history of tarantula keeping?

[YellowBrickRoad]

When I first saw this thread I thought we were going to hear about accounts of indigenous peoples keeping t's. Or the one time Ceasar finally got his import from Mexico.

Just thought we'd be talking about something cool. So now I have to ask. Are there any accounts of ancient peoples owning Ts? Who was the first arachnohobbiest? Any books describing encounters with t's from long ago?

 

[TheraMygale]

When I first saw this thread I thought we were going to hear about accounts of indigenous peoples keeping t's. Or the one time Ceasar finally got his import from Mexico.

Just thought we'd be talking about something cool. So now I have to ask. Are there any accounts of ancient peoples owning Ts? Who was the first arachnohobbiest? Any books describing encounters with t's from long ago?

I found this thread while researching heat and cross ventilation. There are hundreds of threads about this. This one was the closest to the subject i wanted to clarify.

We all have different backgrounds, i come from a horticulture background. When i think of things moving, it requires all three elements, heat, water and ventilation.

Some enclosures, like faunariums, only have super top ventilation. This to me, means it helps the moisture content evaporate, affecting the humidity. With no air moving in a room, and no holes on the sides of enclosure, i doubt we are actualy getting “true cross ventilation”.

I agree that the euro style is what can create the most mouvement, if possible, even if there is no moving air in a room.

If a room is cold, and the substrate is saturated with water, i doubt evaporation will occure quickly, if at all. I even think it will be stagnant. No matter the type of enclosure, without an added heat source (mild! Not cooking), the time it takes for gradients and evaporation will not be quick enough to actualy provide a tarantula with comfort levels. Especialy species who don’t require moist substrate.

As for those who do, even in these conditions, unless the room is heated, i think they would not thrive.

Thats all i am trying to understand.

Exoterras are well built. The issue for me is the holes are low, and do not provide many inches for substrate when it comes to terrestrials. Of course, many of you have worked this out in smart ways.

I need to figure that out for myself.

To nudge it further, in relation to my job, house plants, in winter. There is hot air moving because i heat. If i water my house plants, they will mold. Even in winter. Unless i have an extra fan blowing at them. I also have to monitor and make sure i only water when there will be sun. Just like tarantula susbtrate, saturing the soil in winter will give me flowerpot mold. Even in my cactus pots.

 

[LucN]

When I first saw this thread I thought we were going to hear about accounts of indigenous peoples keeping t's. Or the one time Ceasar finally got his import from Mexico.

Just thought we'd be talking about something cool. So now I have to ask. Are there any accounts of ancient peoples owning Ts? Who was the first arachnohobbiest? Any books describing encounters with t's from long ago?

Why, yes ! There are early accounts of pioneers such as the late Dr. William J. Baerg, whom studied populations of Aphonopelma hentzi in his native Arkansas, and managed to raise some WC slings to adulthood in a laboratory setting if memory serves me right. From the 1918 to 1958, he took notes of their habits through the seasons and has pretty detailed anecdotes of his trips while in Mexico, Honduras and Trinidad to name a few locations he went to in search of more exotic tarantulas. All of these notes were compiled in his seminal work, The Tarantula (1958). I would wager that the original prints from Arkansas University Press are near impossible to find nowadays. Noted Tarantula expert Andrew Smith had issued a reprint of the book on his Fitzgerald label and may be available used. The copy I have from Literary Licensing LLC, is on Amazon currently. The cover is blah, but its the inside that counts. It's the first detailed work on tarantulas, though it deals more in biology than captive care. Tarantulas weren't seen as unusual pets just yet...

Enter a young man by the name of Dale Lund, whom bought himself a tarantula in the early 60s to face his overall fear of bugs. At first, nothing was known on its care, so he wrote to the late american Entomologist Alice Grey, from the New York Natural History Museum. She provided him the basics and in time, Lund compiled that data along with his own personal experience to publish All About Tarantulas in 1977. This is the first official book on captive care, nowadays it is of course outdated in every way, but it's an interesting piece of history to see where the hobby was back then. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude as his book prompted other keepers to write to him with questions even he couldn't answer. This in turn brought Lund to create the original American Tarantula Society which ran from early 1978 to late 1981. A google search for Dale Lund Tarantulas will bring up his personal blog and in it, there will be a link at one point detailing the existence of the society.

