Apr 09

Mature Male Tarantulas Lacking Tibial Hooks

Anatomy, Information, Old World, Taxonomy No Comments »

There are so many mature male species of tarantulas lacking tibial hooks. The most iconic and distinct way to differentiate if your male tarantula has matured is through the presence of tibial hooks in addition to their enlarged pedipalps. But what if they do not posses those hooks? At maturity these species only have enlarged pedipalps.

 

We have alphabetically compiled this helpful list of current males who do not posses tibial hooks at maturity.

Genus Annandaliella:
pectinifera
travencorica

Genus Anoploscelus:
celeripes
lesserti

Genus Augacephalus:
junodi

Genus Chilobrachys:
andersoni
annandalei
assamensis
bicolor
brevipes
dyscolus
femoralis
fimbriatus
flavopilosus
fumosus
hardwicki
huahini
hubei
jingzhao
nitelinus
oculatus
paviei
pococki
sericeus
soricinus
stridulans
thorelli
tschankoensis

Genus Citharischius:
crawshayi
stridulantissimus

Genus Coremiocnemis:
cunicularia
tropix
valida

Genus Encyocratella:
olivacea

Genus Euphrictus:
spinosus
squamosus

Genus Heteroscodra:
crassipes
crassipes latithorax
maculata
pachypoda

Genus Heterothele:
affinis
atropha
caudicula
darcheni
decemnotata
gabonensis
honesta
hullwilliamsi
ogbunikia
spinipes
villosella

Genus Hysterocrates:
affinis
affinis angusticeps
apostolicus
crassipes
didymus
ederi
gigas
greeffi
greshoffi
haasi
hercules
laticeps
maximus
ochraceus
robustus
robustus sulcifer
scepticus
sjostedti
spellenbergi
vosseleri
weileri

Genus schnocolus:
algericus
andalusiacus
decoratus
fasciculatus
fuscostriatus
hancocki
holosericeus
jerusalemensis
jickelii
khasiensis
maroccanus
mogadorensis
numidus
rubropilosus
syriacus
tomentosus
triangulifer
tripolitanus
tunetanus
valentinus

Genus Lyrognathus:
crotalus
pugnax
robustus
saltator

Genus Metriopelma:
breyeri
coloratum
drymusetes
familiare
ledezmae
spinolosum
variegata
velox
zebratum

Genus Nhandu:
carapoensis

Genus Orphnaecus:
pellitus

Genus Pachistopelma (they do possess a shield of spines):
concolor
rufonigrim

Genus Phlogiellus:
aper
atriceps
baeri
bicolor
brevipes
inermis
insularis
nebulosus
ornatus
subarmatus
subinermis

Genus Phoneyusa:
antilope
belandana
bettoni
bidentata
bidentata ituriensis
bouvieri
buettneri
celerierae
chevalieri
cultridens
efuliensis
elephantiasis
gabonica
giltayi
gracilipes
gregori
lesserti
manicata
minima
mutica
nigroventris
principium
rufa
rutilata
westi

Genus Phormingochilus:
everetti
fuchsi
tigrinus

Genus Plesiophrictus:
Only certain males such as blatteri and madraspatanus have spurs – it is unknown which species do not possess spurs.

Genus Poecilotheria:
fasciata
formosa
hanumavilasumica
metallica
miranda
ornata
pederseni
pococki
regalis
rufilata
smithi
striata
subfusca
uniformis

Genus Selenocosmia:
arndsti
aruana
compta
crassipes
deliana
dichromata
effera
fuliginea
hasselti
hirtipes
honesta
imbellis
insignis
insulana
javanensis
javanensis brachyplectra
javanensis dolichoplectra
javanensis fulva
javanensis sumatrana
kovariki
kulluensis
lanceolata
lanipes
lyra
mittmannae
obscura
orophila
papuana
peerboomi
pritami
raciborskii
samarae
similis
stirlingi
strenua
strubelli
subvulpina
sutherlandi
tahanensis
valida

Genus Selenotholus:
foelschei

Genus Selenotypus:
plumipes

Genus Sericopelma:
commune
dota
fallax
ferrugineum
generala
immensum
melanotarsum
rubronitens
silvicola
striatum
upala

Genus Stromatopelma:
batesi
calceatum
calceatum griseipes
fumigatum
satanus

Genus Theraphosa:
blondi

stirmi

apophosys

Genus Thrigmopoeus:
insignis
truculentus

 

We hope this helps you in knowing which mature male species of tarantulas lack tibial hooks.

Please Note:
Original Genus List – Journal of the British Tarantula Society – ISSN 0962-449X May 2005, Vol. 20 No. 3 page 81 – A listing of male theraphosids which lack tibial apophyses by L.K. Ross and R.C. West

Aug 24

Sri Lanka Tarantulas (Poecilotheria) in the US

Information, Old World, Poecilotheria, Taxonomy No Comments »

USFWS has posted their final rule regarding five species of Sri Lankan tarantulas (Poecilotheria). The species below will be listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The rule becomes effective on August 30, 2018.

