Hi all,

I've always loved exotics and currently own a breeding pair of Giant Ground Geckos. About a year ago I decided to expand my horizons and aquire my first T. So now, after much research I've decided on a Chilean Red Rose (which I must still buy).

Firstly, I'm a little concerned about starting off with a T that's smaller than 4cms. I read that there's a period where they often keel over for no reason. Your thoughts?

I see many (most?) breeders post their spiders. Is this safe? :huh: I'd rather buy from someone in CT to avoid postage death... or am I being silly?

So please, teach me almighty teachers! For ya'll know much more than I.

Awesome forum. Great info.

C.

Yo Claro, let me start off by saying WELCOME... !! Enjoy your new venture !!

Let me then conclude with... I am sure most members here will also have something nice to say !!

Welcome Claro.

Taking care of slings - lmgtfy.com/?q=tarantula+sling+caresheet :P
Posting Tarantulas can and will surely put the Tarantula under some amount of stress. How much stress depends on the postman shaking the box and guessing what inside. Just jokes, but parcels get handled differently. Some are handled with care and others thrown around. It is usually safe but dont blame me if your sling molts in transit and passes.
I hope this answers your questions. Feel free to ask the forum any other question you may have.
Have you checked if it is legal to have Tarantulas in the Mother City?
Also why did you decide on a Chilean Rose Hair - except for it being the number one first pet Tarantula. Perhaps you can get some ideas on the forum on what to acquire for a first T. Check out- Brachypelma Albopilosum or a Grammastola Aureostriata.

Welcome to our forum.

I admire the fact that you do the research before the acquisition of the new animal.

Get both feet in it!

TH

@ The Animal, thanx. I was going to jump at it a year ago, but when I realised I didn't even know (back then) what the heck a "sling" was, I knew I had to wait and research it properly.

@ Vanhimself, I decided on the Chilean for three reasons - one, many of the forums/blogs I read said that it's a great starter T. Two, I'm a girl. Not a yay! pink! girly girl, but I'd like my first T to be pretty. Yes, yes, please don't shun me on my reason, I know it's silly. Third reason below...

Here's one of the blogs I used for reference purposes: tarantulakeeper.blogspot.com/2001/01/home.html

As for the keeping of T's in Cape Town. Yes, Cape Nature is incredibly full of nonsense with permits and rules concerning the keeping of "wild" animals. I've had a great amount of issues with them and the keeping of Chilnchillas. But some T's can be kept with the necessary licenses and Chileans fall under that category. Many of the other "beginner T's" do not fall in the category.

Welcome Claro