G Pulchra bites

[Andee]

So I have my two slings/juveniles, very close to hitting juvenile age now, and both Necco and Espresso, even though Espresso is a bit more skittish, I can easily see myself handling both in the near future (I am currently waiting for them to go through a molt before even trying our first handling experience) without issues. Even being an inch a little bit over maybe? at most, they just generally don't care, and aren't hurried. I would worry more about them running then getting bit. But my mother is worried about me getting bit. and if I am right G. Pulchra bites are usually like a wasp sting right? a really nasty one? Or do they make you feel fluish?

I haven't told her about Queenie, my gray house spider's venom abilities, where most people are pretty sure she could cause the cramping and vomitting flu like symptoms. But once again, Queenie isn't worried and wants to run more than anything. I would like to be able to set my mother's mind at ease a bit. I am not nearly as worried as she is. I know what an aggressive spider looks like, I know with MOST G. Pulchra you really have to piss them off to get more than a threat display... and then honestly you deserve to be bit in my book. Though there is always possible for that one individual spider, it's pretty obvious between... not likely going to, to mess with this one and it will resort to biting immediately.

 

[Venom1080]

I'd recommend not handling at all. If you're buying spiders to handle, you're in the wrong hobby.

 

[Andee]

I'm not buying spiders specifically to handle them, but I would like to be able to get in and out of the cage without them seeing me as something horrible in general. But there are plenty out there who I know handle spiders, especially T's.... I would assume it'd be based of individual T's and spiders. I have several spiders I do not touch. Queenie is one of them, Hallow is one, and all my other true spiders aren't touched. Why would you recommend no handling? If the T shows stress signs or something?

 

[Trenor]

Here is all I could find on them in the bite reports. Remember a lot of it depends on how much venom you get when bitten.
This and This.

Tarantulas react on instinct so all you have to do is trigger the right response to get bit. I've had several Ts strike tongs for just getting a little too close.

They don't benefit from handling and it can lead to harm for the T and you. That's why a lot of people don't handle.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Necco? Espresso? Ah ah u_u

Consider this important detail: the kinda "historical" comparison between "average New World Theraphosidae venom" and "a Wasp sting" is completely wrong.

There's only a thing that hurts like a Wasp sting, and that's another Wasp sting.

As far as I know the venom shouldn't be too painful but in those issues enters always the individual 'case per case' thing to consider.

What I'm sure will hurt is the 'mechanical damage' by the Chelicerae (the fangs) of adult T's especially... now that will hurt, nonetheless the venom potency

 

[Andee]

I am not one to push, I deal with rehabbing sensitive reptile species, like chameleons, so I am aware how much stress is bad, and am very aware that any tiny sign can be a sign of stress etc. I just want to be able to move them safely especially if they escape. If I get bit, I get bit, if it sends me to the hospital then so be it. I would rather the T be safe in it's enclosure and then go to the hospital than have the little sweetie at possible danger of getting killed by one of the many animals in my home by running around.

Necco? Espresso? Ah ah

Consider this important detail: the kinda "historical" comparison between "average New World Theraphosidae venom" and "a Wasp sting" is completely wrong.

There's only a thing that hurts like a Wasp sting, and that's another Wasp sting.

As far as I know the venom shouldn't be too painful but in those issues, enters always the individual 'case per case' thing to consider.

What I'm sure will hurt is the 'mechanical damage' by the Chelicerae (the fangs) of adult T's... now that will hurt, nonetheless the venom potency

The size of their fangs especially when they are adult is definitely something that will cause pain T^T

I am being very careful to learn their body language and hope to rarely need to handle them. But I would like to try once at least, when something terrifying ISN'T happening, just so I can be aware of what to expect I think XD. I am fine just watching otherwise, I find them to be the most adorable creatures, and I have so many animals etc, that are look not touch in most circumstances.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

I would like to be able to get in and out of the cage without them seeing me as something horrible in general.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

However, what can I say? If you want to handle, handle then

 

[Andee]

Eh I don't necessarily want to... I think it comes from the reptile hobby a bit XD, where desenstizing a bit can be useful in case of an escape .___. it's hard to get out of the habit. Currently dealing with a super grump and sick male veiled who literally got out of his outdoor cage today and escaped into the nightshade, XD we had fun catching him.

 

[Venom1080]

I'm not buying spiders specifically to handle them, but I would like to be able to get in and out of the cage without them seeing me as something horrible in general. But there are plenty out there who I know handle spiders, especially T's.... I would assume it'd be based of individual T's and spiders. I have several spiders I do not touch. Queenie is one of them, Hallow is one, and all my other true spiders aren't touched. Why would you recommend no handling? If the T shows stress signs or something?

That's good.

Well, sorry, but they won't. They are not smart enough. There technically isn't evidence to support that, but basically all of what we know of them suggests they are simply too basic to have such feelings. Different spiders do seem to have different "personalitys" so to speak, so maybe one day we'll know for sure. Frankly, I doubt it.

Yes, it is unfortunate. They are either very misinformed, or just selfish and don't mind stressing their pets.

 

[Andee]

That's good.

Well, sorry, but they won't. They are not smart enough. There technically isn't evidence to support that, but basically all of what we know of them suggests they are simply too basic to have such feelings. Different spiders do seem to have different "personalitys" so to speak, so maybe one day we'll know for sure. Frankly, I doubt it.

