Can anyone think of a reason to WEIGH a tarantula??

[spideyspinneret78]

If you're trying to collect some scientific data, then it absolutely could yield useful information. But for the average hobbyist I doubt it would be meaningful...just unnecessary handling that increases the chances of the tarantula getting injured or the human being bitten/ haired. And the metabolic rates of tarantulas are so incredibly slow that meaningful changes would probably be difficult to observe unless one had a very sensitive scale and weights were taken at certain times (before, after a molt, while gravid, etc). That being said, an animal's weight over time can be a useful indicator of its health. But in this case there isn't really anything to compare it to for reference.

 

[cold blood]

Personally, I think the notion of stress is far over rated in this hobby.

I'll second that one.

 

[Irithyllian]

You guys have never heard of tarantula dieting? You can’t see their abdominal muscles if their body fat is too high.

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

I'll admit to idly wondering what my female LP might weigh, but I'm pretty unlikely to try and find out.
That said, if for some reason I find myself needing to cup her for a rehouse, I might tare the cup in advance and set it on the digital scales with her in it

 

[Dry Desert]

I'll admit to idly wondering what my female LP might weigh, but I'm pretty unlikely to try and find out.
That said, if for some reason I find myself needing to cup her for a rehouse, I might tare the cup in advance and set it on the digital scales with her in it

Obviously you would weigh a T to see if it was in prime condition prior to hunting, similar to birds of prey. Or you may need to know if it was ready to race alongside a racing pigeon - don't you know anything.