Question on handling...

Iktomi

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I know many of you don't handle at all...so my question may be for the others!
For those of you with experience with A. geniculata...do you handle this species?
I'm reading a LOT of mixed things about it. It burrows, it doesn't. (Mine builds walls.) It's aggressive, it's not...etc. Not sure what to believe so I thought I'd ask y'all!
 

conipto

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I think all of the above can and do apply to A. geniculata. The specimen I have here goes the whole range. If you decide to do this, I'd reccomend a few things.. one, be aware you're probably going to itch when you're done. Two, test the temperament out before your hands go near it. I've found the one I have is quite jumpy at first, but after being nudged two or three times, she gives up and allows herself to be guided with the paintbrush/handling stick. Try something easier first, would be my reccomendation, but these are far from impossible.

Bill

 

Iktomi

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Thanks for the info. Mine is only about an inch at the moment, but I understand it won't be long before she's big!
 

pategirl

Arachnoangel
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My genic doesn't mind handling too much, but she flicks the most awful hairs on the planet, IMO. She makes me itch.
 

Joy

Priestess of Pulchra-tude
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Originally posted by Inktomi
I know many of you don't handle at all...so my question may be for the others!
For those of you with experience with A. geniculata...do you handle this species?
I'm reading a LOT of mixed things about it. It burrows, it doesn't. (Mine builds walls.) It's aggressive, it's not...etc. Not sure what to believe so I thought I'd ask y'all!
Yes, I handle these. They can be a little skittish IME, but I've never had one try to bite or even urticate. Still, I would caution that with this species even more than most, you don't want to be too tentative in your approach. They have such a strong feeding response that their impulse would be to pounce on anything they suspected they might be able to "take." This wouldn't necessarily mean a bite, but it might mean they would grab your finger to try it out, so to speak, and unless your nerves are very steady this might be disastrous to you and/or the tarantula.

Joy
 
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Grael

Arachnolord
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Mar 3, 2003
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ooo some gorgeous A. Geni pics people! cant wait till mine gets that big. Mines about 2.5 inchs now and she only comes out when she wants too, if i open her pet pal and she stays in sight, she wants to come out, if i open the pet pal and she rushes in her hide she doesnt :D . Shes shown no aggresion towards me whats soever, but they can be very skittish and most of the time she doesnt walk....she bolts lol mine is VERY fast when handling, i gotta be very careful cause shes so fast.

anyway thats mine shes really dosile but just a tiiiny bit hyper when out :rolleyes:
 

Lostkat

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Yeah mine's a bit nippy too Grael. When she came to me she had the BIGGEST bald patch ever, but since she's moulted there's no sign of one. I guess I must annoy her a lot less than the breeder :) I've seen absolutely no sign of aggression from her, not even a hair flick. She just tears around her tank when I open it. I've not plucked up the courage to hold her yet because she's so quick. One day soon I may take her tank down into the lounge and get her out though, because at least if she legs it, I can get her back pretty easy.

I wasn't going to try and hold her... but after reading several people's posts about sucessfully holding A. genics, I'm happier that she can be handled.
 

Grael

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Originally posted by Lostkat
Yeah mine's a bit nippy too Grael. When she came to me she had the BIGGEST bald patch ever, but since she's moulted there's no sign of one. I guess I must annoy her a lot less than the breeder :) I've seen absolutely no sign of aggression from her, not even a hair flick. She just tears around her tank when I open it. I've not plucked up the courage to hold her yet because she's so quick. One day soon I may take her tank down into the lounge and get her out though, because at least if she legs it, I can get her back pretty easy.

I wasn't going to try and hold her... but after reading several people's posts about sucessfully holding A. genics, I'm happier that she can be handled.
the only thing i seriously advise is watch your breath!when i first got her out, i didnt notice i breathed on her and she bolted :rolleyes: other then that she was fine.....almost lost her behind the sofa when i let her go for a walk while i took pics, but other then shes totally dosile and no sign of aaggresion whatsoever....she loves me ^_^
 

RugbyDave

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well knowing if a spider loves you or not could be argued ( =D ),but at ANY rate, i FULLY agree with you on the breathing thing...

they're really great spiders, and i've handled a few of mine, but only after my little checklist:

1) in the cage, are they nervous and jumpy or just runny?
2) if they're just jumpy, try the paintbrush
3) if they calm down after 2 or 3 brushes, time for the kill (re: pick up)
4) once in hand, keep head NOT facing the T, so you don't breathe on it -- thats the ONE thing (as Grael) stated that can make them bolt more than anything....
5) keep a steady hand, and they're easy...

I do it in my T room, which is basically a room with nothing in it but a table -- its all plugged up around the bottom with wood siding, so even if the T bolts, it can't go anywhere but a wall... cos those things FLY!!!!


and the appetite?!!! holy damn :) even from a sling these guys are voracious!

peace,
dave
(remember: No BREATHING on the T! It'll spook em more than ANYTHING!)
 

Lostkat

Arachnobaron
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I figured out the breathing thing with mine a few days after I got my little B. emilia (my first T). I was taking some pics of her and she bolted.. I realised it was because of me breathing on her. I always make a conserved effort NOT to breathe on my babies when handling them now.

Hmmm... my A. genic is in a hidey mood at the moment and has been for a couple of days. I might get her out tomorrow if I can work up the courage :)
 

D-Man

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Beautiful spider!

Originally posted by Joy
Yes, I handle these. They can be a little skittish IME, but I've never had one try to bite or even urticate. Still, I would caution that with this species even more than most, you don't want to be too tentative in your approach. They have such a strong feeding response that their impulse would be to pounce on anything they suspected they might be able to "take." This wouldn't necessarily mean a bite, but it might mean they would grab your finger to try it out, so to speak, and unless your nerves are very steady this might be disastrous to you and/or the tarantula.

Joy
Nice healthy spider, Joy! Looks fat and happy.
 

Arachnopuppy

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Whenever I really want to hold one of them, I just keep going at it until it gives up and just let me hold it.
 
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