Amazonius germani (ex. Tapi/ Pseudoclamoris) gigas "Orange Tree Spider" Rehousing and Husbandry

A loooong rehousing and husbandry video featuring my Tapinauchenius gigas juvenile. As usual, we hoped for the best but planned for the worst. It was actually quite the calm and polite spider. :)

[@Spyder_King]

Mad respect for these slow, cautious, safe rehousing vids. Infinitely more educational to watch these before doing my own rehousings than crazy bolting "whered he go?!" vids. Also, DARN YOU Tom! Now I have to add another one to my wishlist! I did recently get two T. cupreus slings... ON ACCIDENT :( I saw "Violet Tree Spider" and thought i was getting T. violaceus. Still love the little guys, but theyre not the super purple fluff balls ive been looking for. Orange one looks cool too... who am i kidding, i just want ALL of the spiders

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Sorry for the delay, Addam...I completely missed this! Bahaha! I feel like I cost people so much money. lol

[@tarantulaclan5025]

I had to watch this, I just bought one and it is on the way, just wanted to see what I am up against. . . 👍💯

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello, Antonio! Mine has been pretty well behaved, but other report much more skittish and potentially defensive spiders.

[@Spiderdan-59]

I've got a tiny sling of this species about 1.5cm about, so still gotta be sexed when it's bigger🕷🇬🇧 had micro cricket 🦗 today,

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I hope that you get a lady!

[@abrahamisraelalfieylinares1375]

Hi Tom! Greath rehouse! Got two big questions: I'm getting a T. gigas sling next sunday and also rehousing to one of these enclosures my recently molted P. irminia, who is quite defensive. Any tip you wanna share for both?

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thanks so much! With the T. gigas, set a sling up in a 32 oz deli cup, keep part of the substrate moist, and be VERY careful when opening the cage for maintenance. I've kept close to 200 tarantulas, and this is the ONLY species I've ever had bolt from the enclosure on me. It was hiding in its den when I opened the cage to feed it. The little bugger waited until I turned away and made a break for it. They are FAST, too. As a sling, expect it to burrow a bit and to stay hidden most days. As it puts on some size, it will be out more. As for the P. irminia, what are you moving it from? A deli cup? Mine is very shy, so it tends to hide most days.

[@ericweis4114]

Mine flew out of her cage jumped on my face hit the ground and ran like fuck i had to stomp it. Sucked but i had no choice.

[@edwardfelt6472]

Cant wait, I think we should call them the Match head Tarantula. They're kind of pinkish with stripes, then flare up orange, and males turn charcoal grey.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hahahaha. I like that! :)

[@junwei7502]

Can this be used for the t. Violaceus?

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Yes, it definitely could! :)

[@edgufler1122]

I love that modified catch cup. Good video Tom... enjoyed it. Someone said the Tapinauchenius gigas was super fast so I googled it and your Video popped up in the search.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hey, Ed! Man, those things have save my butt a couple times. That T. gigas is one of only two escapes I've ever had. It was out of the cage, down my leg, and across the floor in a blink. :) Thanks, bud!

[@indrasweb649]

Nicely done, Tom! I just ordered one from Tanya today. Can you tell me anything else about sling husbandry for these guys? Have you changed anything about how you keep them since this video was made? Are they more like Avics or Psalmos, or different breed entirely?

[@danpompili6507]

Also me. LOL.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

BAHAHAHA! I recognize the name! I keep mine more like a Psalmo. As a sling, it was moist all the way. Now that she's an adult, I give her a water dish, moisten down the sub, and let it dry out a bit in between. They definitely appreciate some cover as well. I may be rehousing her soon as her current cage is pretty ratty. As a sling and juvenile, she did a bit of burrowing. As an adult, she hides behind her cork bark most of the time.

[@ThePunkweazel]

Hi Tom, another great video. Have just added your website to my favourites list. I had a thought about this rehousing, perhaps using a bendy straw to give a more concentrated blast of breath to the spider. Put the straw in straight and use the side of the deli cup to bend it then you can be precise with the breath technique? Good ideas are not my forte but thought I would share it anyway.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thanks so much! And that's a great idea with the straw. I just recently started using that breath technique, as it DOES run the risk of spooking the tarantula (I've had them go a bit crazy when breathed on in past rehousings). That's a great idea, though!

[@UCanCallMeJesus1]

Spent all that time in the burrow but the second you rehoused em, it decided its an arboreal again and keeps climbing up. 🤣

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hahaha yup!

