Introduce Yourself

[ADHDARACHN1D]

Hello! You can just call me Gabriel. I am a 17 year old tarantula keeper and avid hobbyist, and I've been obsessed with spiders ever since I was a little boy. Last year, I got my first tarantula, an avicularia avicularia (who I still have!) and since then I have kept six tarantulas in total. I'm still learning, as we all have and recently last month picked up my first Old World due to myself feeling ready. So far it's been great, but the husbandry is definitely a little more intense than all the New Worlds I've owned before. Below is a list of species I've owned over my experience.

Avicularia avicularia
Hapalopus sp. Columbia
Psalmopoeus irminiA
Pamphobetus Platyomma
Aphonopelma chalcodes
Pterinochilus murinus

Hopefully many more! I'm always here to talk about tarantula needs, and am always willing to get tips from veterans in the hobby.

I've been helping to stop the demonization of tarantulas/spiders in my community (I'm one of the very few tarantula-keepers in my town), and I will often name my tarantulas silly names; I found that children and arachnophobes become much calmer when the "big scary spider" is named Herbie or Luigi (the names of my A. chalcodes and my P. murinus respectively). Hopefully one day, spiders and tarantulas would be respected as the beautiful animals they are, but we could only hope.

Welcome

 

[thholyghst]

Hi all, my names Sydney and I’m a recovering arachnophobe I just recently got my first T (a.avic) and I love her already.

I’m 36, a self employed hairdresser, artist and cat dad of 3 tuxies. Live in VA but originally from NYC.

Hoping to make some friends that are T enthusiast and learn from more experienced keepers. My goal is to one day have a Brazilian Black, C. Versicolor & Sapphire Gooty.

 

[bored9x]

I am Jo, 20 year old a student working towards a microbiology degree that has always had a fascination for bugs, but it wasn't until recently that I started keeping arthropods. It started with isopods thanks to my sister, and I've become rapidly obsessed with the idea of keeping roaches, millipedes, etc...I'm working my way up slowly! It was a relief to find a place where all of these amazing creatures can get the appreciation they deserve.

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Welcome to the boards, Jo, & Sydney!

 

[Kitsunebi]

Hi there! Apparently, I joined over 5 years ago and never introduced myself or anything so I wanted to fix that.

In that 5 years, I’ve overcome most of my discomfort around spiders. Had some not-so-fun experiences growing up.
Orbweavers were my main “gateway” spiders, then crab spiders, and, of course, jumpers.

About me: My name is Naoma, but various nicknames are fine. People often call me Naomi, Nomi, or just Nome.
My username is an old throwback. "Fox fire." Japanese. It typically relates to "ghost lights," or mischievous spirits that would appear as small lights or flames, luring travelers away from the safe path. Similar to a will-o'-the-wisp.

I live outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with my dog and my family.

Why I joined: I’ve forgotten my original reason, but now, I’m here mainly because of my fascination with spiders and other arachnids. Spiders used to make me feel pretty anxious, and an active hunter species lost in the house was cause for alarm.

Then I started learning about them: Poured over websites, bought Rose’s Spiders of North America and generally just went full ADHD hyperfocus on the subject. Now, I can typically identify at least what family a local spider is in at a glance and even pick up certain species barehanded for an emergency relocation if necessary.

I’ve always loved macro photography, so I’ve also started getting better at photographing some of the spiders I find around my semi-rural home. Those are mostly furrow spiders (Larinioides cornutus - which have a very healthy population that seems to love my back porch), several species of jumper, and the obligatory grass spiders (Agelenopsis) and cellar spiders (Pholcidae). Though, I found a beautiful, big, female Triangulate Comb-foot over the summer and an adult Eastern Parson spider. I hope to see more of the latter at some point.

My current "holy grail," find: The mystery spider I found and immediately lost down a floor drain last spring. She resembled a trapdoor spider of some sort and looked terribly dehydrated. I still feel bad I lost her and couldn't at least get her some water. I would have liked a positive ID too. Really cool spider. Shiny, black cephalothorax and legs, fuzzy gray abdomen, large chelicera.

