@EulersK I know but couldn't resist! She's got a skittish and aggressive nature in general and I never try to poke her out of the enclosure or handle her in any other occasion. She had molted a day before I handled her (a bit more than 24 hours). She gained coloration very quickly unlike the other times but her fangs where still whity and softy (i think). She's 1 year and 2 months old!
@AgnO I'm happy to see that you care so much about your spider, but understand that the molt process is equivalent to you going through major surgery. Even the most minor injury can kill a freshly molted tarantula. It's pretty standard in the hobby to leave them alone for at least a week before even offering food, let alone handling.
Look at it this way. For that species, its only real defense are the fangs. With the fangs still soft from molting, you have effectively tied its hands and made it impossible for it to defend itself. It is a fragile, helpless animal that was forced into the hand of a giant. Tarantulas are cognitively incapable of understanding that you even exist beyond being a threat - it does not love you, it does not want to be held, and it certainly does not enjoy being bothered at all. So please, in the future refrain from handling. At the very least, never handle within a week of molting.
@EulersK I totally understand you and I appreciate you taking the time to write all that. I will surely take that in consideration and be more attentive, but I can assure you I'm very careful. Even this time, my Versi was staying outside of her web house and that is why it was easy to poke her out. If I had noticed even the slightest rejection from her (for example, her turning around or walking in the opposite direction) I would have left it to that.
Either way, thanks for the advices!
@AgnO No you aren't careful. If you were careful you wouldn't have handled your freshly molted T. The fact that you knew not to do so and did so anyway just demonstrates poor husbandry. You "couldn't resist", your level of self control was abysmal. I hope your T survives to reach adulthood in your care. I'll be shocked if it does.
@EulersK I think we all know that fangs are a tarantulas only defense, but in captivity predators are quite rare, no? Also, could you cite where you read that a tarantula molting is the equivalent to a major surgery in humans? That would be an interesting read.
@Venom1080@viper69
Opinions, opinions. Let us keep them to ourselves, eh? Clear the air of all of this targeted negativity.
If a woman wants to simply hold her pet to get a nice picture for memories whether it be a day freshly molted T or a day old kitten who are you to demand that they shouldn't and then make petty jabs at their morality? Tarantula police? The humane society? Donald Trump? I think we are all here for our shared interest in this animal, among others, where the care of which is placed into the hands of each owner and only each owner.
"If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all."
-Every grandmother ever
Hello there, why not take a few seconds to register on our forums and become part of the community? Just click here.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
