Handling tarantulas

[hestoncv]

Hoo boy what a ride. My two cents: As long as you have your enclosure set up properly there's about a 0% chance your spider is in danger inside that enclosure. However careful you are with handling, the chance for danger will never be 0% if you're taking them outside of that safe zone. It might be low depending on the specimen but it is never 0. And I care about my Ts wellbeing too much to bring that chance up.

OP, I find it interesting that you say you wanted to hear both sides of this argument and vehemently protest that you will not handle the spider you plan on getting, yet you've been playing devil's advocate for it since about reply 7. Unsure how you can be anti-handling of your own spider yet pro "let everyone else do whatever they want because it's not that bad."

The thing is I'm anti gate keeping of hobbies or elitism. So when I see people be aggressive with people who handle their spiders and act like their opinions are less valid than theirs, I just think it isn't healthy for the community. I promise I have no interest in handling

No...just....no...

There's no need in show boating. Tarantulas stress out from being handled.

If you ever had urticating hair on you that should be a deterring factor in itself. I did just from doing maintenance with the enclosure. That itch didn't stop on my hand until the third day. Not too mention the welt as well. Gloves are my friend now.

That and what everyone else has stated.

I agree. But if someone wants to put up with that and takes the proper precautions I don't think their place is any less than yours in the hobby. My opinion

Hey OP @hestoncv I personally do not handle and these are the reasons why.

Tarantula’s, especially heavy bodied terrestrials, are fragile and sometimes as sharp as a bowling ball.

If they want to choose to play frogger out of freaking nowhere one day then jump off your hand it could rupture it’s abdomen or break a leg if it’s any greater of a fall distance more than 1.5x the leg span especially on hard/uneven surfaces.

OR it could also get away from you and be lost in the house. They can be fast when they want to be no matter what species.

Their temperament can change after a molt. They can potentially just have a change in personality and become very defensive and bitey or worse, flighty and bolty.

At the end of the day it is your “investment” but please understand that many people view their tarantulas as equals to their dogs, cats or reptiles. Comparing them to feeders and roaches is a lil silly; that’s the circle of life.

Ts aren’t cooler, just higher on the food chain and both still demand a lil respect.

tl;dr Gravity induced death due to spontaneous potato-brain spider gymnastics is bad.

Comparing them isn't silly considering they are both almost purely instinct. Comparing a human child and a spider is silly, which is what one of you did. As for the respect given to the tarantulas, I'm super obsessed with them and haven't even gotten mine yet. But ethically they just aren't the same as dogs, handling a tarantula is not just as bad as dog fighting, but people treat it as such. I'm all good with warning against it, I mean I actually agree immensely. Especially after everyone's explanations, just not the anger and verbiage that causes me to dislike the community slightly more than I did yesterday

 

[Frogdaddy]

Comparing them isn't silly considering they are both almost purely instinct. Comparing a human child and a spider is silly, which is what one of you did. As for the respect given to the tarantulas, I'm super obsessed with them and haven't even gotten mine yet. But ethically they just aren't the same as dogs, handling a tarantula is not just as bad as dog fighting, but people treat it as such. I'm all good with warning against it, I mean I actually agree immensely. Especially after everyone's explanations, just not the anger and verbiage that causes me to dislike the community slightly more than I did yesterday

So people that actually have T's are advising you not to handle them, and you are bucking their advice while not having any real experience keeping any, T's, knowing how fast they move, their temperament, etc.
Are you kidding me? Or are you just a troll? Congrats, you just made the pay no mind list.

 

[hestoncv]

So people that actually have T's are advising you not to handle them, and you are bucking their advice while not having any real experience keeping any, T's, knowing how fast they move, their temperament, etc.
Are you kidding me? Or are you just a troll?

I'm assuming you haven't been reading. I said loads and loads of times that I totally agree with everything stated, I appreciate the information, I just didn't agree with the emotion behind it if someone did decide to handle it. I for one don't want to take the risk, but I also did not plan on holding it because I could not imagine being bitten, would hugely gross me out. Do you just want to argue? I'm going to assume you didn't feel like reading the replies, which is understandable.

 

[Sterls]

I'm assuming you haven't been reading. I said loads and loads of times that I totally agree with everything stated, I appreciate the information, I just didn't agree with the emotion behind it if someone did decide to handle it. I for one don't want to take the risk, but I also did not plan on holding it because I could not imagine being bitten, would hugely gross me out. Do you just want to argue? I'm going to assume you didn't feel like reading the replies, which is understandable.

If you agreed with everyone you wouldn't be so defensive. You're the one arguing - you asked for our opinions and you got them.

