Scares while keeping Ts!

[Arachnomaniac19]

So I was checking on my Haplopelma vonwirthi and noticed a new chamber was visible from the glass of her tank. Upon closer inspection I saw a small part (curled legs) of an exoskeleton with an isopod on top of it. As you'd imagine I started worrying. So I moved the tank and saw a nice "freshly" molted Haplopelma. Just imagine if I had gone in there looking for a body, only to stumble upon an angry Haplopelma! Have you guys had any scares in your time keeping Ts?

 

[le-thomas]

So I was checking on my Haplopelma vonwirthi and noticed a new chamber was visible from the glass of her tank. Upon closer inspection I saw a small part (curled legs) of an exoskeleton with an isopod on top of it. As you'd imagine I started worrying. So I moved the tank and saw a nice "freshly" molted Haplopelma. Just imagine if I had gone in there looking for a body, only to stumble upon an angry Haplopelma! Have you guys had any scares in your time keeping Ts?

I don't remember these instances in great detail, but I remember them taking place.

1). I once had a Pterinochilus chordatus sling (around 1 inch) run onto my hand, probably while unpacking. I sort of freaked since I know that, even from that size, baboons can inflict a pretty nasty bite. I believe that I shook it off faster than I could think, but it was fine since the spider was so small.

2). I fell down the stairs while carrying the enclosure of an adult Pterinochilus lugardi. I landed with the lip open, but the spider was alright; I worked very hard to keep the container upright during the fall.

3). I had a Pterinochilus lugardi sling (again around 1 inch) run out of it's vial and perch on the outside of it during watering of the substrate. A few friends were around and they all just laughed at me. Great friends, right? I somehow coaxed it back in with ease, although I don't really know how. I must have gotten lucky.

4). When I was unpacking my first OBT (AGAIN with the Pterinochillus? I know, I know), I was with my dad and as I was unwrapping the paper towel in which the spider was wrapped, it bolted faster than I can even exaggerate. Before we knew it, it was halfway up the wall. Luckily it ran away from me, rather than toward me.

5). I was rehousing a juvenile Heteroscodra maculata (which, if I'm not mistaken, was my first OW) with a friend, and its speed was exactly what I was expecting, yet I could not react in time. The thing ran up the side of the tub I was doing the rehousing in, but I caught it before anything crazy could happen. The same sort of thing happened the other day when I was unpacking a sling of the same species. Love those H. macs!

Basically, I just can't control my love for the African species just like they can't control their hatred/fear of me :sarcasm:

6). My favorite and most embarrassing story of all, though, which I've never shared on this website, was the time that I very stupidly poked one of my G. rosea on the abdomen with a straw. Within an instant, the beast flipped around and bit onto it. Me, having the reflexes I do, literally flung it. I kid you not. I flung an adult rose hair. I was so ashamed, but even more so concerned as to where the spider even was at that point! It was hanging on to the side of my bed and in perfect health, somehow. SO LUCKY. I'll never forget that. Don't mess around with your spiders, kids!

Oh yeah, and then there was that one time when I brought a juvenile P. regalis into Wendy's in my pocket (and yes, I had a good reason for doing so), but we can save that for another day...

 

[Beary Strange]

I've definitely had Ts run out, particularly my C.darlingi and Hapalopus sp., but honestly, I've gotten so used to it, it doesn't even register as anything other than 'Whelp, time to herd it back in.'. My best story my boyfriend is actually responsible for, but it still scared the pants off me.

