Pros and Cons of owning tarantulas?

[le-thomas]

Pros: Everything about them, basically. And honestly, the constant negative reactions from people are my favorite part. It'd be much less fun for me if it was a commonplace hobby; nothing beats telling someone I just met "so yeah I own 50 some odd tarantulas. No big deal."

Cons: Urticating hairs (I'm really sensitive to them) and the medical significance of the OWs. I have to admit, though, that dealing with a grumpy OW is one of my favorite thrills.
Screw parties, I'd much rather chase a spider around the bathtub

 

[Naga]

Pros:
Each individual is fine in a small space, so you can own MANY!
Cost per can range down to where I can afford them
The colors, Duke! The colors!
Like a fish, you generally don't have to worry where they are. They're in their containers, right where you left them
Unlike a fish, if you don't like where they're set up, it's EASY to move them around (without totally killing your back, or wetting EVERYTHING!)
Vacations are easy! They're most likely fine
House protection without needing a permit!
Social protection as well! Some of my best friends may be arachnophobes, but they relatively understand!
Very low maintenance
Few tricks, but many can be very entertaining!

Cons:
One doesn't take much space. One collection DEFINITELY can!
Cheap for one, not for one collection! (Consider how much you spent since Day 1, Spider 1. It's worth it, but still!)
If they're roaming the house, you may be mildly upset, or your world may have just fallen apart!
Finding people who don't think you're on something is tough!

 

[buddah4207]

Everyone's cons are pros for me. The last thing I want is more animals I have to pet, let outside, house train, feed twice a day, take to the vet yearly, spay/neuter, etc.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk 2

+1, I already have a dog for all that lol

 

[SlimJ87D]

I like the convenience. I like how I can go on vacation and come back and they'll be in the same spot they were I left them without feeding for awhile.

 

[TomM]

I like the convenience. I like how I can go on vacation and come back and they'll be in the same spot they were I left them without feeding for awhile.

So true. My female A. hentzi didn't eat a single thing for over 15 months! I offered her food about once a week and made sure she always had water, but still! Try doing that with a puppy.

 

[viper69]

So true. My female A. hentzi didn't eat a single thing for over 15 months! I offered her food about once a week and made sure she always had water, but still! Try doing that with a puppy.

I'm glad I'm not the only person who's had a T that hasn't eaten in forever. My Grammostola pulchripes (Chaco Golden Knee), didn't eat for 18 months, and then over the next 6 months ate 1 cricket! It just molted, and I think it's a male after all this time =(

My Honduran which is only 2 years old is already huge, and my G.pulchripes is smaller and it's at least 8 years old.

 

[SlimJ87D]

So true. My female A. hentzi didn't eat a single thing for over 15 months! I offered her food about once a week and made sure she always had water, but still! Try doing that with a puppy.

Rosies are notorious for this behavior when they get older. I had one that didn't eat for that amount of time as well. I was really confused by her behavior.