prairiepanda
Arachnoknight
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2012
- Messages
- 209
Before anybody flames me, I did do a search of the forums before starting this thread, and the few similar topics I found were either too old or too different from what I'm trying to bring up. I've noticed that the community of arachnid owners seems to have very little knowledge of the subject and has been misinformed regarding many of their options. I'd like to explain how various forms of euthanasia affect the animal and see what others think about it.
Freezing: This seems to be the most common method, especially when we're talking about Ts. I don't understand why this is preferred at all. Arachnids have very complex nervous systems with extremely sensitive receptors throughout their bodies. As they begin to freeze, the ice crystals forming in their blood will stimulate a large portion of these receptors, presumably causing intense pain. At this point, they are unable to move and likely appear dead already, but neural signals are able continue for quite some time after other vital organs begin to fail. As a result, the animal is forced to endure pain without being able to do anything about it. To an observer, it looks like a serene death because motion comes to a stop while the animal is still in a relatively relaxed position.
Refrigeration: This method takes a long time, but would not induce the level of pain that freezing would. Any arachnid from an area that has distinct climactic seasons will have the ability to adjust their metabolism in response to lower than ideal temperatures. Vital organ functions are slowly reduced, and neural relays slow in much the same way they would in a sleeping mammal. It is debatable, but most species would probably experience the most peaceful death by this method. Species from areas which experience relatively consistent temperatures year round, however, will not have this ability and will die in confusion and possibly fear. It's also possible such species would experience pain, as the rate of organ failure would be uneven.
Squashing: If the first impact crushes everything, it can be assumed that this method is relatively humane, however disturbing. Unfortunately, in most cases the first impact leaves too much of the nervous system intact and therefore could possibly be causing pain. This one is definitely debatable, as not much research has been done into the extent of damage necessary to eliminate consciousness in arachnids. Insects, due to their lack of centralization in the nervous system, have the ability to remain conscious even with significant portions of their bodies missing. Arachnids may or may not be comparable.
Ethyl Acetate: Probably the most common liquid poisons used by entomologists and specimen collectors in the field for killing specimens without damaging their research or viewing value. Several drops on the thorax is lethal in two seconds or less. Poisoning can be a traumatic experience, especially so by this method as the order of organ failures is unpredictable. The T might experience pain and/or fear as a result of their reaction to the poison, but the process is quite quick.
Ammonia poisoning using dry compounds: Using a dry compound such as ammonium carbonate to kill Ts would be a rather harsh method. The powder will inevitably be stirred up into the air and will begin to dissolve the T's book lungs long before killing it, causing significant distress. While this method is widely accepted for use on small specimens, its use on something as large as a T would take at least several minutes and therefore should be questioned as to how humane it is.
Ammonia poisoning using liquid compounds: Something like Windex, when placed with the T in an airtight container, would be an effective killing mechanism. However, there is no standard compound used for this method, so there is no way of knowing what level of exposure would be needed to kill the T quickly. The risk of having the T endure a prolonged burning sensation in the lungs is probably not worth the attempt.
Suffocation: For mammals, this is an extremely traumatizing way to die. With arachnids, it may appear peaceful to an observer. No research has been done as to the effects of suffocation on the bodily systems of insects or arachnids. Putting your T into an airtight container could be a good alternative to refrigeration for species which would not do as well in the fridge, but we can't know for sure. It might be a horrible experience for the T.
Microwaving: I have never heard of anybody actually trying this, but I have seen it brought up. It's likely that the T would die before the first second is up. Knowing the nature of microwaves, this would also be a painless experience provided the T dies before its internal organs begin expanding. We can only speculate as to whether the T would die before or after exploding. I believe if the microwave's power was high enough, the spider would die before. But I wouldn't take the risk. If the spider doesn't die immediately, the pain would be excruciating as pressure built up against every single nerve in their body.
If you know of any other methods, do share. As you have probably guessed, the only method I would endorse is refrigeration. Although, personally, I would rather let nature take its course in the off chance that the T would survive against all odds.
