Tarantula bites.

Dulce

Arachnopeon
Joined
Mar 30, 2017
Messages
18
I had a qs, being new to tarantulas. I wanted to know if once I'm holding the tarantula, will it bite me out of nowhere? Or it just shows aggression right away when you want to handle it?
 

Chris LXXIX

ArachnoGod
Joined
Dec 25, 2014
Messages
5,845
When you have a Theraphosidae in your hand/s, everything can happens. Everything from a 'Superfly Jimmy Snuka' "splat" on the floor (read dead or injured spider) to bite/s (certain OW's are able to deliver multiple bites within seconds) to nothing, to escapes to whatnot :-s
 

The Grym Reaper

Arachnoreaper
Joined
Jul 19, 2016
Messages
4,835
There is always the chance that a T could decide to bite you out of nowhere, these are wild animals that act solely on instinct.
 

nicodimus22

Arachnomancer
Arachnosupporter
Joined
Sep 26, 2013
Messages
715
Tarantulas are unpredictable animals. Any specimen of any species can deliver a bite at any time. That said, there are species that TEND to be more tolerant of handling, but individuals vary tremendously, and even a normally docile specimen of a normally docile species can be defensive one day out of nowhere.

You'll find that handling is largely discouraged here, and with good reason. There is no upside for the animal. It doesn't like to be handled, it simply tolerates it. It lacks the brain to recognize you, bond with you, or want affection from you. Making matters worse for handling, tarantulas are fragile animals...even a short fall onto a hard surface can rupture their abdomen, resulting in death. If they get spooked and zoom off your arm, splat. If they bite you, your natural reaction is to fling them off. Splat. These are best enjoyed the same way tropical fish are: by taking in their beautiful colors and patterns, feeding them, and watching them do stuff.
 
Last edited:

Chris LXXIX

ArachnoGod
Joined
Dec 25, 2014
Messages
5,845
Btw shouldn't been about 'bites & venom' only always. Certain chubby bulky T's considered beginner-friendly 'pet rocks' and somewhat lazy when it comes to bites, actually can bite as well, but that's secondary: everything can happens as I've said, and in no time, for nothing, you have a dead/injured spider :-s
 

basin79

ArachnoGod
Active Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2013
Messages
5,893
You're better off treating your tarantula like a fish in an aquarium. Look but don't touch. They get nothing positive from handling and you only risk their health and a bite doing so.
 

Dulce

Arachnopeon
Joined
Mar 30, 2017
Messages
18
Oh ok, good to know, I did see a bunch of videos on YouTube, read bunch of care sheets, I saw a vid where the tarantula was using his fangs to grip on the person cause it didn't feel safe and secure on his hands, wonder if that happens often? I got parrots and I've gotten bit by them so I wonder if spider bite would b worse not that I want to find out lol .... I recently bought a lasiodora parahybana, it's on it's way, its a sling. I'm excited!
 

The Grym Reaper

Arachnoreaper
Joined
Jul 19, 2016
Messages
4,835
Oh ok, good to know, I did see a bunch of videos on YouTube, read bunch of care sheets, I saw a vid where the tarantula was using his fangs to grip on the person cause it didn't feel safe and secure on his hands, wonder if that happens often? I got parrots and I've gotten bit by them so I wonder if spider bite would b worse not that I want to find out lol .... I recently bought a Lasiodora parahybana, it's on it's way, its a sling. I'm excited!
A friend of mine who kept them years ago (and was apparently bitten quite a lot lol) said "it's like being stabbed with a pair of screwdrivers"
 

Dulce

Arachnopeon
Joined
Mar 30, 2017
Messages
18
A friend of mine who kept them years ago (and was apparently bitten quite a lot lol) said "it's like being stabbed with a pair of screwdrivers"
Ouch, yea doesn't sound pleasant, I got a jumping spider habronattus sp, I handle and a new baby spider I believe to be a amphinectidae, but it's too small to tell, I found it at work and saw it under the microscope, and wow it looks amazing! But thanks for the advice and knowledge everyone I will definitely follow up on that and not handle my t's.
 

Moakmeister

Arachnodemon
Joined
Oct 6, 2016
Messages
741
Ouch, yea doesn't sound pleasant, I got a jumping spider habronattus sp, I handle and a new baby spider I believe to be a amphinectidae, but it's too small to tell, I found it at work and saw it under the microscope, and wow it looks amazing! But thanks for the advice and knowledge everyone I will definitely follow up on that and not handle my t's.
Good man. I like this guy. Not stubborn like a lot of other new guys.
 

Tim Benzedrine

Prankster Possum
Old Timer
Joined
Apr 4, 2004
Messages
1,496
I was talking to a woman once who has tarantulas. I referred her to this board and cautioned her to stay away from creating "hot topics". I used handling as an example and she looked surprised and replied "But that's what I have them for!"
I did not further my suggestion because she's keeping them for the wrong reason, IMO.
 

viper69

ArachnoGod
Old Timer
Joined
Dec 8, 2006
Messages
17,851
I had a qs, being new to tarantulas. I wanted to know if once I'm holding the tarantula, will it bite me out of nowhere? Or it just shows aggression right away when you want to handle it?
Holding a tarantula is a good way to have the following happen

1. It dies
2. It gets injured
3. You get bit.
4. It escapes never to be found again
5. It escapes and bites someone else or ends up dead.

If you want a pet to hold, get a snake, this is the wrong "pet" to own. It's a wild animal, and will always be that way.
 

viper69

ArachnoGod
Old Timer
Joined
Dec 8, 2006
Messages
17,851
I did see a bunch of videos on YouTube, read bunch of care sheets,
A lot of videos on YouTube are useless because they show things that one should not do with tarantulas. They are excellent for visual information but usually not much else.

Care sheets KILL tarantulas. DO NOT READ THEM. They are interlaced with fact and FICTION making them extremely dangerous to the tarantula.

Many people come here with dead tarantulas due to reading care sheets. Come here for info- case closed.
 
Top