The very first time his mother visited our apartment he decided he was going to show her my largest and most defensive G.porteri, Carmilla. He sets her enclosure down on the bed next to him and grabs the tongs; he wants to show off how feisty she is. It's at this point that I step in and tell him to leave her alone, remind him that she's taken tongs from me many, many times and I at least had a valid reason to be poking around in there with them. He ignores me and as soon as I turn my back, I hear him gasp, his mom shriek and turn around just in time to see Carmilla flying through the air. OMG...There are few things more terrifying as a tarantula owner than watching one of your Ts superman-ing. You see, shocking I know, she grabbed the tongs, he freaked out and yanked them away, taking her along with and sending her flying. Luckily she landed on his pants leg and was fine, but I had to get her off him because he was scared stiff that she was going to bite him. I'm pretty sure she was as stunned as he was though, since she very calmly went into catch cup and then enclosure; that was the first and only time she was ever so obliging. And I got to worry about her for months afterward, in case there was any internal damage. :/

 

[BobGrill]

If it runs let it run. That's my golden rule.

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[MikeC]

Oh yeah, and then there was that one time when I brought a juvenile P. regalis into Wendy's in my pocket (and yes, I had a good reason for doing so), but we can save that for another day...

Can today be the day?
Please? Seriously.
Please?




My most recent "scare" would be when I was removing an I. Mira's kicked-out exuvium only to have to have a very upset, and much bigger than I expected, spider pop up from a previously unknown trapdoor on the other side of the enclosure and give my tongs a good thrashing.

For a dwarf species, they have a definite Napoleon complex.

 

[Thistles]

An Idiothele mira was my biggest "scare," too. She was just a tiny 1/2" sling and bolted out of her vial when I was attempting to feed her. She somehow ended up running up my pajama pant leg. I was sitting cross-legged on the floor. We both survived unscathed and I learned a valuable lesson: always tend to tarantulas naked.

le-thomas, maybe you should skip the Pterinochilus, no?

 

[windscorpions1]

I don't remember these instances in great detail, but I remember them taking place.

1). I once had a Pterinochilus chordatus sling (around 1 inch) run onto my hand, probably while unpacking. I sort of freaked since I know that, even from that size, baboons can inflict a pretty nasty bite. I believe that I shook it off faster than I could think, but it was fine since the spider was so small.

2). I fell down the stairs while carrying the enclosure of an adult Pterinochilus lugardi. I landed with the lip open, but the spider was alright; I worked very hard to keep the container upright during the fall.

3). I had a Pterinochilus lugardi sling (again around 1 inch) run out of it's vial and perch on the outside of it during watering of the substrate. A few friends were around and they all just laughed at me. Great friends, right? I somehow coaxed it back in with ease, although I don't really know how. I must have gotten lucky.

4). When I was unpacking my first OBT (AGAIN with the Pterinochillus? I know, I know), I was with my dad and as I was unwrapping the paper towel in which the spider was wrapped, it bolted faster than I can even exaggerate. Before we knew it, it was halfway up the wall. Luckily it ran away from me, rather than toward me.

5). I was rehousing a juvenile Heteroscodra maculata (which, if I'm not mistaken, was my first OW) with a friend, and its speed was exactly what I was expecting, yet I could not react in time. The thing ran up the side of the tub I was doing the rehousing in, but I caught it before anything crazy could happen. The same sort of thing happened the other day when I was unpacking a sling of the same species. Love those H. macs!

Basically, I just can't control my love for the African species just like they can't control their hatred/fear of me :sarcasm:

6). My favorite and most embarrassing story of all, though, which I've never shared on this website, was the time that I very stupidly poked one of my G. rosea on the abdomen with a straw. Within an instant, the beast flipped around and bit onto it. Me, having the reflexes I do, literally flung it. I kid you not. I flung an adult rose hair. I was so ashamed, but even more so concerned as to where the spider even was at that point! It was hanging on to the side of my bed and in perfect health, somehow. SO LUCKY. I'll never forget that. Don't mess around with your spiders, kids!