Also, please don't debate whether Ts feel pain or fear. Pain and fear, like most emotions, do not stem from the brain. They are phenomenons of the body, to be interpreted by the brain. A T's nervous system is constructed differently from a human's, but they are most definitely equipped to perceive changes in their body such as what pain and fear-causing stimuli would incur. No, they don't think about it the way we do, but they do feel it nonetheless.
Freezing: This seems to be the most common method, especially when we're talking about Ts. I don't understand why this is preferred at all. Arachnids have very complex nervous systems with extremely sensitive receptors throughout their bodies. As they begin to freeze, the ice crystals forming in their blood will stimulate a large portion of these receptors, presumably causing intense pain. At this point, they are unable to move and likely appear dead already, but neural signals are able continue for quite some time after other vital organs begin to fail. As a result, the animal is forced to endure pain without being able to do anything about it. To an observer, it looks like a serene death because motion comes to a stop while the animal is still in a relatively relaxed position.
Refrigeration: This method takes a long time, but would not induce the level of pain that freezing would. Any arachnid from an area that has distinct climactic seasons will have the ability to adjust their metabolism in response to lower than ideal temperatures. Vital organ functions are slowly reduced, and neural relays slow in much the same way they would in a sleeping mammal. It is debatable, but most species would probably experience the most peaceful death by this method. Species from areas which experience relatively consistent temperatures year round, however, will not have this ability and will die in confusion and possibly fear. It's also possible such species would experience pain, as the rate of organ failure would be uneven.
Squashing: If the first impact crushes everything, it can be assumed that this method is relatively humane, however disturbing. Unfortunately, in most cases the first impact leaves too much of the nervous system intact and therefore could possibly be causing pain. This one is definitely debatable, as not much research has been done into the extent of damage necessary to eliminate consciousness in arachnids. Insects, due to their lack of centralization in the nervous system, have the ability to remain conscious even with significant portions of their bodies missing. Arachnids may or may not be comparable.
Ethyl Acetate: Probably the most common liquid poisons used by entomologists and specimen collectors in the field for killing specimens without damaging their research or viewing value. Several drops on the thorax is lethal in two seconds or less. Poisoning can be a traumatic experience, especially so by this method as the order of organ failures is unpredictable. The T might experience pain and/or fear as a result of their reaction to the poison, but the process is quite quick.
Ammonia poisoning using dry compounds: Using a dry compound such as ammonium carbonate to kill Ts would be a rather harsh method. The powder will inevitably be stirred up into the air and will begin to dissolve the T's book lungs long before killing it, causing significant distress. While this method is widely accepted for use on small specimens, its use on something as large as a T would take at least several minutes and therefore should be questioned as to how humane it is.
Ammonia poisoning using liquid compounds: Something like Windex, when placed with the T in an airtight container, would be an effective killing mechanism. However, there is no standard compound used for this method, so there is no way of knowing what level of exposure would be needed to kill the T quickly. The risk of having the T endure a prolonged burning sensation in the lungs is probably not worth the attempt.
Suffocation: For mammals, this is an extremely traumatizing way to die. With arachnids, it may appear peaceful to an observer. No research has been done as to the effects of suffocation on the bodily systems of insects or arachnids. Putting your T into an airtight container could be a good alternative to refrigeration for species which would not do as well in the fridge, but we can't know for sure. It might be a horrible experience for the T.
Microwaving: I have never heard of anybody actually trying this, but I have seen it brought up. It's likely that the T would die before the first second is up. Knowing the nature of microwaves, this would also be a painless experience provided the T dies before its internal organs begin expanding. We can only speculate as to whether the T would die before or after exploding. I believe if the microwave's power was high enough, the spider would die before. But I wouldn't take the risk. If the spider doesn't die immediately, the pain would be excruciating as pressure built up against every single nerve in their body.
If you know of any other methods, do share. As you have probably guessed, the only method I would endorse is refrigeration. Although, personally, I would rather let nature take its course in the off chance that the T would survive against all odds.
Also, please don't debate whether Ts feel pain or fear. Pain and fear, like most emotions, do not stem from the brain. They are phenomenons of the body, to be interpreted by the brain. A T's nervous system is constructed differently from a human's, but they are most definitely equipped to perceive changes in their body such as what pain and fear-causing stimuli would incur. No, they don't think about it the way we do, but they do feel it nonetheless.