Yes, it is unfortunate. They are either very misinformed, or just selfish and don't mind stressing their pets.

Ok then I will likely handle as an emergency effort, like if said little one escapes etc, and there is nothing close by to use as a catch cup. Otherwise these two are on the look don't touch list of my many house members, I have several hamsters who have passed through here like that even. I kind of make a safe haven for animals like that (species that are normally sold as a pets) but somehow certain ones make bad pets to the general populace, so those individuals in my area find their way to me, and get to live out their lives being themselves. As will these two ^^ I want to make their enclosures bigger and slightly more... "homey" when they are less small XD I want to top out at a ten gallon, maybe a bit more if it's a rather large individual and from what I understand from my many enclosure threads 10 gallon is a good size for an adult ^^ I look forward to seeing them grow <3 they have already gotten a bit bigger while here I assume it will be much more noticeable after a molt... rambling sorry XD

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

Here is all I could find on them in the bite reports. Remember a lot of it depends on how much venom you get when bitten.
This and This.

Tarantulas react on instinct so all you have to do is trigger the right response to get bit. I've had several Ts strike tongs for just getting a little too close.

They don't benefit from handling and it can lead to harm for the T and you. That's why a lot of people don't handle.

Um, maybe I missed something, but that first link is for an H. minax bite, not a G. pulchra. G. pulchra was mentioned in the post, maybe your search hit on that and you didn't notice that the report itself concerned another species altogether.

In regard to a bite from a New World, the concern here is usually more about the spider. The flinch response is hard to avoid and flinching when a spider is in your hand is usually bad news for the spider. That is why I'll only handle my mildest-mannered spiders in an emergency, and my ornerier ones not at all. I'll occasionally give my G. pulchripes and and the spider formerly know as B. smithi a nudge on the abdomen with my finger, but only if I don't have the forceps or something else handy. which is not very often.

 

[miss moxie]

I am being very careful to learn their body language and hope to rarely need to handle them.

Just so you know, not every bite is started off with a threat pose. Rarely in the bite reports do you see something along the lines of "My tarantula went into a threat pose so I placed my hand somewhere it could bite it."

It's always "...ran up the tongs before I could blink and sank it's fangs in..." "...I was holding her and something must have scared her because she just hauled off and bit me..." "...never had a problem holding her before but yesterday I went to pick her up and she bit me!"

 

[Venom1080]

Ok then I will likely handle as an emergency effort, like if said little one escapes etc, and there is nothing close by to use as a catch cup. Otherwise these two are on the look don't touch list of my many house members, I have several hamsters who have passed through here like that even. I kind of make a safe haven for animals like that (species that are normally sold as a pets) but somehow certain ones make bad pets to the general populace, so those individuals in my area find their way to me, and get to live out their lives being themselves. As will these two ^^ I want to make their enclosures bigger and slightly more... "homey" when they are less small XD I want to top out at a ten gallon, maybe a bit more if it's a rather large individual and from what I understand from my many enclosure threads 10 gallon is a good size for an adult ^^ I look forward to seeing them grow <3 they have already gotten a bit bigger while here I assume it will be much more noticeable after a molt... rambling sorry XD

They don't grow at all except by molting btw.

 

[miss moxie]

Ok then I will likely handle as an emergency effort, like if said little one escapes etc, and there is nothing close by to use as a catch cup.

Also I just noticed this-- you should always have a catch cup near by when you are working with your tarantulas. If it's already there you don't have to go hunting for one and then you also don't have to use your hands. There is a bite report on a Poecilotheria fasciata where the poster stuck their hand out instinctively to stop their tarantula and they got tagged.

Just don't do anything with your Ts unless you have a catch cup, that significantly lowers the need for impromptu handling.

 

[Andrea82]

Typed this out the other day, might as well copy paste it here:

http://arachnoboards.com/threads/g-rosea-moulting-on-her-front.297545/page-3#post-2675791

 

[Andee]

Also I just noticed this-- you should always have a catch cup near by when you are working with your tarantulas. If it's already there you don't have to go hunting for one and then you also don't have to use your hands. There is a bite report on a Poecilotheria fasciata where the poster stuck their hand out instinctively to stop their tarantula and they got tagged.

Just don't do anything with your Ts unless you have a catch cup, that significantly lowers the need for impromptu handling.

I agree in all proper handling moments a catch cup would be there. But I am also aware life doesn't always work as perfect moments. Anyways these guys won't 've handled unless it's a random unforseen incident which honestly no one can guarantee it 100% of no touching in cases like those. So these little ones will be left to be themselves.

 

[Ant]

Why do you want to handle your Ts? The fact that you're worrying about bites says everything. I'm relatively new to the hobby but from day 1, I never had any intention of handling my Ts. They're for observation only. Tarantulas get nothing out of being held.

 

[Andrea82]

Why do you want to handle your Ts? The fact that you're worrying about bites says everything. I'm relatively new to the hobby but from day 1, I never had any intention of handling my Ts. They're for observation only. Tarantulas get nothing out of being held.

I think OP already changed his mind about that if you look at his last post

 

[Ant]

I think OP already changed his mind about that if you look at his last post

I realised after posting! Glad he's seen the light