Short cut to keeping tarantulas legally in WC, South Africa?

[DontFearSpiders]

WC?

Western Cape, South Africa

 

[A guy]

Don't break laws, it'll lead to more and worse laws getting passed.

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

There have been a few here from SA in the past year or so. @ladyspidercorn

 

[viper69]

Western Cape, South Africa

There was a great SA member here a while ago, we used to talk. SA laws on Ts were very strict back then, I doubt they are any different now.

 

[DontFearSpiders]

I live here in the Western Cape, where, it looks like, all tarantulas are illegal. Honestly very sad news. I've been in love with tarantulas for YEARS now, and I've always wanted to get one. I've done a TON of online research, and I've stumbled upon the and the species list of all the illegal and "alien" species that your are NOT allowed to keep in the Western Cape. I did see a few tarantulas species like the Chilean Rose and L. Parahybana and a few more. But so many weren't mentioned. I've been on dozens (okay maybe like 6) website where they sell tarantulas just to get some information, and I've read that on https://www.petbugs.co.za/insect-legalities/ that the OBT is obviously illegal to be kept here, but there are some dwarf- or Lesser tarantulas that ARE legal to keep, but they didn't specify if that counts the Western Cape. I have found a website that carries dwarf species, and so I just wanted to know if any keepers in South Africa know anything. I've asked on here before, and got some very helpful responses, but never on the dwarf species. I've also read on here about someone saying It's legal to get a lesser T and they're getting a H. Lightfoot, I did message them but they never responded. I would very much like to have any sort of tarantula! I did also see a package deal for a six eyed sand spider and a Namibian recluse which looked very tempting. If the tarantula (dwarf/lesser) doesn't work out, maybe I'll resort to true spiders?(IF they are legal to keep) At this point ANY spiders would be welcomed. Any information on the subject would be very helpful (even if you're not based in South Africa) I've found that people on here are always so nice and help in any way possible and I'm eternal grateful for all of it! Thanks for making it this far!

 

[Spifdar]

I live here in the Western Cape, where, it looks like, all tarantulas are illegal. Honestly very sad news. I've been in love with tarantulas for YEARS now, and I've always wanted to get one. I've done a TON of online research, and I've stumbled upon the and the species list of all the illegal and "alien" species that your are NOT allowed to keep in the Western Cape. I did see a few tarantulas species like the Chilean Rose and L. Parahybana and a few more. But so many weren't mentioned. I've been on dozens (okay maybe like 6) website where they sell tarantulas just to get some information, and I've read that on https://www.petbugs.co.za/insect-legalities/ that the OBT is obviously illegal to be kept here, but there are some dwarf- or Lesser tarantulas that ARE legal to keep, but they didn't specify if that counts the Western Cape. I have found a website that carries dwarf species, and so I just wanted to know if any keepers in South Africa know anything. I've asked on here before, and got some very helpful responses, but never on the dwarf species. I've also read on here about someone saying It's legal to get a lesser T and they're getting a H. Lightfoot, I did message them but they never responded. I would very much like to have any sort of tarantula! I did also see a package deal for a six eyed sand spider and a Namibian recluse which looked very tempting. If the tarantula (dwarf/lesser) doesn't work out, maybe I'll resort to true spiders?(IF they are legal to keep) At this point ANY spiders would be welcomed. Any information on the subject would be very helpful (even if you're not based in South Africa) I've found that people on here are always so nice and help in any way possible and I'm eternal grateful for all of it! Thanks for making it this far!

Generally speaking, laws can be very difficult to navigate. Your best bet is trying to narrow down the specific regional laws and reading through them to get a better picture; any other source can be wrong. But even finding that can be hard, so if you can figure out which *department* there governs this sort of thing you can write to them asking for which relevant laws you need to look at.

Sometimes, too, generally illegal species *can* be kept with permits. Sometimes these are only given to zoos and the like but you'll have to check for your area.

Keep a native spider, can't stop you from keeping them if they were already in your home .

I also wanted to mention here, this is generally illegal (again dependant on country and species--I know you can collect some t's in the US). I saw someone else already mention it, and I know this was an older post, but in the US for example native species *in particular* are often protected (depending on the type of animal). For example, you cannot take a red-tailed hawk or even an opossum, chipmunk, or blue jay etc. and keep it as a pet in most cases without a rehabilitator's license (or specific falconry licenses for the former), as they're protected. Doesn't even need to be endangered; native species are protected in most western countries. Be sure to check the specific species' legality before you collect. (Funnily enough this means you don't normally need any kind of license for introduced species like starlings or mute swans.)

 

[Charliemum]

Generally speaking, laws can be very difficult to navigate. Your best bet is trying to narrow down the specific regional laws and reading through them to get a better picture; any other source can be wrong. But even finding that can be hard, so if you can figure out which *department* there governs this sort of thing you can write to them asking for which relevant laws you need to look at.

Sometimes, too, generally illegal species *can* be kept with permits. Sometimes these are only given to zoos and the like but you'll have to check for your area.



I also wanted to mention here, this is generally illegal (again dependant on country and species--I know you can collect some t's in the US). I saw someone else already mention it, and I know this was an older post, but in the US for example native species *in particular* are often protected (depending on the type of animal). For example, you cannot take a red-tailed hawk or even an opossum, chipmunk, or blue jay etc. and keep it as a pet in most cases without a rehabilitator's license (or specific falconry licenses for the former), as they're protected. Doesn't even need to be endangered; native species are protected in most western countries. Be sure to check the specific species' legality before you collect. (Funnily enough this means you don't normally need any kind of license for introduced species like starlings or mute swans.)

I wasn't suggesting going into the wilds n collecting but housing a house spider , that way is already in the house except ti's in a viv not free roaming, but I understand the misunderstanding with my answer I should have been more specific.
Idm housing spiders in my house but I wouldn't collect from my garden or the wilds. I should od been more clear. Worried now incase op though I ment go out into the wild n find one.