Jade, extraordinary breeder of inverts, has sent me a treasure trove of new photos of his wards. I'll be passing them along in bits and pieces, so as to spread the tarantula and roach posts out. Here are the first four, complete with info straight from the expert himself.
1) Usumbara orange starburst baboon (Pterinochilus murinus). Over in their native Africa they have earned the name of 'orange bitey thing', and it is well deserved. They'll take on all comers, any time, any place. Unlike other tarantulas that are static in their hunting technique, these tarantulas will pick and choose to be arboreal, terrestrial, or burrowers, and will likely change tactics a couple of times over their lifespan.
2) Antillies pinktoe (Avicularia versicolor). These northern Brazilian tarantulas are some of the most colorful and docile tarantulas out there. This is Jade's favorite species, and that's saying something. This particular individual (a female) just passed on a couple of days ago. May you find abundant prey in the Spider Elysian Fields.
3) Red and white birdeater (Nhandu chromatus). Meet Nightcrawler. She is so-named because she moves so fast, it seems that she teleports. Jade opened her egg sac seven years ago, and they have been companions ever since. These birdeaters are a fairly aggressive species (much to birds' dismay). Nightcrawler has a leg span of 6.5".
4) Mexican gold (Brachypelma rhunaui). This one actually belongs to Jade's lady, Rachel. This species is fairly docile and can reach a leg span of 6", though this 10-year-old specimen is 4" across. The females can reach an age of 20-30 years. They make for wonderful display tarantulas, since they are terrestrial and don't really make use of hides. But they're rare and expensive (about $80 for a hatchling).
Sep 14, 2008
Tarantulas Galore
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13 comments:
Jade, I'm sorry you lost your pinktoe - what a beauty! How old was she?
I didn't get her at birth, but I'd estimate about five years or so. The problem with any Avicularia species is they'll sometimes die with no apparent cause. Such is the price I pay for my favorite bugs.
Through the heebie-jeebies, I manage to sense a little bit of admiration creeping through. Great pics and amazing beasties. They're still big hairy spiders, though.
Thanks, James. Once you see just how pretty they can get, it's a bit easier to let some of the fear slide.
Ughughhghgh...... *faints*
I am sorry you lost a baby. =(
The birdeater is really beautiful, love the legs :)
My mom had a tarantula when I was a weeee baby. Never knew what kind it was because shortly after I got brought home, it escaped... and was found dead on the stairs later. Thus ended the tarantula ownership.
Good thing too, because apparently I was a screamer, and that plus a tarantula equals neverending parent migraines.
Lovely!
My condolences, too, on the loss of your spider.
When I was about 6 or so, I held my first tarantula at the Tilden Park nature center in Berkeley. I remember being told to put one hand in front of the other to let her keep walking. I also remember her feet padding across my palms feeling like cat toes: cool, soft skin, slightly velvety. Maybe that's why I love them, because I had such a wonderful bonding experience with that little lady.
Aw, poor thing. Very lovely. Sadly my admiration of tarantulas is visual only, as I squeak in fear and flee rather than let one touch me. ^_^
Nightcrawler looks like she's wearing a skeleton costume--or at least skeleton leggings. :D
Absolutely gorgeous! I have had three myself over more than a decade and admire them greatly.
Beautiful.
on one hand they are beautiful creatures, and on the other hand freaky lookin.
not sure i could hold one ;p
Wow! Your tarantula are pretty bi, my brother had just bought slings two months ago and Im always checking , I also saw it moults.
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