Eight-legged addition.

[Jace]

I've never heard of a pet slug, but I used to have a snail when I was in elementary school, and my daughter brought one home from her school when she was in grade 3 or 4. Easiest pet to care for! I was trying to get another millipede for a while, but Canada goes back and forth on them being imported. They should pick a side and stick with it.

[flamesbane]

Thank you, Lesley-and you are the first one who knew what "Kamani" is!! Happy dance, happy dance. As soon as I saw the name, I thought it was perfect for her.

Here is another picture of her and one of her new setup. I will be putting more branches in there as soon as I bake the ones I found at a local lake today. She is likes to hid in the leaves near the top right of the tank.

I really like the enclosure, make sure to provide her plenty of hides! A cork bark tube is perfect, but anything similar will work.

Hmm.. I dont know if this is right. But here it goes....

I think I read somewhere that female spiders and tarantulas have a large bulbous thorax(butt), they tend to live longer than the males.

Females tarantulas do live longer than males, however the abdomen (tarantulas don't have a thorax, the abdomen is the "butt" and the cephalothorax aka prosoma is the "head") size has nothing to with sex. A tarantula's abdomen size is directly related to how well hydrated and fed they are.

Only a very few species of tarantula show any sexual dimorphism until the males maturing molt. At this point the male will get leggy, skinny, and change color (normally duller, but some species get brighter such as specimens from genus Pamphobeteus), develop swollen pedipals and in some species have tibial hooks. At this point the male will live 2 months to a year before dying. Females of some species can live 20 years or more (the average for most species is closer to 10)

There are two ways to sex a tarantula before it matures, the first and most accurate is looking for the presence of spermatheca in the spider's molt. Spermatheca are the females sperm receptacle and are shed with each molt. Males lack these. This is located on the inside of the molt on the vent between the first pair of book lungs and looks like a little flap.

The second and less accurate method is by using ventral or epiandrous fusillae sexing. This method looks for the difference in hair patterns around the vent, distance between book lungs, and presence of bald spots. This method take some practice and knowledge of the species.

Good thing about these, you only have to feed 6 crickets a week(I think its a week? or maybe every two weeks?). I have delt with a customer who was obssessed with arachnids. Guy had pink toeds, mexican red knees, baboon tarantula, king bird eaters, cobalt blues, and many more.

Really the best method is to offer food once a week, but really you should base it off abdomen size. It is not uncommon for some species such as G. rosea to fast for 6+ months. Then other species such as N. chromatus will eat almost constantly.

If you want detailed caresheets for arachnids, there is a forum called "Arachnoboards" or something. But the people are really h ow do I say this... rude, and obnoxious, and a bit high headed. Sure if someone from here is a member from there and disagrees, I apologize. Just had my own personal experience, and wanted to make sure she knew what to expect. I dont know. Its certainly not like this place or caudata. :U Anywho good luck.

Admittedly AB member can be a bit elitist, but it is the absolute best place to get information about tarantulas. However keep in mind there aren't really any "caresheets" for tarantulas. The reason being that there are so many species in the hobby but only 3 main care types. Aboreal, terrestrial and fossorial.

In the last two days, she has eaten 4 crickets. I'm just going to keep giving her food until she refuses it and then I will let her be for a few days before trying again. She's pretty much stayed in one spot since being put into her new enclosure, but I am seeing more and more webbing happening. I am keeping the moss damp but not moist to help with humidity and though she hasn't touched her water dish-as far as I know-she gets fresh water everyday. I am hoping that she will molt soon and I will have a cool "show and tell" to take to work....geez, what am I, five??!! lol

Good call providing a water dish, make sure you keep it open and clean. Tarantulas will drink on occasion. You can also mist her enclosure, Avics will drink the droplets off the side of the glass. She will like it humid, but make sure to watch for mold. When tarantulas eat they leave behind what is known as a "bolus" that will mold in pretty short order. If you are having trouble finding them some isopods will help with clean up. A happy tarantula is a tarantula that sits in one spot. This shows she is comfortable in her enclosure. Typically when a tarantula get's close to a molt they will refuse food, and often create a space to molt on. If she flips on her back you know she is getting ready to molt, at this point make sure not to disturb her.

