benefits of owning tarantulas?

[Lander9021]

What are the benefits of beeing in the hobby? What is the big deal, why do I love to watch my fuzzy little g.rosea for periods of time, I don't understand why I find them facinating and why I want more...a few weeks ago I wouldn't have gone near a theraphosidae never mind have one in my house, I didn't know any real name for a t nor did I know or care about how to keep one healthy and happy for a long time, my Mrs thinks I'm weird and that I'm having some sort of early mid life crisis, but I dunno, I'm not sure what it is but there's something about them, this fuzzy little Rosie (sativa) (I know I just can't help but name her) has changed my life!

 

[YagerManJennsen]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It Is something that you just feel. It could be that a lot of people look down upon spiders and were the ones that recognize that the spiders aren't savage killing machines.

 

[Venom1080]

people are fascinated by different things. we are fascinated by theraphosidae, so we enjoy everything about them. the only benefit is for the keeper who enjoys them, people who dont like ts see no benefit to ever have a T of their own.

 

[Lander9021]

There loss I say I'll be next to the enclosure and my Mrs will walk by and cringe and the sight of her .

 

[Envoirment]

Learning about the tarantulas not only helps you better understand and look after them, but can lead you into learning about the places they're from and getting a bit of geography knowledge along with it. As well as learning all sorts of other bits and pieces of information along the way.

My tarantulas have helped me spend less time looking at my computer. I spend a good 1-2 hours in total looking at them a day. I'm usually on my computer most of the day, so they help to give my eyes a break. (Currently on study leave and studying for upcoming exams). I also find looking after them to be "relaxing" and helps to take my mind off things and destress a little - as silly as it may seem to some.

I do get satisfaction watching things grow up, so even though they're not exactly cuddly pets you can hug whilst watching TV, I still get satisfaction when I see them feed, drink and molt. Their odd behaviours can be quite humorous as well!

Not a direct benefit to those who keep them (well unless you're afraid of spiders yourself), but living with my parents and brother, they also learn about them and have become less afraid of spiders in general. So keeping tarantulas can help with people's fear of spiders.

There's most probably a few more that I'm missing, but those are the main ones I can think that apply to me.

 

[Sana]

For me the addiction started with one tarantula. The second one joined the household because I liked the blue body with the pink toes (A. avic). I saw an article on the Pamphobeteus genus not long after that and I really wanted one. At the time the specific species that I wanted was a little difficult to find and out of frustration I decided that as soon as I found myself a pair of them I was going to breed them because, for goodness sake, the world needs more bright pink and purple spiders. The search for information on how exactly to do that led me here to AB. Once I was here I started learning about all kinds of interesting things that tarantulas do besides sit around and be giant spiders. The more information I had about them the more fascinating they became. This forum also introduced me to all of the species that I hadn't heard of, beautiful, amazing, unique creatures. And of course that brought me to wanting a one of those, and a one of those, and as I got them I learned even more.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

They can teach people a great value today disrespected and not so much 'politically correct': patience.

 

[Flexzone]

They can also teach people to have a much better understanding and respect for the natural processes of our natural world.

 

[Crone Returns]

They can also teach people to have a much better understanding and respect for the natural processes of the natural world.

They can also teach people/children respect for creatures who don't look like them.

 

[louise f]

For me. They make me happy, love all the beautiful and colorful species there is. Just makes me want more. ( I`m hungry )
Love to see when they just thrive, and indeed fun to see their outrageous behavior sometimes.
Take my A.braunshauseni she paints flowers with her poop for mom, Is that just sweet or what. <3

 

[louise f]

They can also teach people/children respect for creatures who don't look like them.

That is true. I have been visiting several schools to show some spiders and snakes for the kids. They find it very interesting, and that is an enjoyment for me.
Of course most of the girls back of to begin with, but then they sort of cool a little of when they see that they actually are not that bad.
I use to take Euatlus sp red and Brachypelma smithi to show them.

 

[Sana]

My favorite part of being a tarantula keeper has been getting involved with local education efforts in schools and at public events. It offers people who would never picture tarantulas as anything other then big hairy spiders learn those things, patience, appreciation of something that they didn't understand, respect for nature, and often a new outlook on the beauty of these creatures. Elementary schools are my personal favorite opportunity for education. Lots of little kids crowded around an enclosure watching when you drop in the cricket. Always a kick.

 

[Crone Returns]

My favorite part of being a tarantula keeper has been getting involved with local education efforts in schools and at public events. It offers people who would never picture tarantulas as anything other then big hairy spiders learn those things, patience, appreciation of something that they didn't understand, respect for nature, and often a new outlook on the beauty of these creatures. Elementary schools are my personal favorite opportunity for education. Lots of little kids crowded around an enclosure watching when you drop in the cricket. Always a kick.

Yeah. The pet store wanted my B. albopilosum's molt to take to elem schools but she squished part of it kicking the molt out of her way (she's a tomboy like me) And when I got it out and put it on the coffee table, my jack russell/yorkie X ate it!!!

 

[Sana]

Yeah. The pet store wanted my B. albopilosum's molt to take to elem schools but she squished part of it kicking the molt out of her way (she's a tomboy like me) And when I got it out and put it on the coffee table, my jack russell/yorkie X ate it!!!

There will always be another molt...

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Take my A.braunshauseni she paints flowers with her poop for mom, Is that just sweet or what. <3

 

[Poec54]

Benefits? There certainly are some tangible ones. Friends and relative who drop by too often and stay too long (and eat up your food), will probably find reasons to leave upon finding out there's a tarantula in the house. If that alone doesn't do it, go in another room and say to yourself, in tones that can be overheard by your guests: 'I can't believe it got out again.' That should do it. You can't put a price tag on that kind of house clearing.

 

[cold blood]

For me. They make me happy, love all the beautiful and colorful species there is. Just makes me want more. ( I`m hungry )
Love to see when they just thrive, and indeed fun to see their outrageous behavior sometimes.
Take my A.braunshauseni she paints flowers with her poop for mom, Is that just sweet or what. <3


View attachment 208255

Is it just me or did your avic draw a near perfect kangaroo head with its fecal matter?

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Is it just me or did your avic draw a near perfect kangaroo head with its fecal matter?

A rabbit, IMO

 

[Cedar]

I find the animal husbandry behind keeping tarantulas to be very rewarding. Sure, they don't care about us humans and sometimes get mad at us for bothering them, but providing them with the care to allow them to thrive and in turn having the opportunity to watch them do tarantula stuff is A++. Although, my I. mira is probably sick of my big dumb face peering in at her, so...

 

[ErinM31]

Part of the reason I get up in the morning