Introduce Yourself

[cold blood]

This is not really the place to fight about it. If you want to continue arguing somewhere else I'd be happy to.

Its not a fight or argument, just sharing of information, which is the reason this place exists

 

[Megaraptor12345]

I agree Marij, but education is more important.

Tarantulas by nature, are home bodies, often living in the same hole (in the wild) their entire lives, and often in the immediate vicinity of where they were hatched. These are not animals that require exercise, or room to explore, they don't even have brains, just a cluster of nerves, referred to as "ganglion", and therefore they are instinctual and reactive. They are incapable of boredom. Exploration isn't in the cards. Home is their comfort zone, and they never want to be too far from it...mature males, as mentioned, are the exception, as they wander in search of females...which is why most ts seen in the wild crossing streets and such are mature males.

A great example of this occurred in Florida. Several decades (70's) ago B. vagans were released into an orange grove...where they took hold....now decades (and many generations) years later, that now wild colony of B. vagans remains isolated in that specific area...not because other areas are not good for them, but because they just don't travel and explore...an exploring tarantula is a vulnerable tarantula, as they make nice meals for all kinds of birds, small mammals and reptiles.

Captivity, in a proper enclosure, is a slice of the ideal life for a tarantula, free of all the pitfalls of wild life, like inconsistent or severe weather, food droughts, pesticides, predators or human construction, etc.

Like mentioned, in the wild, an egg sac may have single digit % survival rates (or less), in captivity its almost always over 90%, with near 100% survival rates on an almost common basis.

The days of taking animals from the wild are dwindling as most countries prohibit it, and the hobby has responded, with the majority of stock being 100% captive born and self sustaining. If the hobby is self sustaining, it has no need for wild caught specimens and therefore can't have an impact. The biggest impact on wild tarantulas is deforestation and rampant pesticide use, neither of which involve the hobby...and on top of it all, many hobbyists simply refuse to buy wild caught stock, preferring captive born specimens.

Many of the most vulnerable species to captive collection have been protected now for decades (CITES). These laws are taken very seriously. Many other countries are simply deforesting these animals to extinction without a thought of the species at all, the hobby is the last place for many of these species to survive inevitable extinction.

Welcome to the boards young man, its a great place to learn.

If taking wild specimens is so 'dead', then why are Selenocosmia getting rarer? (Source: http://australianmuseum.net.au/australian-tarantulas)

No offence my friend, but I already knew all that... If you had a human who had a 'ganglion' rather than a brain, you couldn't lock him up, even though you knew that he didn't need to move around and that he'd be fed and he'd be really safe. It's basic humanity, you can't just take advantage of another species, race, breed, etc. because they have a ganglion rather than a brain. You're taking away their right to freedom and their choice. (Don't reply "it's just a spider", because that really pisses me off...)

 

[cold blood]

Don't anthropomorphize tarantulas. Their and your interests are no where near alike. I gave you a real world example of a colony of tarantulas that hasn't expended from a small area in over 40 years.

Collection still happens, but its not as common as it once was, and in many areas it happens because the locals have few other sources of income and they are not protected by their countries....I don't know about Austrailians, but since their export is strictly and highly illegal, whatever is happening isn't for the international pet trade.

 

[basin79]

If taking wild specimens is so 'dead', then why are Selenocosmia getting rarer? (Source: http://australianmuseum.net.au/australian-tarantulas)

No offence my friend, but I already knew all that... If you had a human who had a 'ganglion' rather than a brain, you couldn't lock him up, even though you knew that he didn't need to move around and that he'd be fed and he'd be really safe. It's basic humanity, you can't just take advantage of another species, race, breed, etc. because they have a ganglion rather than a brain. You're taking away their right to freedom and their choice. (Don't reply "it's just a spider", because that really pisses me off...)

For a 12 year old you seem very bright. Are you home schooled?

 

[Marijan2]

If taking wild specimens is so 'dead', then why are Selenocosmia getting rarer? (Source: http://australianmuseum.net.au/australian-tarantulas)

No offence my friend, but I already knew all that... If you had a human who had a 'ganglion' rather than a brain, you couldn't lock him up, even though you knew that he didn't need to move around and that he'd be fed and he'd be really safe. It's basic humanity, you can't just take advantage of another species, race, breed, etc. because they have a ganglion rather than a brain. You're taking away their right to freedom and their choice. (Don't reply "it's just a spider", because that really pisses me off...)

So you're basically saying, unless tarantulas take their pens and write to us they want us to keep them, we should not do that because this is their "right"? I do not think you understand biological differences we have. We simply cannot compare humans to even apes, let alone arthropods. So we should not eat meat because animals don't want us to and it violates their right to live? We should not eat plants because plants are alive too? We should not breathe air because we are taking oxygen away from other life forms? This is basically what i'm reading between your lines. Listen, we were all 12 in our lives and we all had wildest ideas, but you seem very bright and if you already know all the info, you should be able to deduct some facts already about how life on this planet works.

 

[Ron Robbins Jr]

I am Ron, and I'm from Michigan. I'm 33 and I've been keeping tarantulas since about 8 years old. Right now, I have an 8 year old Chilean Copper that I've had since it was the size of a quarter, and I'd say probably about a 5 inch Theraphosa Stirmi that my girlfriend got me as an anniversary present. Always been fascinated by tarantulas.

