Minimum Age for Tarantula Care?

[Chranchluh]

Hey,
I was wondering: What would you say is the minimum age for someone wanting to care for Tarantulas? I'm 15, and haven't had a very good track record with keeping pets, but I know a lot more about T's than I do about Fish.

I've seen 6 Year Old's "care" for them, but their handling technique was terrible. Hard floor, they were stood up with there arms up by their chest etc.

If I could get a T. I would, but unfortunately my mum's terrified of Spiders.

All of that got me wondering about what age should someone start caring for T.'s, even if they are so low maintinance.

 

[super-pede]

well My first T was a P. murinus when I was 7. it was given to my dad as a present but he hated spiders so he gave it to me.I'd say that if you think you're ready then go for it.don't get a rosy though,they have weird eating habits that confuse first timers.I'd suggest a G.pulchra or B.smithi if you can afford one.

 

[B8709]

If I had a kid then I'd say about 12 as long as they showed responsiblity. A calmer species, it'd be... As long as they wouldn't try to scare people with it or poke at it. Depends on what kinda kid it is. LoL

 

[micheldied]

well,it really depends on how ready the individual is.
i started collecting wild spiders at the age of 5 or something.
first T was a wild P inermis around 12 years of age.
im 16 now and i have more defensive Ts like H lividum and OBT,but no problems whatsoever.
ive always been a pet person though,kept dogs,lizards,inverts,fish and such since i was really little.

 

[forrestpengra]

There is no minimum... If a child is interested and responsible then by all means they could care for one. My son is only 2.5 yrs and we got him 'his' first lizard, a leopard gecko. He's fascinated by all of 'my' spiders, particularly my 7.25" LP. I know he's far too young to have his own T, but if he shows responsibility and interest around 5yrs old then he could have 'his' own T.

I think he would either inherit one of my more docile Ts like a G. rosea, B. smithi, A. avicularia, or maybe I would get him a B. albo. Something easy and hardy.

Don't get a T behind you moms back. Just keep dropping hints and information her way. Pick up a few books and leave them around. let her know your responsible and interested. Maybe even describe the ease of their care, compared to the other pets which you have not been able to care for.

 

[kovsejr]

Don't get a T behind you moms back.

I did just that the first day she didn't even wanted to go into my room (it was a B.smithi sling), but now, after 1 year she has no problems with them..She's also checking out my Pokies a couple of times per day.

I think that this is the best way to do it....

Only my opinion...

 

[CAK]

I'm agreeing with most above! It is all dependent on whether or not the child is ready. I'm 35 and there are many adults that aren't ready.

I have a 10 year old son who is SUPER PASSIONATE about our 8 legged friends and he is the one that turned me onto this hobby. He got the ONLY thing he was dying for, for Christmas this last year. a Juvi girl P.pederseni. He understands the dangers, we don't obviously handle our dangerous critters and he is totally in love with her! IMO, he's ready! He helped design and build the cage, he helped with the rehoming and he is the one that feeds her every week. He ISN"T allowed to keep her in his room because of the way him and the other boys like to roughhouse in their room... (me being a responsible parent had to say No.)

Ok, enough rambling out of me. If you are ready... you are ready! As long as the parent or guardian is comfortable with your hobby choice and can accept the risks as there are always some risks involved in this (or ANY hobby for that matter) Then go for it!

 

[flamesbane]

16...at least. I have a child myself and I work with kids through several venues (all ages, infants to teens) and 9 out of 10 kids under the age of 16 can't even remember to brush their teeth and pick up their dirty clothes, much less care for a T. There are exceptions of course, but in general something that doesn't require daily care is harder to remember to care for than something that does. Besides the fact that most kids who want T's just want them for the "cool" factor, without really caring about the responsibility that is required.

Your kid wants a T (or you're a kid that wants a T)? Get them a house plant that has a special requirement or two and see if it is still alive in 3 months, 6 months, or a year. The care is pretty similar, and the activity levels are about the same (especially true for G. rosea). After that time if they are still interested in the plant then get a T (bonus points if the plant can be used in a T enclosure :}).

 

[8by8]

I agree that it depends on the kid. My neice is 4, and can give Ts crickets like a pro.

 

[Durandal]

16...at least. I have a child myself and I work with kids through several venues (all ages, infants to teens) and 9 out of 10 kids under the age of 16 can't even remember to brush their teeth and pick up their dirty clothes, much less care for a T. There are exceptions of course, but in general something that doesn't require daily care is harder to remember to care for than something that does. Besides the fact that most kids who want T's just want them for the "cool" factor, without really caring about the responsibility that is required.

