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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 7, 2015 3:59:26 GMT
Tarantulas have always been one of my side interests. So I thought that I would post some photo's of my modest personal collection. Something different to admire among the forum's many beautiful pictures. Top Left: Pink Toe Goliath Birdeater (Pseudotheraphosa apophysis) male Venezuela Feb.1995 Top Right: Pink Toe Goliath Birdeater (Pseudotheraphosa apophysis) female Venezuela 1994 Bottom Center: Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa leblondi) female French Guyana Feb.1995 Note: The lower ones abdomen appears red and not the uniform chestnut brown that it should be because this little honey was kept as a pet and she was always a "hair flicker" at the slightest bother. So all of its long irritating guard hairs are missing. But, still a wonderful piece.  |
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 8, 2015 2:04:49 GMT
Another female specimen of the Pink Toe Goliath Birdeater (Pseudotheraphosa apophysis).  |
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 8, 2015 2:08:52 GMT
King Baboon Spider (Citharischius crawshayi) female. Kenya (Aug.1994) This species has long been a favorite of mine regardless of its ill-tempered nasty disposition. It is a burrowing species known for excavating its tube burrow over a foot deep. It's hind legs are specially adapted for such work. They are stouter and stronger as compared to most other tarantulas. And unlike most other hairier species which flick irritating hairs at potential predators this monster will rear up on its longer hind legs, bare its fangs , and raise its first 2 sets of legs in the air in a defensive "threat posture". This behavior has also been seen amongst the Wandering spiders (Phoneutria) of South/Central America and the Funnelweb spiders (Atrax) of Australia. Very intimidating. Not a species for novice tarantula hobbyists !  |
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 8, 2015 2:10:59 GMT
Sri Lankan Ornamental (Poecilotheria fasciata) female. Sri Lanka (Nov.1995) This beautiful species is quite a sight. But, their genus has a personality all its own. A similar looking larger species is found in India and is known as the Indian Ornamental. These fellows tend to be skittish in their behavior. They also move very fast for a large spider and their venom is considerably more toxic (despite not having large fangs). They are also very adept at breaking "out of jail" and seemingly fit under the smallest gaps present in a cage. Again, not a species for novice beginner hobbyists. Note: A breeder friend was once bitten on his wrist by a fast moving Indian Ornamental whose cage he was cleaning and he grew quite sick in a matter of an hour and sought emergency assistance. He soon regained himself but, he never again underestimated the exotic's he was dabbling with.  |
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 8, 2015 2:13:30 GMT
Bolivian Steely-Blue Legged Birdeater (Pamphobeteus antinious) male. Peru (Feb.1995) The common name is something of a mis-nomer as most examples seen more often come from Peru. The steely-blue and or purplish sheen is quite prominent in most males. Females are black overall but, are much more heavily built. Very temperamental species as most exotic's are....  |
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 8, 2015 2:15:46 GMT
Usumbura Starburst Tarantula (Pterinochilus usumbura) female. Kenya (Feb.1993) This boldly colored medium sized tarantula always garners attention. But, again like most exotics their temperment is short and they tend to be rather aggressive generally speaking.  |
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 8, 2015 2:18:23 GMT
Travancore Ornamental (Poecilotheria rufilata) male. South India (Nov.1998) Lightly built, fast moving, aggressive, and skittish as are the rest of its brethren within its genus. Well there's my sampling of something a little different to peruse as you enjoy the forum. Hope you like the choices for photo's I've made. Could probably post 20 more if it didn't take quite so much time. But, these are enough probably for most people and these have really only been a side interest anyway. I'm still a lepidopterist at heart !  |
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 8, 2015 4:33:59 GMT
Oh' darn I apparently "liked"myself while editing my post 3 spaces above. Can anyone tell me how to "un-like" myself?
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Post by Paul K on Sept 8, 2015 5:02:34 GMT
Trehopr1 Your tarantula collection is amazing, however suffering for arachnophobia I can only look at the picture for short time before my hair stand up  . To unlike yourself you have to click like icon one more time, but why would you not like yourself  . Paul PS I see a little stars besides your specimens and I wonder what those means or mark? Is it same as A1 specimen or something? |
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 8, 2015 5:44:42 GMT
Thank you very much Paul for your helpful suggestion on fixing that mistake of mine. I'm still learning the many tiny details of the forum's use.
And yes, you are very much correct that all my A1 BEST examples get a gold star. As well as my expensive specimens and any others of particular personal importance.
Each is logged in a notebook which I keep. Any prices I've paid are also written in. This is done so that if anything should happen to me and I'm suddenly gone my son will visually know on sight which ones Dad found pretty darn important ! Prices I've paid are in the notebook so that he has some sense of value on these things. I also put the word "common" next to those deserving specimens. Again, just so he can differentiate A1 common material from A1 special material.
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Post by mygos on Sept 8, 2015 16:04:58 GMT
In the seventies I bred a few species of bird eating spiders, and kept many others. Unfortunately at that time, digital photography did not exist  One of my prefered species was Brachypelma smithi from Mexico ! A+, Michel |
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 8, 2015 17:52:12 GMT
That's pretty cool Mygos that you had an affinity for these things for a time. The Mexican Red Leg and Red Knee species (Brachypelma) have always been crowd favorites not only for their beautiful colors but, for their docile nature as well. I would have posted a picture of a nice A1 example --- if I had one. Unfortunately, I was not able to find any nice preserved examples amongst the 2 collections of Theraphosidae which I came across these last dozen years or so.
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Post by nomad on Sept 8, 2015 18:17:51 GMT
Nice title to your post  I believe this may have come from the British scientist J.B.S. Haldane as regards Beetles. The title also reminded me of this Oxford Museum exhibit.  |
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 8, 2015 23:47:55 GMT
A keen observation Nomad. Yes, the title was borrowed and altered slightly for my post. But, honestly that title best sums up my feelings for these creatures. I've never been a breeder of them nor have I really had a hobbyists passion to own and care for them. Inordinate fondness got the point across best ! The beetle book is quite good. I have a copy.
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Post by mygos on Sept 9, 2015 6:10:54 GMT
That's pretty cool Mygos that you had an affinity for these things for a time. The Mexican Red Leg and Red Knee species (Brachypelma) have always been crowd favorites not only for their beautiful colors but, for their docile nature as well. I would have posted a picture of a nice A1 example --- if I had one. Unfortunately, I was not able to find any nice preserved examples amongst the 2 collections of Theraphosidae which I came across these last dozen years or so. In fact my pseudo "Mygos" comes from Mygale which is the french translation of bird-eating spider. This was the quick name given to me at my boarding school by my room mates quite a few years ago A+, Michel |
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. To unlike yourself you have to click like icon one more time, but why would you not like yourself 
.
I believe this may have come from the British scientist J.B.S. Haldane as regards Beetles. 
