Gbb

[kcoop6888]

Ok so im thinking one of my next t's will be a GBB. Would you consider these guys "docile" enough to hold when needed?

 

[Mojo Jojo]

If you have a cup large enough for it to run into, then I don't know that it is ever "needed". I think they are docile. I've read other people who would call them skittish. *shrug*

 

[newspidermom]

I wouldn't recommend it. I don't think you'd be in danger of a bite or anything, but they can be skittish and are VERY fast. Mine almost gave me a heart attack just feeding him. I threw the cicket in and when he went after it he bolted so fast I barely held him back from getting out of his enclosure...lol. Scared the crap out of me.

 

[KoriTamashii]

The one sub-adult I had was VERY skittish, and due to my own stupidity when I spooked it while filling its water, bit me.

My sling is a VORACIOUS eater, and I love it, but it is also skittish.

 

[Stopdroproll]

Mines is also very skittish. He typically reacts to any disturbances and is constantly plotting an escape. I've seen him do a circuit around the enclosure in less than a second.

 

[Obijuan56]

I have a 2 inch sling that occasionally doesn't not like the tongs I use to feed it, to the point where it will attack it, generally though it is just skittish but not docile enough to handle, I would recommend a catch if you need to handle it

 

[Shell]

Mine is pretty skittish and fast. It is also very quick to kick hairs. That said, in my opinion, everyone should have one in their collection. Beautiful spiders, voracious eaters and I find mine is always out in the open. Not one that I would handle, mostly for fear of it bolting, but definately one of my favorites. I always keep a catch cup handy when doing any maintanence.

 

[Obijuan56]

Catch Cup*

 

[killy]

My GBB was always very docile, cool as a cucumber when handled (the first time we got together, he handled me!) ... That was until after his last molt ... now he's skittish, seemingly terrified at the slightest movement, and more prone to hide out in his tube-condo than ever before ... I gotta say it saddens me a little - geez, I thought we were friends! Still, I agree with Shell - if you're going to collect tarantulas, go for a looker like the GBB - as Ralph Waldo Emerson famously waxed, "Beauty is its own excuse for being ..." I don't think he was referring specifically to a GBB, but he might just have well have been.

 

[ManlyMan7]

I was given a 2.5" GBB back in February and have had a great experience with it. She is not particularly skittish, but has had a couple moments like that before. Generally, she is slow and cool.

I bought one (similar size) for a friend last week and this one is quite skittish! And yes, they can bolt pretty fast. Still not bity though.

 

[nesok]

Mine isn't bitey or threatening in any way, but is crazy fast! Almost teleporting-fast when startled. It would be my luck that something startled him/her while being handled and it would just vanish.

Catch cup, for sure.

 

[Tym Hollerup]

Mine is pretty skittish and fast. It is also very quick to kick hairs. That said, in my opinion, everyone should have one in their collection. Beautiful spiders, voracious eaters and I find mine is always out in the open. Not one that I would handle, mostly for fear of it bolting, but definately one of my favorites. I always keep a catch cup handy when doing any maintanence.

This explains mine pretty well perfectly as well. Mine is VERY skittish too. Gets even worse the older she gets. But I do agree with Shell. Everyone should have one in their collection! I'm trying to weed out and do away with most all of my New Worlds, but my GBB I will always keep! She was my 1st T after all. LOL. Just thinking back to when I got her... The very first thing she ever did when I opened the vial and that paintbrush touched her was kick hairs! LOL. It was SOOOOO cute! She was just a little thing. Bearly over a 1/2".

 

[astraldisaster]

Mine is fairly skittish, as well. When I open the enclosure to give her food or water, she almost always bolts for the shelter of her hide -- and let me tell you, she is FAST. I did handle her once, very briefly, while unpacking her from her shipping container, but I think her calmness on that occasion was due to shipping stress. I probably won't go out of my way to handle her again.

 

[Kuro]

i have 2 and they both can be very skittish and very fast! i use a catch cup when i have to remove them form their renclosures as i am afraid they'd get hurt or escape otherwise

 

[Moltar]

Really, really not a spider for handling, there. They aren't especially defensive (mean & bitey) but they are (as has been said) verrry flighty and very skittish. If you feel that you must handle your tarantula, you're better off with some sort of Grammostola, Brachypelma, etc.