Right so, over the long weekend I began my T expedition.

I purchased all the necessary equipment – substrates, decorations, crickets, water bottle (spray bottle), and heat pads and so on….. I also got my first 2 T’s – 1 x Curly Hair (7cm or so) and a Mexican Red knee (2-3cm).

After all the prep work on their enclosures I moved them into their new homes – both seem quite chuffed to date, I was a little concerned that there new homes we too large for them yet feeding has been ok. Both these guys are hammering down crickets like they were going out of fashion – I take this as a good sign….

A couple of days later I got myself a Chaco Golden Knee (8cm or so) – he seems a little grouchy atm as it looks like he is going to shed (or malt, not sure the correct wording) – So I got him in his new enclosure without too much drama, he doesn’t seem to want to eat anything, but I’m hoping this is due to his current condition. He is quite active, always walking about and hanging on the window and such – I’m hoping this is how they behave in general as the Curly Hair is far more chilled – he doesn’t seem to go far at all!

So far I feel I’m on the right track, all 3 T’s seem happy and I haven’t seen and bad signs like they are unhappy or anything like that (possibly concerned a little on the Chaco – not 100% sure about him atm) but am hoping he will be ok! – I’m thoroughly enjoying my T’s they are awesome to watch and care for. Atm I let them be, I don’t like bossing them about and fidgeting with them too much, they are peacefully creatures and I intend to keep them that way – none the lees I am loving these guys to bits they rock!!!

Any advice on anything that I’ve mentioned in the above will be gr8ly welcomed. Thanks to all for the gr8 support and warm welcome here on the T site – you all rock too!!!!!

- P.S I will post some pics soon of my collection + also some lol youtube links of the noob at work!

Hi, and welcome to the [strike]addiction [/strike]hobby!

Sounds like you're off to a proper start.

Quick question though. The Grammostola pulchripes (Chaco golden knee). How wet is the substrate?

Hi Marius, at the moment the substrate is rather wet, I'm concerend i've maybe overcooked it with the water bottle...

Yup. They're not fond of getting their feet wet, that's why it is hanging onto the sides.

You can keep it on completely dry substrate with a nice shallow water dish that you overfill once in a while and it'll thank you for it.

G. pulchripes don't like wet substrate. This is probably why it's climbing the tank. Let it dry out, and rather use a water dish, or once it's dry, only mist half the tank and leave the other half bone dry. With that size T, misting regularly is not necessary. Maybe once a week.

Thanks guys for all the help, I will let the enclosure dry out tonight and see if his behavior changes at all. - also a quick question.

is there any sort of "rule of thimb" as to when the T's going to mault? - My Chaco has lost a fair section of his butt hair and his colour is exceptionally dull. - from this info could you take a guess at how long till he will malt, also - do you have any advice on what to do when this process is in motion.