Eight-legged addition.

[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