Scared of my tarantula now and could use advice

[Fade]

I got my curlhair almost 2 months ago. It was an unsexed maybe 3-3 1/2 inch T. She molted and I sexed her as a female. She has been a really cool pet. However recently, when feeding and replacing water I tried to touch her very gently with the tongs as she was on the side of the kritter keeper and very close to the top. She immediately bit the tongs and bolted back down to the substrate.

This freaked me out a lot, I expected her to hopefully move down to the substrate. Even if she felt threatened I would have expected hairs instead or maybe a threat posture. She has only flicked hairs. I do get how they are nearly blind and deaf so getting touched all of a sudden isn't fun.

I am now kind of afraid of her. She is my 1st and only tarantula. I have done so much research and watch so many videos from many youtubers just about tarantulas as I find them cool. I used to be a VERY serious arachnophobe. Now I am kind of deciding if I should sell her and get out of the hobby. I know a bite from a curly hair isn't serious, I know Ts especially beginner species tend to calm down as they get bigger or full grown size, she is around 4 inches.

I was wondering if any of you have had experience with this or any advice. Even if I would want to sell her and get out of the hobby, I am scared of transferring her out of the kritter keeper into a temporary deli cup with holes. I don't even know how I would sell her, I got her at my local expo that runs every single month. Obviously I can't have my own booth, so not sure what to do. Would I talk to the people that sold it and ask for money for her?

Before I was considering getting some more Ts like a pinktoe and a GBB(my favorite), didn't think I would even consider more dangerous species, or get 10s of Ts like many do as they are literally the easiest pet to care for.

Any help is greatly appreciated. She's a feisty one.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Well if you are so scared by a B.albopilosum (suggested always as the perfect beginner one) then you should quit, ain't joking. Ask for someone living nearby you for a local pick up, as an option.

 

[AnimalNewbie]

I got my curlhair almost 2 months ago. It was an unsexed maybe 3-3 1/2 inch T. She molted and I sexed her as a female. She has been a really cool pet. However recently, when feeding and replacing water I tried to touch her very gently with the tongs as she was on the side of the kritter keeper and very close to the top. She immediately bit the tongs and bolted back down to the substrate.

This freaked me out a lot, I expected her to hopefully move down to the substrate. Even if she felt threatened I would have expected hairs instead or maybe a threat posture. She has only flicked hairs. I do get how they are nearly blind and deaf so getting touched all of a sudden isn't fun.

I am now kind of afraid of her. She is my 1st and only tarantula. I have done so much research and watch so many videos from many youtubers just about tarantulas as I find them cool. I used to be a VERY serious arachnophobe. Now I am kind of deciding if I should sell her and get out of the hobby. I know a bite from a curly hair isn't serious, I know Ts especially beginner species tend to calm down as they get bigger or full grown size, she is around 4 inches.

I was wondering if any of you have had experience with this or any advice. Even if I would want to sell her and get out of the hobby, I am scared of transferring her out of the kritter keeper into a temporary deli cup with holes. I don't even know how I would sell her, I got her at my local expo that runs every single month. Obviously I can't have my own booth, so not sure what to do. Would I talk to the people that sold it and ask for money for her?

Before I was considering getting some more Ts like a pinktoe and a GBB(my favorite), didn't think I would even consider more dangerous species, or get 10s of Ts like many do as they are literally the easiest pet to care for.

Any help is greatly appreciated. She's a feisty one.

Just don’t touch or handle it it’s like a fish and just because a particular T is known to be docile they can have different personalities. I highly urge you to stay in the hobby as it’s pretty rewarding but if you want to sell her off to a responsible owner just post an ad on the classifieds here.

 

[boina]

Well, my advice would be: take a step back and reassess the situation. What has really happened?

You touched your spider with the tongs and it bit the tongs, then bolted back into the enclosure.

1. The spider is safely back where it belongs.
2. The tongs got bit, not you - that's why we use tongs. You are fine.

Well, you saw a tarantula in a bad mood, but, and this is the important bit: Nothing happened. The spider is safe, you are safe, everything is fine.

 

[Venom1080]

It was a feeding response. Nothing to be afraid of, that's normal. Just thought your tongs were food. B albopilosum are generally extremely laid back tarantulas.

