Eight-legged addition.

[Jace]

Thanks for the information on the wood. I have left the wood to really dry out on my carport as I did fish it out of the water of a local lake. I am going to bake it and then use it in my terriariums. I am trying to find a cheaper way of setting up my frog and spider homes as the wood you buy in a pet store can be overly expensive. I am concerned about mites and whatnot, but if I cure the wood over several weeks, it should be okay.

I haven't been dusting the crickets at all, nor do I dust their food. Glad I nailed that part!! I will pick two or three days a week and give her the recommended crickets and go from there. Unlike with frogs and geckos, it's hard to tell if a spider is getting enough sometimes.

This morning I noticed more webbing. Does this mean she might be getting prepared to molt? Should I increase the humidity to help her?

I looked up L. parachybana-gorgeous looking spider but I was surprised at how big they can get!! 8-10"!! My largest African Giant Bullfrog is 9" and I just can't imagine a tarantula that big. However, I think I might do some more research as the look and size of that one has definitely peaked my interest!!

[Jace]

I managed to take a couple of pics of her webbing; it's pretty much doubled what she had before. Busy girl last night!!

[flamesbane]

Thanks for the information on the wood. I have left the wood to really dry out on my carport as I did fish it out of the water of a local lake. I am going to bake it and then use it in my terriariums. I am trying to find a cheaper way of setting up my frog and spider homes as the wood you buy in a pet store can be overly expensive. I am concerned about mites and whatnot, but if I cure the wood over several weeks, it should be okay.

As long as you let it cure it will be fine, some people even microwave wood to sterilize it.

I haven't been dusting the crickets at all, nor do I dust their food. Glad I nailed that part!! I will pick two or three days a week and give her the recommended crickets and go from there. Unlike with frogs and geckos, it's hard to tell if a spider is getting enough sometimes.

As long as the opisthosoma is plump she is fine.

This morning I noticed more webbing. Does this mean she might be getting prepared to molt? Should I increase the humidity to help her?

Probably not if she just took food. Most tarantula will fast for a little while before they molt. However avics do like high humidity, so keep it pretty humid in there anyway and she will be fine when she gets ready to molt.

I looked up L. parachybana-gorgeous looking spider but I was surprised at how big they can get!! 8-10"!! My largest African Giant Bullfrog is 9" and I just can't imagine a tarantula that big. However, I think I might do some more research as the look and size of that one has definitely peaked my interest!!

I had a mature male that was 11.5" so they do get big. On the plus side they are super cheap and little eating machines.

I managed to take a couple of pics of her webbing; it's pretty much doubled what she had before. Busy girl last night!!

She definitely looks like she is getting comfy!

Now for those pics:



A shot down my female P. pederseni's enclosure, you can see her in the lower right hand corner. This is the simplest way to keep arboreal tarantulas.



Here is a shot of the same enclosure from the side.



How I keep slings



A. versicolor sling with my thumb for comparison.



Inside the little versi's home.



N. chromatus enclosure.



A picture of the N. chromatus.



Juvie. female L. parahybana in her hide



The L.P.'s enclosure, showing the hide I made.



Same enclosure from the front



Juvie Female G. pulchra



Giving her a roach



Going in for the bite.



And supper time!

[Jace]

First, your pics....wow. Thank you for sharing. How do you open up the top of the arboreals setup if there is webbing near the top? I would feel guilty if I wrecked Kamani's hard efforts. Especially since hers is looking more and more like a tunnel. I am worried about her setup being a bit large in terms of her being able to hunt the crickets I put in there, but I like the front opening doors......

I am so taken with the A. versicolors!! I have drooled over them in my new tarantula book and yours are absolutely gorgeous. I can't believe how small the slings are. I can see what you mean by them being so fragile-how could they possible survive being shipped? However, I discovered one for sale at my local pet store. Rather, it says "Antilles Pink Toe". It is on sale for $90, down from $120. I can't get a good look at the actual tarantula as there is a lot of webbing in the setup.