Here's the exact link to save some time : https://oldelephantwings.blogspot.com/2008/02/american-tarantula-society.html

And if you want to really be mind blown, check out The Tarantula Times, the bi-monthly newsletter that was distributed through the society.

Right here : https://www.pinterest.com/lundclub/tarantula-times/ The very first exchanges between enthusiasts, decades before our wonderful message board.

These are but two examples that pop up in my head when I think of the history of the Tarantula Keeping Hobby.

 

[l4nsky]

When I first saw this thread I thought we were going to hear about accounts of indigenous peoples keeping t's. Or the one time Ceasar finally got his import from Mexico.

Just thought we'd be talking about something cool. So now I have to ask. Are there any accounts of ancient peoples owning Ts? Who was the first arachnohobbiest? Any books describing encounters with t's from long ago?

https://arachnoboards.com/threads/when-did-people-start-keeping-tarantulas.357415/

 

[YellowBrickRoad]

Why, yes ! There are early accounts of pioneers such as the late Dr. William J. Baerg, whom studied populations of Aphonopelma hentzi in his native Arkansas, and managed to raise some WC slings to adulthood in a laboratory setting if memory serves me right. From the 1918 to 1958, he took notes of their habits through the seasons and has pretty detailed anecdotes of his trips while in Mexico, Honduras and Trinidad to name a few locations he went to in search of more exotic tarantulas. All of these notes were compiled in his seminal work, The Tarantula (1958). I would wager that the original prints from Arkansas University Press are near impossible to find nowadays. Noted Tarantula expert Andrew Smith had issued a reprint of the book on his Fitzgerald label and may be available used. The copy I have from Literary Licensing LLC, is on Amazon currently. The cover is blah, but its the inside that counts. It's the first detailed work on tarantulas, though it deals more in biology than captive care. Tarantulas weren't seen as unusual pets just yet...

Enter a young man by the name of Dale Lund, whom bought himself a tarantula in the early 60s to face his overall fear of bugs. At first, nothing was known on its care, so he wrote to the late american Entomologist Alice Grey, from the New York Natural History Museum. She provided him the basics and in time, Lund compiled that data along with his own personal experience to publish All About Tarantulas in 1977. This is the first official book on captive care, nowadays it is of course outdated in every way, but it's an interesting piece of history to see where the hobby was back then. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude as his book prompted other keepers to write to him with questions even he couldn't answer. This in turn brought Lund to create the original American Tarantula Society which ran from early 1978 to late 1981. A google search for Dale Lund Tarantulas will bring up his personal blog and in it, there will be a link at one point detailing the existence of the society.

Here's the exact link to save some time : https://oldelephantwings.blogspot.com/2008/02/american-tarantula-society.html

And if you want to really be mind blown, check out The Tarantula Times, the bi-monthly newsletter that was distributed through the society.

Right here : https://www.pinterest.com/lundclub/tarantula-times/ The very first exchanges between enthusiasts, decades before our wonderful message board.

These are but two examples that pop up in my head when I think of the history of the Tarantula Keeping Hobby.

Hello Old Timer,
I was able to score an original 1958 book. Matter of fact, its the only one I found. The 1977 book which I can find, but was it originally hardcover or softcover?

For what it is worth. When I first purchased a tarantula 20+ years ago I bought a book called the tarantulas keepers guide... you know the Stan Schultz book? Well there came a time when I needed my dad to watch my Ts. He agreed of course, but the first thing I didn't have anymore was my T book. He took it, read it, and kept it. That was many years ago. He still has the book. I just can't bring myself to asking for it back, instead I always imagine I'll end up with a signed 1st edition of Stan's book.

Thanks for the leads,
YellowBrickRoad

 

[TheraMygale]

Hello Old Timer,
I was able to score an original 1958 book. Matter of fact, its the only one I found. The 1977 book which I can find, but was it originally hardback or softback?

For what it is worth. When I first purchased a tarantula 20+ years ago I bought a book called the tarantulas keepers guide... you know the Stan Schultz book? Well there came a time when I needed my dad to watch my Ts. He agreed of course, but the first thing I didn't have anymore was my T book. He took it, read it, and kept it. That was many years ago. He still has the book. I just can't bring myself to asking for it back, instead I always imagine I'll end up with a signed 1st edition of Stan's book.

