Can I hold my H. Maculata?

[meme101]

Hey guys and gals. Just a quick question. I recently was able to get my first tarantula, yay! He or she is a very cute and furry little bugger and I'd like to handle it. Will it show any sign of aggression and try to bite? Or will it just sit and relax? I would hope if I do try to hold it, it won't run away and out the front door. Haha! Just kidding. Anyways, the whole reason for this post is... can I hold my little guy?

meme101

 

[arachnidgirl]

Hey guys and gals. Just a quick question. I recently was able to get my first tarantula, yay! He or she is a very cute and furry little bugger and I'd like to handle it. Will it show any sign of aggression and try to bite? Or will it just sit and relax? I would hope if I do try to hold it, it won't run away and out the front door. Haha! Just kidding. Anyways, the whole reason for this post is... can I hold my little guy?

meme101

I would say you should not because they are extremely fast. If you spook it, all you will see is a blurr. I'm still not quite sure on temperment because I have yet to get mine. I'm getting mine about mid-march .

 

[Niloticus]

Well. It's something I probably would not suggest. For one, the H. Maculata has fairly potent venom for a tarantula. Two, they are extremely fast and aggressive. And three, the only way you'd even want to attempt it is if you like having the devil in the palm of your hand. Seriously. Enough said.

Niloticus

 

[Talkenlate04]

can I hold my little guy?

Sure knock yourself out, I'll keep an eye out for your review of the aftermath in the bite reports section.

There will be a few people that will say any species can be held, and that might be true, but why on earth would you willingly amp up the chances of getting bit?

I like the fact that I have not been bit yet. I intend on keeping it that way for as long as humanly possible. So I guess what I am getting at is this species is not the best one out there to get friendly with.

 

[Snakeguybuffalo]

Well. It's something I probably would not suggest. For one, the H. Maculata has fairly potent venom for a tarantula. Two, they are extremely fast and aggressive. And three, the only way you'd even want to attempt it is if you like having the devil in the palm of your hand. Seriously. Enough said.

Niloticus

well said.

Don't handle this T. I hate to say that cuz its your first one, but only very experienced keepers should even think about handling these things. I've kept Togos in the past, and if they feel slightly cornered (after running away faster than you could imagine) they will rear up and use their fangs. Not as aggressive as some (OBT's for example wont even run, lol) but still not for the beginner. Pick up a Red knee, gold knee, curly hair, or something like that to play with.

 

[meme101]

Sure knock yourself out, I'll keep an eye out for your review of the aftermath in the bite reports section.

There will be a few people that will say any species can be held, and that might be true, but why on earth would you willingly amp up the chances of getting bit?

I like the fact that I have not been bit yet. I intend on keeping it that way for as long as humanly possible. So I guess what I am getting at is this species is not the best one out there to get friendly with.

Well, heck. It's so cute and cuddly looking. It doesn't respond much to me when I put my hand in the tank and close to it. I've kinda bumped it's webbing and nothing has happened. Should I still try to hold it? I'd really like to get the feel of holding my first tarantula. I guess I'll see you in the bite section.

meme101

 

[meme101]

well said.

Don't handle this T. I hate to say that cuz its your first one, but only very experienced keepers should even think about handling these things. I've kept Togos in the past, and if they feel slightly cornered (after running away faster than you could imagine) they will rear up and use their fangs. Not as aggressive as some (OBT's for example wont even run, lol) but still not for the beginner. Pick up a Red knee, gold knee, curly hair, or something like that to play with.

It's not very big yet. It was on the slower side when I unpacked it and it did not respond in an aggressive manner. Gosh, I don't know. It's just so cute and fuzzy!

meme101

 

[Niloticus]

And when you're not looking, it's going to snag you and the effects of the venom will not be pretty. You'll swell up like a balloon and have the feeling of numbness. Like someone already said, go for it. We'll see you in the bite section. Ah, just joking. But I really would not recommend it.

Niloticus

 

[Moltar]

Just curious meme, how did you end up with an h-mac as your first tarantula? As great a species as it is, i'm hard pressed to think of a worse species to start with. Although they are fast, very defensive and highly venomous, i've heard that at least they're pretty hardy. So I guess you've got that going for ya.

If you want to handle a tarantula you really ought to check out something from the grammostola, brachypelma or aphonopelma genera. They are sooooo much more docile.