As for the guy who says keeping tarantulas is inhumane, I probably offer a better home for them than they get in the wild. They are protected from predators, they will be having sex at some point, and they have a constant source of food and water. These conditions don't always exist in the wild.

 

[Marijan2]

I am Ron, and I'm from Michigan. I'm 33 and I've been keeping tarantulas since about 8 years old. Right now, I have an 8 year old Chilean Copper that I've had since it was the size of a quarter, and I'd say probably about a 5 inch Theraphosa Stirmi that my girlfriend got me as an anniversary present. Always been fascinated by tarantulas.

As for the guy who says keeping tarantulas is inhumane, I probably offer a better home for them than they get in the wild. They are protected from predators, they will be having sex at some point, and they have a constant source of food and water. These conditions don't always exist in the wild.

Welcome, enjoy your stay

 

[Roadrash]

I'm Mark , from Atwood Ontario. I'm 54 and I'm a relative newbie to the hobby. Planning on sticking to Brachypelmas, presently have a B. Baumgarteni 1" a B. Shroederi 1.5", B Kahlenbergi 1" and a B Klassi 1/2 ". Looking forward to learning as much as I can about T's.

 

[Daitengu]

Hi!
Don't do this forum thing very often so please forgive me if my etiquette isn't up to scratch. Typing vigorously from the UK!

Currently own 3 Ts (one might be dead hence the random forum joining) : G. Rosea, A. Avic and P. Irminia

Nothing more to say on the introduction basis other than I hope to get some advice and chat with fellow T owners!

Cheers!

 

[woodermeloon]

I've been posting for a few weeks now, but my name's Brandon. I'm 24 and currently live in new Jersey. I've been keeping for about 8 years I currently have 19 T's across 9 genera.

I mainly focus on new world stuff. My favorites are new world arborials like Psalmopoeus, Avicularia, and Tapinauchenius.

Other than the spiders themselves, I'm really into making my tanks as natural as possible: rather large, live plants, isos, springs, worms. I'd love to trade isos with people on here. And id also be more than willing to trade some T's as well. Please PM me to talk!

 

[shutout2000]

Hi all, I live in Wisconsin. I have enjoyed keeping insects and just about everything all my life. I am the owner of http://insectandentomology.forumotion.com/ where I am keeping all my journals and stuff like that! (It's New) But I am hoping to find some time to do some posting here as well and to get to know all of you guys!

 

[Ariados]

Hello from southwest Ontario. I had an "obt" for 8 years who recently passed during a moult . She was basically a pet web that I rarely saw, but I miss her! She was my last 'exotic' pet. Terrible to find her like that. Sooo I got a new bright orange 3" specimen last week, and just got my self a 2" A. avicularia too! . I look forward to getting more spiders, I like the heavy-webbing and burrowing species. Can't stand uricating hairs but the avic should be ok, I hope, I wont be handling it anyway. Hoping to find some local people to get spiderlings from too!

 

[ksblank]

My name is Kyle from Tulsa, OK. I had a 11'' African Giant Millipede for 8 years that died two years ago. I would like to find a new one; let me know if anyone is breeding or looking to sell.

 

[cold blood]

Hi all, I live in Wisconsin. I have enjoyed keeping insects and just about everything all my life. I am the owner of http://insectandentomology.forumotion.com/ where I am keeping all my journals and stuff like that! (It's New) But I am hoping to find some time to do some posting here as well and to get to know all of you guys!

Whereabouts in WI? I'm in the southeast corner of Milwaukee county, hit me up if you are ever in the area. Not enough Wisconsonites here on the boards.

Cool forum, best of luck with it!!

 

[shutout2000]

Thanks and I will let you know if I am ever in the area.

 

[Crazyartistman90]

I'm Colton, looking for some kindred spirits and to learn as much from others as i can. not many people into the hobby around my hometown. see you guys in the threads.

 

[cold blood]

I'm Colton, looking for some kindred spirits and to learn as much from others as i can. not many people into the hobby around my hometown. see you guys in the threads.

Is that a cane corso?? Beautiful.

 

[Deadboi]

Howdy! Noob here with "insufficient privileges." I have recently found myself with 8 new spiders since the previous owner had to relocate. I have a Rosie I've had for over a year now and am here to learn more about these new breeds/arachnids in general. Tell me your favorite spider jokes.

 

[CharlotteACavatica]

Hello all!
My name is Becca, 28, northern Alabama.
I'm new to being the caretaker for arachnids, have had mostly reptiles for a few years.
I'm tired of searching the web for answers all the time and a lot of my searches lead here so....
We recently adopted a pink toe my 7 year old lovingly named Charlotte, and so our T adventure begins.
As is with most things, I spent months reasherching and gathering materials for our new family member, but now that she is here, I find myself needing questions answered that only a more experienced Avicularia owner could help with. Hopefully I've come to the approate place. Thank you!

 

[cold blood]

Hello all!
My name is Becca, 28, northern Alabama.
I'm new to being the caretaker for arachnids, have had mostly reptiles for a few years.
I'm tired of searching the web for answers all the time and a lot of my searches lead here so....
We recently adopted a pink toe my 7 year old lovingly named Charlotte, and so our T adventure begins.
As is with most things, I spent months reasherching and gathering materials for our new family member, but now that she is here, I find myself needing questions answered that only a more experienced Avicularia owner could help with. Hopefully I've come to the approate place. Thank you!

Feel free to message me if you have any questions or concerns