So after some research, I’m not getting a Tarantula. I’m getting TWO tarantulas and I’m seriously jazzed. All my life I have been an “Arachna-head”, probably due to an utter love affair with Charlotte’s Web when I was young.

Wilbur the pig? Meh. (baconnnn…mmmmm.)

It was Charlotte who caught my attention, and never fully released it.

Most of my life, with the exception of a period of marital “un-bliss” many years ago, I haven’t had the time nor inclination to have a pet, except for the house spiders who weren’t really pets, rather roommates. 😀

I don’t kill em’, won’t let guests kill em’, and have, over the years discovered that they are the best no-pest strips ever invented.

Currently I have three different species of spider I co-habitate with:

1. A solitary Wolf spider who lives in the back of my pantry, only occasionally coming out to wave at me while I’m in the bathroom. (About the size of a 50cent piece tip to tip.)

2. A solitary “Parson’s Spider who roams the corridors in search of evil pesty bugs and such. (Size of a nickel tip to tip.)

…and 3. The Barn funnel weaver. These buggers are pretty much everywhere in Colorado, and pretty much stay out of the way. (Size varies, but usually small, and almost always the dumb asses fall into the bathtub, requiring rescue.) If you see cobwebs in the winter in the corners of rooms, pretty much blame these walking raid cans.

BUT, at the back of my head has there has always been a desire for two types of pet. The choices would be large bird (McCaw, or something similar), or Tarantulas. The problem with the bird choice is that they are smart, and social, and you cannot just leave em’ alone or they go nuts. Literally. They need company and companionship and attention, and I’m not willing to commit to that. Maybe at some point, but not yet.

Tarants on the other hand are more like cats. As long as they get to eat once in awhile, they could care less about you.

Also, no walking, no grooming, no spaying, neutering, and no picking up of poop or putrid smelling litter boxes…

and of course they are absolutely gorgeous in coloration, form and movement. (Although some variations are about as mobile and exciting as a rock, and in the trade are actually sometimes referred to as “Pet Rocks”. heh. )

Decision firmed up in the last few weeks, I started heavy research on sellers, habitats, mating information, breeding stuff, and general handling characteristics.

There are some types of Tarantulas that are known as Arboreal, meaning tree dwellers. The other type are “terrestrial” meaning ground/burrowing types.

Of the two, the Terrestrial variations are much easier to handle, care for and have a wider tolerance for different climates. They are also much more “docile”, meaning they can be handled if necessary (in fact some species actually LIKE it).

As a first time owner, I decided on two different…similar species. The first, a Chaco Golden Knee, which are considered docile, and can grow to over eight inches in diameter. Big, but not the largest. The Golden Knee, if cared for properly can live up to thirty years.

The second is a more common “first timer” called the Chilean Rose which is less expensive, has similar characteristics (mannerisms) to the Golden Knee, and are slightly smaller (Five inches diameter) and live 5-15 years.

So in the next week or so I’ll be the proud pappa, er, owner of two Slings. Oh…slings means “spiderling”. Both of them will be less than inch in diameter, meaning they are just out of the “nymph” stage (what they are called when they hatch before their first molting.) Think of it as a kitten or puppy that has opened its eyes and is big enough to take care of.

The slideshow below has captions and such. The picture at the very top of the post is the big girl, the Golden Knee.

Bet you can’t tell I’m excited, eh?  😀

Now back to my regularly scheduled date with a word processor.