Thanks for the leads,
YellowBrickRoad

It was a good book, at that time.

We need a new book.

As for aboriginals keeping tarantulas, i am sure you have watched plenty of documentaries on nature and wildlife. When you see those bits with the indigenous folks, youll notice many of them having “pets”.

What you don’t see, is cages. They don’t do cages. I wonder why…

So if anyone was keeping tarantulas for more then venom purposes, i would be curious to see actual records. I have a feeling they left those animals free.

 

[YellowBrickRoad]

Pardon, but I'd really have to look, but didn't you tell me about groundhogs liking bananas? Do you have any other food recommendations that work the same?

Point is, I agree with everything you said. I have groundhogs and birds and squirrels and cats that don't belong to me. They are free, but yet, I'm that tall walking tree to them. They know me.

 

[TheraMygale]

Pardon, but I'd really have to look, but didn't you tell me about groundhogs liking bananas? Do you have any other food recommendations that work the same?

Point is, I agree with everything you said. I have groundhogs and birds and squirrels and cats that don't belong to me. They are free, but yet, I'm that tall walking tree to them. They know me.

then it is possible many ancestors ago, some of our grandads were keeping tarantulas. Giving them a little prey in their burrow, like we did as kids.

i was that kid feeding spiders.

they probably didnt keep them in cages. But they obviously knew where the burrows were.

we dont need no white man written record of this to know it could have happened.

 

[YellowBrickRoad]

then it is possible many ancestors ago, some of our grandads were keeping tarantulas. Giving them a little prey in their burrow, like we did as kids.

i was that kid feeding spiders.

they probably didnt keep them in cages. But they obviously knew where the burrows were.

we dont need no white man written record of this to know it could have happened.

Hence my joke about Caesar finally getting his Mexican import.

Minus my joke, well spoke.

 

[Charliemum]

When I first saw this thread I thought we were going to hear about accounts of indigenous peoples keeping t's. Or the one time Ceasar finally got his import from Mexico.

Just thought we'd be talking about something cool. So now I have to ask. Are there any accounts of ancient peoples owning Ts? Who was the first arachnohobbiest? Any books describing encounters with t's from long ago?

I know of one story off ppls that have kept what is suspected to be chilobrachys . @HooahArmy told me the story of their ppl, that have kept what they call longevity tarantulas around their homes for as long as the ppl remember . They build burrows around their homes and the t's move in. (I forget if they put them there or just wait for the burrow to be occupied.) The t's keep the bugs out of the house and the people that live there protect the t's as far as I remember.
Hopefully HooahArmy will chime in and be able to tell you from first hand info rather then what I remember lol.
But a story of ancient ppls keeping t's for you it's not Ceasars Mexican shipment but its a story I was told that I found interesting
HooahArmy told me on one of the threads but I am having difficulty finding it. @IntermittentSygnal want to say you were on the thread too can you remember what it was called?

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

@Charliemum I remember it well.

When did people start keeping tarantulas?

They were in pet stores in the 1980s, but I don't know how much earlier T keeping goes. Earlier

arachnoboards.com

 

[Charliemum]

@Charliemum I remember it well.

When did people start keeping tarantulas?

They were in pet stores in the 1980s, but I don't know how much earlier T keeping goes. Earlier

arachnoboards.com

Ah thank you I have so many threads on mine I had no idea what one it was knew I could count on you

 

[LucN]

Hello Old Timer,
I was able to score an original 1958 book. Matter of fact, its the only one I found. The 1977 book which I can find, but was it originally hardcover or softcover?

For what it is worth. When I first purchased a tarantula 20+ years ago I bought a book called the tarantulas keepers guide... you know the Stan Schultz book? Well there came a time when I needed my dad to watch my Ts. He agreed of course, but the first thing I didn't have anymore was my T book. He took it, read it, and kept it. That was many years ago. He still has the book. I just can't bring myself to asking for it back, instead I always imagine I'll end up with a signed 1st edition of Stan's book.

Thanks for the leads,
YellowBrickRoad

An original print ? Most impressive ! In decent condition, I hope ?

As for Lund's book, I've only seen hardcover copies on Amazon. A fun read, if definitely obsolete by now.

