Handling for the first time?

[Judasennnis]

I have a juvenile male G. Porteri whom I haven't held yet, but would like to. I also have a mature male G. Porteri, and I've held him occasionally. He seems to do okay with handling and has never bit me. But, I would like to handle Hux (my juvenile) at least once. He's a bit more aggressive and quick than my mature male though. Are there any tips on how I could safely hold him? Rose hairs are quite docile. And yes, I completely understand that tarantulas do not require being held, but I would like to. It's not like I'm taking him out every single day, this is just occasionally (probably every 3-6 months). How should I pick him up for the first time?

 

[Toxoderidae]

If the spider shows it does NOT want to be held and does NOT want you around (aggressive actions and such) leave it alone. Seriously, they don't have brains, you can't teach them anything, and handling is just overall bad. The only times I handle is to show an arachnophobe at my house the spider, and I always make sure it's a calm spider that will ALLOW ME to hold it.

 

[Draketeeth]

I think the personality of the spider should be the biggest factor in this. Your male that you say doesn't mind being handled sounds a lot more mellow than Hux. In my book, Hux does not sound like a good spider to try holding with the attributes you describe, it's too risky for both of you.

That's just how it goes sometimes. Between my Ts there's one I'd stick my hand in with no problem. My other who is also of a docile species? Never. It's just too fast and too willing to fang first, ask questions later.

Maybe in a few years your juvie will grow up some and mellow out. For now, respect his personality and keep your hands clear. That's safest.

 

[Poec54]

Roseas are not docile. They are famous for unpredictable mood swings, becoming and remaining defensive.

This site is not pro-handling. That's when most bites occur, & many tarantulas are injured and killed in falls, or shaken and flung when they bite the handler. Totally pointless.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

This site is not pro-handling.

Ah ah ah ah ah, good one!

 

[Toxoderidae]

Honestly I'm pro partying with my spiders. The poecs make perfect DJ's

 

[Tomoran]

Even folks who are pro handling will tell you that it depends on the temperament of the spider, and it sounds like yours is sending pretty clear signals that it's not going to tolerate it. In that case, why bother stressing it or risking a bite? As Poec said, the idea that all G. porteri/roseas are docile is a myth. I have one I wouldn't think of sticking my hand in with, and there are many others who report having "psycho rosies". Temperament varies from specimen to specimen, even among commonly recognized "docile" species. Personally, if there is a chance this one will bite you, I would encourage a hands-off approach for a while. If you're like most people and are bit, you run the chance of injuring or killing the spider when you rip your hand away.

 

[Bemottled]

Definitely agreeing with the above posts in saying that handling is very dependant on the tarantula at hand (hahaha at hand get it).
Also, G. porteri/rosea, again, doesn't immediately mean it's inclined to docility. My G. porteri and I end up at odds any time I want to do so much as fill her water dish- she attacks the dish, throws up defensive postures, and tries to take things like cups and pipettes away from me. So, that being said, always pay attention to personality over species! (of course this line gets a little harder with OWs, I would never advocate to handle an appearingly docile OBT)

As far as handling advice, I'll quote you what I've told others-

If you do insist on handling, however, please please please learn your Ts body language before you decide to get him out. It will help so much in knowing what mood it's in, if it's okay, etc. Always err on the side of caution.

As a general rule;

• Test with a paintbrush first! A light brush or tap on their bum or back legs will show you very quickly the kind of mood they're in.
• Leave them alone around molting time.
• If they're defensive, leave them alone.
• They'll be more prone to bite/kick hairs inside their enclosure/home- try and coax them from enclosure to hand. (Unless you're a terrible person like me, and you haven't moved your T out of your cheap glass aquarium yet, and falling could hurt it; in which case, wait for a better enclosure!)
• MAKE SURE YOU ARE HANDLING IN A PLACE IT CANNOT RUN OFF AND DISAPPEAR. This includes areas where it might disappear in pieces down your dog or cats gullet.
• And above all, just.. respect your T! It's a living creature with it's own wants and whims and if you're handling it, it is cooperating but not enjoying it. Never excessively handle them. Only a few minutes at a time. The longer you have them out the more you're asking for something unfortunate to happen.

Make your own choices, but for the love of your T don't be an idiot about it. That's all I ask.

 

[mistertim]

Only handle if you ask them if they're ok with it and they say "yes".

 

[Toxoderidae]

You always need enthusiastic consent before handling a spider. Otherwise it's considered spider rape.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

You always need enthusiastic consent before handling a spider. Otherwise it's considered spider rape.

Aren't "handlers" sort of Theraphosidae registered sex offenders tout court?

 

[ErinM31]

I think the personality of the spider should be the biggest factor in this. Your male that you say doesn't mind being handled sounds a lot more mellow than Hux. In my book, Hux does not sound like a good spider to try holding with the attributes you describe, it's too risky for both of you.

That's just how it goes sometimes. Between my Ts there's one I'd stick my hand in with no problem. My other who is also of a docile species? Never. It's just too fast and too willing to fang first, ask questions later.

Maybe in a few years your juvie will grow up some and mellow out. For now, respect his personality and keep your hands clear. That's safest.

