At the expo recently, a guy came to the tarantulas.co.za stand, and asked for a Gooty. He was told there are none at the moment. Now this is what gets me. He then responds by saying he is willing to pay any price. He emphasized this a few times. Really? Any price?

Everyone just chill... We all know that I will be getting Meteor's P Metalicas... I have a good feeling about this. :whistle:

Besides blue spiders??? really

They are awesome T's end of story

I am still new to the hobby, and as you have said, there are still many other excellent spiders to be had for much cheaper, so I am focusing on expanding my collection with them before I splurge 1K+ for a single sling.

Marius wrote: I am still new to the hobby, and as you have said, there are still many other excellent spiders to be had for much cheaper, so I am focusing on expanding my collection with them before I splurge 1K+ for a single sling.

Just get a Versi... your life will be complete :woohoo:

Ceratogyrus wrote: As for the price, it will be a long time before the price here drops.

I have no problem with the price. I'm just a little confused at how this species has kept it's halo status for so long. As you mentioned, they are not that rare. Yes, they are pretty, but not that pretty. That is subjective, I know.

everyone is always screaming for a metallica, but when you point them in the right direction... hardly anyone ever buys??

This is not entirely true. If I had 200 now, I would sell them in a week. The volume of phone calls, text messages and emails I get asking for these spiders is absolutely insane.

Why are they in demand? Because they have a mystical quality that very few other Tarantulas have. They are virtually extinct in the wild, so captive spiders are special. They are arboreal and they are Pokies, which makes the awesome to start with. They are docile in comparison to most other Pokies. They are spectacularly beautiful to look at with the blue yellow combination. They live peacefully with males, mostly sharing the same nest.

Price? Simple economics. Supply and demand. If you don't want to pay the local prices, then try to import at cheaper prices. Will you pay R1200 for a spider when you can collect a healthy sling, meet the breeder (which is worth at least 500 bucks), see the "parents" and know your spider is healthy, or would you pay R500 up front, hoping the seller actually sends your spider, and if he does, that it actually is a P metallica, and if it is, that it will arrive alive?

The price in SA will drop when the slings I have sold last year start breeding. Untill then, don't hold your breath, they will remain VERY exclusive and pricey for now.