[@briancuprisin4571]

0:51 That just gave me a freaking heart attack. Now I'm'a hafta go sit in a corner and twitch for the next few hours. :D

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hahaha Sorry about that, Brian!

[@stretchearstrong]

Maybe having a temporary ramp for them to climb down that you can remove after would help?

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thanks!

[@ronaldkichurchak3833]

Hey, Tom. Is this species often visible in the enclosure. I'm looking for a relatively visible arboreal. I have a juvi P. pulcher and a juvi P. cambrigei which I never see and a mature Poecilotheria vittata that I occasionally see. It would be nice to have an arboreal that's out and about occasionally.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello, Ronald! I've had two, and both were quite shy. I occasionally catch this one out in the morning, but she's usually hidden.

[@ronaldkichurchak3833]

@@TomsBigSpiders thanks for the head's up. Do you have any reccomendations for visible arboreals?

[@Kewlneasy]

I just scored one of these girls,, I think it’s a girl anyway,, it’s pretty big fully grown no doubt,, I don’t know when I’ll see another molt,

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Congrats, T! This girl here is getting quite old sadly. Fingers crossed you get a lady!

[@Kewlneasy]

@@TomsBigSpiders I sent you some pics and a vid of her on instagram

[@russellkeys3596]

saw this species get put on fear not tarantulas sales list and thought, hmm...wonder if Tom has...why yes he does have a video on this species! Very sweet looking spider but sheesh, I've already got SO many and... I'll just have to tell myself no! But cool spider! Was listening to one of your older podcasts at the gym today, and I totally get the, yeah I'm social online to a degree, but please not my home! That's too personal! LOL! I totally get that!

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hey, Russell! Hahaha! I have to do an update on her soon. She's a strange little spider. Was that podcast with the one where the person invited herself over to my house? hahaha That's happened a few times now. People can be so odd. haha Thanks!

[@russellkeys3596]

@@TomsBigSpiders yes. that's the one. I think of how my house is a bit of a disaster with one teen and one preteen constantly wrecking the place daily! I wouldn't want to allow people to come in to see the animals with the human evidence all over the place! LOL! In my home the animals are easy...the humans...not so much...

[@edwardfelt6472]

Tom Moran; There isn't enough info/videos on Tapinauchenius Gigas. Will someone please make a video talking about this species? Petko ? Tarantula Kat ?

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I'll try to do an update on mine soon. :)

[@edwardfelt6472]

Cant wait, I think we should call them the Match head Tarantula. They're kind of pinkish with stripes, then flare up orange, and males turn charcoal grey.

[@mgrunge1967]

I am interested in a T. rasti and I am trying to research before deciding to buy, but coming up short. I expect fast, and have a P. Irminia that I am comfortable with. Do you have information on how the T. rasti compares to the T. gigas? I am trying to figure out if there are temperament differences like how the P. cambridgei is different from the P. Irminia. I am curious to know if the T.rasti is more reclusive or if I can expect to see it when it reached adulthood. Thank you!

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello, Mike! I believe that most report that theirs are skittish and less defensive thank the gigas. That said, I have not kept this species myself, so I can't comment on my own experiences. Sorry!

[@mgrunge1967]

@@TomsBigSpiders It is difficult to find information on how shy or visible they are. I am going to take the plunge and see what I get. Thank you!

[@edwardfelt6472]

Is Pseudoclamoris gigas the same ?

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello, Edward! Yes, it is. This video was made before the genus changed.

[@olavrodrigues6096]

tom could you please for a updated husbandry notes on this also do you T.violocepes in your collection

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello, Olav! I'm working on an update for both T. gigas and O. violaceopes. I'll be rehousing the O. violaceopes soon, and I'll do a video then.

[@olavrodrigues6096]

@@TomsBigSpiders thanks for taking the time to reply Tom and avid listener to your podcast 🙂 sorry mixed up the species i meant if you had a tapinauchenius violaceus (purple tree spider) if you did when you get a minute of you could share some husbandry notes on those as well not many out there thanks again Tom ! keep up the amazing work

[@maxwellmolleran5943]

Have you done anything on T. violaceus? I just got one and I always like to hear what you have to say!

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hi, Maxwell! I literally just received my first T. violaceus sling yesterday! Right now, I have it in a large dram vial with moist substrate, and piece of cork bark, and some sphagnum moss. I should have that video up soon...