Non-arachnid interests: Gaming (computer or tabletop), knitting, languages/linguistics, food (cooking, baking, trying new things), tea, various sciences, sci-fi, art, music, photography, nature and wildlife, among others.

Hope everyone is having a lovely Friday/Saturday, wherever they are in the world, and enjoying the seasonal transition to autumn/spring. It's raining here right now, but the autumn colors are amazing!

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Hi there! Apparently, I joined over 5 years ago and never introduced myself or anything so I wanted to fix that.

In that 5 years, I’ve overcome most of my discomfort around spiders. Had some not-so-fun experiences growing up.
Orbweavers were my main “gateway” spiders, then crab spiders, and, of course, jumpers.

About me: My name is Naoma, but various nicknames are fine. People often call me Naomi, Nomi, or just Nome.
My username is an old throwback. "Fox fire." Japanese. It typically relates to "ghost lights," or mischievous spirits that would appear as small lights or flames, luring travelers away from the safe path. Similar to a will-o'-the-wisp.

I live outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with my dog and my family.

Why I joined: I’ve forgotten my original reason, but now, I’m here mainly because of my fascination with spiders and other arachnids. Spiders used to make me feel pretty anxious, and an active hunter species lost in the house was cause for alarm.

Then I started learning about them: Poured over websites, bought Rose’s Spiders of North America and generally just went full ADHD hyperfocus on the subject. Now, I can typically identify at least what family a local spider is in at a glance and even pick up certain species barehanded for an emergency relocation if necessary.

I’ve always loved macro photography, so I’ve also started getting better at photographing some of the spiders I find around my semi-rural home. Those are mostly furrow spiders (Larinioides cornutus - which have a very healthy population that seems to love my back porch), several species of jumper, and the obligatory grass spiders (Agelenopsis) and cellar spiders (Pholcidae). Though, I found a beautiful, big, female Triangulate Comb-foot over the summer and an adult Eastern Parson spider. I hope to see more of the latter at some point.

My current "holy grail," find: The mystery spider I found and immediately lost down a floor drain last spring. She resembled a trapdoor spider of some sort and looked terribly dehydrated. I still feel bad I lost her and couldn't at least get her some water. I would have liked a positive ID too. Really cool spider. Shiny, black cephalothorax and legs, fuzzy gray abdomen, large chelicera.

Non-arachnid interests: Gaming (computer or tabletop), knitting, languages/linguistics, food (cooking, baking, trying new things), tea, various sciences, sci-fi, art, music, photography, nature and wildlife, among others.

Hope everyone is having a lovely Friday/Saturday, wherever they are in the world, and enjoying the seasonal transition to autumn/spring. It's raining here right now, but the autumn colors are amazing!

Welcome to the forum, friend!

 

[sunspotspiders]

Hello hello! I'm very new to.. all of this, mostly? I've had an interest in keeping spiders for a couple years now, but I mostly stuck to observing from outside the glass if you know what I mean.

Recently, however, I've been really considering getting a jumping spider! Would love to have someone else to share my space with even if they are itty bitty, y'know? I work full time and am in the process of going to college to be a florist, so my time for people outside of my family is limited. Although I've honestly never been entirely social.

Anyways, as I said I've been looking into getting a jumping spider. I am, of course, doing a thorough amount of research, but I figured it couldn't hurt to come on here and get advice from people with more experience than I.

I look forward to getting to know you folks! Thank you for reading. ^^

 

[Arachry]

Hi!

I’m new to keeping spiders. I started with a jumping spider and now have a B. emelia. I’ve become fascinated by them and spend a lot of time researching behaviour and watching them.

Will hopefully use this forum quite a bit, tend to spend most of my time on Reddit and Facebook but want to move away from them as can be a bit toxic.

Cheers!

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Hi!

I’m new to keeping spiders. I started with a jumping spider and now have a B. emelia. I’ve become fascinated by them and spend a lot of time researching behaviour and watching them.

