Spanish fans in the hobby

[rubenphobia]

Hello, talking with some friends a question arises, how are the spanish fans of this hobby seen in other countries? Do you know something more about us than just our bad english? haha

What do you think of the fans of tarantulas from Spain?
What do you thinks about there Theraphosidae experts in Spain? Do you know any people?
Do you think that Spain is a country with many or few tarantula lovers?
Do you think that Spain is a country that contributes to the hobby internationally?
Are you able to create a world ranking? What position do you think Spain is?

Thanks for your opinion (indicate your country).

 

[Poec54]

Do you know something more about us than just our bad english?

If you think your English is bad, you should hear our Spanish.

 

[cold blood]

bizarre thread

How are you seen from other countries....from a distance, I suppose.

The only thing I think of the keeper in Spain is that they probably speak Spanish.

Its a worldwide hobby, with experts all over the world, a countries borders are meaningless with regards to it.

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

When I was in Seville, Spain two years ago on vacation, a very similar set of questions was asked but in a general sense and not having anything to do with spiders. My response here about the Spanish tarantula keeping hobby is about the same as the Spanish culture or politics. We (Americans/ USA) don't ever hear of anything from or about Spain so the questions can't be answered. I use the word "we" but the opinion is really my own. I don't speak for an entire country.

I would be very interested to know what the Spanish are up to as far as the tarantula hobby and the science of arachnology. Please answer your own questions so we have an idea of what you all have going on over there.

By the way, Spain is a great country. I hope to visit there again one day.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

My English is pure garbage lol <-- io no spik english (Texas cigar)

I have meet in Germany (Vogelspinnen fairs lol) more than a decade ago a couple of enthusiasts. Aren't bad at all, but i have to say that, more or less, numbers are like Italy from what i know... meaning, few, a niche hobby one -- could be wrong of course, was long time ago last time i talked to a Vigo (Galizia) enthusiast and a Madrid guy.

When i started in the '90, we were not even 150 in the whole nation here. After the 2003 Ban, a lot quit (including people i know who used to breed, sometimes with yours truly, prior to the ban of course, Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens, Ephebopus murinus btw i love how 0.1 'GBB' are voracious male eaters, some OW's even if i wasn't into Ow's prior 2006 btw with some 'Haplos', Baboons, my fav, only in recent years) because there's no point in breeding "something" you can't sell/trade/exchange anymore, plus the fear of the laws (you never know, no one wants to waste money for lawyers & trials, no waay) etc so few remained in the hobby here.

Now since the situation is a bit, let's say, "better" <--- please note the use of " " and thanks to authorized Arachnid fairs (where you CAN'T buy Hots like genus Phoneutria, Sicarius hahni, genus Macrothele etc) seems that people jumped in again (still nothing like England, Germany, Poland, the rise of the East etc).

So, in sum:

1) All the best (i welcome always every Theraphosidae enthusiasts... the more we are, the better. Always).

2) The folks i talked back then were quite skilled.

3) Uhm, like Italy i presume (still, again, could be wrong).

4) If for 'contribute' we mean numbers, sale/s, people into the hobby etc then Italy definitely, no. Don't know about Spain much.
But if i have to talk about what my homeland did for spiders in general, then hell yes. Tamerlan Thorell (not exactly the average idiot) studied here in Genova (Genoa) with Giacomo Doria spiders and STILL today, the efforts in an Arachnids Ban time! of Doria Museum for educate people about Theraphosidae and Spiders, touch me.

5) About a world ranking, bah. But let me tell you, at the top in Europe i view Germany and England (obviously) then Poland (amazing how much people) Hungary, Netherlands, East in general. International, i'm surprised by Philippines!

 

[louise f]

all i know is that Spain has cheap high quality spiders, and friendly service.
i believe there are many spider freaks with great knowledge.

GREETINGS from Denmark

 

[rubenphobia]

Thank you for your answers.

AphonopelmaTX, the Spanish tarantula keeping hobby I think that is a high number, but it is always less than desired, much less compared to other Central European countries.

The good thing is that we deal directly with Latin America, this makes the hobby can grow more.

The Spaniards have the strongest Spanish-speaking world forum, this includes all Latin America, if some Spanish-speaking people wants to know some about tarantulas go to our forum.

I hope I haven't problem if I leave a link for curiosity -> http://www.forotarantulas.com/

It is also a Spanish web the best in the world in our language, again we include all South America.

http://www.infotarantulas.com/

Speaking of arachnology generally can not forget that Spain is the European country with the largest number of species, all thanks to our climate, so we have great espertos and scientific journals worldwide recognition. Unfortunately the government invests little money in research.

What lovers tarantulas in Spain we have the problem of having to pay the same money the rest of Europe for a spider , but our salary is 3 times lower.

Briefly, Spain is the strongest country in the hobby of tarantulas in all Spanish-speaking countries. But it is clear that we are unknown in other languages.

Greetings.

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

Do Spaniards collect and breed the native theraphosid species, Ischnocolus valentinus, for the tarantula keeping hobby in Spain or the rest of Europe?

 

[rubenphobia]

99,9% no, in Spain exist a strong culture of no capture wild animals. In our forums it is forbidden to show native species in captivity. Only a few experts breed I. valentinus and M. calpeiana in captivity and export for all europe.

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

99,9% no, in Spain exist a strong culture of no capture wild animals. In our forums it is forbidden to show native species in captivity. Only a few experts breed I. valentinus and M. calpeiana in captivity and export for all europe.

That's great there is a strong culture of leaving native species alone. Unfortunately, this attitude is lacking here in the USA. Does this same attitude exist for foreign (non-Spanish) wildlife as well? I'm curious on the Spanish attitude toward the collection and importation of tarantulas and other arachnids from the rest of the world since you say the Spanish deals directly with Latin America.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

One of the admins of an Italian forum possess a WC Ischnocolus triangulifer, a burrower Theraphosidae we have in Sicilia island.

 

[Kazeres]

Spain is one of hotspots for porcellio genus(isopoda). The largest, colorfull and cool porcellio are there.