[@christineschihuahuas]

I watched this video because my adult T. Violaceus is SO wild and I just had to see if Tom had any trouble with other tapi’s . I was just a bit happy to see I’m not alone with a bit of apprehension on how fast these guys are. Honestly mine is just nuts, I am used to tarantulas running to hide but mine just runs up, down, over here, now over there, and all at the speed of light, I’ve had luck just waiting it out until it’s done going crazy before even attempting to do anything in the cage. It just needs a minute to freak out before actually hiding, it certainly keeps me on my toes!

[@iovanche]

"That was a lot of fun, I'm sweating like a pig" 😂😂 I know exactly how it feels: I odered T.gigas sling couple days ago and it is still somewhere on it's way to me but I'm already sweating 😬😭. Thanks for another great video!

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hahahaha! Nothing like working up a good sweat during a rehousing. lol Ah, the T. gigas. lol I rehoused both of mine twice as adults, and they were both very well behaved both times. You may be okay. Thank you!

[@monikamonika4199]

"Chill Zone" cup :D

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Keeping things chill, Monika. :)

[@gosteelers5120]

I literally was at the edge of my seat waiting for her to finally enter her new enclosure. She/he really wanted to stay towards the top of the catch cup. She didn't seem defensive or irritable at all just as you said. She was patient as you gently prodded, trying to move her the direction u wanted. Very helpful video with lots of nice info and tips. Your videos never get old. 🕷️

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Ha! Yeah, I was probably holding my breath, too. I usually have good luck, but you never know. haha Thanks so much!

[@JENNERAL_KILLER_URU_MAFIA]

the rule i go bye when feeding my ts depending on the size of them if they are full grown 1 large dubia week slings i perfer to fatten them up so i give them a semi super super meal so they grow faster, just pinch the head. i prefer dubias over any other cause you get more protein content then another feeding medium. also i gut load my dubias with apples vegetable medley chow you can buy off amazon store. cause you are what you eat...do not feed your dubias junk.every once and a while you can feed the dubias tiny pieces of cooked meet to pump them up.but make sure to not let it stay in the container more then 1 days and a half it will mold.

[@itshex3517]

I couldn't help but see him/her as an adorable little tarantula who refused to leave their home.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

She (I say "she" as I HOPE its a girl) was SO well behaved. These guys have a rep for being nasty little speed demons. She just calmly stood her ground. :)

[@jimothyj2638]

You're probably the most knowledgeable T keeper on KZbin, and I get that you prioritize the safety of your Ts above all else, but DAMN are you careful and slow about rehousing

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I feel like I responded to this comment already. I appreciate the kind words. Yup, I honestly don't see any reason to rush.

[@Dovietail]

Yep. Teleporters, I reckon!

[@TomsBigSpiders]

One of the only escapes I've ever had. She was out, off my leg and across the floor in a blink. Crazy little bugger. haha

[@Dovietail]

Tom Moran coincidentally, I am rehousing two spiders today. My gigas walked across into her new home like a disdainful little old lady, whereas I spent a full half-hour trying to encourage an adult versie back to the same side of the house at least as her new home...argh! The floor the ceiling the wall the floor again the wall again and on and on! You just never know how a transfer is going to go in advance, do you? :-0

[@md288888]

You make it look too easy tom.... if only all re-housings could be so smooth

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Ha! Thanks so much! I have really good luck with them (knock on wood!).

[@marcellus_h7930]

It's scientific name is now Pseudoclamoris gigas.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello, Marcell! I'm literally working on an article about that paper right now. Thanks so much! I personally love the new genus name. :)

[@1980daveyboy]

Are these old or new world? Ive just got a sling

[@TomsBigSpiders]

These are new world BUT they can be a bit of a handful.

[@kieranmitchelle7948]

I just bought one of these not knowing what I've let myself into. Read up after purchase and slight amount of regret has hit me

[@marilynnsweb]

I also enjoy rehousing vids. You never know what will happen. lol That one was determined to make you use all those holes in that cup. These guys are gorgeous! I will need to get one someday.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

There's just so much suspense with them! Hahaha. Yeah, she really made me work for it; still, she was so well behaved! You definitely do; they so pretty with that orange! :)

[@JaneSmith-rx6kx]

Rofl,so pretty,so stubborn,so frustrating. Sounds like a girl. Smooth rehouse,even if she didn't want to move.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Yeah, as long as they don't bolt, escape, or seem stressed, I'm fine with it taking a little while. Stubborn little thing, though. :)

[@brookegrider4884]

my t gigas is quite small, almost about as long as my pinky. abdomen still has black pattern on it. about how long would you say it will take for her to be fully pink like yours?

