New owner anxiety

[Gevo]

I was anxious at first about not being able to care for them properly, but I also knew from my research that leaving them alone and not hovering is the best way to keep them, so I channeled a lot of my energy into learning everything I could—about my species and about other species too. Now I’m able to check in on them once or twice a day and don’t stress so much, but it took time.

I agree that a lot of the social media groups can be dicey, and it’s super frustrating to see here and elsewhere people who say they did all the research when really they mean that they watched a YouTude video and talked to a rando “breeder” and then went and stuffed and suffocated their tarantula with fifteen crickets and five mistings a day and then get defensive when people point out that literally any research would have saved that spider. Tom’s Big Spiders is the best educational resource out there next to Arachnoboards. Full stop. But, I also love watching beautiful footage of tarantulas and couldn’t care less if someone has managed to make themselves a fine living off of making it as long as they’re not hurting the animals. It’s okay to allow yourself to enjoy content too as long as you can distinguish between where you get your husbandry info and where you are simply exercising your appreciation for the hobby.

 

[eggsbenedict]

I was anxious at first about not being able to care for them properly, but I also knew from my research that leaving them alone and not hovering is the best way to keep them, so I channeled a lot of my energy into learning everything I could—about my species and about other species too. Now I’m able to check in on them once or twice a day and don’t stress so much, but it took time.

I agree that a lot of the social media groups can be dicey, and it’s super frustrating to see here and elsewhere people who say they did all the research when really they mean that they watched a YouTude video and talked to a rando “breeder” and then went and stuffed and suffocated their tarantula with fifteen crickets and five mistings a day and then get defensive when people point out that literally any research would have saved that spider. Tom’s Big Spiders is the best educational resource out there next to Arachnoboards. Full stop. But, I also love watching beautiful footage of tarantulas and couldn’t care less if someone has managed to make themselves a fine living off of making it as long as they’re not hurting the animals. It’s okay to allow yourself to enjoy content too as long as you can distinguish between where you get your husbandry info and where you are simply exercising your appreciation for the hobby.

Funnily enough, Toms Big Spiders was one of the resources I kept going back to when trying to figure out which species would be best for me to get, I think it was actually his article on beginner Ts that actually catalyzed me to make my mind up to get a G.pulchripes. I'm glad I now know however that certain other sources of information such as Tarantula Collective aren't as reliable, but I'll still watch videos from his channel purely because I enjoy watching footage of lots of nice Ts. I haven't even dipped my toe in any of the facebook groups, I think facebook is the last place I'd go for advice for anything I should also add, when having done my research I read alot of forum posts here too even before setting up my account.

 

[Gevo]

Funnily enough, Toms Big Spiders was one of the resources I kept going back to when trying to figure out which species would be best for me to get, I think it was actually his article on beginner Ts that actually catalyzed me to make my mind up to get a G.pulchripes. I'm glad I now know however that certain other sources of information such as Tarantula Collective aren't as reliable, but I'll still watch videos from his channel purely because I enjoy watching footage of lots of nice Ts. I haven't even dipped my toe in any of the facebook groups, I think facebook is the last place I'd go for advice for anything I should also add, when having done my research I

What I love about Tom's Big Spiders is that the videos, podcasts, and websites focus on husbandry, but you can also get a lot of information about the nuances and intricacies of tarantula keeping, and he's very good about identifying where advice has changed over the years so audiences can better make sense of some of the conflicting information they might come across. Tarantula Collective doesn't provide bad or unreliable information, but it's also not trying to be the kind of source that Tom's Big Spiders is, and as far as husbandry goes, you're likely to see more care-sheet style information and information about the spider's natural habitat, not a thorough discussion of mistakes made, observations, readers' experiences, things to try, etc. Creators don't have to be all things to all people, and the problem as I see it is more one of information literacy and helping people develop the skills to understand where and how to seek the right information for the right needs. I like to think this forum plays a role in that.

 

[eggsbenedict]

What I love about Tom's Big Spiders is that the videos, podcasts, and websites focus on husbandry, but you can also get a lot of information about the nuances and intricacies of tarantula keeping, and he's very good about identifying where advice has changed over the years so audiences can better make sense of some of the conflicting information they might come across. Tarantula Collective doesn't provide bad or unreliable information, but it's also not trying to be the kind of source that Tom's Big Spiders is. Creators don't have to be all things to all people, and the problem as I see it is more one of information literacy and helping people develop the skills to understand where and how to seek the right information for the right needs. I like to think this forum plays a role in that.

Tom definitely comes across as more beginner friendly.


I'll add to this that reading alot of his content has definitely helped to alleviate a number of the anxieties I had.

 

[Introvertebrate]

Tom definitely comes across as more beginner friendly.


I'll add to this that reading alot of his content has definitely helped to alleviate a number of the anxieties I had.

I think Tom is a teacher by trade. He's used to explaining things.

 

[TheraMygale]

Tom definitely comes across as more beginner friendly.


I'll add to this that reading alot of his content has definitely helped to alleviate a number of the anxieties I had.

I know why you said that. But its actualy just DOWN TO EARTH.

he is not bathing in luxury, or hyped stuff. Even if you notice him changing approaches with time. Like adding leaf litter etc. Its a sign of growth.

look at Daves little beasties. I love him. He didnt like new worlds. But he knows people like new worlds, and he knows his fans want HIS advice.

he is still doing Dave with new worlds. And thats good. Because you can see that its all basics. And its adaptable.

the enemy in tarantula keeping is wrong information, not having a passion for research, and your own self.

mold is easier to handle then an anxious keeper.