I have just been out today and bought a home for my new pet, which I'll be collecting tomorrow. It's a Chilean Rose Tarrantula, and although I have often said that I would like one, this will be the first time that I have seriously looked into Tarrantula Keeping as a hobby.
The one I'm getting is just a spiderling and it's too soon to tell it's gender, but, I'm hopeing that it will be a female, as they live longer and are much easier to rear.
Females have a long life span, (twenty or thirty years), so I shall have to rewrite my "Living Will" to make provision for her if indeed she turns out to be female.
I hope she's female for another reason. I shall name her "Rose", and a male would look rather silly with a name like that. Almost as bad as "A Boy Named Sue"!
dorramae
I never realised they live so long Fantastic lets have a picture
soon
Ken R
If it's a boy, then call him Ross !
Sandie Seward
Tarrantula Update! Well, I collected my latest addition to the family today as arranged, and now he/she is having a look around it's new home. At present, the new container I bought would dwarf it, so it's in an empty "cricket" container, which, according to Mike who I bought it from, is perfectly large enough for the time being.
It's a pretty little thing, actually, and I'm really pleased I decieded to venture into this new hobby. Next up, Mike is building me a proper vivarium and I shall be buying a Python. Seriously, I mean it.
Ken R
You just gotta call the python Monty !
Glad the spidy is settling in though, sounds like the beginning of a wonderful new hobby there Admin !
JoJo
I like spiders,and snakes,but have never thought about having one as a pet,so keep us updated on how things are going,
When I was at work I was the one that always had to catch the spiders and take them outside,it's amazing how many people are afraid of them
Sandie Seward
Your're right, Jo-Jo, lots of people are terrified of both spiders and snakes.
Whilst I would accord a Black Widow spider or a Deadly King Cobra a very healthy respect, I cannot understand how people can be afraid of some species. I love most spiders, and snakes, especcially Pythons. I have held several, and they are warm and smooth to the touch. Somewhere I have a photo taken of me with a huge Python draped over my shoulders. I was quite young, but even then I wasn't frightened. My poor old Mum was terrified enough for the both of us!
marieann
I'm one of the people who looks at a spider and freezes. There appears to be nothing I can do about it.
Best of luck with them admin. I hope they live to a ripe old age.
You haven't mentioned the python's food which I thought would probably be live mice?
Sandie Seward
Rats and mice, actually, but I need to get over losing my little Shannon, before I start on my Snake quest.
Sandie Seward
Tarantula Update.
Well, my young spiderling has been dining on crickets, and is starting to grow. On Friday, I visited my local pet shop (again, they're getting to know me now,), and decieded to take the plunge and by another Chilean Rose spider. This one is a lot bigger, being a sub-adult, but still quite young. It looks far more like the one in the picture that I posted earlier. Whilst I can't house them in the same home, I have placed them side by side and they can see each other, and already they are making themselves at home.
Fascinating creatures indeed. To be able to care for, what are, after all, wild creatures, is indeed an honour and a priviledge.
