Old World Tarantulas, children, and safety

[Siderum]

Hey folks,
I'm pretty sure there are dozens and dozens of threads on tarantula venom, and I know there is a general consensus that T's aren't particularly lethal, but...my wife didn't realize that I had any old world tarantulas left--I have a P. murinus that is near and dear to my heart and also a P. muticus female. Anyway, I mentioned to her to not open the container with a male that I got for my P. murinus as it might hurt/kill the dogs. She really flipped out, saying she'd leave me if our kids got bitten by one of the old world spiders. We have two kids, one of which is 2 and a half years old. I assured her that I wouldn't be irresponsible and have something that would put the kids in danger. My spider room is off-limits and my kids don't show any interest in opening the containers anyway. That said, I started having doubts after I was lectured. What if I am being irresponsible for having a P. murinus and a P. muticus in the house with my kids? What if my P. murinus lays a sac and some spiderlings get out? (I wouldn't think the spiderlings would really be a threat anyway, but who knows?) SHOULD I get rid of these guys and wait until my children are older? I know there are no confirmed deaths of people who have been bitten by an old world tarantula, but I shudder to think that perhaps one day someone would loose a child to a tarantula bite. Thanks for your thoughts in advance.

 

[NGLepine]

We have 3 kids in the house.. Twins are 4. I have 3 pokies, a C.Darlingi, an OBT, and something else I can't remember among the others... I have my T's in the living room for viewing pleasure... Aside from my mrs talking to my male P.regalis, whom she thinks is her buddy, ( I doubt her and the T are messing around when I'm at work) no one goes near them!

 

[Rabid538]

It's unlikely that they are going to get loose and/or cause a problem but I don't think it's worth the risk over a P. murinus and P. muticus. Especially if it upsets your wife that much.

 

[Kazaam]

The OCD must flow.

 

[jdl]

By this reasoning, you should never drive your children anywhere, allow them on any kind of an amusement ride and never ever let them have a dog, cat or horse. Don't forget that hantavirus, bird flu and swine flu are prevalent in the United States, so you should never let them inside your house and especially don't let them outside the house. I raised both my children (now 18 and 19), around tarantulas their whole lives, and they never had any interest in tarantulas. They grew up with them, so it was never a big deal. My children were never bitten. It kind of sounds like your wife is looking for a reason to leave you. Better start checking to see if she has a boyfriend LOL.

 

[korg]

This is more of a question for a relationship counselor. There is a very small chance that your children will ever be in any danger from your spiders, but obviously that remote possibility bothers your wife a lot. You are the only one who can decide how to balance your wife's feelings and your desire for OW tarantulas.

 

[freedumbdclxvi]

I have a six year old who has grown up with a house full of OWs and various hot inverts. I don't think having them with kids in the house is irresponsible in and of itself. It is just much more important to practice good husbandry and secure keeping, as well as consistently eductaing and impressing upon them how dangerous they can be.

 

[SuzukiSwift]

I seriously doubt that an OBT or muticus could seriously harm your children with a bite, but I agree with Rabid538, is it worth it? I know these Ts are dear to your heart, but I'm certain your wife and children will be more dear to your heart =) Maybe show her research on the species and explain to her how you feel, if she understands then that's great! But if not, then it's up to you to make the choice

 

[BobGrill]

Hey folks,
I'm pretty sure there are dozens and dozens of threads on tarantula venom, and I know there is a general consensus that T's aren't particularly lethal, but...my wife didn't realize that I had any old world tarantulas left--I have a P. murinus that is near and dear to my heart and also a P. muticus female. Anyway, I mentioned to her to not open the container with a male that I got for my P. murinus as it might hurt/kill the dogs. She really flipped out, saying she'd leave me if our kids got bitten by one of the old world spiders. We have two kids, one of which is 2 and a half years old. I assured her that I wouldn't be irresponsible and have something that would put the kids in danger. My spider room is off-limits and my kids don't show any interest in opening the containers anyway. That said, I started having doubts after I was lectured. What if I am being irresponsible for having a P. murinus and a P. muticus in the house with my kids? What if my P. murinus lays a sac and some spiderlings get out? (I wouldn't think the spiderlings would really be a threat anyway, but who knows?) SHOULD I get rid of these guys and wait until my children are older? I know there are no confirmed deaths of people who have been bitten by an old world tarantula, but I shudder to think that perhaps one day someone would loose a child to a tarantula bite. Thanks for your thoughts in advance.