Don't let this discourage you. But keep in mind that alot of others have much more violent responses. Some holding onto the tongs and gnawing.

 

[RonnyT]

I got my curlhair almost 2 months ago. It was an unsexed maybe 3-3 1/2 inch T. She molted and I sexed her as a female. She has been a really cool pet. However recently, when feeding and replacing water I tried to touch her very gently with the tongs as she was on the side of the kritter keeper and very close to the top. She immediately bit the tongs and bolted back down to the substrate.

This freaked me out a lot, I expected her to hopefully move down to the substrate. Even if she felt threatened I would have expected hairs instead or maybe a threat posture. She has only flicked hairs. I do get how they are nearly blind and deaf so getting touched all of a sudden isn't fun.

I am now kind of afraid of her. She is my 1st and only tarantula. I have done so much research and watch so many videos from many youtubers just about tarantulas as I find them cool. I used to be a VERY serious arachnophobe. Now I am kind of deciding if I should sell her and get out of the hobby. I know a bite from a curly hair isn't serious, I know Ts especially beginner species tend to calm down as they get bigger or full grown size, she is around 4 inches.

I was wondering if any of you have had experience with this or any advice. Even if I would want to sell her and get out of the hobby, I am scared of transferring her out of the kritter keeper into a temporary deli cup with holes. I don't even know how I would sell her, I got her at my local expo that runs every single month. Obviously I can't have my own booth, so not sure what to do. Would I talk to the people that sold it and ask for money for her?

Before I was considering getting some more Ts like a pinktoe and a GBB(my favorite), didn't think I would even consider more dangerous species, or get 10s of Ts like many do as they are literally the easiest pet to care for.

Any help is greatly appreciated. She's a feisty one.

Seems like that was simply a feeding response. If you have tweezers than you shouldn't be scared at all. If you can't deal with a B. Albo, than do not get a GBB of Avic. They are much more skittish.

 

[Fade]

Thanks for the replies. Yeah, I know all tarantulas have their own personalities. I never got in the hobby to handle them either. @Venom1080 are you sure that would be a feeding response. I guess it could be but she is usually gentle when she attacks her prey.

Any suggestions going forward with maintenance(feeding, watering, and eventually the one and only transfer into a bigger tank)?
Thanks again everyone. I know I most likely just overeacted and didn't expect it.

If I a do a transfer, any tips to avoid this happening again I am guessing feeding her a bit before(1-2 days)? I saw Ts do this in videos like exotic lair's but in person it's completely different

 

[Fade]

Seems like that was simply a feeding response. If you have tweezers than you shouldn't be scared at all. If you can't deal with a B. Albo, than do not get a GBB of Avic. They are much more skittish.

Thanks, yeah thats why I went with a curlyhair first. I obviously know gbb and avics are a lot faster than a curly hair. Does skittishness just mean they will be more spooked and bolt? I am pretty sure pinktoes aren't particularyl defensive and gbb usually just flick hairs but I am a beginner

 

[AnimalNewbie]

Thanks, yeah thats why I went with a curlyhair first. I obviously know gbb and avics are a lot faster than a curly hair. Does skittishness just mean they will be more spooked and bolt? I am pretty sure pinktoes aren't particularyl defensive and gbb usually just flick hairs but I am a beginner

Pretty much they’ll be more likely to bolt and flick for GBBs. For rehousing I just use a catch up but that might be difficult for the types of setup ur using. Could you maybe post a pic of the setup.

 

[Sinned]

I tried to touch her very gently with the tongs as she was on the side of the kritter keeper and very close to the top. She immediately bit the tongs and bolted back down to the substrate.

Sounds like you startled/surprised your T and/or it was a feeding response. She went to her hide/substrate and that was it. Sounds just fine No threat pose and she didn't just come at you.

Don't give up just yet because you had a bit of a scare, but in the end, that is up to you of course. But you did about everything right and the T did what T's do when they get triggered. Tip: use something straw to "touch" them if you want them to move, using your tweezers (metal) + feeding response, can end up damaging their fangs.

You did just fine.

 

[NukaMedia Exotics]

This is why you don't get ahead of yourself...

