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Mygalomorphs in general are considered to be an older "version" of spider. Tarantulas also fitting into this category. I guess one could argue that as far as the term 'prehistoric' goes, that mygalomorphs are prehistoric spiders that are lucky enough to still exist today. Whereas araneomorphs...

Well, yes and no. IC50 does work in a linear fashion, similar to how you described. The issue is that the toxins in the venom do not specifically affect humans. Our biology differs from other animals, so the effects are quite mild. Add in that tarantulas just have intrinsically weaker venoms...

Our body size has a little to play, given that the venom has to affect more tissue. Also, our cell biology differs from other animals. Mammals are more or less the same, but channels are tricky. We are not really a threat to tarantulas, evolutionary-speaking, so venom tends to not be a big issue...

I was talking in terms of Venom potency of a bite, which is my area of study and focus. As far as mechanical injury (in the case of hitting an artery, as a vein wouldn't be as life-threatening), it's obvious this could be fatal IF severe. Likelihood is small and again, not related to the venom...

Most taranulas, and mygalomorphs for that matter, tend to rely on size for subduing prey. Spiders such as jumping spiders and some wolf spiders have potent venom that shuts down the nervous system of their prey. Yet, it's worth noting that most prey comes in the form of insects. Back to...

For what it's worth, I don't go out to collect (except for specimens for my related undergrad/grad research, and even then we have a sort of 'protocol' to not harm a population). I prefer to take photos. Thank you for stating the damage that collecting causes btw, given that I feel a lot of...

The Angeles Forest has some interesting stuff. I found some small centipedes, jumping spiders and scorpions this past winter break. Wasn't even hunting for anything either. Just backpacking. If you want a better area to go looking for things to find, I'd suggest taking a trip out to Joshua Tree...

I was able to properly identify eutylenum and steindachneri. I believe a friend of mine might have a Johnnycashi as well, but i'll have to check later. When I have access.

This paper helped me properly identify some of my Aphonopelma as well, but from California. I was so excited when this paper was finally released. A very well done and thorough dissertation indeed.

I've seen some of the "Haplo's" be really thin when kept in smaller deli cups that don't allow for burrow making. Since they are fossorial, not having a burrow seems to cause stress which makes them not want to eat. In fact, I had a minax that never ate while in a deli cup that it sat in for 2...

I'd leave it. It's not worth destroying the whole web, especially if it's fasting because it's getting ready to molt. Avics usually stay on the top of the enclosure, while the mealworm will dig down. I don't see it as being a justified reason to destroy the web. If the mealworm makes itself...

Boy am I glad that I didn't give you any actual locations... Which I found by doing a minimal amount of literature review. Also, one man can help to completely destroy a local population. Especially if he is going to be digging for "lots." As for being a "bad animal treater," I only have your...

I wish. They are all logged for research. Mandatory to keep them alive.

I have one anax and a plethora of eutylenum. They are all awesome. The only negative side to them, is that they are notoriously slow growers. So, if you get a sling, prepare to wait a long time for growth. If you get a juvenile/sub-adult or adult, then you don't really have to worry so much...

So, I'm going to be that guy... If you want to go hunting for your own pet, by all means. I feel it offers a better understanding of how the animal lives in the wild compared to in captivity, how much work goes into finding large amounts of tarantulas by field scientists to use for studies, and...

Any Aphonopelma is a good choice for a first tarantula. They are incredibly docile, require little effort to raise, feed less often (on average) and are cheap as far as cost goes. Some might argue that their color is a little bland, but I personally love the brown and tan colors. I would say...

Just to add on to what was already said here, Tarantulas (from the Family Theraphosidae) are in the infraorder Mygalomorphae. Mygs are a more broad classification of arachnid, so it includes a lot more of them. To further distinguish groups from one another, they are then broken down into genera...

That's good that you still notice. I was not claiming it is impossible to see, just that it becomes less apparent as it grows. With a sling, it's shockingly apparent, but with an adult, it doesn't stand out a obvious. Again, not claiming it isn't noticeable. I notice it too, with most if not all...

With a sling, it's more noticeable than on adults. It's a surface area issue. With a fast growing sling, it is relatively easy to notice. With a juvenile Aphonopelma or Grammostola, finding a noticeable size increase becomes hard, due to how long the spider sits in premolt.

Thank you so much for the suggestion. Beautiful pictures.