- Joined
- Apr 4, 2004
- Messages
- 1,497
Some time ago, my juvenile A. genic made a break for it after I forgot to secure loose lid. I recovered him less than a foot from the enclosure so it was alright in the end.
Well, an intelligent person would have replaced the faulty enclosure, but I am not that bright.
So, last night I was noodling around on the computer when I heard something fall to the floor behind my back where the chest of drawers that I keep my small collectionis. I looked to see what the sound was and not noticing anything that looked like it needed my attention, went back to what I was doing, figuring I'd pick up whatever had fallen later.
Several hours later, I was ready to think about calling it a night and decided to feed the spiders and scorpions beforehand.
So I went over and glanced down at the floor and saw the genic's enclosure lid on the floor.
Now, the first time I considered the escape a lost cause, but located the spider fairly quickly. But that was when he was an unsexed juvenile. Now he is a mature male, and those guys wander. I poked around a bit, got a flashlight and searched some, but to be honest, this time I was prepared to write him off. It was only the idea of awakening to a strange bedfellow, and the potential threat of my dog becoming a rather large bolus that kept me looking. I finally gave up, though.
I walked into the adjoining living room, still kind of keeping an eye out, but at that point it was really just a formality. It was then I saw the wayward tarantula crawling up the side of the living room couch. I had a catch-cup handy, but it was a bit small for the job, so I hurriedly had to get another one, and after some wrangling, got the spider secured.
And THIS is why I'm very hesitant to keep any Old worlds. It also points out how strong a determined tarantula can be. The lid was loose, but still, the proportion of it vs the spider size and weight wise is not negligible.
I should probably consider keeping animals that I could be more aware if, like...I dunno...elephants, maybe? At least I could follow the dung trail, and it is usually easy to determine if an elephant is behind a bookcase.
Naturally, the spider is residing in the same set-up. You can't teach an old possum new tricks!
Actually, I have a collection-wide rehouse planned soon, so I figured I'd just TRY to be more attentive. the genic's is the only enclosure I have an issue with, but I tend to forget that.
Well, an intelligent person would have replaced the faulty enclosure, but I am not that bright.
So, last night I was noodling around on the computer when I heard something fall to the floor behind my back where the chest of drawers that I keep my small collectionis. I looked to see what the sound was and not noticing anything that looked like it needed my attention, went back to what I was doing, figuring I'd pick up whatever had fallen later.
Several hours later, I was ready to think about calling it a night and decided to feed the spiders and scorpions beforehand.
So I went over and glanced down at the floor and saw the genic's enclosure lid on the floor.
Now, the first time I considered the escape a lost cause, but located the spider fairly quickly. But that was when he was an unsexed juvenile. Now he is a mature male, and those guys wander. I poked around a bit, got a flashlight and searched some, but to be honest, this time I was prepared to write him off. It was only the idea of awakening to a strange bedfellow, and the potential threat of my dog becoming a rather large bolus that kept me looking. I finally gave up, though.
I walked into the adjoining living room, still kind of keeping an eye out, but at that point it was really just a formality. It was then I saw the wayward tarantula crawling up the side of the living room couch. I had a catch-cup handy, but it was a bit small for the job, so I hurriedly had to get another one, and after some wrangling, got the spider secured.
And THIS is why I'm very hesitant to keep any Old worlds. It also points out how strong a determined tarantula can be. The lid was loose, but still, the proportion of it vs the spider size and weight wise is not negligible.
I should probably consider keeping animals that I could be more aware if, like...I dunno...elephants, maybe? At least I could follow the dung trail, and it is usually easy to determine if an elephant is behind a bookcase.
Naturally, the spider is residing in the same set-up. You can't teach an old possum new tricks!
Actually, I have a collection-wide rehouse planned soon, so I figured I'd just TRY to be more attentive. the genic's is the only enclosure I have an issue with, but I tend to forget that.