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello! What temps are you keeping her at? Mine took about 2 years or so to get this size and to show her full adult colors. I keep mine in the 70s, though, so warmer temps would lead to faster growth. :)

[@brookegrider4884]

the room I keep my reptiles and tarantulas in sticks at a temperature of about 74. with the cold months here I have some red heat lamps going as well. the ts love those. thank you for the reply! this will be a fun two years watching him or her get big

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Do you have the heat lamps near the tarantulas or just heating up the room?

[@brookegrider4884]

Tom Moran I have a red headlamp shining onto the side of my t gigas enclosure, so it can decide to get away from the heat if if chooses, my other tarantulas are all on the same shelf and soak up warmth radiating from it as well but I'm focused on making sure she gets the most warmth because I feel like as a sling / not quite juvenile she is the most fragile and needs the most attention, although I could be wrong about that. again though the room its self is an appropriate temperature, the lamps are just extra assurance they stay nice and toasty. if there is anything you'd reccomend I change or do im open to suggestions.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Just a heads up, but tarantulas are notorious for not moving from heat sources until it's too late to move. Unlike reptiles that know when to relocate to a cooler spot, tarantulas will hug the heat until they become too dehydrated to move. I literally JUST spoke to a keeper who accidentally killed his Avicularia sling with a heat lamp. Slings are super susceptible to this, as they haven't yet developed the waxy coating adults have that traps moisture in. You could accidentally kill a sling in a matter of hours with too much heat. What are the temps in your house right now? If you feel that you need extra heat, use the lamp away from the enclosures so that it's heating the air around them but not directed on an enclosure.

[@sNstRflyEr]

Love the Gigas!, don't own one myself yet, but it's def on the list lol. That was fun.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I have a thing for orange tarantulas, so I had to have this one. Man, that thing would not go in. Hahaha

[@WestCoastArachnids]

Nice rehouse! Them redheads are always a bit reluctant at first. :)

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hahahahaha! Thanks!

[@jasonwhitener6228]

Boy that looked like fun. Nice job and avoiding an escape.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

A little monotonous, but no escape! :)Thanks!

[@davescott4327]

she/he is beautiful...nice job 👍's up ☺

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thanks, bud! I just love orange spiders. :)

[@luisurbina1850]

"Don't wanna bite that it's your friend" xD

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hahahaha. Yup!

[@rawegg8880]

How often should i feed my T?

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Sorry, Johnathan..I just saw this. What species is it? What size? This is an article I wrote about feeding Ts that might help: tomsbigspiders.wordpress.com/2015/02/02/tarantula-feeding-how-much-to-feed/

[@IGSHOTZ98]

Do your students ever ask you to bring the T's to class or watch your vids??

[@TomsBigSpiders]

A bunch of them subscribed after one found my channel, and I think a couple of them still watch them. They wanted me to bring some in last year, but it just didn't work out. I'm hoping to bring some in this year.

[@IGSHOTZ98]

Sounds good, hope it all works out. Ive never seen this species before. Really digging the coloration on the lower parts of the legs.

[@HipsterEnte]

My tiny T. gigas sling along with my P. metallica sling are the fastest things ive ever seen. Having a Pokie under your table isnt fun

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Yup, my P. metallica is quite the speedster as well! Hahaha! That absolutely does NOT sound like fun. :)

[@HipsterEnte]

Tom Moran You gotta pay the price if you want these beauties. I rehoused my P. metallica in the living room the 1st time, my biggest mistake. Now im only doing it in the bathtub

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Indeed! I tried the bathtub once, but it's too hard on my knees. haha

[@MauriceTarantulas]

Was watching this and thinking different enclosure to rehouse her to? Just so you can avoid this....? But from what I have seen some of these T's like the H mac and this one etc are going to be tricky. Gonna rehouse my OBT after next moult...cant wait! (but should be easier than this). She would have liked the 9x9x12 ones I just got. Got three gonna buy some more... Still she's in now you can relax! :) Well done and great vid.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I was originally going to put her into one of the new acrylic enclosures (6 x 9 x 14), but they're a bit too large at the moment. I use these gallon ones for a lot of my arboreal, and they work great. Those corner around the opening could prove to be a pain when it comes time to rehouse, but so far I've had no issues. I don't mind if the transfers take a while; it's not a race for me. As long as the T doesn't get spooked and loose in the house, it's a success! Hahaha

