New Critter from this past weekend

pcar · 05-20-08, 12:34 PM

Well, this past weekend I was vending at the show here in Austin. I didn't buy anything, but did win one raffle. The only things left were some Arachnids (T's and a few scorpions). I have never had either of them, but I have always been interested in Tarantulas. So I ended up choosing a Grammostola aureostriata (Chaco Golden Knee). These guys get about 8" and are considered a Gentle Giant. This one is about a year old currently, and I may end up looking at getting one or two more of them as I get to know them better.

Here are a few pictures of Aragog. Enjoy.

**hardwired** · 05-20-08, 04:05 PM

OMG, he is so beautiful! I love tarantulas and had them when I was younger until I figured out I was allergic to their spines. I am jealous! Good luck with that project!

**Dionythicus** · 05-20-08, 05:23 PM

He's beautiful! I want to get more of the southwestern species like that.

**HanneysCorns** · 05-20-08, 06:58 PM

Oh my word! Now that is one hairy creature! Although I can admire them from afar...in pictures, on computer monitors, in delis at a show...I just can't for the life of me ever imagine I'd be brave enough to hold one.

They do seem to be the hit of the arachnid world. Little spiders I can handle...they keep the bugs down. Big spiders, especially hairy ones, plain and simple, give me goosebumps.

Ah, maybe one day I'll be able to get the nerve up to actually see one 'up close and personal'...it's just mind over matter...or so they say...

How big do those guys get? He's/she's huge now and he's still got growing to do! Yikes!

Ruth

pcar · 05-21-08, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by HanneysCorns

Oh my word! Now that is one hairy creature! Although I can admire them from afar...in pictures, on computer monitors, in delis at a show...I just can't for the life of me ever imagine I'd be brave enough to hold one.

They do seem to be the hit of the arachnid world. Little spiders I can handle...they keep the bugs down. Big spiders, especially hairy ones, plain and simple, give me goosebumps.

Ah, maybe one day I'll be able to get the nerve up to actually see one 'up close and personal'...it's just mind over matter...or so they say...

How big do those guys get? He's/she's huge now and he's still got growing to do! Yikes!

Ruth

Thanks Ruth. This is my first one and the first one that I have ever held. I was a bit worried at first, but this one is very docile and just liked to hang out. This is a male so will be the smaller between the two sexes. The males will get around 8" and the females about 10".

Layla · 05-21-08, 11:58 AM

Hey there! Awesome addition. I have bred these and Im not sure who told you the male female size thing but it was a bit wrong. They max out at, male or female....8". They are a great first time spider. I wouldnt personally reccomend holding any spiders, too much can go wrong and if the drop they can and will bleed to death. They like it not bone dry but not too moist either. Overflowing a small water dish (with nothing in it but water) should be just fine. If its only a year old Im the pope :P Even with powerfeeding it Id say its 2 at least. Inverts are incredibly difficult to sex but my babies I kept back are over 2 years old and smaller than that. Aragog is a great name!

pcar · 05-21-08, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by Layla

Hey there! Awesome addition. I have bred these and Im not sure who told you the male female size thing but it was a bit wrong. They max out at, male or female....8". They are a great first time spider. I wouldnt personally reccomend holding any spiders, too much can go wrong and if the drop they can and will bleed to death. They like it not bone dry but not too moist either. Overflowing a small water dish (with nothing in it but water) should be just fine. If its only a year old Im the pope :P Even with powerfeeding it Id say its 2 at least. Inverts are incredibly difficult to sex but my babies I kept back are over 2 years old and smaller than that. Aragog is a great name!

that is what I had been reading, but was told this morning on another forum that the females can reach 10. this is only the second time I have held Aragog. I am afraid of dropping him so I try not to at all. I have humidity around 55% right now according to my gauge and that seems to be right in the middle of everything I have read about them so far. The people I got him from got it as a s'ling a year to a year and a half ago from a shop here in Austin. I am just going by what they told me.

**nwheat** · 05-21-08, 02:57 PM

Congrats! I love the name!!

shaky · 05-21-08, 10:07 PM

Wicked!
What a marvelous wee beastie!

Leisson · 05-22-08, 01:27 AM

Very beautifull T you got! and everthign i've ever knwo about these beautys is they do Max out @ 8inch male or female and from what i can see i dont see any hooks on yours so i'd say you got a female and by the looks of the container you got her set up right as she is a a burrower so be sure to have plenty of substrate coco husk and peat moss mix is usually best for these you can add a little bti of vermiculite if you wish but they dont need alot of humidity 45-50 is plenty 60% during molt. and she is a terrestrial so she needs little to no hight with lots of ground space to burrow