 

[Frogdaddy]

I'm assuming you haven't been reading. I said loads and loads of times that I totally agree with everything stated, I appreciate the information, I just didn't agree with the emotion behind it if someone did decide to handle it. I for one don't want to take the risk, but I also did not plan on holding it because I could not imagine being bitten, would hugely gross me out. Do you just want to argue? I'm going to assume you didn't feel like reading the replies, which is understandable.

You know why happens when you start assuming things right?
I read every post in this thread. Every post. From the first post asking peoples opinions on handling. Every post from every actual T keeper here that offered varied and valid points on why not to handle. Every post where you said you wouldn't handle but you didn't see why it was wrong. Every post right up to the post where any shred of credibility you had flew out the window as you've never had experience number one in caring for a T. Watching YouTube videos does not make you a keeper.
Perhaps you should actually try tarantula keeping some time. Experience how fast a sling can bolt. Experience the unexpected. See what your gut instinct knee jerk reaction is.
I look forward to your cornstarch thread.

 

[Craig73]

I’ve “handled”, but only during a rehouse, one attempt to save a bad molt, and neither by choice. I‘m arachnophobic, so not even an ounce of interest. Not to mention I’m a double fisted drinker, so kinda have my hands tied up anyways. Not even sure how I typed this reply to be honest.

 

[hestoncv]

I’ve “handled”, but only during a rehouse, one attempt to save a bad molt, and neither by choice. I‘m arachnophobic, so not even an ounce of interest. Not to mention I’m a double fisted drinker, so kinda have my hands tied up anyways. Not even sure how I typed this reply to be honest.

Yeah I agree. They equal parts freak me out and interest me

You know why happens when you start assuming things right?
I read every post in this thread. Every post. From the first post asking peoples opinions on handling. Every post from every actual T keeper here that offered varied and valid points on why not to handle. Every post where you said you wouldn't handle but you didn't see why it was wrong. Every post right up to the post where any shred of credibility you had flew out the window as you've never had experience number one in caring for a T. Watching YouTube videos does not make you a keeper.
Perhaps you should actually try tarantula keeping some time. Experience how fast a sling can bolt. Experience the unexpected. See what your gut instinct knee jerk reaction is.
I look forward to your cornstarch thread.

I genuinely don't plan on handling. I just disagree that is unethical and bash worthy. You good man? Do I need to repeat it? I'm not going to handle

 

[Matt Man]

I don't even open the enclosure for some of them

^This, I've watched so-called "veteran keepers" fling tarantulas to the floor out of instinct when they've done something unexpected.

For example, Rob C (Tarantulaguy1976 on YT) basically yeeted a P. metallica across the room in its shipping container when it tried to bite him as he opened it up, luckily it was unharmed.

what kind of light are you using to get that circular halo? Gives your shots a certain level of drama

 

[Craig73]

Yeah I agree. They equal parts freak me out and interest me

If you ever get into a predicament where you make a rookie mistake and glued bark to the back of an enclosure, tarantula is behind said bark, and you have to be hands on in the enclosure to break the seal between the bark and enclosure to get the T out to rehouse it, and knowing it’s hell on wheels at any moment...I’m here for ya man. Haven’t made the move to do it yet, but have the extra set of fruit of a looms on standby. That’s enough of an adrenaline rush for me. Once you experience the speed you will be like thanks, but no thanks.

 

[hestoncv]

If you ever get into a predicament where you make a rookie mistake and glued bark to the back of an enclosure, tarantula is behind said bark, and you have to be hands on in the enclosure to break the seal between the bark and enclosure to get the T out to rehouse it, and knowing it’s hell on wheels at any moment...I’m here for ya man. Haven’t made the move to do it yet, but have the extra set of fruit of a looms on standby. That’s enough of an adrenaline rush for me. Once you experience the speed you will be like thanks, but no thanks.

I'm super excited to get started. For some reason they are a lot less freaky than true spiders anyways. I'm afraid to unbox it for the first time lmao

I don't even open the enclosure for some of them

0.1 Psalmopoeus ecclesiasticus

• The Grym Reaper
• Sep 13, 2020
• 2
• adult adult female ecclesiasticus ecuadorian gold ecuadorian olive grey female psalmopoeus psalmopoeus ecclesiasticus

Mercury doing a lurk.

0.1 Heteroscodra maculata

• The Grym Reaper
• Jul 27, 2020
• 1
• female heteroscodra heteroscodra maculata maculata subadult subadult female togo starburst baboon

Rehoused Domino earlier in the month, caught her chilling on the front of her cork slab so...

View media item 71206
View attachment 369136




^This, I've watched so-called "veteran keepers" fling tarantulas to the floor out of instinct when they've done something unexpected.

For example, Rob C (Tarantulaguy1976 on YT) basically yeeted a P. metallica across the room in its shipping container when it tried to bite him as he opened it up, luckily it was unharmed.

