Socfroggy
Arachnoknight
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2017
- Messages
- 297
I've read on here that some of the info in the book is outdated. What do I need to know??
stans book is excellent, and excellent at making you jump around, to the point where some glycogen is requiredI've read on here that some of the info in the book is outdated. What do I need to know??
I see what you mean, I've ran into slot of the same or better info on this site but I like the offline reference.I was thinking about buying this book, but I decided not to. So far, all information I needed I could find on AB, all proven techniques, thoroughly discussed with first hand experiences, constantly updated, enhanced and improved. And the best thing: it's for free
I bought it read it from front to back don't regret it for sure. I've kept it I like the book, sometimes i just enjoy skimming it. Not any time recently.. But at the same time if I had a question, I would google it and click thread on this site that came up, maybe try a few more, then ask the question here and most likely get a direct answer. to my question.I was thinking about buying this book, but I decided not to. So far, all information I needed I could find on AB, all proven techniques, thoroughly discussed with first hand experiences, constantly updated, enhanced and improved. And the best thing: it's for free
Thats a terribly inaccurate statement, there is good information on AB, there is also tons of conflicting viewpoints, stans book provides centralized info, his explanations on humidity for instance are excellent. There are a lot of things in that book that are downright hard to find, but can be found.I was thinking about buying this book, but I decided not to. So far, all information I needed I could find on AB, all proven techniques, thoroughly discussed with first hand experiences, constantly updated, enhanced and improved. And the best thing: it's for free
As with most of your provocative statements, you probably want to start a heated debate. Well, @BishopiMaster, I am not falling for that I just stated my opinion, not a fact. So there is nothing 'terribly inaccurate' about it.Thats a terribly inaccurate statement, there is good information on AB, there is also tons of conflicting viewpoints, stans book provides centralized info, his explanations on humidity for instance are excellent. There are a lot of things in that book that are downright hard to find, but can be found.
Absolutely it was an inaccurate statement, you painted AB as if it was an absolute source of knowledge, with no mention of cons such as "constantly updated,enhanced and improved." I'll give you an example, I use Linux on my computer, it's open source, constantly updated, enhanced, and improved, and the way you describe AB with this rigidity and scalability is betraying of reality. You stated your opinion, not a fact, but your opinions have an affect, especially when you make false comparisons on a book that is not wrought with, as you say, heated debates.As with most of your provocative statements, you probably want to start a heated debate. Well, @BishopiMaster, I am not falling for that I just stated my opinion, not a fact. So there is nothing 'terribly inaccurate' about it.
However, I do agree with you that some viewpoints on AB are conflicting, so one needs a certain degree of common sense to sift through the information, but this goes for any source of information on any topic. I don't think at all that The Tarantula Keeper's Guide is a bad book, but written words can become outdated (such as the use of ICU's, the care of Avic slings, scientific names, etc.).
I much rather hear directly from someone who successfully raised a certain species how to care for this species, especially if other experienced keepers chime in and support this approach. I am yet to come across a situation that has not been discussed on this forum, and I can always start a thread on this forum if such a situation occurs, knowing that I will receive almost immediate help from the members of AB.
Perhaps I will buy the book one day. I am just not in a hurry.
Most mites are helpful scavengers that do the same job as springtails. They only pose a problem when they take over the enclosure. Parasitic mites are extremely rare and are only a threat to weak/sick tarantulas. http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/spiders-inverts/388524-guide-mites.htmlAbsolutely it was an inaccurate statement, you painted AB as if it was an absolute source of knowledge, with no mention of cons such as "constantly updated,enhanced and improved." I'll give you an example, I use Linux on my computer, it's open source, constantly updated, enhanced, and improved, and the way you describe AB with this rigidity and scalability is betraying of reality. You stated your opinion, not a fact, but your opinions have an affect, especially when you make false comparisons on a book that is not wrought with, as you say, heated debates.
@boina,
I completely agree with you about the substrate and hide part, i remember
there is a part where hes got this bare bones cage, and a water dish, and the underline is "but the tarantula doesnt seem to care". I believe that more substrate and, if terrestrial/burrowing, a burrow offers more regulation ability with regards to temperature and humidity. I've never had much of an issue with mites, so i cant speak here, but i am curious, what was wrong with his mite explanations?
i have to disagree with that.Thats a terribly inaccurate statement, there is good information on AB, there is also tons of conflicting viewpoints, stans book provides centralized info, his explanations on humidity for instance are excellent. There are a lot of things in that book that are downright hard to find, but can be found.
That Ts aren't swampdwellers.I've read on here that some of the info in the book is outdated. What do I need to know??
This flies in the face of everything i have read on AB, anytime you go on here asking anything about humidity, people sing "dry with a water dish". That has been my experience, i see that very strongly adhered to and i dont see the difference with what stan is advocating.i have to disagree with that.
he keeps humid species as dry as he can get away with. this may work for someone very experienced but not at all for beginners. this is a guy who kept 90% arid species. he doesnt have nearly as much experience with tropical spiders and OWs. Stans book is good for giving beginners a good taste of husbandry and some anatomy info for those that read it. it gives the reader an idea of whats out there in the hobby. he does give the impression of Theraphosa and Ephebopus being swamp dwellers, something we still correct people on today.
AB is the ultimate source of info, and as with any new hobby, the knowledge is growing by the day.
Yes, beginner species all require dry sub and water dish.This flies in the face of everything i have read on AB, anytime you go on here asking anything about humidity, people sing "dry with a water dish". That has been my experience, i see that very strongly adhered to and i dont see the difference with what stan is advocating.
He only recommends keeping them drier after the sling stage is past. The swampdeller thing is just a name, man, here is what he actually says.
TKG, 2nd edition, pg 245, top left paragraph:
"The substrate (presumed to be peat; see the discussion under "Substrates" on page 135 for more information) should be damp enough to hold its shape after being squeezed in the hand, but dry enough that no liquid water can be squeezed from it. "
This would mean that stan is NOT suggesting we keep T. Blondi in standing water, as per the name "Swamp Dweller" would suggest. This seems perfectly reasonable to me, the devil is in the details, boys.
How do you know this exactly?this is a guy who kept 90% arid species. he doesnt have nearly as much experience with tropical spiders and OWs.
What do you mean beginner species? He's specifying theraphosa blondi, he explains himself fine if you actually read the book, ok here we go.Yes, beginner species all require dry sub and water dish.
Humidity varies from species to species as I'm sure you know.
Keeping them drier once past the sling stage? That works for beginner spiders. Not for everything. Where does he say that?
The substrate moisture level you described is too damp for beginner species.
He calls them swamp dwellers. He obviously doesn't explain himself well enough if we have to answer questions on this on AB time to time.
Regardless, it's a good starting point for beginners. Just needs some heavy updating.