Tarantula Facebook groups

[Paolo G]

Why does their appearance matter to you?

I just noted that there is a certain look tarantula keepers have in north America especially females.

 

[starlight_kitsune]

How many times can you read stuff like "hey I just got a spider how do I take care of it" before you want to gouge your eyes out or throw the computer in the lake or something?

I'm in a bunch, but I regularly hit the "snooze for 30 days" button on facebook for this very reason. The "I got a spider and don't even know what it is" are the ones that drive me the most insane. I can stomach seeing them on my daily feed for about 1-2 weeks before its time for another break. I kept being called a snob in one group though because I would use scientific names. I wasn't even saying anyone else should, literally just was using them myself.

I only join them because every once and a while I find a tarantula for a really good price, I got a 3” Grammastola actaeon for only $80, ended up being female too

Same, also sometimes I find good enclosure deals in groups when people end up downsizing their collections. Last summer I got my boyfriend a huge enclosure for his hatchling box turtle for like $40.

I cant do all the baby talk about spiders.

I don't mind when people call them spoods, but there is a recent trend of people writing as their spiders with the baby talk, like "My name is BwueBewwy and I'm a vewsicowor. Mummy says im her baby." in the one big group. I think its a little weird so I just scroll by it, but I would like to know why the sudden increase in those posts.

Why does majority of female tarantula keepers have some nose piercing or tattoos? And why are they so into GBB's and versicolors? Like seriously.! "Help my GBB/help my versicolor"

Because its their body/appearance/collection and they enjoy them? The same reason anyone buys anything or dresses in any other style. Nothing wrong with any of those things anyways, so I'm not sure what point you were trying to make here with that generalization.

Side note, of course they like GBBs, whats not to like? Bright colors, lots of webbing, grow decently fast. Just a fun spider in general.

 

[moricollins]

but I would like to know why the sudden increase in those posts

I'm going to guess instagram / YouTube / Tiktok

 

[Paolo G]

I'm in a bunch, but I regularly hit the "snooze for 30 days" button on facebook for this very reason. The "I got a spider and don't even know what it is" are the ones that drive me the most insane. I can stomach seeing them on my daily feed for about 1-2 weeks before its time for another break. I kept being called a snob in one group though because I would use scientific names. I wasn't even saying anyone else should, literally just was using them myself.



Same, also sometimes I find good enclosure deals in groups when people end up downsizing their collections. Last summer I got my boyfriend a huge enclosure for his hatchling box turtle for like $40.



I don't mind when people call them spoods, but there is a recent trend of people writing as their spiders with the baby talk, like "My name is BwueBewwy and I'm a vewsicowor. Mummy says im her baby." in the one big group. I think its a little weird so I just scroll by it, but I would like to know why the sudden increase in those posts.



Because its their body/appearance/collection and they enjoy them? The same reason anyone buys anything or dresses in any other style. Nothing wrong with any of those things anyways, so I'm not sure what point you were trying to make here with that generalization.

Side note, of course they like GBBs, whats not to like? Bright colors, lots of webbing, grow decently fast. Just a fun spider in general.

Nothing wrong with it. it's just a mere observation. when I browse into my group I noticed that MAJORITY of the female keepers (especilly new keepers) have tattoos, nose piercings and hair color. they also love GBBs and versicolors. i don't have a problem on how they look. as long as they keep their spiders healthy. which sometimes does not happen. like how many times you have seen basic questions about GBB's and versicolors.? or my versicolor died, and responses would be "oh it happen/ not your fault/you did everything".

also, I joined FB groups to increase my knowledge. and unfortunately I have not learned anything new since.

 

[moricollins]

also, I joined FB groups to increase my knowledge. and unfortunately I have not learned anything new since

In my opinion you joined FB groups with good, but ill informed, intentions.

 

[DuneElliot]

T owner...female...have had tattoos and piercings well before (20+ years) I owned Ts. I know my C. versi and GBB husbandry. I research before I own so never need to ask.
But, why the comment on how female T owners look...what does it matter? Sure, maybe owning Ts attracts a certain kind of person...but does that matter?

