Comments on: Tarantula from Costa Rica http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2009/05/14/tarantula-from-costa-rica-2/ Are we experts yet? Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:43:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Osprey101 http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2009/05/14/tarantula-from-costa-rica-2/comment-page-1/#comment-3935 Osprey101 Mon, 25 May 2009 03:03:15 +0000 http://www.whatsthatbug.com/?p=15915#comment-3935 Normally the white knees are very distinctive on A. geniculata; I have a bunch of them, but never raised any to maturity. But- judging by the size of the abdomen, it's male- which means it's probably at its final moult, meaning it will die soon (within a few months). It may not even feed. Some Ts have hooks on the inside of the front legs- used to capture the female's legs as they mate, and she pretty much tries to kill him. Not all Ts have these, but if there are such hooks present, then he's definitely a male, and it's definitely his final moult. The males go wandering once they mature, trying to find females (which live much longer lives- frequently in burrows). You may wish to let him go with this in mind, or find someone with a female. The Asian and African Ts are the arboreal ones (hanging out in trees) for the most part. Ts from the Americas are terrestrial, and a fall from a substantial height- sometimes even a foot or less- is often fatal, particularly for large females with their big abdomens. Good luck! Normally the white knees are very distinctive on A. geniculata; I have a bunch of them, but never raised any to maturity. But- judging by the size of the abdomen, it’s male- which means it’s probably at its final moult, meaning it will die soon (within a few months). It may not even feed. Some Ts have hooks on the inside of the front legs- used to capture the female’s legs as they mate, and she pretty much tries to kill him. Not all Ts have these, but if there are such hooks present, then he’s definitely a male, and it’s definitely his final moult.

The males go wandering once they mature, trying to find females (which live much longer lives- frequently in burrows). You may wish to let him go with this in mind, or find someone with a female.

The Asian and African Ts are the arboreal ones (hanging out in trees) for the most part. Ts from the Americas are terrestrial, and a fall from a substantial height- sometimes even a foot or less- is often fatal, particularly for large females with their big abdomens.

Good luck!

]]> By: lttlechkn http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2009/05/14/tarantula-from-costa-rica-2/comment-page-1/#comment-3742 lttlechkn Fri, 15 May 2009 17:21:48 +0000 http://www.whatsthatbug.com/?p=15915#comment-3742 I am going to include a link this time to a photo of a male CR Zebra, because well I forgot to last night. Apologies for this. Okay so here is the beautiful little guy that I was referring to http://www.swiftinverts.com/species/Asm1.jpg . I am going to ask if the original poster could, to try and take some more close up shots of the legs, and the hair on the body (please be cautious, whether he is friendly or not, tarantulas are still wild creatures and can be hostile at times) so as to assist in further identifying this little guy. Alright, I must be off to work... I just can't get enough of this site. Take care all, and I will check back later to see if anyone else has any ideas.... Tina I am going to include a link this time to a photo of a male CR Zebra, because well I forgot to last night. Apologies for this. Okay so here is the beautiful little guy that I was referring to http://www.swiftinverts.com/species/Asm1.jpg . I am going to ask if the original poster could, to try and take some more close up shots of the legs, and the hair on the body (please be cautious, whether he is friendly or not, tarantulas are still wild creatures and can be hostile at times) so as to assist in further identifying this little guy. Alright, I must be off to work… I just can’t get enough of this site. Take care all, and I will check back later to see if anyone else has any ideas….

Tina

]]> By: Susan J. Hewitt http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2009/05/14/tarantula-from-costa-rica-2/comment-page-1/#comment-3739 Susan J. Hewitt Fri, 15 May 2009 13:22:53 +0000 http://www.whatsthatbug.com/?p=15915#comment-3739 Hi Daniel, I think you have some real tarantula experts in your readership now, but my totally amateur guess (please folks correct me if I am wrong) is a male <i>Acanthoscurria geniculata</i>. Although its knees are only a little bit white, it does look rather like the individual shown here: http://www.swiftinverts.com/species/Agen1m.jpg Best wishes to you, Susan J. Hewitt Hi Daniel, I think you have some real tarantula experts in your readership now, but my totally amateur guess (please folks correct me if I am wrong) is a male Acanthoscurria geniculata. Although its knees are only a little bit white, it does look rather like the individual shown here: http://www.swiftinverts.com/species/Agen1m.jpg

Best wishes to you, Susan J. Hewitt

]]> By: lttlechkn http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2009/05/14/tarantula-from-costa-rica-2/comment-page-1/#comment-3738 lttlechkn Fri, 15 May 2009 07:41:44 +0000 http://www.whatsthatbug.com/?p=15915#comment-3738 I am not an expert, but I do believe that this tarantula is actually the Costa Rican Zebra tarantula (Aphonopelma seemani). Will burrow in captivity. 6" or more of substrate should be provided. Skittish / nervous and not recommend for handling. Does well with higher humidity. Mating is a bit difficult in captivity, as the females are not always receptive and males are typically very nervous/skittish. (Information found on http://www.beccastarantulas.com/index.html ) I am not an expert, but I do believe that this tarantula is actually the Costa Rican Zebra tarantula (Aphonopelma seemani). Will burrow in captivity. 6″ or more of substrate should be provided. Skittish / nervous and not recommend for handling. Does well with higher humidity. Mating is a bit difficult in captivity, as the females are not always receptive and males are typically very nervous/skittish. (Information found on http://www.beccastarantulas.com/index.html )

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