Questions that non-T owners ask…

[MrsHaas]

I don’t know about you, but every time I mentioned to somebody that I am all about tarantulas, they want to know things. Usually, they ask stuff like if they all share the same enclosure or what do they eat or how long do they live…

But then I get from some people ask questions that are just too funny to pass up sharing. Of course, no shade to a newbie or someone not connected in any way to the hobby. But my favorite one is:

“Do they bite?”

I usually just tell them, yes, they are spiders and all spiders bite.

But in my head I’m screaming “pretty much anything with a mouth can bite! How do you NOT know that??!?!!”

I know there are a few other, really funny questions that I get repeatedly, but I’m leaving this one here to start the thread.

So what is one of the most ridiculous or absurd questions you’ve been asked about Ts and the hobby???

 

[Requiem4aSpleen]

How many times i have been bitten gets asked alot

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Here’s an old story from this thread .
Today I had a counseling meeting we’re an intern or someone was there.
They asked about my spiders and this guy had the strangest questions. I know they are all legit questions but sound silly … for anyone who researches nature shows and tarantulas.
Wow, Do they all live in one cage?
Are they defanged?
Are you worry about getting bitten?
Do you handle them.
Why feed them roaches?

Misunderstood tarantulas???

what are your stories about these misunderstood animals? And conversations with people who got no clue in the world 🌎 about tarantulas. Today I had a counseling meeting we’re an intern or someone was there. They asked about my spiders and this guy had the strangest questions. I know they are...

arachnoboards.com

 

[scottyk]

I get asked “are they poisonous” from too many people that should know better. I have the venomous vs poisonous discussion regularly. Usually after I tell them ” no, you can’t die from a bite”.

 

[kingshockey]

all the people that have asked about my ts dont even know the difference between poison and venom

 

[FatBadBay]

"Aren't you afraid they're gonna get out?"

Unrelated. I had prepped a new enclosure for one of my Ts and planned to rehouse it the next day so I had it sitting on the shelf without the lid. We had people over and one person noticed it and asked
" is the supposed to be opened?"

"OH, yeah that's just my free range tarantula "

 

[HoneyOilers]

Not so much a question but a few people I know(with zero tarantulas themselves) will insist vehemently, that they ARE dangerous, and that they CAN kill you.
I genuinely love it when people who’ve done zero research or have zero experience with tarantulas tell me I’m wrong.

 

[Moakmeister]

Old Reliable: “do they all live in the same cage?”

 

[Charliemum]

Same usual questions here although I have also been asked if I have to walk them

 

[Introvertebrate]

Questions that non-T owners ask…

You're single, aren't you?

 

[Piroh]

I don’t know about you, but every time I mentioned to somebody that I am all about tarantulas, they want to know things. Usually, they ask stuff like if they all share the same enclosure or what do they eat or how long do they live…

But then I get from some people ask questions that are just too funny to pass up sharing. Of course, no shade to a newbie or someone not connected in any way to the hobby. But my favorite one is:

“Do they bite?”

I usually just tell them, yes, they are spiders and all spiders bite.

But in my head I’m screaming “pretty much anything with a mouth can bite! How do you NOT know that??!?!!”

I know there are a few other, really funny questions that I get repeatedly, but I’m leaving this one here to start the thread.

So what is one of the most ridiculous or absurd questions you’ve been asked about Ts and the hobby???

Do tarantulas drink goat blood?I replied yes

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

I’ve gotten the bite question as well and responded, yes, that’s how they eat, just like you do. Also, “Are you afraid they are going to get out and attack you in your sleep?” I explained, like any caged, wild animal, if they got free their goal would be to get far away from me, not seek me out. He’d watched some video that said a guy had a bunch of T’s and they got out and webbed him to the ground and he was stuck for days. I assured him that was 100% not real.

 

[viper69]

I’ve gotten the bite question as well and responded, yes, that’s how they eat, just like you do.

I get this too. And this is where I LOSE all patience with peeps. Like use some CRITICAL THINKING MORONS.

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

I get this too. And this is where I LOSE all patience with peeps. Like use some CRITICAL THINKING MORONS.

Exactly. “But the teeth [fangs] and the venom! Aren’t you worried?” Well if I were a cricket, I’d definitely be worried.

 

[corydalis]

Questions that non-T owners ask…

How big is yours

 

[Moakmeister]

I’ve gotten the bite question as well and responded, yes, that’s how they eat, just like you do. Also, “Are you afraid they are going to get out and attack you in your sleep?” I explained, like any caged, wild animal, if they got free their goal would be to get far away from me, not seek me out. He’d watched some video that said a guy had a bunch of T’s and they got out and webbed him to the ground and he was stuck for days. I assured him that was 100% not real.

That was the last piece I needed. Send the meteor now, we're done here.

 

[Gevo]

The most common questions I get are:

“Do they all live together or do they each have their own house?”
“What do you feed them?”
“Do you hold them?”
“OMG WHY DO YOU HAVE TARANTULAS?!”

I haven’t had any really stupid questions yet, to be honest, and always see them as a good opportunity to talk about them. I did a profile on two of my tarantulas in my community newsletter’s pet-of-the-month section recently, and I’ve had two fascinated neighbours come over to meet them and learn more about them. Everyone I work with knows about them, and one colleague bought me a tarantula book and another brought me spider earrings. I think I just know a lot of rad people, haha!

 

[Arachnophobphile]

This topic comes up all the time on AB.

Reality is I do not share that I have tarantulas with everyone. Arachnophobes and uneducated on invertebrates people you can expect the usual responses and reactions. I used to be one so I know what to expect. I keep it to myself

 

[jennywallace]

Most common questions I get are what do you feed them and have you ever been bitten. I use it as an opportunity to educate people and I find that most people are really interested, which is cool.

 

[Arachnophobphile]

Most common questions I get are what do you feed them and have you ever been bitten. I use it as an opportunity to educate people and I find that most people are really interested, which is cool.

I believe more people in the U.K. are more open to invertebrates than in the U.S. In this case tarantulas. I could be wrong but seems arachnoculture is bigger in the U.K. than the U.S.