[@MauriceTarantulas]

That's an interesting point for me and something will have to experience firsthand...i.e what size enclosure for what T and how many you need to get through...I.e For my avics n psalmos am guessing it's going to be the 32oz size then something else then say a 10x10x14...so three in total. Which yes perhaps leaves me needing to use something like the gallon tank you have in the vid. But am thinking on something that might make life a bit easier (if possible). ((not that am lazy or mind taking my time)). And after getting myself something like you have for the rehousing (something to work in) am feeling a lot more confident about the whole thing. P.S You got some great ideas with the holes poked in etc. Oh and does make for exciting vids. Have actually stayed clear of doing re-housing vids myself as I thought well doing things at least once before I do a vid on it makes sense. And also having someone film you or using a tripod a must I think. (well I think the Spiderman has done rehousing without an extra pair or hands but then he is the spiderman haha).

[@TomsBigSpiders]

There's really no exact science to it, and putting them into larger enclosures at that size isn't "wrong". It can just take them longer to settle into a large enclosure, and finding the prey can be a bit more difficult. The gallon size works well, in my opinion, for the juvenile arboreals, as it give them some room to grow without being too large. Having someone film or using a tripod is key, in my opinion. Could I do one while holding the camera? Sure. But that means I'd be more detracted and there would be more of a chance of the T escaping. My goal is to not give them the opportunity to bolt if possible. The old "poke 'n prey" is nice for some species, but leaves a LOT up to chance. That's not my style with four kids, four dogs, and a wife who would be at risk if one of the heavy hitters escaped. lol

[@MauriceTarantulas]

I might try filming something for when my spiderlings get to their next big change up. Ideally I'd like something like those 1 gallon tanks (with a wider aperture) and wouldnt we all love to make mini acyrlic ones. But sadly I cant pump that much money into the hobby :) P.S And that finding the prey comment u make is interesting. Some of mine seem to be active searchers whilst others not so much. My P.Cam slings seem to sense something from a mile off whilst my versi went two days before I said sod this and tongue fed him/her.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

You definitely should! And I hear you about the money. They sell those gallon containers for about $3 each. You can't beat it!

[@shanrocks777]

I like your water cup set up. Is the outer one hot glued to the container?

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Yup, the first one is hot glued in. I melt a hole in both the side of the enclosure and the edge of the cup, then squirt the glue in and pinch both sides as it starts to cool. Makes a bit of a rivet so it doesn't fall. Then, I just put the other cup in that. :)

[@shanrocks777]

Tom Moran Great idea! Have fun with your T-gigas. I had three. 2 females and a male, but I sold them all for breeding purposes. Now I have a T. sp. Colombia. Tapinauchenius is a good genus for intermediate keepers. They're always out on display and they're active, fast arboreals. :)

[@YomYestreen]

Not sure if you're still checking the comments on this video, but that's a really clever cup idea! I'm new to T's (don't own any yet, but absolutely fascinated by them!), and I was wondering a couple things. Is the new enclosure just like a Snack mix container? Or what exactly came in it? (I know you said you got it at wal-mart). Also, for arboreal species, is it a really bad idea to just start with that 1 gallon size of enclosure to begin with? I know for terrestrials you don't want to allow them more than 2x their legspan in height of the enclosure, but arboreals seem to be better climbers and prefer the height... Just wondering what the lowest-maintenance way to get into the hobby would be (like, if I could just buy one enclosure instead of 3+). Sorry for the long comment but thanks for reading this and for your awesome blog and channel!

[@JJDigitalartStudio]

Tom it has to be a she because she is very stubborn and only does what she wants to do. I also like that you don't curse or use His name in vain while doing this for YT. What one does in the privacy of one's own home is their business. I don't like watching T videos where the keeper is cursing every other word. You and Jon are sweet and likable. You keep it about the T and that's important. Good job getting her to come down into her new home. I want to ask. T;s have bad eyesight but they feel vibrations, do they smell their prey?

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thanks, Joyce. Nope, no cursing here...this is strictly a PG channel. :) The tarantula's sense of touch is amazing, as it uses those hairs to detect tiny vibrations and changes in the environment around it. Tarantulas do have a sense of smell, but not in the way we normally think of it. They have feather like hairs that have chemo receptors it can use hair to smell and "taste" food, recognize females, and detect pheromones.

[@JJDigitalartStudio]

Tom Moran Kind of like how a snake "tastes the air" to see where the prey is. Cool.