Poecilotheria smithi

1. Poecilotheria fasciata;
2. P. ornata;
3. P. smithi;
4. P. subfusca;
5. P. vittata.

Summary regarding the future domestic trade of these species. The below activities are prohibited under ESA:

■ Interstate and foreign commercial activity;
■ Selling or offering for sale in interstate or foreign commerce;
■ Import or export (without a permit from FWS for conservation purposes);
■ Possess, ship, deliver, carry, transport, sell or receive unlawfully taken wildlife.

Intrastate Commerce and Possession are legal:

Commercial activities that take place entirely in one state involving legally acquired and captive-bred endangered or threatened species are not prohibited by the ESA. This means you may keep and/or breed ESA-listed species.

Offer for Sale:

Endangered and threatened species may be advertised for sale but the advertisement must state that no sale may not occur until an interstate commerce permit (Captive Bred Wildlife, or CBW, permit) has been obtained from the Service for both parties involved. CBW permits are now rarely, if ever, provided to anyone outside of professional zoological institutions.

Full source: here

Credit to: USARK

Photo Credit: Tom Patterson

Apr 20

Best Beginner Tarantulas

Aphonopelma, Brachypelma, Grammostola, Information, Lasiodora, New World, Old World No Comments »

So you’ve decided you want a tarantula. You’ve become obsessed with watching feeding videos, molting videos, grooming videos, unpacking videos, hell, maybe you’ve even watched a couple of breeding videos – but what tarantula is right for you? Depending on your experience with other exotic animals, you may find yourself capable of what might otherwise be considered an intermediate species, but here is my list of the top 5 beginning species (with many bonus options) for those just starting out.

 

Even though I have narrowed this list down to five specific species, these species were chosen with an entire genus in mind. This widely opens your choices, which will largely be aesthetic. Like bright colors? Or jet black? Guess what, both choices can lay within the same genus – giving you varying types of eye candy with the same care needs and behaviors. And what qualities make a good beginner species, anyway? Species that hardy, eat well, grow quickly or grow large, move slowly, are not likely to bite, and have low venom potency are all qualities most people look for when looking for their first pet tarantula.

 

Grammostola pulchripes

Grammostola pulchripes (Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula): Okay, so I am a little biased with this species because it is what I personally started out with when I first got into tarantulas, and I’ll tell you why! Not only is this species hardy and of a very gentle disposition – but they get big and are quite lovely with their contrasting colors. Other species in this genus are also great choices because of their hardiness and there are a variety of colors you can choose from. Out of this genus, Grammostola rosea is often recommended as a beginner, but is known to be rather two-faced – calm and tolerant one moment, and ready to bite anything that moves the next. As long as you are not planning on handling though, that won’t be a problem! Other favorites in this genus include G. pulchra (the Brazilian Black) and G. iheringi (the Entre Rios – beautiful but a bit uncommon).

Brachypelma albopilosum

Brachypelma albopilosum (the Curly Hair Tarantula): Now, this species is just fun. Although it is largely brown, it’s charm lies in its long and (you guessed it) curly hairs. This species, and the others in its genus, are very easy to care for. Although many other Brachypelma species are more striking to look at due to their red or orange hues, the albopilosum is much less likely to flick hairs. Although many of the brachypelma genus are slow moving and easy to handle, their urticating hairs may leave you itching for hours, so handling is not recommended. Out of this genus, I have found that vagans is the most likely to show some attitude – and that can be a pro OR a con depending on what you like!

Lasiodora parahybana

Lasiodora parahybana (Salmon Pink Tarantula): Not only is the species fairly docile and a pinch to take care of – it is very cheap and easy to find! It is also one of the largest-growing species, reaching over 10 inches in size. This species is a fantastic eater and grows quickly, adding to its perks. There are other species in this genus that would be equally great choices, but their availability will be lower and their price will be more. Temperament can vary greatly between individual specimens, with attitude showing as they grow larger. Although their urticating hairs are not as bad as those belonging to Brachypelma, many people still have some sensitivities to them. Another perk despite the large size and voracious appetite of these tarantulas is their likelihood to hang out in the open for your viewing pleasure.

Aphonopelma chalcodes
Aphonopelma chalcodes (the Desert Blonde Tarantula): Just like the above suggestions, this genus has a ton of options. It is the genus that holds the tarantulas native to the United States, and species from this genus can be found through North and Central America. Care of species in this genus are similar to Brachypelma species, and there are a variety of species available to choose from. Although many species can be found close to home for American hobbyists, some species can still fetch a hefty price-tag due to captive bred Aphonopelma species being uncommon. They are not exactly fast growing, but you can usually pick up a juvenile or adult specimen for less than many other species of tarantulas.

Euathlus sp Red
Eathlus sp. Red (the Chilean Flame Tarantula): If a larger spider is not what you are picturing as your first spider, this dwarf species may be up your alley. This is a great species in that it is VERY docile and it’s care needs are simple. As this is a dwarf species barely reaching three inches, you’ll want to aim for a sub-adult or adult to ensure its easy-to-care for quality. This is a curious species that is apt to wanting to see what is going on outside of its enclosure. This species is incredibly slow growing, but for those just starting out a specimen of at least one inch could be just what you need to get your feet wet.
Written by: Christina Vulyak

Previous Entries

Verified by ExactMetrics