I also have the 3 editions of Stan's TKG. The 1st one is beginning to loosen up on the pages, especially the color photo section, so I'm being extremely careful perusing the book as I don't know whether I'll be able to find another copy of this. Not many copies were print and it didn't sell all that well back in the day, so it's one that's mostly for display on my shelf, nowadays.... Actually, that's not quite true, all my T related books are stored in a drawer right below my T cages, but it's no big deal to dig in if I want something peculiar.

 

[YellowBrickRoad]

An original print ? Most impressive ! In decent condition, I hope ?

As for Lund's book, I've only seen hardcover copies on Amazon. A fun read, if definitely obsolete by now.

I also have the 3 editions of Stan's TKG. The 1st one is beginning to loosen up on the pages, especially the color photo section, so I'm being extremely careful perusing the book as I don't know whether I'll be able to find another copy of this. Not many copies were print and it didn't sell all that well back in the day, so it's one that's mostly for display on my shelf, nowadays.... Actually, that's not quite true, all my T related books are stored in a drawer right below my T cages, but it's no big deal to dig in if I want something peculiar.

Hopefully its an original? It was the only one I found. Here are a few pictures from the listing.



I usually do not buy books. I'd say in the last 5yrs I bought an old cookbook, a few S.T. Oner books, and I absolutely had to have my own copy of Pot Culture.

Anyway, I'm in between things right now. Have a look at the photos and let me know what you think, please and thank you. Ordering the hardcover now.

Thanks again,

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

Ah thank you I have so many threads on mine I had no idea what one it was knew I could count on you

I actually just used AB’s search function on this one, lol. Keyword “Longevity”, posts by HooahArmy.

 

[LucN]

Hopefully its an original? It was the only one I found. Here are a few pictures from the listing.

View attachment 485769 View attachment 485770 View attachment 485771 View attachment 485772

I usually do not buy books. I'd say in the last 5yrs I bought an old cookbook, a few S.T. Oner books, and I absolutely had to have my own copy of Pot Culture.

Anyway, I'm in between things right now. Have a look at the photos and let me know what you think, please and thank you. Ordering the hardcover now.

Thanks again,

Hard to say if it's the original... I would need to compare with pictures elsewhere. I'm honestly not sure if it had that "slipcase" with the tarantula picture. All the same, what matters is the content, right ? Hopefully, it wasn't too expensive either. Enjoy the Lund book when you get to it.

Edit : I've had a look around and can't seem to find actual pictures of the original print, only the 1997 Fitzgerald and 2012 Literary Licensing versions... :/ I wonder if any of our longtime keepers @cold blood and @viper69 might have a copy of the original print. You may actually have an original print, since I've yet to see any other pictures...

 

[YellowBrickRoad]

Hard to say if it's the original... I would need to compare with pictures elsewhere. I'm honestly not sure if it had that "slipcase" with the tarantula picture. All the same, what matters is the content, right ? Hopefully, it wasn't too expensive either. Enjoy the Lund book when you get to it.

Its all good friend, no worries if its not original. Yep, yep, the content means the most and I can't wait to thumb through it. Not too bad on the price, I could have used what I paid to handle shipping cost on a new T.

The other book was 10 bucks.
thanks again

 

[LucN]

Its all good friend, no worries if its not original. Yep, yep, the content means the most and I can't wait to thumb through it. Not too bad on the price, I could have used what I paid to handle shipping cost on a new T.

The other book was 10 bucks.
thanks again

Having a second look at your pictures, I notice "Kansas" written on the spine... and seeing that advertisement at the back for other books from the same publisher, I'd say it is pretty likely to be an original after all. Amazing ! Enjoy the reads

 

[Charliemum]

I actually just used AB’s search function on this one, lol. Keyword “Longevity”, posts by HooahArmy.

I didn't even think of that either way you found it so thank you

 

[Matt Man]

then it is possible many ancestors ago, some of our grandads were keeping tarantulas. Giving them a little prey in their burrow, like we did as kids.

i was that kid feeding spiders.

I am presently feeding a Green Lynx Spider who has taken up in my kitchen window. So this lasts past childhood.
When I have extra small feeder crickets I toss them into the webs of my yard argiopes and orb weavers.
Everybody needs a friend