Considering a T

[desipooh.12]

I'm scared of T's, well picking them up, not necessarily spiders in general,
but I've been very curious & fascinated with T's lately, I've been looking at the OBT and they are absolutely beautiful but I've read they're aggressive & they're bites are like a rattlesnakes?
but then again I have a young BRB & they have a reputation as well & mine is very docile..
any advice or info on slings? Especially the OBT..

[formica]

Baboons are considered some of the more aggressive, willing to bite and fast moving, not for beginners or anyone who still has some fear over big arachnids, i'd consider a Rose Knee or Curly hair first, if you want to try one

rainbows are very docile snakes, even their young are docile compared to allot of other common snakes in captivity, i dont think there is any comparison with a baboon T!

[DragonsEye]

There's a reason they are commonly referred to as "Orange Bitey Things". heh Bite as bad a rattlesnake? No, at least not damage-wise. With respect to pain that could be another story. Considering they are also fast devils, I would not recommend one as your first T -- even if you don't ever plan on holding it. (And OBTs definitely should not be handled.)

For a first T, check out some of the Grammostola, Brachypelma, or Avicularia. Google will supply you with quite a few images to peruse.

[boosh96]

I'd recommend getting a juvenile Lasiodora parahybana, or Brazilian salmon pink birdeater. They're inexpensive, they're hardy, and after they put a little size on them they'll start growing quickly and eating like horses. They're a bit on the skittish side, though.

Edit: If you want to cough up the money for one, you can get a Brazilian black T, or Grammostola pulchra. They're long-lived, slow growers, and they're supposed to be extremely docile. Plus, the adults are a solid velvety black color.

[desipooh.12]

Wow Thank you all I appreciate the advice,
Its just the baboons are so beautiful, thats what draws me too them,
Something nice to look at but can't touch!

But I will definitely look all those arachnids!
I think ill get the courage to over come my fear!

[desipooh.12]

What about a Martinique Pinktoe T?
I've read there docile but skittish when spooked..
And the housing for T are simple!
Does anybody have a Martinique Pinktoe T?
If so any tips on housing & feeding?

[Skits]

OBT's are definitely very fast. They're also famous for being teleporters on how fast they are, and they are really aggressive. It's rare to get one that's docile. Mine is an evil one lol.

For the martinique pinktoe, avicularia species are easy to care for and generally docile. They arent too fast, and instead of biting they shoot feces as a defense mechanism. Of course they can still bite but be careful

Slings: Keep them in a pill container, or a container the size 3x their legspan in height. Feed them a cricket leg or pinhead cricket once or twice a week (depending on the size of the T).

Adults: Keep them in a vertical arboreal tank, about a 5-10 gallon is ideal. Have lots of things for them to climb like plants, branches, vines etc. Feed them an adult cricket or dubia roach once a week.

[kelzerman]

Yeah I agree an wouldn't suggest a obt. Any tarantulas bite is harmless unless your allergic to the venom. Not saying it isn't painful and there is also a risk for infection. The other suggestions are good first starters. Just remember no tarantulas like being held. They will never understand there handlers. Their brains are very primitive. And even the nicest tarantulas can bite. I'm not saying this to scare you, but for you to understand that any handling is a risk for a bite.

I love my tarantulas. They are one of the most interesting things I have owned. And watching them mate is one of the coolest things I've seen. Not being weird lol but is an odd ritual. I hope you purchase a T and join the addiction. At one point I housed 30 T's and had many successful breeding attempts.

[desipooh.12]

Originally Posted by kelzerman

Yeah I agree an wouldn't suggest a obt. Any tarantulas bite is harmless unless your allergic to the venom. Not saying it isn't painful and there is also a risk for infection. The other suggestions are good first starters. Just remember no tarantulas like being held. They will never understand there handlers. Their brains are very primitive. And even the nicest tarantulas can bite. I'm not saying this to scare you, but for you to understand that any handling is a risk for a bite.

I love my tarantulas. They are one of the most interesting things I have owned. And watching them mate is one of the coolest things I've seen. Not being weird lol but is an odd ritual. I hope you purchase a T and join the addiction. At one point I housed 30 T's and had many successful breeding attempts.

Thats why I want one, because they're so fascinating & cool to look at & to learn from..
I guess I mainly want one for just a show case
but id like to hold it to over come my slight fear..

[desipooh.12]

Originally Posted by Skits

OBT's are definitely very fast. They're also famous for being teleporters on how fast they are, and they are really aggressive. It's rare to get one that's docile. Mine is an evil one lol.

For the martinique pinktoe, avicularia species are easy to care for and generally docile. They arent too fast, and instead of biting they shoot feces as a defense mechanism. Of course they can still bite but be careful

Slings: Keep them in a pill container, or a container the size 3x their legspan in height. Feed them a cricket leg or pinhead cricket once or twice a week (depending on the size of the T).

Adults: Keep them in a vertical arboreal tank, about a 5-10 gallon is ideal. Have lots of things for them to climb like plants, branches, vines etc. Feed them an adult cricket or dubia roach once a week.

Thank you this helped!
would I have to handle frequently?
and how exactly do I pick it up without hurting em? I wish I had spidey senses to tell weather it is going to bite me lol

[kelzerman]

It doesn't matter how much you handle they will not get used to it. I have found with some of my more docile T's that I do handle is use a soft bristled paintbrush to coax them onto your hand. Hey bites do happen and like with snakes don't let being tagged turn you away from these interesting creatures. Its not as bad as people say I have been nailed a few times and I would compare it to a bee sting. One of them was like a big *** bee

Please post pictures as soon as you get your little gem.

[desipooh.12]

Originally Posted by kelzerman

It doesn't matter how much you handle they will not get used to it. I have found with some of my more docile T's that I do handle is use a soft bristled paintbrush to coax them onto your hand. Hey bites do happen and like with snakes don't let being tagged turn you away from these interesting creatures. Its not as bad as people say I have been nailed a few times and I would compare it to a bee sting. One of them was like a big *** bee

Please post pictures as soon as you get your little gem.

well I haven't been bitten YET by my BRB
so that I'm not scared of..
I probably won't get one now, maybe a few years or a year or so.. Still like to do more research before buying.. But I've been watching alot of YouTube videos just to see them in actual movement!

[kelzerman]

I am not trying to turn you away! They are wonderful creatures and one of the most hardy animals ever. Maintenance on these guys is so little. I would just go for it. lol I was terrified of the buggers until I got to understand them. If you ever have any questions please ask me.

[DragonsEye]

Originally Posted by desipooh.12

would I have to handle frequently?

From any T's point of view, it would be "happier" if you never handled it at all. T's aren't like cats or dogs ... there will never be any "warm happy" feelings in seeing you or having contact with you. They simply do not have that capacity.

[kelzerman]

Some days are good and some days you will get this.