Orders away!

Well, I mentioned in an earlier post about something in the pipeline for more Old World tarantulas so today I ordered a couple more little slings, first of all an Augacephalus species 'Mozambique' who should be here next Wednesday. It is a burrowing terrestrial spider from Mozambique in Southern Africa and is a very new arrival in the hobby, with this being one from the first batch of spiderlings available in the UK. I have no idea at present how large he will grow to, but photos I have seen of adult specimens are a golden colour, with amazing darker patterns similar to those which can be found on many of the African tarantulas. The full taxonomy of this tarantula is still being explored and as yet there is no scientific species name for it.

Secondly having seen a Pokie on holiday last year (The photo of it is my Blogger profile picture) in a moment of madness ordered one of those as well. The Poecilotheria Regalis (Indian Ornamental) comes, as its common name suggests from Southern India. It is a very beautiful and very fast arboreal tarantula with ornate white, grey and brown patterns, and has a striking threat pose when it has its adult colouration: the undersides of its first two sets of legs have black and yellow stripes which are displayed when it throws its legs in the air. Similar to a wasp's colours, its telling a predator to beware! I'd rather take the wasp.. they dont grow up to 9 inches!

I already spent 10 minutes making a very small arboreal setup ready for its arrival with some cork bark and substrate in a taller vial. ASDA has some very cheap but useful housing for tarantulas, not bad for 25p. Monster Munch's arboreal setup was also purchased very cheaply from there as he is still smaller, so not yet ready for a large glass enclosure. I'll perhaps do a small tutorial on that tomorrow to show just how easy and cost effective they are to make.

(note to self.. talking of African spiders.. I quite fancy a Pterinochilus Murinus, affectionatly known as the OBT (Orange Bitey Thing) because erm.. they are orange... and bitey.. Lee has slings for £3 at the Spider Shop or 5 for £12, its a good job he is closed for a couple of weeks :)