Misunderstood tarantulas???

[Ultum4Spiderz]

what are your stories about these misunderstood animals? And conversations with people who got no clue in the world about tarantulas.

Today I had a counseling meeting we’re an intern or someone was there.
They asked about my spiders and this guy had the strangest questions. I know they are all legit questions but sound silly … for anyone who researches nature shows and tarantulas.

1. Wow, Do they all live in one cage?
2. Are they defanged?
3. Are you worry about getting bitten?
4. Do you handle them.
5. Why feed them roaches?

Common misunderstandings about them also to be included in this thread.

 

[kingshockey]

no talking sense/logic into a person with an irrational fear of them. case in point my best friend and his family came to visit once his wife hid in my kitchen. even after i answered all their questions and knowing i kept em in a latched secured cage her sons loved watching the t's feed though

 

[Matt Man]

"Safer than house cats" is my typical response and leave it at that

 

[viper69]

Common questions from ignorant peeps

 

[TarantulaMan138]

what are your stories about these misunderstood animals? And conversations with people who got no clue in the world about tarantulas.

Today I had a counseling meeting we’re an intern or someone was there.
They asked about my spiders and this guy had the strangest questions. I know they are all legit questions but sound silly … for anyone who researches nature shows and tarantulas.

1. Wow, Do they all live in one cage?
2. Are they defanged?
3. Are you worry about getting bitten?
4. Do you handle them.
5. Why feed them roaches?

Common misunderstandings about them also to be included in this thread.

My personal favorite question is are you afraid that you're going to wake up one morning and find that your tarantula escaped to which I always reply unless I personally open the terrarium they're not going to get out LOL and end up leading with and even if I left the enclosure unlocked or even open they're not strong enough to pop the lid off and continue with my laughs.

 

[Tentacle Toast]

no talking sense/logic into a person with an irrational fear of them. case in point my best friend and his family came to visit once his wife hid in my kitchen. even after i answered all their questions and knowing i kept em in a latched secured cage her sons loved watching the t's feed though

That "afraid to go in there" bit really gets under my skin, especially after giving my personal assurance that all creatures are secure. I don't know if it's a subconscious need to compete with the potentiality of a brief conversation around them for attention with some people, I've noticed more than once a correlation between the ones who do this, & their seeming need to be a consistent focus throughout the evening. I wholeheartedly understand phobias around snakes, spiders, & rats (RIP Victor), but I've played host to genuine "phobics" who can muster the courage to feign a wincing interest, & move on to a thoroughly enjoyable evening without giving them a second thought. It's an insult to me, my husbandry practices, & though irrational, I perceive it as a slight to my animals, too."GET THE HELL OUT OF MY KITCHEN," then start counting the silverware while glancing at them suspiciously...or keep looking around for that "one that got out the other day," give em' a reason.

 

[kingshockey]

That "afraid to go in there" bit really gets under my skin, especially after giving my personal assurance that all creatures are secure. I don't know if it's a subconscious need to compete with the potentiality of a brief conversation around them for attention with some people, I've noticed more than once a correlation between the ones who do this, & their seeming need to be a consistent focus throughout the evening. I wholeheartedly understand phobias around snakes, spiders, & rats (RIP Victor), but I've played host to genuine "phobics" who can muster the courage to feign a wincing interest, & move on to a thoroughly enjoyable evening without giving them a second thought. It's an insult to me, my husbandry practices, & though irrational, I perceive it as a slight to my animals, too."GET THE HELL OUT OF MY KITCHEN," then start counting the silverware while glancing at them suspiciously...or keep looking around for that "one that got out the other day," give em' a reason.

it is what it is best pay back is getting the persons kid interested in having one as a pet .so they will never hear the end of that cool spider pet.bonus my best friend lives in az. good chance his boys just might find a t/scorp or pede sooner rather than later

 

[Smotzer]

"Safer than house cats" is my typical response and leave it at that

If and when I have an in person job again I think I may have to start using this one!

 

[Smotzer]

And the best one is “So do they like…just….free roam inside your house …!?”

 

[Frogdaddy]

If they lose a leg a whole new tarantula will regenerate from that leg.

 

[A guy]

My coworkers actually asked the "are they all in one cage" question the first time that they knew I had tarantulas.

I LOVE having a conversation about my tarantulas with people who are genuinely interested to know more about them. Most of them know very little about these beautiful animals and it's a really good feeling for me to tell them more and see genuine aw and amazement on their faces.

 

[Liquifin]

Things like misconceptions and fears of spiders are usually attributed to a few things.