Don't let the kids touch them and they won't get bitten. It's as simple as that. As said above, even a bite from an OBT won't kill a healthy child.

 

[Siderum]

I seriously doubt that an OBT or muticus could seriously harm your children with a bite, but I agree with Rabid538, is it worth it? I know these Ts are dear to your heart, but I'm certain your wife and children will be more dear to your heart =) Maybe show her research on the species and explain to her how you feel, if she understands then that's great! But if not, then it's up to you to make the choice

Of course my children are the most important things in my life. It was only I had never been worried up to this point. Good point though.

 

[lwhitewidowl]

Honestly, ask her if keeping them somewhere that has a door that can be locked would make her feel better. (That way nothing goes in and nothing comes out.) All in all I think she's overreacting as I'm guessing she knew about you being in this hobby when she married you. Not that you don't value your children, but expecting you to give up the spider is kind of silly considering your children are more likely to be bitten/attacked by the dog who can do far more damage, permanent damage at that.

 

[Poec54]

I had a large collection of cobras with 2 step-daughters. The snake room (attached garage) was off-limits unless I was with them. Never had a problem. After I sold my snakes, I got into T's, especially OW's, which seemed pretty mild in comparison. They were also in the garage, so escapees coldn't get into the house.

I didn't see it mentioned whether you have boys or girls, but boys are much more likely to get into things they're not supposed to (I know I was). Seeing how strongly your wife feels about it, I think a fair compromise would be for all the spiders kept locked in a glass cabinet of some kind, in an off-limits room. That way if anything got loose, it wouldn't get far. A locked room by itself isn't enough, as they could be anywhere in the room before you notice one is missing, and squeeze under the door and get into the rest of the house.

King Baboon's are slow and clumsy, not likely to ever be a safety issue. Usambara's are significantly faster and famous for mad dashes. They're plentiful, inexpensive, and easily replaced; not one to make a big deal about. If I was you, I'd sell/trade it for a calmer baboon, like a Ceratogyrus or Augacephalus. You'd still have a couple baboons, but they'd be much less likely to ever cause a problem. You DO NOT want a child or pet being bitten. And remember, your kids will have their friends over. Makes sense to dial down the risk factor.

 

[vespers]

It kind of sounds like your wife is looking for a reason to leave you. Better start checking to see if she has a boyfriend LOL.

I was going to say something similar until I got to your post. :laugh:

 

[Arachtion]

Why don't you buy a reptile viv, get a glass door lock, job done, or put a bolt/lock on the T room door, or tell your wife to STFU and get back in the kitchen? (tongue in cheek btw...)

 

[lancej]

I had a large collection of cobras with 2 step-daughters. The snake room (attached garage) was off-limits unless I was with them. Never had a problem. After I sold my snakes, I got into T's, especially OW's, which seemed pretty mild in comparison. They were also in the garage, so escapees coldn't get into the house.

I didn't see it mentioned whether you have boys or girls, but boys are much more likely to get into things they're not supposed to (I know I was). Seeing how strongly your wife feels about it, I think a fair compromise would be for all the spiders kept locked in a glass cabinet of some kind, in an off-limits room. That way if anything got loose, it wouldn't get far. A locked room by itself isn't enough, as they could be anywhere in the room before you notice one is missing, and squeeze under the door and get into the rest of the house.

King Baboon's are slow and clumsy, not likely to ever be a safety issue. Usambara's are significantly faster and famous for mad dashes. They're plentiful, inexpensive, and easily replaced; not one to make a big deal about. If I was you, I'd sell/trade it for a calmer baboon, like a Ceratogyrus or Augacephalus. You'd still have a couple baboons, but they'd be much less likely to ever cause a problem. You DO NOT want a child or pet being bitten. And remember, your kids will have their friends over. Makes sense to dial down the risk factor.

This is excellent advice. If you can't get a cabinet, you can get a critter-keeper aquarium and a lock. Put both of the OW cages in there and lock it.