Oh yeah, and then there was that one time when I brought a juvenile P. regalis into Wendy's in my pocket (and yes, I had a good reason for doing so), but we can save that for another day...

spider want a cheeseburger or something?:sarcasm:

 

[le-thomas]

spider want a cheeseburger or something?:sarcasm:

Ok, I'll tell it, but honestly the setup was more interesting than the story. Basically, I was on my way home from a local reptile store at which I purchased an indexed 2.5 inch regalis, and my dad and cousin just NEEDED Wendy's. For some unknown reason, the drive-thru was closed and, beg as I may, they decided to go in and get food. Compound this on top of the fact that it was a Minnesota winter — I knew I couldn't leave the spider in the car. So, I put him (he later matured and died... my luck) in my pocket (he was packed in a vial) and went in, acting like nothing was going on. I was so nervous and careful the whole time to not shake him up too much, or to sit in a way that might loosen the cap. I still hold a slight grudge for my dad and cousin that this. All was well though!

le-thomas, maybe you should skip the Pterinochilus, no?

Just as you should skip the Idiothele, no? :biggrin:

Sometimes our greatest loves hurt us the most, mine being Pterinochilus sp. (still have not been bitten, though, and plan to keep it this way until I die).

 

[cold blood]

spider want a cheeseburger or something?:sarcasm:

Naw, they had roaches and called the spider in to be the exterminator:/

 

[TsunamiSpike]

Had my a.Genic sub curling it's back legs about 2 weeks after its molt. Didn't move an inch when I popped the lid. Stroked her back leg with a paint brush and she launched towards the tank wall. Double scare there.

First day we had our tiny little pumpkin slings one of them escaped. Gave up ever finding that one again. By luck and timing I found this itty little speck on the floor, turned out to be the sling.

Other than that...Nothing major.

 

[MikeC]

Ok, I'll tell it, but honestly the setup was more interesting than the story. Basically, I was on my way home from a local reptile store at which I purchased an indexed 2.5 inch regalis, and my dad and cousin just NEEDED Wendy's. For some unknown reason, the drive-thru was closed and, beg as I may, they decided to go in and get food. Compound this on top of the fact that it was a Minnesota winter — I knew I couldn't leave the spider in the car. So, I put him (he later matured and died... my luck) in my pocket (he was packed in a vial) and went in, acting like nothing was going on. I was so nervous and careful the whole time to not shake him up too much, or to sit in a way that might loosen the cap. I still hold a slight grudge for my dad and cousin that this. All was well though!



Just as you should skip the Idiothele, no? :biggrin:

Sometimes our greatest loves hurt us the most, mine being Pterinochilus sp. (still have not been bitten, though, and plan to keep it this way until I die).

And here I was hoping for a story about a loose tarantula jinglin' around with your pocket change.

 

[truecreature]

My only two scares so far:

- When I looked into my B. boehmei's cage and saw three severed legs laying scattered on the substrate. My heart jumped into my throat before I remembered that she had molted a while ago and never tossed the old exo out of her hide. She must have been messing with it and dragged those pieces out for some reason. They're actually still in there and every time I glance in my heart skips a beat before my brain catches up; I should probably go ahead and remove them, lol.

- Back when my unknown species female was in a plastic deli container of some sort, the lid wouldn't lock down as secure as I'd like it so I always had a book sitting on top to weigh it down. I had taken care of the spiders earlier and went out to do some errands and while I was eating some yogurt at Orange Leaf I started thinking about them and suddenly had the awful feeling that I had forgotten to close the lid to her cage. I couldn't remember actually shutting the lid but I didn't recall putting the book on top. So I dropped everything and rushed home, agonizing the whole way about how I was never going to be able to find her. I went into the room fully expecting to see an empty cage sitting there. But thankfully, the lid WAS closed and I had indeed forgotten to put the book back.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

