I'm very excited about this new development. Recently while visiting the local reptile shop for some live feeders I was admiring their tarantula section. The guy who breeds them/cages them/cares for them happened to be there that day, and was nearby while I showed my significant other the Venezuelan Suntiger adult they have on display (NFS). The tarantula guy overheard us admiring the spider and commented that he had a few for sale. There was much "It's so pretty! But I just don't know" before my boyfriend finally convinced me to go for it.
So I come home with a tarantula, and only a foggy idea of how to take care of it. The man at the store was very nice, said to keep one side slightly wet (misted) most of the time so the little spiderling has somewhere to drink, and maybe toss a cricket or two in every week. While I know that in comparison to herps tarantulas are much easier to care for, I got the itch to do more research and figure out more about this little creature hiding below a piece of corkbark in a mist like hole of web. In contrast to my usual habits (google, skim results, start picking through various message boards) I went out and bought a book. I gotta say, even if you only have a mild interest in tarantulas:
It is absolutely filled to the brim with fantastic information, very educational, and really helps you gain a perspective on tarantulas that washes away the silly thrill/fear that we are raised with through popular media and old wives' tales.
And while I found out there really isn't much more I need to do for the P. irminia (now know that it is ok to clean up after) I am much more prepared for any issues that arise, and a better idea of what to expect. Also thanks to this book, I have a list of tarantulas on my "wish list" that rivals my reptile one. I'll post more information with pictures of the eight legged black lightning bolt, and I strongly suspect that I'll be getting another eight legged addition as a birthday present to myself in the next week. Stay tuned!
