Should Non-adults be allowed to own/care for OW species

[Aarantula]

It all depends on the individual. I know some people over the age of 30 that should not have anything venomous in their possession. On the other hand, many younger people show respect for the animals, and keep them correctly.

Agree 100%

:clap:

 

[ReMoVeR]

betuana said it all. I agree 200%

//Tiago

 

[Arachnobrian]

Up here in Canada, pet stores are limited to five species they can sell. (G. rosea, A. seemani, A. avic, A. versicolour, and B. smithi), and this is a good idea as most pet store clerks are provided with little information except a price to sell it for.

So a pokie can't be sold as a Rose hair, even if a labeling error happened none of the above could be considered "hot".

Anything else can be puchased from several reputable T dealers across the country. I'm not sure if it's a liability issue, but most will have some kind of age restriction for medically significant species.

Sure I think, if a minor has the ability to care for pokie's and wants one, a parent or guardian should be present for the purchase. This would put the responsibility on the parents for knowing what thier kid bought, not the T dealer when things go wrong.

 

[cagey]

I did quote on the tangential thread and did feel guilty for contributing. However, I felt strongly about it because we got our first T when our children were quite small.

On this poll, I voted "no" because I took the line at face value "Should non-adults be allowed to own/care for OW species" which I took to mean that a parent/guardian is not involved. Will I ever rule out that my son or daughter may want an OW someday? Nope. We bought our sweet, laid-back a. avic when my son was 2.5 and my daughter 10 months. It is very possible they may want an OW down the line. Should that happen, it would be MY responsibility as the adult. Any T we own is considered MINE.

Another perspective? Would it be okay for a 13 year old to own a pitbull and not have the parents involved whatsoever? I think not (and don't tell me how sweet pitbulls can be - I know it because we had some when I was a kid. But it was still a risk and when my younger sister was a baby, the pitbull did not react well and my dad had to give him away.)

*Seriously, I think she is sneaking hits of weed in her cage - she is SO laid-back for an A. Avic. The Cheech of pink-toes?

 

[somethingbig]

i voted no, but i wanted to vote maybe because the question is worded very ambiguously. i would specify what is meant by "non-adults" for one thing. i would also have specified whether you meant all OW species, or only the more potent ones? i think there should be specific species that require an age limit, whereas others should not.

owning and caring are different as well. if a parent owns the T, and the kid occasionally throws in a cricket, they are caring for it, but that's not really a problem because the parent is responsible for it. if the kid owns it, i have issues.

the problem with the maturity logic is: who is the judge of maturity? i agree that there are mature kids and immature adults, but legally, how do we define maturity? is there some sort of test? maturity is subjective, but age is not. age may not be the most efficient, but it is legally the best thing we have to help protect us.

there is also the very real issue of body size. someone 13 years old is more likely than not going to be smaller than someone 18. not always, but often. there are exceptions, but rules must be made for the majority, not the exceptions. clam you're a big ol' boy, but how big were you when you were 13? chances are, you were smaller, and go to any jr high and see how small those kids are. the effects of highly venomous Ts on these smaller framed bodies is too largely unknown to allow kids to own many of these Ts.

 

[HcUnderoath]

im tired of laws banning this and that... if your 10 and want an OW species go for it.. if some1 really thinks you should have to be an adult, then lets just not let any1 under 18 ride or drive in a car, you can actually die from a wreck

 

[barabootom]

I started importing large centipedes and tarantulas when I was 12. My parents ignored me and let me do as I pleased. I kept a lot of different things and was never bit. I would leave it to the discretion of the parents. If the parents say yes, then in my opinion it's ok. Now, if in the future something terrible happens or long term effects are proven from a bite, then I might change my mind, but I thoroughly enjoyed keeping everything I kept and I wouldn't want to take that away from some other kid.

 

[somethingbig]

Sure I think, if a minor has the ability to care for pokie's and wants one, a parent or guardian should be present for the purchase. This would put the responsibility on the parents for knowing what thier kid bought, not the T dealer when things go wrong.

i actually agree that if the parent wants to buy it for the kid then it would have to be acceptable. in the us, you have to be 21 to buy, drink, or possess alcohol. however, if the minor is drinking with the parent, it is legally acceptable. if the parents wanna get their kid a hotter T, then i regretfully say go ahead. BUT the parents must be held to the fullest responsibility if something goes wrong.

 

[Arachnobrian]

At least this way the parents are fully aware of the puchase thier kid makes.

A T dealer should also have the imformation available to inform customers accurately about certain species.

So little Timmy can't come home with a pokie, and tell the folks it just a harmless rose hair.

 

[Kenton Burris]

I don't post much on here simply because I am more of an absorbing sort of learner, I learn more by listening and reading than asking questions. However, due to the topic of this thread I decided that this is the best thread to ask for some advice.

I am a 17 years old with a small collection of about eight T's, two of which are female P.regalis, the others are all fairly calm New worlder's, and my parents are aware that Pokies are among the more venomous spiders, and although they are obviously concerned that I may get bitten,they consider me a responsible young man who Is able to be dicerning and make good decisions this is why they let me keep them. Now I consider myself a responsible keeper, all of my cages are very secure and I never handle any of my spiders, I am extremely careful when moving any of my spiders, and try to do it as little as possible. I have transferred both pokies at least once with out any problems. And I am fully aware of the medical significance of this beautiful species. My philosophy on keeping tarantulas, Old Worlds in particular, is that they are interesting,amazing and beautiful creatures that should be respected and admired at a distance. I have had my collection for about two years however, I have been a "spider-nut" ever since I was old enough to comprehend the word "animal" and I have learned a great deal from keeping Ts and I consider them to be irreplaceable treasures that should be respected.

