"Observed" changes in behavior with frequent handling

efmp1987

Arachnoknight
Joined
Aug 16, 2017
Messages
150
Can't find a thread discussing about this topic, so I'm making one. Due to tarantula-handling being a somewhat controversial topic with varying opinions from across the board (and partly because the subjects used are not known to bite) the test subjects used are Asian Orb Weavers from the genus Neoscona.

To start, most freshly caught wild specimens tend to be very skittish, are VERY quick on their foot and can make short bursts of speed with just a little nodge. Wild specimens are the very definition of "springy".

The same Neoscona individuals underwent daily handling (several times a day), and are provided with water and food. Two to four weeks post-capture, the specimens became very laid-back, relaxed and extremely tolerant of handling. Rarely do they make a "dash" for that chance of sweet escape. The specimens in question remain very active eaters still nonetheless, and some apparently laid viable eggs.

This change in behavior (from high-sprung nervousness to "domestication" characterized by slowness in locomoting, reluctance to run when handled and even sleep on the handlers palm) is cannot be identified whether it is stress-induced or the spiders simply have learned to identify that human hand not a threat. Spiders can obvioisly see, hence the threat posture is sometimes displayed simply by just passing by an enclosure holding an animal.

Are these changes in behavior present in tarantulas as well?

1. Species that are known to be either highly-skittish or aggressive show a reduction in their tendency to kick hairs or throw a threat display following consective handling (beginning from an accidental handling of the spider that found its way to the owners hand or arm in one of its escape attempts).

2. Individuals handled by their owners exhibit a somewhat relaxed disposition and there is significant slowing down of movements (lazy spider syndrome) as well as reduction in high-sprung nervousness or tendency to make short burst of dashes.

Now the questions again:

1. Are these changes stress-induced? If it is, do arachnids have the neural power to experience stress? Please take into cosideration that a stressed animal will rarely, if ever, feed.

2. Or has the spider learned to identify the handler as something that poses no threat?

Disclaimer: we do not recommend handling spiders for safety reason.

Please share your observations. Thanks!
 

Chris LXXIX

ArachnoGod
Joined
Dec 25, 2014
Messages
5,852
Disclaimer: we do not recommend handling spiders for safety reason.
This is amazing. I mean, the "we do not" part.

Reminds me of a newsagent I knew. Had written outside of the kiosk "ask the inside for porns". Seriously? He was alone all the day... "the inside", like not even he was a kinda CEO of something.

Mah :)

As far as your question, I don't handle, I never did that, I wouldn't do 'tomorrow'. The reasons were stated by almost everyone during eras.

The stress part? Uhm... think about those that loves to handle hardcore obligate burrowers. To scavenge those T's for that, if you ask me, is a huge act of disrespect, so yes I think stress is the least to expect.
 

boina

Lady of the mites
Active Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2015
Messages
2,218
What you are describing is a case of habituation that has been studied in various species of invertebrates, including salticidae. It's habituation, nothing more, a well researched and well described phenomenon. Just read the available literature - there's plenty.

Short summary:

No, the spider has not learned to recognize the handler, it has learned to recognize certain tactile and possible visual and olfactory clues associated with handling as parts of a non-threatening situation. Your experience is repeatable in any species you chose, including worms - as I said, it's a very well researched topic.
 

Ellenantula

Arachnoking
Joined
Sep 14, 2014
Messages
2,010
What you are describing is a case of habituation that has been studied in various species of invertebrates, including salticidae. It's habituation, nothing more, a well researched and well described phenomenon. Just read the available literature - there's plenty.
Short summary:
No, the spider has not learned to recognize the handler, it has learned to recognize certain tactile and possible visual and olfactory clues associated with handling as parts of a non-threatening situation. Your experience is repeatable in any species you chose, including worms - as I said, it's a very well researched topic.
My OBT seemed to recognize that his lid opening sound meant food. In fact, it may have had nothing to do with lid opening open sound -- he may have just had a feeler web thread attached to lid. lol
At any rate -- if he had made an association between feeders and his lid opening - I would consider it came from some very basic and primitive physiology. Not the result of higher intelligence.

And there's nothing wrong with that. Ts excel at being Ts regardless of primitive ganglia vs high functioning brain power. They have no need to further evolve -- I find them just about perfect as they are. :)

Just my 2 cents worth....
 
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