I completely agree! I am far more pro-handling than most on this site, but I am 100% for respecting the tarantula and indeed, any animal. From my kitties who have a close bond with me to my tarantulas who, well, probably don't fathom me at all, I let them initiate and tell me what they are comfortable with or in the mood for. No, I don't believe tarantulas bond or wish to be held but rather are wishing to explore (my experience thus far is only with Euathlus sp. red as my others are slings) but I enjoy it and even though it meant nothing to her, it was good for my soul that my little E. red came out onto my arm one last time before she passed this last week.

Back to what @Draketeeth and others have said, your T's personality may change as the mature and you will be able to handle them safely, but for now, respect your T's wishes.

 

[Abyss]

Heres my 2 cents
Since most here seem anti-handling i will appeal to them an offer the disclaimer that i rarely handle except when nescessary as handling provides 0 benefit to the spider in any way. Anything thats not good is by definition bad imo.

That said, i sinply dont understand this irrational fear of handling i see constantly on this forum?
I have owned some highly aggresive species (i would list them but ya'll will flame me for common names an thats the only names i have mostly used for 20+ years and mostly all i know at this point. Im working on learning the others to appease folks here tho so hopefully soon i will be fluent in latin names as well) and i have never once even came close to being bitten, close to dropoing one, rarely had one bolt on me, rarely had one even atempt to use the speed some possess etc.
in my experience, any T can/will be calm when handled IF its done respectfully. On that note, Respect and fear are seperate things and i read far all the time here. Fear of hurting the T, fear of being bitten, fear of the T bolting for the door. Fear fear fear all the time. Soome alot of you are constantly talking about handling pokies for example as if its so dangerous etc. alot of commens talk about how scared someone was when rehousing etc. i see posts about rehouses taking 30+ min or even hours........ I just dont understand it. Its never taken me more then 5-10 min to rehouse any T i have ever owned. You need to respect the T but dont fear it. Your the handler and weather you realise it or not, you can control the tempo of the rehouse and handling by your presentation, technique, and actions.

When the need arises to handle any T i simply allow the T to calmly (and at its own pace) crawl onto my hand (obviously they need gently nudged in the correct direction) then i simply slide one hand next to the other to provide a stable walking path. I always keep my eyes on the T and keep my head pointed down breathing through my nose so as not to spook the T. Same process is used when coaxing them into a cup or whatever to transfer.

Moral of the story is (in my exoerience and my opinion)
Do NOT be scared of your T. Take your time and be confident and know what your doing. Have a "game plan". Be slow, calm.

Again, I do NOT advicate handling except when needed (not wanted). Its NOT beneficial to the T. Its NOT for the T. Handling is for you and only you but i just dont understand the hysteria surrounding OW Tarantulas? Seems some of you think they are these demonic little monsters or something that are dying for you to try to rehouse them so they can attack lol. Perhaps i have just been lucky or use a handling/moving technique most dont, i dunno.

 

[darkness975]

My suggestion for handling your Tarantula?

Don't.

 

[Lander9021]

I don't think any theraphosidae should be labeled as "docile" more like "I'm OK for the minute so risk it if you want" but one bad moment and you will either end up with a t that is brown bread or a lovely swollen hand .

 

[cold blood]

Rose hairs are quite docile.

Actually they're notoriously moody.

 

[cold blood]

You always need enthusiastic consent before handling a spider. Otherwise it's considered spider rape.

C'mon, its only considered to be molestation.:wideyed:

 

[chanda]

I'm not as anti-handling as many of the people here. I do handle some of my T's occasionally - usually just a few times a year - for classroom demonstrations. While I am well aware that the tarantula derives no benefit from being held, seeing someone holding the "big, scary spider" without fear can go a long ways toward overcoming arachnophobia, especially with children who are still forming their opinions of the world around them. Of course, I also talk to the children at length while I am picking up and holding the spider, letting them know exactly what I'm doing and why, especially explaining to them what the spider is telling me with its body language - and, if one of the spiders is indicating that it does not wish to be held, explaining and respecting that, too. (That's why it's always nice to have a couple of tarantulas on deck - even if one of my girls is being difficult, I can usually find one who will be cooperative.)

As has been said, you can't rely on the "usual" temperament of a particular genus or species - or even of an individual spider. You can have two spiders of the same species, one of which will be calm and easy-going, and the other will flick hairs or go into a threat posture every time you get near it. You can also have a normally calm, cooperative spider who has days when she doesn't want anything to do with you. Spiders can change in temperament or attitude as they get older or adapt to changes in their environments - or can just be "in a mood" on any given day.

The most important thing with your spiders is to recognize their body language and respect whatever they are telling you. If the spider does anything indicating that it wants to be left alone - whether it runs away or hides, flicks hairs, or rears up into an aggressive stance, respect what it's saying and leave it alone. That doesn't mean that you won't ever be able to handle it, but it does mean that - for the moment, at least - it's not willing and should be left alone.

When you are finally ready to handle your new T, start out (assuming he's not giving you signs to the contrary) by just putting your hand flat in front of him and letting him walk across it. If that goes well, you can progress to picking him up - after he has walked onto your hand by himself - but you should never hold him more than a few inches above a solid surface such as a tabletop or floor.

 

[cold blood]

That said, i sinply dont understand this irrational fear of handling i see constantly on this forum?

It has nothing to do with irrational fear and much more to do with respect and the general desire for the t to remain safe and healthy....people who don't handle are not doing it because they're afraid to...lol.

 

[Toxoderidae]

C'mon, its only considered to be molestation.:wideyed:

Wrong! Those erroneous keepers touch those females epigastric furrow, and slather their filthy fingers all over their pouch!