However, regardless of all these things. I have been considering lately if it is wise to keep Poecilotheria due to my age, regardless of how many cleaver techniques I may devise for moving my Ts, there is always the variable when dealing with tarantulas and thus there is always the chance of getting biten. I read as many bite reports and papers on tarantula bites and T venom that I can get my hands on because I think this increases my caution when dealing with any of my spiders.

As much as I love my P.regalis I am considering selling them just because I think that it may be wiser to keep this species when I live under my own roof. But I am still unsure, if you guys have any suggestions or advice I am open.

Since I do not want to have a double standard, nor do I want to recommend that every minor should be allowed to own OW Ts, I put "Maybe" as my vote. I think that yes, it is possible for minors to own OW T however, it really depends on the individual, like I consider myself old enough and responsible enough to keep OW species, namely the more venomous forms like Poecilotheria. HOWEVER, before purchasing and even after purchasing, and this goes for non-minors as well, the keeper should be very aware of the effects from the bites of these species and be very conscientious when dealing with them.

Yeah, so that is my two cents.

Cheers.

 

[Thompson08]

Well really I think non adults only should own OW species if the parents know. My parents know every single venomous t I have

 

[keegan150]

Well, i think it depends alot on the person. I'm 16 and i had an P. regalis and a OBT when i was 15. i would consider myself responsible and a "good" kid. i wanted tarantulas because i love arachnids of any kind, any kind of arthropod for that matter. im very careful with my babies lol. i have a E. murinus now and just recently i held her, what an experience lol. running all over me and my friend lol. but i made sure that if she bolted she wouldnt get anywhere or get lost and what not; and she didnt. so i really think it depends on the person.

 

[Arachnobrian]

I'm 42 and live on my own, I constanly question whether I should have pokies myself. As a smoker, I'm sure my immune system may not be as strong as a 17 year olds, so I could be at risk as well from a bite.


I do have a emergency plan though, my parents live across town but are very aware of my pets. Should something serious happen to me, they know exactly who to call for assistance in caring for my small collection

 

[Kenton Burris]

I guess some things don't change with age or 'maturity' then right? Maybe questioning weather you should own them or not is a sign that you "can" keep them? Perhaps it tells you that you are aware of the 'dangers' and are responsible should anything happen.

Another thing that I think should be pointed out, is the clear distinction of a 13 year old to a 18 year old. There is massive amounts of changes that happen within those 'teen' years not only physically but mentally as well.

 

[Talkenlate04]

I sell a lot, and I am never going to do an age check or restrict someone from buying from me. Now someday could that come back to bite me in the butt. Maybe...... but I don't think it is my place as a seller to establish if someone is mature enough or experienced enough to have something or not. That is the job of the parent.

 

[ZooRex]

If they wanted to and had an idea of what they were getting into, I would see no problem with a 13year old keeping an OW sp. I've had mine since I was sixteen, love them and can't wait to get more.

 

[upwith inverts!]

What if sellers did a sort of test before selling you a tarantula? If you get a certain percent right, they will sell the T. Plus, if you have to do research, you would learn a thing or two about the spider

 

[Remigius]

Hi!

I voted yes, but I do think some conditions are necessary. First of all - parents should be informed on the spider their child is going to get. Some younger people forget that it's not only them risking their health. It should be up to a parent to decide, if they have environment safe enough to keep agressive and venomous spiders (how often do You hear the "cat stories"?).
2nd important thing about informing parents is that the view on being out of work for a week, because a mature female poecilotheria bit me, changes with age. When I was 16 I enjoyed every sick-pass I'm not saying a 16 years old do not have imagination. I just think they might not realize all the consequences bites have.

I think that the perfect situation would be to introduce a kind of permission program, which would be based on consultations with local vets. I've been thinking about it since a plan of delegalisation of poecilotheria appeared in Poland.
That would be an easy way of ensuring an under-age person would be prepared for a spider, he/she could be underestimating. Let's say you've set a path from basic species to OBT. Anyone underage would need to go thru it before he/she would be permitted to buy a more aggressive spider.
I know it's much too idealistic to be put to life, and the legislation doesn't work this way, but I still think there could be sth. into it

PS - great photo, Travis K, I think I'll make it my new desktop.

 

[Struckanerve]

i dont think it should go by age. age is just a made up number.

 

[Windchaser]

Well now i know youre insane. i love macaws dont get me wrong, but plus sized parrots are kind of like nephews or nieces to me, its fun to play with them and have fun, but at the end of the day, i get to send them home to their parents lol. i lost part of a fingertip to a particularly neurotic blue-tip scarlet a few years ago. Owning a macaw is like owning a todler with a pair of bolt-cutters for 80 years.

In regard to the question, what do i think about these kind of regulations, i think people should stop trying to tell other people what to do and mind their own business. ive met several minors who were awesome keepers, and ive met some adults who shouldnt even have a pet rock. lots of people have a tendency to think that only their opinion works, and everyone should do things their way. i say that anyone regardless of age should be made aware of the risks involved with OW t's, but that if the person is a minor, the only person who has any right to tell them what they can or cant have is their parent/guardian.


John

I think John summed up my opinion very well.