Those photos are awesome. What are you taking these with

 

[Rigor Mortis]

The thing is I'm anti gate keeping of hobbies or elitism. So when I see people be aggressive with people who handle their spiders and act like their opinions are less valid than theirs, I just think it isn't healthy for the community. I promise I have no interest in handling

But this isn't really an "argument" of gatekeeping. " the activity of controlling, and usually limiting, general access to something. " is the real true definition of the term, and no one is controlling anyone to not handle, no one is limiting anyone's ability to handle, no one is limiting someone's access to handling. We cannot physically stop someone. When people say they wanna handle their spiders and a good chunk of us say "No don't do that please, and here's why it's not a very good idea." we have 0 control over what that person does next. They can still do it if they want to. We aren't tying their hands. Do some folks get too harsh about it? If someone takes it that way, sure. But in my opinion the bottom line is it's just an unnecessary risk that we want to warn people from. It's not elitism, it's concern for someone else's animal because at the end of the day all we want is for people to have safe and healthy animals. If you've taken our aversion to people potentially putting their animals in danger as elitism or "gatekeeping" then I'm sorry you feel that way.

 

[hestoncv]

But this isn't really an "argument" of gatekeeping. " the activity of controlling, and usually limiting, general access to something. " is the real true definition of the term, and no one is controlling anyone to not handle, no one is limiting anyone's ability to handle, no one is limiting someone's access to handling. We cannot physically stop someone. When people say they wanna handle their spiders and a good chunk of us say "No don't do that please, and here's why it's not a very good idea." we have 0 control over what that person does next. They can still do it if they want to. We aren't tying their hands. Do some folks get too harsh about it? If someone takes it that way, sure. But in my opinion the bottom line is it's just an unnecessary risk that we want to warn people from. It's not elitism, it's concern for someone else's animal because at the end of the day all we want is for people to have safe and healthy animals. If you've taken our aversion to people potentially putting their animals in danger as elitism or "gatekeeping" then I'm sorry you feel that way.

Noo. Warning them is totally okay and should be encouraged. But as long as its known that they can still be a part of the community and the hobby regardless as long as the proper measures are taken then thats cool. But saying that all people that handle are selfish and stupid is rude in my opinion and some people really enjoy that part. Like I said though, looking at the obvious risks I don't care to hold them. I was curious and then defensive from the verbiage used

 

[Almadabes]

Noo. Warning them is totally okay and should be encouraged. But as long as its known that they can still be a part of the community and the hobby regardless as long as the proper measures are taken then thats cool. But saying that all people that handle are selfish and stupid is rude in my opinion and some people really enjoy that part. Like I said though, looking at the obvious risks I don't care to hold them. I was curious and then defensive from the verbiage used

I also read all of this and honestly, you brought up elitism after what I would consider to be decent responses with no hostility towards you.

I feel like you wanted to have a conversation about elitism and gatekeeping - and that's fine I respect that.

That's not what you asked. you asked what people thought of handling and they told you.
I do believe some comments were a bit rude toward you - but it felt like they gave you a good response, and then you accused them of elitism and being emotional. So I completely understand why they would be cold towards you.

The laptop thing you said earlier is kinda <edit> up imo.

Here's my "gatekeeping" opinion
If you feel little to no guilt when something bad happens that is completely your fault - you're not a real keeper.

I understand you may have exaggerated to make a point - but understand that we have people telling us all the time :
"oh who cares - its just a spider"
"it's not the same as a dog or cat"

So it's kind of annoying when we hear that in a place that is otherwise.. let's say a "spider safe zone".

 

[hestoncv]

I also read all of this and honestly, you brought up elitism after what I would consider to be decent responses with no hostility towards you.

I feel like you wanted to have a conversation about elitism and gatekeeping - and that's fine I respect that.

That's not what you asked. you asked what people thought of handling and they told you.
I do believe some comments were a bit rude toward you - but it felt like they gave you a good response, and then you accused them of elitism and being emotional. So I completely understand why they would be cold towards you.

The laptop thing you said earlier is kinda f'd up imo.

Here's my "gatekeeping" opinion
If you feel little to no guilt when something bad happens that is completely your fault - you're not a real keeper.

I understand you may have exaggerated to make a point - but understand that we have people telling us all the time :
"oh who cares - its just a spider"
"it's not the same as a dog or cat"

So it's kind of annoying when we hear that in a place that is otherwise.. let's say a "spider safe zone".

Yeah I totally agree. I was exaggerating and totally didn't mean to offend. I have gotten to really love the hobby considering everything that goes along with it. Maybe I expected rude comments so when someone had a slight edge to it I got defensive. And I would feel a huge amount of guilt if I were to have dropped one or it died in my care. Although I can't see inside its head I assume it feels pain resembling what we feel. Regardless, it was insensitive for me to say that.

I also read all of this and honestly, you brought up elitism after what I would consider to be decent responses with no hostility towards you.

