April the G. Rosea (pic heavy)

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

Originally Posted by Hurrok

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.

Originally Posted by Hurrok

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.

Originally Posted by Hurrok

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.

[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