OMG I kind of "rescued" a tarantula-- help!

[ssssnakeluvr]

if I was able to fill my entire wish list.....I would have my own huge zoo!!!!!! I do have 3 tarantulas....1 rose hair and 2 white striped bird eaters....

[tikichick]

They are cute, esp. the really "furry" ones



These "starter" T's like you got are sweet and gentle (usually, lol). They're similar to lizards in handling - no sudden moves, support from underneath, try not to approach from above (like a predator would), touch them gently - though with these you gotta be really gentle.

There are videos on arachnoboards showing how to handle them. I have most of mine in little cups (because they're spiderlings, aka slings), so I just tilt the cup and "pour" them into my hand. In a tank, doing what Loren said with the gentle nudge into your hand should work well. Unless it's really frightened, you shouldn't worry about it biting you while you hold it - they don't bite the ground they walk on

I got over my insane fear of snakes, so I know you can do it with spiders

[Lori P]

I had this sudden thought that the tarantula gets out and comes strolling into the living room and out of sheer reaction I stomp it... LOLOL... but I don't ever stomp anything, so I wouldn't really do that. Well, sometimes I stomp wasps in the barn but only so they don't sting the horses.

[Sputnik]

Now that's what I call true love! Feeling protective of the creepiest little thing and swallowing your discomfort for the sake of saving it from a nasty fate!
You are a real star, Lori! So, how's Valentina doing this morning?

[GarterGuy]

Good save Lori....nice little Rosehair. Everyone's given good advice and the Arachnoboards are a great source of info. (used to be on there when I had a ton of inverts. many years ago) Watch you don't keep her too moist though.....she is a semi-arid species and if kept at room temp.(where I keep mine), too much moisture can lead to fungal infections...the spiders literally get "moldy". I keep my RoseHair in a ten gallon tank, and with out pucking legs or crushing head she does just fine catching her crickets. As far as mealworms, watch that they don't just burrow into the substrate and vanish. My little girl will sometimes take then, and if she's really hungry, I've watched her actually dig one up that had gotten away and burrowed under some. She looks a little "beat up" now, but after a good molt she'll look good as new and all furry again. Oh and hope you're into this for the long haul.......I got my girl Pink as an adult and I've had her now for 14yrs.....I've heard they can go into their 20's...gives you plenty of time to get used to her. Oh and don't feel that you have to handle her, I handle mine VERY little, just because of the urticating hairs and because I do think it stresses them out. Good luck with her.

[Lori P]

Oh good heavens, now I have to worry about moldy spiders... LOL!!! Thanks so much Roy, really appreciate the info. I'm definitely a long haul kind of person, no worries there. Once I commit to a critter(s) I can't give them up unless it's for their own good. One thing I do keep running thru my head is, I want to make sure I don't get something that will outlive me... I tend to forget I'm not 20 anymore... I figure I have 30 more good years to give to my critters before I wear out completely. LOL!

[garterman07]

i love those!!!!!!!!!!!! that was my first exotic pet a rose hair. i named her rossie of course.....shes 12 years old now =) i love my spider i have her in a 10 gallon tank with oddly some hamster houses that she likes! u should feel really lucky. i love rose hairs and yes ur tank is perfect. (atleast for now 10 gallon is way better) remember don't use ne thing with cedar in it that will kill them. also u have to moisten the cage maybe once or twice a day with a spray bottle so the spiders book lungs don't dry out, they're tropical most rose hairs are from chile, and almost all are wild caught. they are really really hard to breed in captivity. also don't put too many crickets in at a time cause they will gang up on the spider. rose hairs are perfectly safe to hold they are probably the most friendly spider out there. molting is a pretty dangerous time though. when ur see ur spider lay on her back they're not dead...just molting remove all crickets and keep the cage super moist, and after they are done leave the exoskeleton, just leave her alone for like 3 days then put in crickets and she will eat them all cause shes tired.



congradulations!!!! and thanks for saving the little guy. i hate it when i see roses like that get such a horrible fate.i wish i could save them all but i can't unfortunantly.

[Loren]

Lori- fear often comes from lack of understanding. Keep learning about her and observing her, and your fears will subside with time. Knowledge of the animal will override the misconceptions that have been burned into us by bad movies and whatnot.

[Lori P]

i love those!!!!!!!!!!!! that was my first exotic pet a rose hair. i named her rossie of course.....shes 12 years old now =) i love my spider i have her in a 10 gallon tank with oddly some hamster houses that she likes! u should feel really lucky. i love rose hairs and yes ur tank is perfect. (atleast for now 10 gallon is way better) remember don't use ne thing with cedar in it that will kill them. also u have to moisten the cage maybe once or twice a day with a spray bottle so the spiders book lungs don't dry out, they're tropical most rose hairs are from chile, and almost all are wild caught. they are really really hard to breed in captivity. also don't put too many crickets in at a time cause they will gang up on the spider. rose hairs are perfectly safe to hold they are probably the most friendly spider out there. molting is a pretty dangerous time though. when ur see ur spider lay on her back they're not dead...just molting remove all crickets and keep the cage super moist, and after they are done leave the exoskeleton, just leave her alone for like 3 days then put in crickets and she will eat them all cause shes tired.



congradulations!!!! and thanks for saving the little guy. i hate it when i see roses like that get such a horrible fate.i wish i could save them all but i can't unfortunantly.

When I got home tonite, she was in a different spot again- still under the greenery but on the other side. :-) So at least she has some stimulation now and can stretch those hairy legs!! It looks like she hollowed out some of the substrate, too.

I actually looked at some hamster houses at Petsmart today!! They had some shaped like tree stumps with little thatched roofs. I'll have to get her one.

I think what I'll do is wait a few weeks and then move her to a 10 gallon. Give her time to settle first and start eating. Don't want to overwhelm her too soon...

You guys are all so awesome. Thank you again for helping me!!!!! :-)

[Loren]

Here's my girl.