- Joined
- Dec 24, 2018
- Messages
- 926
In a way absolutely as there are more unverifiable elements to raw soil.
Remember, entomologist do not know how invertebrates, (in this case tarantulas) are infected with nematodes for one. There never has been any clinical study on that subject. Only one clinical study exist currently. That study is inconclusive to how tarantulas are infected with the parasite. That study was on just the parasite itself.
I say 50/50 shot with raw soil from the ground for us that don't know anything about good vs bad soil to use from the ground to begin with.
The only thing that would be admissible as proof is a T keeper that has used raw soil for an extremely long time with 0% issue. Even then it has to be broken down to what kind of soil did they use, from where and what other factors to consider.
In a court of law it's not what you know it's what you can prove with evidence nothing else is accepted.
In this case I can't prove or disprove the use of raw soil because:
1. Never used it
2. I don't know anyone personally that used it for a great length of time with success
3. Have read from keepers that have and currently use it with success with no proof other than just their word.
What appears to be good raw soil currently could of been contaminated decades ago that a person is unaware of whether chemical or organic.
So with that I need hard evidence before I would ever just go out and dig up a piece of good ole Mother Earth and use it for my T's.
The other part is why risk it to save a buck. What if you have adult tarantulas worth hundreds of dollars especially rare ones. Does that make logical sense to take a chance?
I knew of topsoil years ago. The reason I have left 2 bags of Timberline sitting here for years is because I cannot verify if bags of fertilizers or chemicals were kept under, on top of or next to it on the delivery truck or how it was originally stored when receiving it at Home Depot. That is the reason I never used it not because of possible parasites.
I never mean't to hijack the OP's thread. I gave my thoughts on the subject replying to him. I have no beef with anyone that has a different opinion, (unless it's handling OW T's of course
) What keepers use that have worked for them is fine as long as there was never any harm to their tarantulas is 100% perfectly good.
The substrate debate is a topic that started along time ago and probably will never end. That's because alot of different substrates have worked long term for alot of different keepers and that's fine.
No one can make or tell anyone what to do with their animals. Last I checked we are still kind of free but for how much longer country.....that doesn't look too good.
@spookyspider was right, one of us should of started a whole new post on this topic. So I apologize to the OP for the hijack.
I'm surprised I didn't get in trouble again by the mods
UPDATE: That still could be incoming
Another UPDATE: @Wolfram1 @Smotzer @Dorifto You are all good guys and have vast knowledge so I hope you were not offended or took anything I wrote as argumentative or condescending or any other negative outlook. You all brought up good points. Obviously you have the experience using the soils you've used. For me I am prone to be cautious first nothing more nothing less.
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