If you did research like you said you would know tarantulas have fangs, and will bite things... How do you buy one then get scared when it bites something? But past that just acknowledge that it can't kill you or even seriously injure you in any way, feed it with tongs and don't remove the enclosure lid all the way if you do obviously.

 

[Venom1080]

Thanks for the replies. Yeah, I know all tarantulas have their own personalities. I never got in the hobby to handle them either. @Venom1080 are you sure that would be a feeding response. I guess it could be but she is usually gentle when she attacks her prey.

Any suggestions going forward with maintenance(feeding, watering, and eventually the one and only transfer into a bigger tank)?
Thanks again everyone. I know I most likely just overeacted and didn't expect it.

If I a do a transfer, any tips to avoid this happening again I am guessing feeding her a bit before(1-2 days)? I saw Ts do this in videos like exotic lair's but in person it's completely different

yep. never get lulled into complacency with any species. they can surprise you.

 

[Lokee85]

Yeah, most likely was a feeding response. It can be startling at first, but you kinda get accustomed to it. From one former arachnophobe to another, you did good not to panic. But that's definitely why we us tongs and don't stick our finger in there, because you never know how they'll react, even the docile albo.

As for transferring into new enclosure, catch cups and large soft paint brushes are your best friends. I usually feed a day or so before doing a transfer so I know they're well fed and less likely to grab my tools, and also because I know it could be a week or more before they're settled in well enough to eat again. I usually do my transfers shortly after they molt, so I like to make sure they have their first post-molt meal a day or so beforehand.

I hope you don't leave the hobby and are able to reign in your fear again. Remember, as a former arachnophobe, you may have to work on it for a while, and you've got the perfect learning partner in an albo. You handled the situation very well and it only gets easier with time and experience.

 

[SkittleBunny]

Like, all i have are curlies . (most)
And they are definately different in temperment. Though when being kept correctly ive noticed they flick hairs less. Especially in smaller enclosures they feel more secure in. (Slings) but ive had a few good scares from my curlies and every time I wanted to sell them and give up .But the next day I go in my collection room and see the cutest spiders ever and they're such good little spiders they always sucker me into keeping them lol.

But in all seriousness, I was a crippling arachnophobe until i got my first tarantula and that was April last year and I got 670+ slings/juvis/adults and only 3 arent curly hairs.. This hobby isnt for arachnophobes at all but I cured mine (believe me it got worse when i got my first tarantula "Stiffler".. But it faded)

Knowledge is the opposite of fear

 

[viper69]

However recently, when feeding and replacing water I tried to touch her very gently with the tongs as she was on the side of the kritter keeper and very close to the top. She immediately bit the tongs and bolted back down to the substrate.

Why are you using tongs to feed? There's zero need for this. I think you have watched too many YouTube videos. They are effective predators, drop a cricket in instead. I've never needed to use tongs in the decades I've kept them. Plus it's a good way to have a T run up your tongs, out the cage, or on top of you, or chip/lose their fangs.

Even if she felt threatened I would have expected hairs instead or maybe a threat posture

It's an animal with a mind of its own, like you. This happens and worse for some people.

Now I am kind of deciding if I should sell her and get out of the hobby.

You should sell it in my opinion based on what I read.

I know Ts especially beginner species tend to calm down as they get bigger or full grown size, she is around 4 inche

Sorta, depends on the species. Some specimens may get more ornery as they grow older. They also get more confident as they get older, particularly as they gain size. It's very obvious in many species/specimens.

Does skittishness just mean they will be more spooked and bolt?

Depends on species and the T, some it means a threat posture, or a flicking setae, they are all different, just like humans. You throw a rock at someone, some will blow it off, others will hunt you down. Ts are not clones

I am pretty sure pinktoes aren't particularyl defensive and gbb usually just flick hairs

Avics are skittish, I have many that will ultimately put up a threat posture. Though their first inclination is to run or withdraw their legs close to body.


I'll be honest, if you can't handle what you have, don't get more. An Avic is harder to keeper, and unlike terrestrials, you have a T that is HIGHLY nimble on the z,y,x axis.

I have a small minatrix doing over 720 degree spins on a stick once in the same spot, no X axis movement.