My AF Pterinochilus murinus is the only T that i feed, and refill the water dish (or add water in the substrate for those who need moist) without removing completely the top lid.
All T's are unpredictable, granted. But OBT'S IMO are MORE. Had Haplopelma lividum, Haplopelma minax.. Chilobrachys sp. that were "easy" to work with (at minimum noise they disappeared in their holes under 10/12 inches of substrate) but OBT are another story.
They fear nothing. Mine burrowed under a cork bark, but mostly love to stay in the open, like a "Genic".
I haven't received threat display or else, not even during re-house... but i watch closely her nervous behavior, she's always in a "bite or run" mode.
In almost 25 years of T's i can say that nothing is like OBT; super speed, fast dash, powerful venom, "bad" temperament, masters of let keepers into a false sense of security.. there's some Asians, high strung arboreals, sure, outside the Poecilotheria sp. but they are not so hard, they are more delicate.
Hence OBT IMO is the champ of OW'S :-O
I move her only when she's in pre molt but now she's in her final enclosure (a somewhat jack in the box for someone, i hate too much big enclosures, except for arboreals or obligate burrowers where i can provide them lots of substrate or very tall glass cages).

Oh, and months ago i received a double (two times in a row!) threat display and "bite to the air" from my Brachypelma albopilosum, only for a water dish refilled.
She acts evil sometimes and i think she's a Phormictopus cancerides in disguise. I enjoyed that "sound"... was not scared, surprised, more.. she's slow like an old Lamborghini tractor, i love her

 

[le-thomas]

...but OBT are another story.
They fear nothing.

I would actually say the opposite. They seem to fear everything, and their reaction to that feeling of fear is crazy. Just last night I was checking on my Ts. When the flashlight reached one of my juvie OBT's eyes, it freaked out, running in circles at top speeds and trying to burry itself under everything and anything within the container.

I'm very curious as to what selective pressures have brought the African Theraphosids to be the way they are, P. murinus in particular. Pterinochilus lugardi and Pterinochilus chordatus seem relatively benign to us hobbyists in comparison to most OBTs. In fact, P. lugardi are known to create trap doors in the wild — very reclusive species, rather than conformational and fast. Murinus, however, seem the most high-strung and potent toward primates (from what we in the hobby can tell based on bite reports). What predators are so greatly threatening this particular species that it should behave in this way? This isn't even mentioning what appears to be the warning colors of the RCF murinus. So fascinating.

I could go on forever. Anyway...

 

[BobGrill]

S.calceatum are worse then OBTs.

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[le-thomas]

S.calceatum are worse then OBTs.

I haven't had any close encounters aside from unpacking these, but I've heard that they can even be aggressive, i.e., will chase you. They're no doubt faster and their size and ability to jump with relative ease aren't to be disregarded, for sure. They share many traits with the other Stromatopelminae as far as behavior goes, but the reported offensiveness might be unique to the Stromatopelma sp.?

 

[Amimia]

The first was me being an absolute idiot and letting my 1/2" L. parahybana escape while unpacking him. About 90mins later I found him with two missing legs. Today he's about 4" and perfectly healthy.

Second I had a T. cupreous (about 3/4"), I was taking her lid off to give her a cricket and my hand dediced to spasm right then and I flung her across the room without a lid. She just hunkered down, no damage.

Those are the only ones. I haven't had any escapes besides the L.p and no close encounters with fangs ^^ (thought I've had a few more hand spasms and knocked over enclosures)

 

[Thistles]

Just as you should skip the Idiothele, no? :biggrin:

Sometimes our greatest loves hurt us the most, mine being Pterinochilus sp. (still have not been bitten, though, and plan to keep it this way until I die).

Yeah, that particular spider happens to be my favorite individual in my collection. I've never been bitten either. *highfive*

Edit: and OHMIGOSH it was ONE TIME! She was supposed to be in a hole!

 

[leaveittoweaver]

Was rehousing a P.Scrofa who decided to grab my paint brush, run up it and jump on to my pant legs. Friend was able to slowly get it in a catch cup and in its enclosure. I never expected it to be so fast.

 

[scott308]

Oh yeah, and then there was that one time when I brought a juvenile P. regalis into Wendy's in my pocket (and yes, I had a good reason for doing so), but we can save that for another day...

Man, if I had a dollar for every time I've brought a tarantula into a restaurant...well, I'd have $3.