Your juvie L.P. looks really neat upclose. How big is she right now? An 11.5" male you had?? I'm not sure how that big of a spider would go over in this house...but I will do some more reading on them for sure.

Would Kamani be able to handle a hissing roach do you think? I'm not sure if I could get the roach to climb the silk plant I have....she might like the treat and I have 18 of them on top of my entertainment unit...with more on the way....Very neat to see the pic sequence of your G. pulchra hunting. That is a gorgeous looking spider, too. I am starting to understand your love of tarantulas.

I will keep Kamanis' tank misted and her dish topped with water. I have yet to see her drink, but she is obviously quite busy once the lights go off at night. Her tunnel is coming along very niely. When I go to the lake this Saturday, I am going to check out some tree bark and possible bring some home to make a hide for her. I've already taken measurements from the outside of the tank, but she still didn't like the tape measure. Now, back to my tarantula book...which is also coming with me to the lake!!

[Musicpanda]

I wish I had a Goliath Spider big and fuzzy is a must for me when it comes to spiders, I'm scared of the small ones not knowing were they will strike me next... Nice pet Jo-Anna! I don't know much about spiders but sure is a looker

[Jace]

Thank you, Leonard. With Wills' help, reading and observing Kamani, I have learned a lot, and still have lots to go. I was really ignorant about tarantulas, and now I can really understand the fascination and intrigue surrounding them. I'm still worried about her first molt and whether she is eating enough, but I have to learn to just relax and go with the flow....lol!

[flamesbane]

I some how forgot about this thread...lol

First, your pics....wow. Thank you for sharing. How do you open up the top of the arboreals setup if there is webbing near the top? I would feel guilty if I wrecked Kamani's hard efforts. Especially since hers is looking more and more like a tunnel. I am worried about her setup being a bit large in terms of her being able to hunt the crickets I put in there, but I like the front opening doors......

Tarantulas aren't very bright, however after their web gets damaged a few times they will generally quit building there. If your girl make a good tube web just drop her food into the opening. I like to crush the heads of the prey when I go this, that way I can remove it later if the T isn't hungry.

I am so taken with the A. versicolors!! I have drooled over them in my new tarantula book and yours are absolutely gorgeous. I can't believe how small the slings are. I can see what you mean by them being so fragile-how could they possible survive being shipped? However, I discovered one for sale at my local pet store. Rather, it says "Antilles Pink Toe". It is on sale for $90, down from $120. I can't get a good look at the actual tarantula as there is a lot of webbing in the setup.

A. versicolors are beautiful T's, but one problem with Avics in general is that their genetics are very murky. They crossbreed regularly in the wild and are often imported under incorrect names. So it would be hard to say what your pet store may actually have.

Your juvie L.P. looks really neat upclose. How big is she right now? An 11.5" male you had?? I'm not sure how that big of a spider would go over in this house...but I will do some more reading on them for sure.

She recently molted and is right under 6"

Would Kamani be able to handle a hissing roach do you think? I'm not sure if I could get the roach to climb the silk plant I have....she might like the treat and I have 18 of them on top of my entertainment unit...with more on the way.....Very neat to see the pic sequence of your G. pulchra hunting. That is a gorgeous looking spider, too. I am starting to understand your love of tarantulas.

She would probably be able to handle a large nymph, especially one that is fresh molted. Try feeding it to her off tongs, that way you make sure she get her meal.

Thank you, Leonard. With Wills' help, reading and observing Kamani, I have learned a lot, and still have lots to go. I was really ignorant about tarantulas, and now I can really understand the fascination and intrigue surrounding them. I'm still worried about her first molt and whether she is eating enough, but I have to learn to just relax and go with the flow....lol!

Tarantulas are a lot like bonsai, they take a lot of patience! That's why more are better, you've always got one molting or eating or doing something else!