If she is 9 months old she has had more than 2 molts. Tarantulas molt twice before they even look like tarantulas. When they are young they will molt every 3-4 weeks, the space between molts get longer as they get older. Adult females molt every 9 months to 18 months. Avics can actually go from post-embryo to adult in 18 months with proper feeding and temperatures. Good luck with your new addition!

[Jace]

Wow, thanks for the information! That was very very helpful. I will be adjusting her setup a bit this weekened to ensure that she has more branches and hiding spots so she feels absolutely comfortable. She has ventured out some, but I think she was hunting. Most of the time she stays behind one clump of leaves. She hasn't really done much more in terms of webbing, but I've read that some make extensive webs while others make half hearted attempts, so I haven't been overly concerned about her lack of webbing.

As for sexing, while I am curious, as long as she is healthy and feeling secure, I am content with just calling it a she. Kamani is a name that would fit either a male or a female, but the odds are I may never know. When she does molt, I will definitely have a look at above mentioned parts...or just post them on the Forum!

I have been turning over the moss in the enclosure checking for mould. I mist lightly in the morning-just enough to create a fine mist on everything, and then I check it again at night when I give her fresh water.

You mentioned abdomen size should be used to judge feedings-based on Kamani's pictures, do you think she was adequately fed previously? Though she has eaten at least 5 crickets in the time I've had her, I don't notice a change in abdomen size. Hopefully she looks healthy.

Thanks again for your insight and information. I am absolutely fascinated with Kamani and I hope she will be around for a long time.

[flamesbane]

Wow, thanks for the information! That was very very helpful. I will be adjusting her setup a bit this weekened to ensure that she has more branches and hiding spots so she feels absolutely comfortable. She has ventured out some, but I think she was hunting. Most of the time she stays behind one clump of leaves. She hasn't really done much more in terms of webbing, but I've read that some make extensive webs while others make half hearted attempts, so I haven't been overly concerned about her lack of webbing.

No problem, as far as hiding spots having a vertical curl of bark against the back of the tank works really well. So that the back of the tank is the back of the hide, and the entrance is at the top. Avics will actually use brom's as hides, however they don't like light so the trade off isn't really worth it. Sometimes it will take tarantulas 2 or 3 months to really get comfortable and web up an enclosure.

I forgot to mention but the binomial name for your pinktoe is Avicularia avicularia. Most people in the tarantula hobby use the binomial names exclusively.

As for sexing, while I am curious, as long as she is healthy and feeling secure, I am content with just calling it a she. Kamani is a name that would fit either a male or a female, but the odds are I may never know. When she does molt, I will definitely have a look at above mentioned parts...or just post them on the Forum!

The only thing to watch for is if she does end up being male. Upon their maturing molt males will wander constantly looking for a mate (even refusing food and water) and at that point you might want to consider getting a female or sending him off on a breeding loan.

However I hope she is a she! lol

I have been turning over the moss in the enclosure checking for mould. I mist lightly in the morning-just enough to create a fine mist on everything, and then I check it again at night when I give her fresh water.

Generally tarantula poop doesn't mold (it is a white milky substance) so no real worries there. The bolus looks like a small black ball of leftover cricket parts, and those you will want to remove when you see them. Certain fungi can grow in the book lungs of tarantulas and be fatal (however that is VERY rare). Another concern for removing the bolus is that it will attract mites, some of which could be parasitic to the tarantula. Isopods and springtails both help keep that possibility down. Using 100% peat moss as a substrate also helps if you end up having any mold issues.

You mentioned abdomen size should be used to judge feedings-based on Kamani's pictures, do you think she was adequately fed previously? Though she has eaten at least 5 crickets in the time I've had her, I don't notice a change in abdomen size. Hopefully she looks healthy.

Yes, she looks quiet healthy. A malnourished Tarantula will have a small (smaller than the promosa) and possibly wrinkled opisthosoma (abdomen). Kamani's looks nice and healthy. You will notice the biggest change in abdomen size after a molt. Once she is molted her opisthosoma will be small, but it will get fat quick once she starts eating. On that note make sure that when she does molt to wait a week or two before you feed. She will be very fragile and could potentially damage a fang trying to eat to early. (A good rule of thumb is waiting til the fangs are solid black).

Thanks again for your insight and information. I am absolutely fascinated with Kamani and I hope she will be around for a long time.