 

[sasker]

As a (former) arachnophobe, I urge you not to quit too easily. Keeping tarantulas and facing your fears is in my opinion the best way to get over your arachnophobia. I think many of us went through a similar experiences when they started keeping tarantulas. I remember that I used to be scared of my Brachypelma emilia (R.I.P. He was a fine tarantula!). I recently rehoused my B. hamorii and she bit my tongs like three times, slapping and threat posturing, but I thought it was funny instead of scary. So, it is possible to get past your fears and become more relaxed around spiders!

I wanted to share another experience that I read once. Perhaps you are familiar with Tom Moran's weblog (he has a YouTube channel as well). He got a similar response from his G. porteri as you did from your B. albopilosum, only he responded quite differently to this experience than you did Where you got a bit of a scare, he actually passed out! Now, this is coming from a man who now keeps more than 100 tarantulas, including very fast and defensive OWs!

You can read it yourself here: https://tomsbigspiders.com/2016/02/09/tarantulas-faq/
Just scroll down to the part "You don’t have to handle your tarantulas to be a “real” keeper".

I would suggest that you wait a little before buying a GBB or an Avic, but don't sell your B. albo just yet. You will get over your fears if you give it time and don't give up. You can always sell it later to someone in your area.

 

[Fade]

Sounds like you startled/surprised your T and/or it was a feeding response. She went to her hide/substrate and that was it. Sounds just fine No threat pose and she didn't just come at you.

Don't give up just yet because you had a bit of a scare, but in the end, that is up to you of course. But you did about everything right and the T did what T's do when they get triggered. Tip: use something straw to "touch" them if you want them to move, using your tweezers (metal) + feeding response, can end up damaging their fangs.

You did just fine.

Thanks, yeah will definitely be getting a paintbrush when I can if I ever need to move her.

This is why you don't get ahead of yourself...

If you did research like you said you would know tarantulas have fangs, and will bite things... How do you buy one then get scared when it bites something? But past that just acknowledge that it can't kill you or even seriously injure you in any way, feed it with tongs and don't remove the enclosure lid all the way if you do obviously.

I didn't get ahead of myself. I did lots of research for months and months and never was scared of her when I bought her, trasnferred her, etc. Just got a scare that I have never experienced in real life. I figured I needed encouraging words from experienced hobbiests, as it has greatly helped.

Yeah, most likely was a feeding response. It can be startling at first, but you kinda get accustomed to it. From one former arachnophobe to another, you did good not to panic. But that's definitely why we us tongs and don't stick our finger in there, because you never know how they'll react, even the docile albo.

As for transferring into new enclosure, catch cups and large soft paint brushes are your best friends. I usually feed a day or so before doing a transfer so I know they're well fed and less likely to grab my tools, and also because I know it could be a week or more before they're settled in well enough to eat again. I usually do my transfers shortly after they molt, so I like to make sure they have their first post-molt meal a day or so beforehand.

I hope you don't leave the hobby and are able to reign in your fear again. Remember, as a former arachnophobe, you may have to work on it for a while, and you've got the perfect learning partner in an albo. You handled the situation very well and it only gets easier with time and experience.

Thanks so much for the encouraging words. Yeah I knew about using paintbrushes but thought tongs would be fine for now. Might have to get one, and I won't startle her again.

Like, all i have are curlies . (most)
And they are definately different in temperment. Though when being kept correctly ive noticed they flick hairs less. Especially in smaller enclosures they feel more secure in. (Slings) but ive had a few good scares from my curlies and every time I wanted to sell them and give up .But the next day I go in my collection room and see the cutest spiders ever and they're such good little spiders they always sucker me into keeping them lol.

But in all seriousness, I was a crippling arachnophobe until i got my first tarantula and that was April last year and I got 670+ slings/juvis/adults and only 3 arent curly hairs.. This hobby isnt for arachnophobes at all but I cured mine (believe me it got worse when i got my first tarantula "Stiffler".. But it faded)

Knowledge is the opposite of fear

Thank you. Yeah she hasn't kicked hairs in a while. She did when I first transferred her as well as flicked at first feeding, then when she was just spreading hairs around her web she made before molting. Yeah, it's strange I find her cute sometimes as well

Why are you using tongs to feed? There's zero need for this. I think you have watched too many YouTube videos. They are effective predators, drop a cricket in instead. I've never needed to use tongs in the decades I've kept them. Plus it's a good way to have a T run up your tongs, out the cage, or on top of you, or chip/lose their fangs.





