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!
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!