1. Looks and appearances - If it's alien looking or something very unusual as in "freak-of-nature" it tends to be disliked or feared almost instantly.
2. Lack of of understanding - This is straight forward.
3. The overall portrayal - If people keep portraying them as freaky or alien, then it'll give the majority of people that impression.

This is a sad never-ending problem with spiders and will continue to be that way for the common person.

 

[Tbone192]

Too true! These are magnificent and truly beautiful animals, it is so sad to see people in fear of them. Some basal fear/evolved fear/respect of them is understandable but the irrational fears make no sense to me. The thing that makes me most upset is the fact that these species are providing essential ecosystem services and we treat them like monsters. Before a spider is IDd it is often killed with a shoe, out of fear. Smh

Rabbits are more dangerous than Tarantulas IMO. My rabbit is a ball of fluffy hate while all my T's are pretty relaxed. Mr Bitey bunny is actually aggressive, there are no aggressive Tarantulas.

 

[TechnoGeek]

Are you worry about getting bitten?

This is the most interesting one for me. I handle my Ts, including my craziest ones like the A geniculata (chill but a very enthusiastic hunter) and the Theraphosas (skittish, a bit defensive at times, insane eaters) and I'm yet to take a single bite. Tarantulas don't wanna bite you, simple as that.. they'll only do it when they're most stressed into it, for example if you squeeze or hurt them (like what the 2 clowns in Kings of Pain do).

 

[8 legged]

I stopped talking about my hobby. Most people resist every good argument and I don't need them to follow my desire

 

[kingshockey]

its probably more annoying for my gf when her female co workers start asking questions that end with"i dont know how you could sleep in the same house with all those hairy spiders" . but since she helped pick some of them outcause they looked cute she has a few pics to show off to them.it gets them a bit curious and past the freak out reaction

 

[aprilmayjunebugs]

"Why so many?"
It's only 9, you should see how many other people have. They're cool, but they're also kinda boring, so having more than one increases the chances of seeing one doing something.
What annoys me the most is when people come into my home and don't acknowledge them at all. They're in my living room for everyone's enjoyment and I want to answer your questions!

 

[Tbone192]

I just don't get it. You see a cool bird and everyone loves it, fair enough. But you see an arachnid and it is "kill it with fire!!!" Smh

I was having a spirited discussion regarding solifugidae, camel spiders with someone. They were trying to convince me that they have anesthetic venom in order to take chunks out of large prey. I checked numerous papers and they all say solifugids do not possess venom at all and they only prey on smaller organisms than themselves. Even after explaining this they sent me a bogus site suggesting they can and do attack people willingly.

I still feel it is worth it to argue for proper information. All the myths and misinformation is actually endangering these unique creatures. I of course mean arthropods, especially arachnids.

 

[Rigor Mortis]

I'm at the point where I just don't tell people that I have tarantulas. It's not worth the inevitable "EWW I'm never going to your house!" "I'm gonna burn your house down!" "I want to kill them, sorry." "How do you sleep at night?!" comments. People do not have the common decency to just nod and smile and go "Oh, cool!" and keep their snide comments to themselves. If I told someone "I hate dogs, I'm gonna shoot your dog" they'd call the cops on me. But they threaten my Ts and suddenly it's fine. I am passionate about educating people about arachnids and showing them that they are not the monsters society thinks they are, but unfortunately most people do not want to learn about them.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I'm at the point where I just don't tell people that I have tarantulas. It's not worth the inevitable "EWW I'm never going to your house!" "I'm gonna burn your house down!" "I want to kill them, sorry." "How do you sleep at night?!" comments. People do not have the common decency to just nod and smile and go "Oh, cool!" and keep their snide comments to themselves. If I told someone "I hate dogs, I'm gonna shoot your dog" they'd call the cops on me. But they threaten my Ts and suddenly it's fine. I am passionate about educating people about arachnids and showing them that they are not the monsters society thinks they are, but unfortunately most people do not want to learn about them.

I seen how that goes .
You get looked at like someone who keeps pit vipers . Or dangerous creatures .

I just don't get it. You see a cool bird and everyone loves it, fair enough. But you see an arachnid and it is "kill it with fire!!!" Smh

I was having a spirited discussion regarding solifugidae, camel spiders with someone. They were trying to convince me that they have anesthetic venom in order to take chunks out of large prey. I checked numerous papers and they all say solifugids do not possess venom at all and they only prey on smaller organisms than themselves. Even after explaining this they sent me a bogus site suggesting they can and do attack people willingly.

I still feel it is worth it to argue for proper information. All the myths and misinformation is actually endangering these unique creatures. I of course mean arthropods, especially arachnids.

"kill it with fire!!!" is about the only thing these idiots know to say . I’m not really sure where the term came from.