 

[Paolo G]

T owner...female...have had tattoos and piercings well before (20+ years) I owned Ts. I know my C. versi and GBB husbandry. I research before I own so never need to ask.
But, why the comment on how female T owners look...what does it matter? Sure, maybe owning Ts attracts a certain kind of person...but does that matter?

what's wrong with asking this question though? it does attract a certain kind of demographic. you are right it does not matter. but again.. why?

In my opinion you joined FB groups with good, but ill informed, intentions.

You are entitled to your own opinion. but what do you mean with ill informed, intentions?

 

[DuneElliot]

what's wrong with asking this question though? it does attract a certain kind of demographic. you are right it does not matter. but again.. why?


You are entitled to your own opinion. but what do you mean with ill informed, intentions?

Nothing wrong with the question...but curious why it was observed.

Maybe both types of life, pets, are outside the "norm" so end up fitting together more than others.

 

[spideyspinneret78]

Why does majority of female tarantula keepers have some nose piercing or tattoos? And why are they so into GBB's and versicolors? Like seriously.! "Help my GBB/help my versicolor"

As someone in the vet field, I can tell you that certain types of pets often (but not ALWAYS) attract a certain type of owner. Some of the stereotypes are there for a reason, but the important thing is that the owner values and takes good care of their animals, with a willingness to learn and adjust their husbandry as needed. As long as someone does those things, who cares how the person looks? Yay for them if it makes them happy.

 

[moricollins]

but what do you mean with ill informed, intentions?

I don't know anyone, in any facet of life, who thinks there's anything particularly useful on Facebook...

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

Nothing wrong with the question...but curious why it was observed.

Maybe both types of life, pets, are outside the "norm" so end up fitting together more than others.

I've made the same observations that a lot of tarantula keepers have a similar appearance in the real-world by attending reptile expos and visiting reptile specialty pet stores. Sometimes, when going to a reptile expo it feels like attending a heavy metal concert due to the number of people- both men and women- that have colorful hair, any manner of facial piercings, and wear heavy metal band t-shirts. As far as why that could be, I think there are people who just naturally gravitate toward the unconventional which affects their taste in music, clothing, art, movies, etc. and even extends to what animals they are most fascinated by. I am no exception to a so-called tarantula keeper stereotype. Anyone who knows me knows I enjoy all manner of metal music (death, thrash, heavy, etc.), enjoy sci-fi and horror movies, and generally look like someone who would also take an interest in tarantulas.

 

[Paolo G]

Nothing wrong with the question...but curious why it was observed.

Maybe both types of life, pets, are outside the "norm" so end up fitting together more than others.

Honest to goodness The observation came from noticing that majority that fits the stereotype are the ones that are the ones asking the most basic of all questions. I feel that a lot of them are not ready for these which can lead to them losing their versicolors, avics and GBB's. Then you see everyone in the group says its not thier fault and they did everything. Once you correct them or say your opinion or what went wrong they get really defensive.

I don't know anyone, in any facet of life, who thinks there's anything particularly useful on Facebook...

That i have learned the hard way unfortunately. Anyways want to apologize if I made people feel negatively towards my post. It is just an observation. Observation that a lot of new keepers have the said features and majority of them are attracted at a certain specie of spider. The blue ones like the GBB, versicolors. Sometimes avics and sazimais too. Now what i noticed is that some so the things that infuriates me like... Lack of research and defensive behavior if corrected. Also giving advice to other people like they know what they're talking about. There are too many dead avics, versis and GBB's and it's still not their fault.🥲

As someone in the vet field, I can tell you that certain types of pets often (but not ALWAYS) attract a certain type of owner. Some of the stereotypes are there for a reason, but the important thing is that the owner values and takes good care of their animals, with a willingness to learn and adjust their husbandry as needed. As long as someone does those things, who cares how the person looks? Yay for them if it makes them happy.

