Palming the Tarantula...

[Iktomi]

Hey all. After spending some time here, I finally bought a copy of the The Tarantula Keeper's Guide. Previously I only owned Tarantulas and other Arachnids.
Anyway, on page 141 of the TKG they talk about "Getting Palmed." My question is whether or not this is a widely used method and whether or not it works. For the limited time I've been in the hobby, all anyone talks about is the carapace grip. I hadn't heard of this method until reading this book.
Do you use it? Does it work? Common mistakes?
Thanks in advance.

 

[toan]

depending on specie, you should wear gloves when "palming." I've done it with some specie and they really make your palm itch. Personally, I respect the Schlutzes but have never heard of any cases where gripping it across the carapace to have caused problems (assuming you're gentle). I don't have time to get gloves every time so until emperical evidence shows otherwise, I'll practice the the thumb-finger tip hold.

toan

 

[Jobe]

Palming the tarantula? They come out with new things to call it everyday, dont they?...sure, i guess its a good method with the carapace-grip and all...and a bottle of moisturiser, some hot towels and a really good mag might add to the experience too. =D=D=D

-e-

 

[MrT]

I've tryed it, and its not as easy as it looks. Not easy at all.
If the T would just sit there and not move, it might be ok.
Every time I've tryed it , the T's try to get away. And that blows the whole deal. IMO

Ernie

 

[Mad Scientist]

This thread sounds awfuly familiar. :?

 

[Wade]

I think alot of it is how big the T is relative to your hand. I have fairly big hands and the palming method doesn't work for me except for very large T's.

The carapice-grip method works resonably well for calm new worlders, but it's alot tricker in fiester t's! I was tying to examine an Asian of indetremante species (the psuedo H. costale). At first, all was well, but suddenly the t starts struggling and I realized that I was either going to get bit or drop the T! Fortunately, I was able to get it back into it's container without injury to either one of us. Lesson learned!

Wade

 

[Arachnopuppy]

I could never trust myself to do it for fear of hurting the T.