Salmon Pink Birdeater

[maryorourke]

Hey guys! I have a question for any keepers of the salmon pink birdeater. I’m getting one in a few days. In your experience, how nasty are those eradicated hairs? Also, are they okay to handle? I want to show him off to my veterinary medicine class and maybe try some handling.

 

[Tarantulafeets]

Urticating hairs are pretty bad in the genus, had one land on my arm for a few seconds and I could feel something coming up and I washed it off right away, definitely something you don't want to deal with. And for handling, I wouldn't do it, handling does no good to the t, and if it takes a fall, it can die. You can show off your t through pictures or through its enclosure, no need ro stress it

 

[thedragonslapper]

I have two of these, a juvie and sub adult. I do not recommend handling this species. Both of mine are kind of bolty and much quicker to kick hairs than my old G. porteri. The small one flicked one during a rehousing and the sub flicked twice when I got it home and was attempting to get it into an enclosure.

Neither seemed to have any significant effect on me personally though I’ve heard they can be pretty nasty if they make their mark. I guess mine didn’t. They seem to like to burrow too if given the chance. Both of mine have. The juvie is a recluse though the larger one stays out most of the time.

 

[maryorourke]

This is some great info, thank you so much!

 

[8 legged]

Lasiodora parahybana have urticating hairs of type III, which means that they can strongly influence / irritate the victim. Ultimately, however, it always depends on the victim. Personally, I hardly react to irritable hair, while other people experience massive itching and burning. The skin can become red and dry. A problem with all urticating hairs is getting them into eyes or airways. This can - regardless of whether you are sensitive to it or not - have consequences. If you want to be on the safe side, wear gloves and protective goggles when working with the animal - due to the current situation - wearing a breathing mask shouldn't be a problem either.
Another factor is the spider's personality. My L. klugi never kicks hair, my L. parahybana ALWAYS ...
As a lecturer, you are responsible for adequately educating your listeners, which means "HANDLING" is a taboo for people who value their animals. Not because the 8-legged being could bite you, but because it is very likely that the animal will be harmed by falling or whatever. If you really want to learn something to your students, then don't be a poser, but explain to them that living beings are respected and that you keep your hands off them!

 

[maryorourke]

Lasiodora parahybana have urticating hairs of type III, which means that they can strongly influence / irritate the victim. Ultimately, however, it always depends on the victim. Personally, I hardly react to irritable hair, while other people experience massive itching and burning. The skin can become red and dry. A problem with all urticating hairs is getting them into eyes or airways. This can - regardless of whether you are sensitive to it or not - have consequences. If you want to be on the safe side, wear gloves and protective goggles when working with the animal - due to the current situation - wearing a breathing mask shouldn't be a problem either.
Another factor is the spider's personality. My L. klugi never kicks hair, my L. parahybana ALWAYS ...
As a lecturer, you are responsible for adequately educating your ZTu listeners, which means "HANDLIND" is a taboo for people who value their animals. Not because the 8-legged bite could bite you, but because it is very likely that the animal will be harmed by falling or whatever. If you really want to learn something from your students, then don't be a poser, but explain to them that living beings are respected and that you keep your hands off them!

Lasiodora parahybana have urticating hairs of type III, which means that they can strongly influence / irritate the victim. Ultimately, however, it always depends on the victim. Personally, I hardly react to irritable hair, while other people experience massive itching and burning. The skin can become red and dry. A problem with all urticating hairs is getting them into eyes or airways. This can - regardless of whether you are sensitive to it or not - have consequences. If you want to be on the safe side, wear gloves and protective goggles when working with the animal - due to the current situation - wearing a breathing mask shouldn't be a problem either.
Another factor is the spider's personality. My L. klugi never kicks hair, my L. parahybana ALWAYS ...
As a lecturer, you are responsible for adequately educating your ZTu listeners, which means "HANDLIND" is a taboo for people who value their animals. Not because the 8-legged bite could bite you, but because it is very likely that the animal will be harmed by falling or whatever. If you really want to learn something from your students, then don't be a poser, but explain to them that living beings are respected and that you keep your hands off them!

Thank you, this was helpful! Also, I am not the teacher lol. I’m a junior in high school; a student in the class. I have much to learn and you’re helping me, so thank you very much

 

[8 legged]

You´re welcome!

 

[MrTwister]

Keep in mind that while this species may be reluctant to bite, if they do and are adult size you will have inches of fang in your flesh. They can be fairly food responsive and test if it’s a bug or your hand with fangs.
If you don’t have tongs...get some.

 

[sasker]

I had one for a while. As mentioned before, handling should be avoided in general, but if you had to handle a tarantula, this species would not be it.

 

[Neonblizzard]

I agree with @8 legged, the best thing you can do as a future embassador of animal welfare is to educate people on why they shouldn't handle their tarantula.

If i were forced to hold any tarantula it definitely wouldn't be a Lasiodora parahybana (scientific name) firstly because the hairs are quite bad, and they are quite skittish and bolty.

There's worse tarantulas to hold, but the best tarantula to hold is one of these guys

 

[Hardus nameous]

Sensitization over time is also possible with urticating setae, so always take appropriate precautions.

 

[Smotzer]

Handling is a risk vs. reward problem. Does the risk of a ruptured abdomen out weigh the selfish reward of handling them? For a lot of us it does! Education can be a powerful tool of other are willing to learn.