- Joined
- Jul 18, 2017
- Messages
- 832
Okay, if we are going to present statements that bother us, then bear with me. If one has been on AB for more than a week, one is aware that this is a hotly debated issue. Consequently, I would think that a moderator, very respected for depth of knowledge and work in this area, would remain neutral even though they may have an opinion regarding the matter. However, if they did not remain neutral, I would hope their statements would be more precise, i.e, “...handling can be accomplished safely...”. It can be accomplished with precautions in place, but not safely. They are animals, and we cannot, as you are very well aware, anticipate what they may do. Consequently, there is always that danger. Exercise caution given your position here, because now, folks who engage in a practice that has inarguably no other benefit except, “Because I want to”, can point to you as an authority who stated this practice can be done safely.I'm very bothered with statements such as this as it leads one to believe the site as a whole takes a position on one topic. That is just not the case. Out of the 60 some-odd thousand registered members on this site, only a few are expressive in their disdain for handling and those few certainly do not speak for everyone. Although I agree for the most part with the rest of the points made in the post, handling can be accomplished safely for both the tarantula and the one holding it.
Handling a tarantula with any disposition takes a calm and confident demeanor on the part of the one attempting to hold it. One must also take the time to understand a tarantula's body language and be able to recognize when it has had enough and ready to be left alone. Attempting to work with or handle a tarantula needs to be done on the floor. In the event of a fall, the less distance between it and the floor the better. There are, of course, tarantulas that just can't be handled no matter what. Those quick to throw their front legs up and start striking are definitely not ones to even try with.