male G. rosea will typically live about 5yrs -- from hatchling to death. A female G. rosea will typically live 25+ yrs.

I've seen the GBB and they are stunning, but I do know that they are pretty aggressive.

No, not really. They are more "flighty" and "speedy" than anything else. Definitely not one to handle though unless you relish the idea of chasing it all over your home.

I dont think the Red Knees are that aggressive,...

Most are not great in the handling department. As a species, they have a well deserved rep for being hair flickers.

[Hurrok]

Wow thanks for all the info DragonsEye. I'm sure you have helped me out before but the refresher is great! Hopefully the next time April molts it will be timed well for a local expo to get it sexed. I will do exactly that.

I guess I'm just hoping for a female so that I can have it around for longer :)

[Hurrok]

*Update*

Awesome news! April molted while I was away for the weekend and she looks great! Her colours have just popped and she has this nice dark blue tone to her entire body. Plus she seems even more hairier! I will be keeping the molt to see if I can sex her properly.


http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/3433/img8173.JPG

[MH4C]

Nice looking rosea!. I've had one for some time, and they're really the most docile and easygoing spiders I know. The one other spider I trusted to walk on me was my male Brazilian salmon tarantula (Lasiodora parahybana). The Mexicans I had (one Redknee and a Redrump) would immediately throw hairs around when I opened their enclosures, which would then make me itch for about a day...not too bad but still really annoying. They are however really robust and easy to keep, so in that aspect they are 'beginner spiders'
Regarding picking up aggressive or nervous spiders: placing a small plastic box (here in the Netherlands there are these small plastic boxes used to ship and contain live insects which work perfectly for this job) over them and sliding the lid under them (most of the time they will just lift their legs so its really quite easy) was the way I always did it. When cleaning enclosures the webbing with attached hairs is much more worrisome than getting the spider out :)