MexicanRedKnee
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2010
- Messages
- 11
So I read that thread a few days ago about handling T's and the flame war that ensued. Before anyone bashes me, I'm not here asking if I can hold my T's, I would just like to see what some of the experienced T keepers on here think of what I told a guy at work about tarantulas.
Basically, he's had a g. rosea for years. I've had tarantulas for a month (15 and counting
). Once he learned I was into T's, he came over and talked about his, I told him which species I had and realized this guy probably didn't know much about T's seeing how he didn't recognize some species I had, all of which aren't rare. The issue on handling came up, I said I don't handle any of my T's unless I'm showing off my collection to someone who doesn't know or is afraid of tarantulas just to show them they're not aggressive and out to get you while trying to educate them about Tarantulas. He said he handles his all the time and that it's very tame because of that. I said I don't think you can tame a tarantula because they're just way too primitive and their brain is too small, they're just little bundles of very basic emotions and instinct, no room for training or doing tricks. Then I went on a rant about how handling causes stress and the only reason why the g. rosea is not biting is because it is not as easily stressed as other species, like OBTs, and because its first instinct isn't to bite in self defense, like many OW species will, but it COULD bite at some point regardless of all the handling it has gone through. Our conversation ended with him saying that's my opinion and that I've only had T's for a month. I told him he was right about that. Sometimes at work you have to talk to people you don't really like, just to prevent awkward silence .
Anyhow, isn't it true that spiders can't really be tamed like you could a more intelligent animal, and by tamed I mean teaching an animal that you're not a threat, simply because tarantulas can't learn or am I underestimating their brain power? I believe you could try to handle a CB mexican red knee that was born and raised in captivity and stand as much of a chance of getting bit as you would if you went to Mexico and tried to handle a wild one.
Basically, he's had a g. rosea for years. I've had tarantulas for a month (15 and counting
). Once he learned I was into T's, he came over and talked about his, I told him which species I had and realized this guy probably didn't know much about T's seeing how he didn't recognize some species I had, all of which aren't rare. The issue on handling came up, I said I don't handle any of my T's unless I'm showing off my collection to someone who doesn't know or is afraid of tarantulas just to show them they're not aggressive and out to get you while trying to educate them about Tarantulas. He said he handles his all the time and that it's very tame because of that. I said I don't think you can tame a tarantula because they're just way too primitive and their brain is too small, they're just little bundles of very basic emotions and instinct, no room for training or doing tricks. Then I went on a rant about how handling causes stress and the only reason why the g. rosea is not biting is because it is not as easily stressed as other species, like OBTs, and because its first instinct isn't to bite in self defense, like many OW species will, but it COULD bite at some point regardless of all the handling it has gone through. Our conversation ended with him saying that's my opinion and that I've only had T's for a month. I told him he was right about that. Sometimes at work you have to talk to people you don't really like, just to prevent awkward silence .Anyhow, isn't it true that spiders can't really be tamed like you could a more intelligent animal, and by tamed I mean teaching an animal that you're not a threat, simply because tarantulas can't learn or am I underestimating their brain power? I believe you could try to handle a CB mexican red knee that was born and raised in captivity and stand as much of a chance of getting bit as you would if you went to Mexico and tried to handle a wild one.
