The Ultimate Tarantula Sling Guide - Part 1

PLEASE READ!!!!
It has been brought to my attention that Tarantulas Bristol has a TERRIBLE reputation. PLEASE DO NOT BUY FROM HERE. Thank you to all the folks from the UK who chimed in to let me know!

Kamel Spiders is no longer open.

PART 2 COMING TOMORROW (will include Feeding, Hydration, Maintenance, Temps, and Molting)!!!!

1. What size sling (1:40)
2. Where to buy (5:20)
3. Enclosures (13:25)
4. Receiving and unpacking (25:50)

Okay, this was originally supposed to be one video, but after working on it for days, it ballooned to over an hour. I'm therefore going to post it in two parts. Unfortunately, the first part doesn't have a lot of the juicy stuff, and covers choosing the sling, ordering online, setting up enclosures, and unpacking the slings. The idea was to take someone new to the hobby through the entire process of buying, housing, and caring for a sling.

A word about the new intro/theme. I listened to dozens of songs before settling on this one. Selecting a theme can be tricky, so although some folks might not love it, I'm hoping it doesn't turn anyone off (it was almost a metal song. :) ).

[haggismctavish]

Great series Tom, thanks very much. One thing though, Myself and thousands of other keepers in the UK would strongly disagree with your friends recommendation of tarantulas Bristol. When I saw their web page pop up, I thought it was going to be another warning like Backwater. Recommending new keepers to use tB is like recommending they get an obt as a first t.

[didisaythat]

This guide alone is what gave me the confidence to go ahead n order me up some slings so I'm sure there's hundreds more just like me. This channel is a huge service to the hobby.

[divagoth]

Don't apologize on length of video. Slings terrify me. They are so delicate. I got a 1inch and even she/he looks like I could easily hurt it. These are great videos!!!

[evowire]

This has probably been mentioned, but a word of caution when using tape to cover a hole: tape over BOTH sides of the hole. You don't want the possibility of your T getting stuck in the tape.

[eliistchenko]

While everyone is eager to point out how dedicated you are to your specimens (which you are!) - I just want to point out how dedicated you are to your viewers too. Appreciate you, Tom. Wish I had something like this when I got a 1/2 inch caribena versicolor 13 years ago from Tarantula Canada - the spider lived and thrived, but it was hard to figure out exactly what it needed, especially as a little sling. Just about to order 6 or 7 slings, and am super grateful for this resource. Props to you!

PS to readers - Tarantula Canada is awesome if you're willing to raise from slings. Like, super awesome, with really great promotions and free slings included with purchases. Highly recommend.

[Saltbreather]

Just ordered my first sling from Fear Not Tarantulas, they’re shipping it on Monday. Super easy process to set up the shipment arrangements and so far I have no doubt that they will take great care to get the sling to me in perfect condition. So glad I saw some good people recommending them because they seem like the best breeder/dealer in the states right now.

[Merlin_YouTube]

sneaky tip for anyone really short on time who doesn't want to skip through the video and miss information : set it to 1.5x playback speed you can still hear everything he says clearly but costs less time ;)

[mattdawsonY]

I just wanted to say thank you for all your guides and educational videos. I recently got my first two spiders (both slings) and your videos have given me all the tools and knowledge to confidently care for them. Thanks again!!

[kimberlykelly]

Thanks for a great video! My son wants a tarantula and I was reluctant because I didn’t know how to care for one. After watching your video I am much more confident that this is something we can do together. Thanks for the recommendations and advice that will prevent heartache and provide a good home for a lovely new addition to our family.

[Janice-Australia]

Hi, I have just bought my first sling and am new to the hobby. As I'm from Australia there isn't much beginners choice here, so thought a sling was a good starting point. I bought online a Selenotypus Exevale sling, so far so good. Just wanted to say this is a great learning video and thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[ameliapetermann]

I wanted to say thank you for the tips and who to buy from. We will be getting our new baby red knee in early spring. The weather this winter has been unpredictable and in the teens some days and I want his/her trip to be warmer. We were going to order from back water until you said NO. My husband and I did read the reviews you recommended and no. These people should be shut down. You saved me what could have been so much heartache. Thank you so much, Tom, from myself and my husband!

[lennash]

this helped me soooo much!! im new to the hobby and recently bought 5 L. parahybana and 1 B. hamorii. I know it’s a lot of responsibility for a beginner especially when they’re such fragile slings. Thank youu :))

[JJDigitalartStudio]

Your videos are so professionally done. It is like watching an encyclopedia of T care. Your videos are a must see for any new T keepers. I am sharing these 2 with FB and G+. Love to see new keepers and breeders who will help the T populations of the world keep from being extinct.

[lellyweird]

I raised my first T from a juvenile, and I recently just bought two slings, so I found this video incredibly helpful! Absolutely love your channel, please keep it up

[beufe]

Hey Tom!
I just want to thank you for the hours upon hours of information that you have provided me over the past few weeks! Both your Podcast and your many youtube videos (along with many others) have me thoroughly hooked on Tarantulas and am proud to say that my first Grammostola Pulchra (3/4-1in) will be shipped out tomorrow and will arrive Wednesday am. I have already ordered a Sling enclosure from Jamie's Tarantulas and have that all set up. I also ordered feeders, and a feeder set up, and a Juvenile enclosure in preparation for the T's growth. I took the morning off work Wednesday so I could immediately pick up my T on arrival. I am proud to say that thanks to you and many others I feel very prepared and confident going into this hobby, that being said I am sure my confidence will be shaken in the first week or two.
I can happily say that I listened closely to your advice and feel like I have gained so much from your experience.
Thank you for all you do for this hobby, breaking down every step and spending SOOO MUCH time helping the community.
I cannot tell you how much it means to me to see someone loving any animals as much as I do, and to think it started with arachnophobia.
Much love
Braeden

[metldrgn]

long time to grow? you mean more time to enjoy, learn, love!

[adamguest]

Thank you so much for this Tom. This video, the article on your website and your podcast ensured I didn't panic when my first spider (Grammostola Pulchripes sling) had a little wander around his enclosure and buried himself in a corner the next day. Without this knowledge I'd have panicked and tried to ensure he was alive at best or dug him out at worst.

Fantastic and concise information that's easy for even a dullard like me to understand. Hugely grateful.

[cherettecameron]

Thank you for taking the time out and doing this. As someone who is just getting into this hobby I appreciate this and will be watching again as needed. So excited to get my first tarantula next week from Fear Not Tarantulas!

[MattShumate]

I've been a fan of your videos since starting to have an interest in Ts, but yesterday I was going through your blog and I was blown away by all of the great articles and info there too! Thanks for what you're doing! Your videos (and to a lesser extent a couple of other channels) give me the info and examples that have allowed me to jump in to the hobby head first with the confidence that I'm doing it right and I really don't need to be afraid of these 8 legged wonders if I'm doing my job correctly!

[joeroy]

Tom you are one of the biggest reason me and my girls started getting into the hobby literally just un boxed our first slings from fear not and Tonya was great thanks Tom!! And Tonya. Im watching this series again to make sure I housed them all to my best abuloties