Handling: How much is too much?

[white_feather]

I got two slings in a trade this past weekend. One is a P. Regalis that is tiny (.75') which I don't plan on handling for some time. The other is a B.Smithi that is about 2 1/2" max leg span. Holding her is a blast. She is docile and beautiful. I enjoy holding her and watching her but I am worried about stressing her out. These are my first ever slings and I am fascinted with them. What am I to do?

 

[Tcollector]

Simple answer. When you get tagged

For real though. I wouldent handle until you clean cages. I would never handle the regalis. The B. smithi might be okay as long as it does not flick hairs all the time.

 

[Travis K]

Regalis can be a bit nippy, but that hasn't stopped many from handling them. At the size of your smithi I would not handle it too much. I probably handle mine about once every month or two and mine are really big. I don't think there is really a definitive answer for your question.

 

[Pokerplayer]

imo i would have 2 say that ANY handling is too much!
I never handle mine because of respect.
I dont wonna make them look like cirkuspets.

Think the should be let alone and only being watch in as natural habbitat u can give them as possible.

 

[white_feather]

Thanks Poker. I like that idea.

 

[JasonCrowl]

handling

Be carefull of handling the P Regalis....quick and will bit w/out provocation...I hear the venom on them is strong...they're not a T to handle...IMO

 

[Travis K]

Why not?

 

[alchie 8]

I choose to not handle mine except for ousting them out of their homes for cage cleanings/ new cages. If you do choose to handle them just be smart about it and do it in a situation where they won't dive to their deaths, etc. If you are the reason they get injured or die it is devastating and will cause you guilt IMO but on the other hand there are a ton of people who do handle their T's get great pics and never have a problem. Good luck.

 

[Radamanthys]

Handle the P. regalis, but don't come here crying when wou start swelling, cramping, trying to chew your arm of because of the pain and write a bite report

Transforming T's In Monsters mode [ON]

 

[somethingbig]

imo i would have 2 say that ANY handling is too much!
I never handle mine because of respect.
I dont wonna make them look like cirkuspets.

Think the should be let alone and only being watch in as natural habbitat u can give them as possible.

do you ever pet puppies?

 

[bamato]

This is one of those things that every person is going to be different. Just as every T is going to be different. If you have a smithi that takes to handling just fine, then I say have fun with it. By this I mean if it isn't running from you or sprinting from your hands, as long as it's relaxed.

As with ANY caged animal, too much handling can be stressful. And most caged animals will let you know when the handling is too much. Tarantulas can do this in many ways. Be it biting, running, kicking hairs, etc. Just be mindful

On that note I'd like to add that I don't handle my tarantulas. But for my own reasons

 

[the nature boy]

Bring it on!

I will handle absolutely any T at any time whatsoever. Moreover, I don't whine when I'm bit.

--the nature boy

 

[Pociemon]

I will handle absolutely any T at any time whatsoever. Moreover, I don't whine when I'm bit.

--the nature boy

Then you should try out my haplopelma Hainana, very nasty attitude and a very big haplo too

 

[Medicinewolf]

spider awe

I have only two Ts: an adult female B.smithi and a young female G.aureo. I handle them both. Not a lot, but now and then, because I find them absolutely enchanting to view up really close. I find that my smithi is more relaxed when she has more recently molted, and gets "flick-hairer" the older her skin gets. I find the reverse is true for my grammy, and she is mostly nervous in the first month or two post molt.

How do I know when they get stressed? I think all Ts probably show this in their own ways, and as a keeper, you get to understand them better with time. My smithi skuttles quickly away from me, kicking up a cloud of hairs. She is so funny! Anyone else ever notice that when they kick hairs, it sounds like they are fast-moving fat ladies in panty hose---you know, that scritch scritch scritch sound? Or guys in cheap dress pants---the sound is the same.

Anyhow, when she gets her panty-hose in a knot, I leave her alone. My grammy I mostly handle when she comes to the top of her enclosure, and when I open it, she steps out easily onto my hand. If I see her shrink down (she did this today) when my hand approaches, or if I try and lift her and she "hugs" the side of the tank, I leave her be. Also, I NEVER mess with them at least 3 weeks after a molt.

Just one more person weighing in on this

 

[Pokerplayer]

do you ever pet puppies?

Pretty silly comparison.

 

[somethingbig]

Pretty silly comparison.

and why is that? you could make the puppy a circus animal too...

 

[Pokerplayer]

and why is that? you could make the puppy a circus animal too...

Yes but thats not what it all boils down too.
When u are handling a spider, u are doing nothing good 4 the spider.
It just wants 2 be left alone.
Is a dog a social animal or does it also just want 2 be let alone?? Million dollars question!
Is a spider a wild animal?
is a dog a wild animal? (the ones u have in your home and NOT the African ones ofcause)
I could keep on like this.
Its 2 totally different types of animals and if u cant even see the point, then i guees its a waste of time discussing it.

Im just glad that OP got the point and i think many others did as well.

But u are ofcause free 2 handle them as u like.

 

[the nature boy]

Then you should try out my haplopelma Hainana, very nasty attitude and a very big haplo too

I find haps to be some of the most easily handled "defensive" Ts. Arboreals with an attitude are quite a bit more challenging. Yes, I'd be more than happy to handle your hainana. I don't suppose you live near St. Louis?

--the nature boy

 

[wsimms]

When u are handling a spider, u are doing nothing good 4 the spider.

Proof?
Has anyone done a study on the morbidity and mortality of handled vs. non-handled captive T's?
If so, I want to read it. My personal anecdotal experience is that handling T's goes a long way towards extinguishing their fight or flight reaction.

 

[Pociemon]

I find haps to be some of the most easily handled "defensive" Ts. Arboreals with an attitude are quite a bit more challenging. Yes, I'd be more than happy to handle your hainana. I don't suppose you live near St. Louis?

--the nature boy

No i live in denmark . How do i go about handling her?

I think about giving it a go, just not sure what is the safest way to go. I think of cupping her and coax her from there to my hand, but if you have a better idea, i am all ears;-)