Handling, how?!

[EggSack]

Hey tarantula people,

I really wonder... how do people handle their A. Geniculata??

Mine is biting everything that approaches... no chance to handle that spider
Yet I see a lot of videos on youtube handling this species.

Are they more relaxed when they grow up? Mine is still juvenile..
I know at least two people will say you should never handle a T, but I think it's OK if you're careful and don't put the T at risk.

Looking forward to hear your thoughts/experiences.

 

[basin79]

Handling a tarantula and not putting it at risk is an oxymoron.

 

[vancwa]

A. genics think every movement is food. Not good to handle any T. Could lead to harm and/or death.

 

[CommanderBacon]

I generally don't handle my Ts, as there's no way to anticipate what imperceptible-to-me thing will make them flip out and bolt, but in particular, I would never, ever, ever consider handling an Acanthoscurria geniculata. I'd rather stab my hand with a sharpened pencil. It would be safer for all parties.

Why do you feel the desire to handle this spider?

 

[EggSack]

@basin79 @vancwa @CommanderBacon so you guys never ever, not even once handled a T?

Why do you feel the desire to handle this spider?

It's my first T, I'm just curious what it's like to hold it, never held one before...

 

[vancwa]

No. I have never handled any of my T's.

 

[CommanderBacon]

@basin79 @vancwa @CommanderBacon so you guys never ever, not even once handled a T?

I have only handled a spider if there was no other option. Otherwise, I just don't. It only puts the spider at risk. There's no telling if it will bolt or if it will panic and bite, or think my hand is food and bite, and there's no telling how I will react with a pair of fangs sunk into my skin. I can't predict what will happen. It is unsafe, and the spider gets no benefit from it.

Even if I planned to condition an ambassador spider to accept handling so I could share it at an educational event, Acanthoscurria geniculata would absolutely NOT be on the very short list of species I would use.

 

[DomGom TheFather]

Handling them is a lot like,
"Oh, this is lame. OH NO!"

 

[Liquifin]

I've never handled T.'s willingly which is what most people mean. If you're trying to willingly handle your T.'s then it's just a recipe for disaster in the long run. I've only handled T.'s (slings in this matter) unintentionally when packing them up to sell wholesale. Other than that, I've never handled a T. intentionally nor should anyone try too for the well being of the spider and owner.

If you're curious as to what it feels like then here's a scenario of unintentional handling gone wrong:
I was preparing to ship out 2 mature male P. rufilata's and when packing the last one, he bolted and ran up my arm and back down the other arm in a matter of seconds. It feels unpleasant to have a large (8'') mature male OW tarantula run up your arm in the blink of an eye. I caught him by waiting for him to slowly move off my hand and back into his enclosure and then I caught him for shipping. I have to say that handling is not fine nor should it be recommended because it takes only one bad experience to change perspectives completely.

 

[basin79]

@basin79 @vancwa @CommanderBacon so you guys never ever, not even once handled a T?

Yes. Once. Was rehousing my Brachypelma hamorii. On the floor. She started to walk out and I stupidly didn't have a catch cup close enough (always have at least 1 catch cup near) so I just let her walk onto my hand and then put her straight back.

Would I do it again? No. Because I always have a catch cup and a lid close to hand now.

But I don't understand why it matters what others have done before you if you've been advised not to handle.

I mean I've been that drunk I've ran full whack into a metal signpost. Smashed my face and the back of my head when I hit the floor. Would you want to do that to experience it for yourself?

 

[EggSack]

@vancwa @CommanderBacon @Liquifin @basin79
Ok I'll trust your experience and just not handle my T.

But these handling videos are quite confusing, because they make it seem like the Ts are always so calm.
And it's not just the videos, my little brother held one at his school where they invited some keeper to show around his exotic pets.
Do people sedate their Ts ?! I mean if something goes wrong in the classroom this guy could easily get sued, right?

Thanks for your answers btw, they've already been a great help!

 

[DomGom TheFather]

The main thing that can go wrong is a fall.
It is for the spider's safety that we don't handle them

 

[basin79]

@vancwa @CommanderBacon @Liquifin @basin79
Ok I'll trust your experience and just not handle my T.