Good luck with your new addition! I do love tarantulas, my wife Cheryl posted some of my tarantula photos here: http://www.frogforum.net/other-pets/...d-keepers.html

[Jace]

I'm so glad to hear she looks healthy! The crickets I've been giving her have been gut loaded with fresh fruits and veggies, so I hope they continue to keep her healthy. I haven't found any bolus yet, but she does most of her eating behind the silk plant backdrop and I haven't gone looking behind it yet as I don't want to stress her out. On the weekend I will very gently go on a scouting tour to remove any leftovers. I usually put in two crickets at a time and was told to remove any she had eaten as they could start nibbling on her. So far, I haven't found any to remove....but I am worried that they are hiding in the moss and coming out at night and harrassing her. Hopefully not (fingers crossed).

I read on a site that most tarantulas that are sold in pet stores are female-is there any truth to this? Can their sex be controlled like geckos, based on temperature, when they are bred? I am mostly hoping for a female because I know they live longer...and I'm not sure how getting a second one if it is a male will go over in my house....

Your tarantulas are absolutely gorgeous...I think I am going to be a single tarantula owner for now though....at least until I stop worrying about every little thing with her!! Thanks for all your help.

[flamesbane]

I'm so glad to hear she looks healthy! The crickets I've been giving her have been gut loaded with fresh fruits and veggies, so I hope they continue to keep her healthy. I haven't found any bolus yet, but she does most of her eating behind the silk plant backdrop and I haven't gone looking behind it yet as I don't want to stress her out. On the weekend I will very gently go on a scouting tour to remove any leftovers. I usually put in two crickets at a time and was told to remove any she had eaten as they could start nibbling on her. So far, I haven't found any to remove....but I am worried that they are hiding in the moss and coming out at night and harrassing her. Hopefully not (fingers crossed).

The big issue with the crickets bothering her is if she is molting, or fresh molted then they could potentially nibble or hurt her. Once she settles in and gets some webbing in there you can always drop the crickets in her "web" (it won't be a web like an orb weaver...it will look more like curtains) so that you will know right away when she gets them. If you are still worried roaches (B. dubia) are always an excellent option.

I read on a site that most tarantulas that are sold in pet stores are female-is there any truth to this? Can their sex be controlled like geckos, based on temperature, when they are bred? I am mostly hoping for a female because I know they live longer...and I'm not sure how getting a second one if it is a male will go over in my house....

No, actually more often then not tarantulas sold in pet stores are male (with avics it is 50/50). This is because almost all tarantulas in pet stores are wild caught, and it is much easier to catch a wandering Mature Male than a hidden female. Tarantula sacs are 50/50 sex wise, however there is some evidence to support a higher number of males 70/30 males to females. None of that is proven mind you.

Your tarantulas are absolutely gorgeous...I think I am going to be a single tarantula owner for now though....at least until I stop worrying about every little thing with her!! Thanks for all your help.

Most people can't just keep one tarantulas, they are quiet addictive. The big thing about tarantulas is not to worry, treat her like a plant and she will do fine. They are very low maintenance, and most are quiet hardy! Enjoy your new addition (and the ones that are to come ).

[Jace]

I probably should have mentioned this sooner, but the only plants I can keep alive are bamboo, peperomia and ficus.....my track record with anything else is rather dismal. So hopefully Kamani will be easier to take care of than say...and African Violet. I have a dead one of those on my deck. The only real thing I am concerned about is crickets hurting her and the humidity level. I live in a desert like place and we are going through a heat wave. My house does not have adequate air conditioning, so we have fans constantly going to just keep the air moving. Unfortunately, it dries everything out, and I am constantly misting my frogs, toads, geckos and now spider to ensure no-one gets too dry. Kamani does NOT like the mistings, though I never spray her direct, and try to keep the nozzle of the spray bottle close to the moss. She still kind of panics and goes deeper into the silk plant.

Would you perhaps know what temperature to bake sticks in the oven to sterilize them? I found some great ones at a local lake that I think Kamani would enjoy, but I don't want to risk introducing anything into her home that could harm her.

I am quite taken with your tarantula, H. longipes. The colouring is just amazing. How many tarantulas do you have in total? I'm going to let Kamani be the judge of whether I deserve any more of these amazing animals...if she thrives, then I am always up for another one!