Will hopefully use this forum quite a bit, tend to spend most of my time on Reddit and Facebook but want to move away from them as can be a bit toxic.

Cheers!

Welcome to the forum, friend!

 

[Emeriti]

Hello! I'm a new keeper (acquired my first little guy back in May) who has found a ton of helpful advice reading through these forums and is tired of not having anywhere to share the excitement and anxiety of caring for these little guys. I have a GBB, an Avicularea purpurea, and a Pamphobeteus sp. "Machala"—all slings—and I'm pretty much growing more obsessed with spiders by the day.

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Hello! I'm a new keeper (acquired my first little guy back in May) who has found a ton of helpful advice reading through these forums and is tired of not having anywhere to share the excitement and anxiety of caring for these little guys. I have a GBB, an Avicularea purpurea, and a Pamphobeteus sp. "Machala"—all slings—and I'm pretty much growing more obsessed with spiders by the day.

Well welcome to the forum, friend!

 

[Woody72]

Hi all, I'm Guy, 51, and I Iive in the northwest of England. I have two T's. Tidge, a G. rosea, who I've had for around 10 years and a young A. hentzi, Florence, who I picked up a couple of weeks ago who is absolutely gorgeous.

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Hi all, I'm Guy, 51, and I Iive in the northwest of England. I have two T's. Tidge, a G. rosea, who I've had for around 10 years and a young A. hentzi, Florence, who I picked up a couple of weeks ago who is absolutely gorgeous.

Welcome to the boards, friend!

 

[MissyLove]

Hey all! I'm Missy. I love pretty much all inverts. I'm new here and am here to learn. Knowledge is always power of some sort, even if it is just the power to gain knowledge.
Please have patience with me, I ask A LOT of questions!
So, it's great to meet you all and I'm really happy I've found this forum of like minded people!

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Hey all! I'm Missy. I love pretty much all inverts. I'm new here and am here to learn. Knowledge is always power of some sort, even if it is just the power to gain knowledge.
Please have patience with me, I ask A LOT of questions!
So, it's great to meet you all and I'm really happy I've found this forum of like minded people!

Welcome to the boards, Missy!
A LOT of interesting information, & answers to MANY questions can be had using the site's search feature...keep it in mind!

 

[MissyLove]

Welcome to the boards, Missy!
A LOT of interesting information, & answers to MANY questions can be had using the site's search feature...keep it in mind!

Thank you, I'll try that first Jill

 

[tessarach21]

Hello! I'm an arachnophobe who decided to get her animal-loving daughter a tarantula (Tliltocatl albopilosus) for her 10th birthday in April.
We were told it was a three year old female. It has since molted twice -once in June and again in September. It surprised and concerned us that a molt would happen so soon after the one in June.
Much to our surprise, "she" was very definitely a "he"! He's been doing fantastically, my daughter is in love, and it turns out I'm ok with tarantulas, at least .

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Hello! I'm an arachnophobe who decided to get her animal-loving daughter a tarantula (Tliltocatl albopilosus) for her 10th birthday in April.
We were told it was a three year old female. It has since molted twice -once in June and again in September. It surprised and concerned us that a molt would happen so soon after the one in June.
Much to our surprise, "she" was very definitely a "he"! He's been doing fantastically, my daughter is in love, and it turns out I'm ok with tarantulas, at least .

Welcome to the forum, friend!

 

[Jgolden357]

Hello my name is Jim, I'm fairly new to the hobby. I live in Texas and I've got 2 A. Avicularia, and recently rescued a suspected Dolomedes Tenebrosus from almost being killed by my arachnophobic brother. New to the boards and hoping to find some useful info

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Hello my name is Jim, I'm fairly new to the hobby. I live in Texas and I've got 2 A. Avicularia, and recently rescued a suspected Dolomedes Tenebrosus from almost being killed by my arachnophobic brother. New to the boards and hoping to find some useful info

Welcome!