Your kid wants a T (or you're a kid that wants a T)? Get them a house plant that has a special requirement or two and see if it is still alive in 3 months, 6 months, or a year. The care is pretty similar, and the activity levels are about the same (especially true for G. rosea). After that time if they are still interested in the plant then get a T (bonus points if the plant can be used in a T enclosure :}).

I came here to post this. Well... except for the having a kid part.

It's not so much are they capable of feeding a T. Are they patient and responsible enough for a T? A houseplant is a great way to find out because they have basically the same requirements and sensitivities. They just cost a lot less and the kid won't be heartbroken when they kill one.

 

[8by8]

I came here to post this. Well... except for the having a kid part.

It's not so much are they capable of feeding a T. Are they patient and responsible enough for a T? A houseplant is a great way to find out because they have basically the same requirements and sensitivities. They just cost a lot less and the kid won't be heartbroken when they kill one.

I would have never thought of that. My neice has a 1/2 " rose hair, so there is not much care need (why I gave it to her), but when she comes visit "we have to feed the spiders".:clap:Start'em young I say, show them how to do it.

 

[endoflove]

its more or less brain then age just dont panic and be dumb and u will do fine

 

[Bill S]

I'm 15, and haven't had a very good track record with keeping pets, but I know a lot more about T's than I do about Fish.

I kept a lot of different animals starting around the age of six. But that doesn't mean everyone should. It's not so much about how much you know about tarantulas, as whether you are able to commit to taking care of them. The first thing I'd ask you is why you don't have a good track record so far? Fish can be pretty easy to keep - as long as you have the good judgement to choose ones that are within your capabilities. Same with tarantulas. Once you've figured out why you haven't done well so far with animals, you'll be in a better position to decide if you're ready to keep tarantulas. As has been said before, it's not so much the age of the person - it's whether they are ready to assume responsibilities and stick with them.

 

[KoffinKat138]

I would say it has to do with not only the individual but the Experience the person has had with other Pets/Exotics.I started keeping reptiles around the age of 9 years old.i've had Boa's,Burms,Lizards,you name it,i just started getting into T's around 14.I'm 17 now,and know the responsibilities and the outcome of what things can happen if they go bad.I would say that Age is just a Number.

 

[Rockstarpets]

well My first T was a P. murinus when I was 7. it was given to my dad as a present but he hated spiders so he gave it to me.I'd say that if you think you're ready then go for it.don't get a rosy though,they have weird eating habits that confuse first timers.I'd suggest a G.pulchra or B.smithi if you can afford one.

Were you an accident or something?

 

[whitewolf]

Just my 2 cents.
It depends on the person for me. Some kids can some kids can't. I know adults who shouldn't own any thing alive much less breath air correctly without guidance. I grew up on a farm and stayed at and worked in a pet store with my mom most my life. From the time I was able to walk I was around different kinds of animals. If it moved it was a pet. I was 8 taking care of the animals at the shop, T's, fish, you name it with help as needed of course. Now my son 6 yrs on the other hand can't get his act together with his dog and rats much less a T. My daughter 2 yrs is a pro at helping to an extent. lol. All children should be supervised though with any pet and parents willing to take on the pets care when the kid decides they get tried of it.

 

[Isaax Critterz]

Were you an accident or something?

had a heart attack when i saw the P̶͎̳͑̆̄͜ͅ.̴̛̺̤͓̂̈́̑̈́̿̓͛̂̕ ̶̰͖̭͋̊̎̀͂͛̃́͑m̵̛̫͖ŭ̵̠͖̭̞̯̗̬͖̝̔́͒̿́̚͠r̸̭͓̬͚̻̹̈̍̃̀͐̓i̶̹͉̫̯͓͈̤̾͐̀̽͐̍͝ň̸̥̫̲̩̠̟̗͇͌ͅȕ̵͍̘̫̯̫̺̃̓s̶̨̹̯̣͐́̌͋͐͂͆̍͜͝

 

[thedragonslapper]

I was a late bloomer lol. I started keeping when I was 20 yo or so. I’m 35 now. My first was an adult G porteri. I STILL have her.

 

[moricollins]

This thread is 12 years old... This thread is Old enough to start keeping Tarantulas Just saying.

 

[Isaax Critterz]

I got my first pulchra at 13...and its still a sling.