 

[Hamburglar]

If you want to hold it then hold it.. any type of critter is unpredictable so your guess is as good as ours. However, the others are just trying to advise based on previous behavior. The behavior of this particular species doesn't lend itself to the best handling. Have people held them before? Sure they have.. The only thing I would suggest is that you do it in a manner that would keep the T safe in case something does happen.... good luck..

 

[arachnidgirl]

Just curious meme, how did you end up with an h-mac as your first tarantula? As great a species as it is, i'm hard pressed to think of a worse species to start with. Although they are fast, very defensive and highly venomous, i've heard that at least they're pretty hardy. So I guess you've got that going for ya.

If you want to handle a tarantula you really ought to check out something from the grammostola, brachypelma or aphonopelma genera. They are sooooo much more docile.

I agree, If you want to hold T, you should have gone with these generas. My first T was a Grammostola Rosea.

 

[Talkenlate04]

Well, heck. It's so cute and cuddly looking. It doesn't respond much to me when I put my hand in the tank and close to it. I've kinda bumped it's webbing and nothing has happened. Should I still try to hold it? I'd really like to get the feel of holding my first tarantula. I guess I'll see you in the bite section.

meme101

The closest I have ever been to being bit is when I thought what you are thinking. I was on the phone talking to a friend and unpacking a box with a cute little H. Mac. And before I could comprehend what the heck had happened it was up my leg and in the middle of my back. That was not the best situation ever and I think I was lucky I did not get bit.

I think they are faster then pokies. And that is saying something.

 

[meme101]

The person at a local pet store sold it to me and someone identified it as a H. Mac. I don't like nice animals, I tend to go for the more ferocious ones that scratch, bite, sting, pinch, and growl. The field I am going into says it all. A Veterinarian!

meme101

 

[Talkenlate04]

The person at a local pet store sold it to me and someone identified it as a H. Mac. I don't like nice animals, I tend to go for the more ferocious ones that scratch, bite, sting, pinch, and growl. The field I am going into says it all. A Veterinarian!

meme101

Well you might want to be a Vet, but your still going to need a medic if you get bit.

 

[desertdweller]

If you want to hold it then hold it.. any type of critter is unpredictable so your guess is as good as ours. However, the others are just trying to advise based on previous behavior. The behavior of this particular species doesn't lend itself to the best handling. Have people held them before? Sure they have.. The only thing I would suggest is that you do it in a manner that would keep the T safe in case something does happen.... good luck..

:clap: :clap: :clap:
Everyone's experience is different. When one is not afraid to handle a T and is calm, most likely it is the best time to hold a T. Ditto: Good luck and have a good experience!

 

[Meaningless End]

i am a very open minded person when it comes to handling T's and i have handled H.mac's plenty of times.... and it still makes me sweat more then any other species.. i realy dont recomend it unless your ready to unleash a whirlwind...

this paticular video of mine has been debated on this site MANY diferant times. and theres people on here that actually hate me for making it.. either way its definalty relavent to the topic so im going to post a link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YSBgETQn18

if you want to see exactly what your up against this video should definalty do the trick..

those of you who disagree with the vid try and just leave it at that... ive heard it all before and im sure the mods are sick of sorting threw the aftermath this vid tends to cause

 

[Snakeguybuffalo]

The person at a local pet store sold it to me and someone identified it as a H. Mac. I don't like nice animals, I tend to go for the more ferocious ones that scratch, bite, sting, pinch, and growl. The field I am going into says it all. A Veterinarian!

meme101

someone up there said he'd be hard pressed to find a worse beginner, and I agree. If you want to hold it because it's "cute and cuddly looking," then go for it. It doesn't seem like there is going to be much convincing for you to do otherwise.:wall: So I supposed we should all consider you fairly warned. Have fun with it, and good luck.

 

[meme101]

Well you might want to be a Vet, but your still going to need a medic if you get bit.

That's what mums are for! :8o

meme101

 

[Talkenlate04]

That's what mums are for! :8o

meme101

Chicken noodle soup is not going to help you if you get tagged. ;P

 

[Tunedbeat]

Hey guys and gals. Just a quick question. I recently was able to get my first tarantula, yay! He or she is a very cute and furry little bugger and I'd like to handle it. Will it show any sign of aggression and try to bite? Or will it just sit and relax? I would hope if I do try to hold it, it won't run away and out the front door. Haha! Just kidding. Anyways, the whole reason for this post is... can I hold my little guy?

meme101

It depends on its size, if it's a sling be sure not to lose it they are fast and can jump. If it's an adult, I'd suggest not handling it. I would rather handle a pokie than try to handle an H. mac.