But these handling videos are quite confusing, because they make it seem like the Ts are always so calm.
And it's not just the videos, my little brother held one at his school where they invited some keeper to show around his exotic pets.
Do people sedate their Ts ?! I mean if something goes wrong in the classroom this guy could easily get sued, right?

Thanks for your answers btw, they've already been a great help!

A calm tarantula is only calm until it's not. Then it's:

1) The tarantula suddenly runs off your hand/arm and falls to the floor. Splat. Dead tarantula.

2) The tarantula runs up your arm heading for your face. You panic and the tarantula gets flung or falls. Splat. Dead tarantula.

3) The tarantula feels uncomfortable, your skin feels funny or your breath makes them think they're in danger. Whack. 2 fangs make friends with your skin. Instant pain. You panic and yep, splat, dead tarantula.

 

[Matt Man]

Most folks here typically don't handle. It doesn't do anything for the T and can possibly harm it. As you can tell by my avatar I have handled them. I was rehousing this Chalcodes and I had it on a large couch while I set up the cage. It was totally safe and only out for about 10 seconds. I would only do this with an extremely docile T and I know this girl very well, and had already checked her for her mood. As far as Geniculata I would avoid and suggest you do the same, they like to bite, think everything is food. I think people who handle them are silly, or just trying to show off, which again, does little for the T and endangers it.

A calm tarantula is only calm until it's not. Then it's:
1) The tarantula suddenly runs off your hand/arm and falls to the floor. Splat. Dead tarantula.

2) The tarantula runs up your arm heading for your face. You panic and the tarantula gets flung or falls. Splat. Dead tarantula.

these 2 are quite common with Curlys. They aren't dangerous but have incredible little bursts of speed. They can go from your hand to your head in a very short amount of time. People panic and they fall.

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

And it's not just the videos, my little brother held one at his school where they invited some keeper to show around his exotic pets.
Do people sedate their Ts ?! I mean if something goes wrong in the classroom this guy could easily get sued, right?

There are a small number of species that can be chill enough (depending on the individual specimen's personality) to be reasonably safe for showing at schools and other public events, and those species are inevitably selected for that use. However, even when it's safe for the handler, it's ALWAYS dangerous for the animal, and many precautions must be taken to minimize risk to the T. I've assisted with these kinds of events (with amblypygi, not tarantulas), and it involves a great deal of coaching, a very watchful eye, careful observation of the animal's reactions, and management of the environment to make it even remotely safe for the animal.

 

[Matt Man]

and even within a single 'docile' species there are outliers. And even within a single tarantula they can have different moods from day to day. The most chill T in your collection can have a day where they are ready to scrap

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

and even within a single 'docile' species there are outliers. And even within a single tarantula they can have different moods from day to day. The most chill T in your collection can have a day where they are ready to scrap

Yup. The handler I worked with brings an assortment of his most calm animals, but then assesses their mood throughout the day and will take animals off the line if they show the slightest bit of stress. Sometimes one comes along for the ride and never comes out all day. Just the way it goes. Handling for education, if done with great caution, care, and planning, can be a worthwhile risk, but never think for a minute that it isn't a risk!

 

[Matt Man]

I have worked shows where I have had to do the same (even with some species of Scorpions) for the same reasons and this is so true. A soft paintbrush is your best friend for determining a T's mood and yes, some Ts that are known to be absolute sweethearts get days/shifts off when they are cranky and irascible. As everyone has said here, when doing so, one endangers the T, so ALL precautions must be made to reduce this risk.

 

[Kitara]

@basin79 @vancwa @CommanderBacon so you guys never ever, not even once handled a T?

Have you SEEN their fangs? I don't even care about the venom or the danger to to t. I want nothing to do with those things anywhere near my fingers. I don't know what it is like to hold my fish either but I don't feel like i am missing anything.

 

[Dorifto]

Here is my genicutala reacting to a little blow

View attachment VID_20200414_195330.mp4