I bought a Goliath Bird Eater today!
 

So I've got this freight train personality sometimes and for a first T I got a bird eater. I understand that this is not a beginner T. I've got all the respect in the world for it and am doing more research on the species. Any help pointing me in the right direction will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Well Art
Freight train personality and all :slamit: ...congrats man
While a leblondi is not a beginner Tarantula they are easier than most think.
Provide higher humidity ... 70-90%
DON"T handle...they bite and have the reportedly worse urticating hairs and will throw them. :ack2:
They eat and grow fast.
A rather deep substrate is reccomended as they will burrow, or a shallow substrate and a damp hide box.

see not too hard to keep at all

Thanks John. She's a little larger than a tennis ball and I have her in an aquarium with about 6 inches of coconut fibers with a water dish burried on one end. She is in an environment that is about 75 to 80 degrees normally. I have heard and read some conflicting information about temperature. What is her optimum temp to be at? Should I provide heat and if so, how?

I didn't go into this totally blind. I know I need to always respect her for what she is and not be sloppy with her. With an ounce of prevention I am sure that I will have years of enjoyment from her.

To be honest I am more concerned about starting another addiction. :) Oh, and thanks for not coming down hard on me.... it would have been justified.

congrats on the new T art i too started with a bird eater and have had no trouble with it .i keep the temps at 80 or so all the time i havent used the bedding you have so couldn't comment on that its early her but i use some kind of a moss not sure will find out but i have a hide in the tank that i buried alittle she seems to use it alot with a water dish on the other side.all i do is mist daily and have the top covered like 3/4 of it or so ..there rather easy to care for ,unless im doing something wrong or forgetting something ,they are alittle addicting specially since they look so cool but cant be handled ,so if you decide to get another i suggest a Chaco golden knee T needs the smae care as the bird eater but this can be handled good luck art post some pictures when you get a chance

Thanks Jim. I just checked the temp and it's exactly 80 degrees. There will be some fluctuation between night and day, but it should fall nicely within her comfort range. Here are some pics of her. She's pretty much the same color of the substrate, but they turned out okay.

nice picture art good looking T.blondi there now i have to go get a picture of mine ..but mine will never look as good as yours

ok art i took some pictures not that good of quality so sorry for the pictures he actually almost tagged me while i tried getting them but first up is my chaco golden knee great looking T and can be handled
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...C/IMG_0247.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...C/IMG_0246.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...C/IMG_0248.jpg

ok now the bird eater
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...C/IMG_0250.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...C/IMG_0249.jpg
now heres where he got annoyed with me
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...C/IMG_0252.jpg
and then wanted to tag me
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...C/IMG_0251.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...C/IMG_0253.jpg
\hope you enjoy almost had first hand how there bite feels ...lol

Hey Art
Good luck with that tarantula and if ya ever need anything give me a jingle.
They [leblondi's] are not necessarily for beginners but you seem to have a grasp on things.
Oh and good job for doing a bit of research and asking questions as too many people leep before looking, one thing you will learn this is an addiction :raspberry as my collection has proven.

John ,is there a certain age they need to be to find out there sex? can you tell by a picture ? or is the only sure way of knowing is by one of the molts?