I feel like you wanted to have a conversation about elitism and gatekeeping - and that's fine I respect that.

That's not what you asked. you asked what people thought of handling and they told you.
I do believe some comments were a bit rude toward you - but it felt like they gave you a good response, and then you accused them of elitism and being emotional. So I completely understand why they would be cold towards you.

The laptop thing you said earlier is kinda f'd up imo.

Here's my "gatekeeping" opinion
If you feel little to no guilt when something bad happens that is completely your fault - you're not a real keeper.

I understand you may have exaggerated to make a point - but understand that we have people telling us all the time :
"oh who cares - its just a spider"
"it's not the same as a dog or cat"

So it's kind of annoying when we hear that in a place that is otherwise.. let's say a "spider safe zone".

All I talk about with my anyone who will listen is these spiders lol. I have taken lots of care to make sure the enclosure will be perfect. Just guess I was defensive

 

[LykosAnubis]

If it was the Green Giant, I would probably be okay with it.

Also if it was Diane from 7 Deadly Sins, I would also be okay with it.

If it was one from Attack on Titan, I would 1) crap myself, 2) hum the opening of season ome, 3) hope Levi appeared in the next 2 seconds, 4) probably get eaten.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

People get "emotional" because all handling achieves is endangering the animal for nothing more than your own entertainment or to show off, there is literally no other reason to do it. The tarantula gains nothing from being handled, they don't like it, at best they tolerate it (right up until they don't, temperaments can change at any time), and a person risks injuring or killing the tarantula every time they do it regardless of what precautions they take.

The feeder thing comes up a lot but you can't compare the two, livefood is crucial to the survival of a tarantula, handling isn't. Endangering feeders by sticking them in an enclosure with a hungry tarantula actually serves a purpose, endangering a tarantula by handling it doesn't.

The dog-fighting comparison is silly as people here detest bug-fighting (the practice of taking two or more predatory arthropods and making them fight to the death), a closer comparison would be that handling is more akin to taking your dog to the top of a tall building/cliff and holding it over the edge.

what kind of light are you using to get that circular halo? Gives your shots a certain level of drama

That's just a vignette added in when editing.

Those photos are awesome. What are you taking these with

I don't know if it's the same on mobile but on desktop if you open the photos and then scroll down there is a tab below them called "Image Metadata" which tells you the camera/settings used.

 

[Arachnid Addicted]

I've read this whole thread but this is the answer that most caught my attention:

I don't know if it's the same on mobile but on desktop if you open the photos and then scroll down there is a tab below them called "Image Metadata" which tells you the camera/settings used.

So, I've been posting EXIF data in all media pictures and only now, I discovered they'd appeared already.


Thanks for that.

Also, do not handle your Ts.

 

[Matt Man]

People get "emotional" because all handling achieves is endangering the animal for nothing more than your own entertainment or to show off, there is literally no other reason to do it. The tarantula gains nothing from being handled, they don't like it, at best they tolerate it (right up until they don't, temperaments can change at any time), and a person risks injuring or killing the tarantula every time they do it regardless of what precautions they take.

The feeder thing comes up a lot but you can't compare the two, livefood is crucial to the survival of a tarantula, handling isn't. Endangering feeders by sticking them in an enclosure with a hungry tarantula actually serves a purpose, endangering a tarantula by handling it doesn't.
The dog-fighting comparison is silly as people here detest bug-fighting (the practice of taking two or more predatory arthropods and making them fight to the death), a closer comparison would be that handling is more akin to taking your dog to the top of a tall building/cliff and holding it over the edge.

That's just a vignette added in when editing.

I don't know if it's the same on mobile but on desktop if you open the photos and then scroll down there is a tab below them called "Image Metadata" which tells you the camera/settings used.

View attachment 369187

Thanks, you are doing in post. I thought you had a really sweet light set up

 

[aprilmayjunebugs]

TBH it looks to me as if you already had the opinion that our board members here are snobby hostile elitists, and you started the discussion for the sole purpose of calling them just that. If you truly were just curious you would have simply used the search function to type "handling" and spent the day reading the tons and tons of threads that read EXACTLY LIKE THIS ONE and seen how most people respond.

Here's the thing, you can't please all of the people all of the time. Even if one does everything perfectly by the book to the letter (anywhere in life, not only here or in the hobby) some people are still just not going to like them. If one decides to engage in reckless irresponsible behavior then they have to accept that not everyone is going to respect that. I'm glad you don't plan on handling yours and hopefully once you have spent some time with it you will become more adamant on the subject.

Make your own decisions in the best interest of yourself, your family, and your pets, don't worry about how welcome and accepted you are. None of us are keeping tarantulas in exchange for gold medals.

 

[EnigmaNyx]

None of us are keeping tarantulas in exchange for gold medals.

Speak for yourself! I earned this medal!