gypsy cola
Arachnoknight
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2014
- Messages
- 192
Due to a post http://arachnoboards.com/threads/how-to-get-an-h-lividum-off-your-back.285229/ by @Shampain I am going to share my story about my inexperience with Old World Tarantulas.
In 2010 I was introduced to tarantulas by an impulse buy that my older sister got. I decided to get one as well to over come a phobia. Due to my sister often self inflicted drama filled life, I ended up caring for her T. I had two T's, I bought books, visited this forum (under another alias at the time). I was just obsessed and had to get many as possible, I was ravished.
I discovered tarantulas are Pringles, and I had devoured the entire can without breathing... I felt bloated.
I made many mistakes any individual would have made or has been advised against. From just straight out horrible enclosures, wild caught feeders, heat mats, heat lamps, to housing slings in 10 gallon enclosures with about barely any substrate. My biggest mistake was getting into Old World tarantulas before I was ready.
I was careless, I was consumed. Every color, size, temperament I had to claim. This was Pokémon.
I picked up three Old World Tarantulas. OBT, at the time they were call P.fasiciata, and I what I considered the ultimate T.... Haplopelma lividum aka the Cobalt Blue Tarantula.
A full grown female Cobalt Blue is one the most awe inspiring experiences when seeing in person. The dominate and demanding personality, the immense size, the fierce attitude, and mostly the deep metallic blues that reminds one of a Pepsi can. I had to have one.
I was about 18 at the time. All I cared about was how cool spiders were. I saw them as beautiful and magnificent creatures, what I cared more about though was status of having such a fear inspiring creature and calling myself master over these fierce majestic beasts.
I didn't understand the concept of look don't touch...
I took many pictures of these spiders as possible, I handled ALL of them that were large enough to handle. Even throwing these T's on my face. At the end of the day, these spiders were nothing more than a Facebook post and collections of "toys".
My Cobalt Blue... I handled. If I had a group of friends over, this was the spider I had to show off, this was the one I pulled from its prison. Set on the floor running from the dozen of stampeding feet in my room set to the soundtrack of the gasps and screams (mostly men). fondled back and forth for the sake of adrenaline. She was not a pet, she was a possession, she was purely mine for my pleasure. Simply existing to satisfy my masculinity.
It was a powerful feeling holding this creature who at any moment can scar my life.
I had too many close calls with this spider that only made me more bold. It wasn't until after 4th or 5th time that she had ran on my back that it finally clicked. I was ripping her out of her only safe place for sake of stroking my ego. I understand that tarantulas do not have complex feelings but, I was emulating my feelings onto her. Realizing how stressful it must have been to be harassed by giant groping hands and to rebuild your home only for it be torn down at cost of amusement.
I had to be honest with myself. Am I as owner of these animals providing the best care. The answer... I as an owner, am not responsible enough to provide the best care for my animals.
I sold all of my old worlds and handled my T's by coincidence.
When acquiring any tarantula, you need to ask yourself. Can I provide the best care for this animal? Am I willing to take responsibility if someone is hurt by my animal? Can I keep the animal safe and others safe from the animal? Can I appreciate this animal with minimal interaction? If you unsure about any of these questions or you have to ask... you are not ready. Be honest with yourself
This picture is from the first time it had happened. 2010
In 2010 I was introduced to tarantulas by an impulse buy that my older sister got. I decided to get one as well to over come a phobia. Due to my sister often self inflicted drama filled life, I ended up caring for her T. I had two T's, I bought books, visited this forum (under another alias at the time). I was just obsessed and had to get many as possible, I was ravished.
I discovered tarantulas are Pringles, and I had devoured the entire can without breathing... I felt bloated.
I made many mistakes any individual would have made or has been advised against. From just straight out horrible enclosures, wild caught feeders, heat mats, heat lamps, to housing slings in 10 gallon enclosures with about barely any substrate. My biggest mistake was getting into Old World tarantulas before I was ready.
I was careless, I was consumed. Every color, size, temperament I had to claim. This was Pokémon.
I picked up three Old World Tarantulas. OBT, at the time they were call P.fasiciata, and I what I considered the ultimate T.... Haplopelma lividum aka the Cobalt Blue Tarantula.
A full grown female Cobalt Blue is one the most awe inspiring experiences when seeing in person. The dominate and demanding personality, the immense size, the fierce attitude, and mostly the deep metallic blues that reminds one of a Pepsi can. I had to have one.
I was about 18 at the time. All I cared about was how cool spiders were. I saw them as beautiful and magnificent creatures, what I cared more about though was status of having such a fear inspiring creature and calling myself master over these fierce majestic beasts.
I didn't understand the concept of look don't touch...
I took many pictures of these spiders as possible, I handled ALL of them that were large enough to handle. Even throwing these T's on my face. At the end of the day, these spiders were nothing more than a Facebook post and collections of "toys".
My Cobalt Blue... I handled. If I had a group of friends over, this was the spider I had to show off, this was the one I pulled from its prison. Set on the floor running from the dozen of stampeding feet in my room set to the soundtrack of the gasps and screams (mostly men). fondled back and forth for the sake of adrenaline. She was not a pet, she was a possession, she was purely mine for my pleasure. Simply existing to satisfy my masculinity.
It was a powerful feeling holding this creature who at any moment can scar my life.
I had too many close calls with this spider that only made me more bold. It wasn't until after 4th or 5th time that she had ran on my back that it finally clicked. I was ripping her out of her only safe place for sake of stroking my ego. I understand that tarantulas do not have complex feelings but, I was emulating my feelings onto her. Realizing how stressful it must have been to be harassed by giant groping hands and to rebuild your home only for it be torn down at cost of amusement.
I had to be honest with myself. Am I as owner of these animals providing the best care. The answer... I as an owner, am not responsible enough to provide the best care for my animals.
I sold all of my old worlds and handled my T's by coincidence.
When acquiring any tarantula, you need to ask yourself. Can I provide the best care for this animal? Am I willing to take responsibility if someone is hurt by my animal? Can I keep the animal safe and others safe from the animal? Can I appreciate this animal with minimal interaction? If you unsure about any of these questions or you have to ask... you are not ready. Be honest with yourself
This picture is from the first time it had happened. 2010