It's an animal with a mind of its own, like you. This happens and worse for some people.





You should sell it in my opinion based on what I read.





Sorta, depends on the species. Some specimens may get more ornery as they grow older. They also get more confident as they get older, particularly as they gain size. It's very obvious in many species/specimens.





Depends on species and the T, some it means a threat posture, or a flicking setae, they are all different, just like humans. You throw a rock at someone, some will blow it off, others will hunt you down. Ts are not clones





Avics are skittish, I have many that will ultimately put up a threat posture. Though their first inclination is to run or withdraw their legs close to body.


I'll be honest, if you can't handle what you have, don't get more. An Avic is harder to keeper, and unlike terrestrials, you have a T that is HIGHLY nimble on the z,y,x axis.

I have a small minatrix doing over 720 degree spins on a stick once in the same spot, no X axis movement.

Please don't pester me that I watched too many videos. I don't directly tong feed, I pick the insect up with the tongs and drop it on her web, she notices it soon after. I just needed some kind words from owners on this experience. I think I am fine now and will take it slow.

As a (former) arachnophobe, I urge you not to quit too easily. Keeping tarantulas and facing your fears is in my opinion the best way to get over your arachnophobia. I think many of us went through a similar experiences when they started keeping tarantulas. I remember that I used to be scared of my Brachypelma emilia (R.I.P. He was a fine tarantula!). I recently rehoused my B. hamorii and she bit my tongs like three times, slapping and threat posturing, but I thought it was funny instead of scary. So, it is possible to get past your fears and become more relaxed around spiders!

I wanted to share another experience that I read once. Perhaps you are familiar with Tom Moran's weblog (he has a YouTube channel as well). He got a similar response from his G. porteri as you did from your B. albopilosum, only he responded quite differently to this experience than you did Where you got a bit of a scare, he actually passed out! Now, this is coming from a man who now keeps more than 100 tarantulas, including very fast and defensive OWs!

You can read it yourself here: https://tomsbigspiders.com/2016/02/09/tarantulas-faq/
Just scroll down to the part "You don’t have to handle your tarantulas to be a “real” keeper".

I would suggest that you wait a little before buying a GBB or an Avic, but don't sell your B. albo just yet. You will get over your fears if you give it time and don't give up. You can always sell it later to someone in your area.

Yeah I watch Tom, didn't know about that experience he had. Thanks for the kind words. I think I am okay now, and take my time. GBB is the real one I want but will always make sure I am truly ready before getting one.

 

[Pseudo]

All tarantulas can and will, at least one time in their lives, react in an "aggressive" manner especially when startled regardless of how docile they usually act. You need to ask yourself if you can emotionally handle this behavior. You can always reduce the risk of being bitten by using tongs and things of that nature, but if the very act itself is unnerving to you, you really need to ask yourself if you can handle it.

edit: To add, being bitten is less scarier than it looks if you are dealing with a species that isn't horribly potent or anything. I have been bitten by a B. vagans before, and I didn't even notice until after I removed my hand from her enclosure and looked at the tip of my finger.

edit edit: I am so sorry. I meant to say being bitten is LES scarier than it looks. =/

 

[Lokee85]

Might have to get one, and I won't startle her again.

Oh, make no mistake, you'll probably startle her again, it just happens sometimes. But a soft paint brush will reduce the risk of her breaking her fangs if she does grab it.

Yeah, it's strange I find her cute sometimes as well

I don't find it strange at all, I think all my spiders are adorable. I just wish they liked cuddles as much as I do lol.

 

[starnaito]

There are a number of reasons she may have reacted that way, but it sounds like you just startled her. However, if that incident really frightened you that much and you intend to sell her, you could do so at the expo even without a booth. If there is a Facebook page or other means of communicating in advance with people who will be at the expo, you can see if anyone is interested.

I do hope you'll keep her though. I consider myself pretty comfortable around tarantulas now, but once in a while they still give me a scare by reacting to something in an unexpected way. I'd encourage you to be patient and not be set back by this. At least you were smart and didn't use your fingers!