Maybe it's just that the people with "certain looks" are the ones who i always see in the groups that has killed their versicolors and GBB's. Or flood the groups with the basic most basic questions and get defensive when corrected. Again if they have a certain look and they provide the best for their animals i'm all for it. But is that always the case? Not all the time. How many versicolors have died and how many more? Versicolors and GBB's lives matter.

 

[WillowLovesSpoods]

Lol, well you're definitely going to hate my name that's for sure.

I've been into tarantulas for over 10 years at this point. I rejoined after getting a Aphonopelma Iodius, and my new name definitely reflects the slow change in terminologies. I honestly just heard the word "spood" and my mind just went "too cute". However, I mostly see it in relation to jumping spiders. But I clung to it regardless.

Regarding the thread about female spider owners looking similar, I think @AphonopelmaTX had it right with saying it could be due to gravitating toward the unconventional. I know for myself, I just absolutely love the misunderstood or feared, as I have felt similarly all of my life.

 

[Paolo G]

Lol, well you're definitely going to hate my name that's for sure.

I've been into tarantulas for over 10 years at this point. I rejoined after getting a Aphonopelma Iodius, and my new name definitely reflects the slow change in terminologies. I honestly just heard the word "spood" and my mind just went "too cute". However, I mostly see it in relation to jumping spiders. But I clung to it regardless.

Regarding the thread about female spider owners looking similar, I think @AphonopelmaTX had it right with saying it could be due to gravitating toward the unconventional. I know for myself, I just absolutely love the misunderstood or feared, as I have felt similarly all of my life.

You have been keeping for a while. I'm talking about the people who look simmilar to you who has a GBB and versicolor as their first T and end up having zero research and has a very high chance in killing the sling. You like GBB's tho? Getting sick and tired seeing GBB's and versi every other post on FB groups.

 

[WillowLovesSpoods]

You have been keeping for a while. I'm talking about the people who look simmilar to you who has a GBB and versicolor as their first T and end up having zero research and has a very high chance in killing the sling. You like GBB's tho? Getting sick and tired seeing GBB's and versi every other post on FB groups.

Ahh, sorry. I misunderstood!

But no, haven't really looked into them. I'm a Aphonopelma fan, or anything from the desert really. My first girl won my heart (Chilean Rosehair), the rest is history.

Also, I have had a habit of going directly to pet forums the second I get a new pet interest. But I know that's frighteningly rare for people to do for some reason.

 

[Paolo G]

Ahh, sorry. I misunderstood!

But no, haven't really looked into them. I'm a Aphonopelma fan, or anything from the desert really. My first girl won my heart (Chilean Rosehair), the rest is history.

Also, I have had a habit of going directly to pet forums the second I get a new pet interest. But I know that's frighteningly rare for people to do for some reason.

I find that my iodius and hentzi are the slowest out of all tarantulas that i have. No no i was misunderstood as well. I don't mean everyone who looks similar to you. Just the newbies who jumps the gun because they like the color blue without doing their research and end up killing the tarantula. I actually admire people like you who started and are big fans of species that are overlooked by most due to their plain colors.

 

[WillowLovesSpoods]

I find that my iodius and hentzi are the slowest out of all tarantulas that i have. No no i was misunderstood as well. I don't mean everyone who looks similar to you. Just the newbies who jumps the gun because they like the color blue without doing their research and end up killing the tarantula. I actually admire people like you who started and are big fans of species that are overlooked by most due to their plain colors.

They definitely are slow! I think that's what I find interesting. I usually watch Old World T videos, so they are quite the difference.

And yeah, I'm on your side. Especially if the thing dies.
More on that really, I have noticed an alarming amount of people that have no idea about tarantulas on those Facebook groups. Which is what made me remember this place and encouraged me to join.

And thank you! Honestly I'm just extremely dedicated to underdogs who deserve love. Arachnids in general my next goal is an Arizona Blonde.

 

[Paolo G]

They definitely are slow! I think that's what I find interesting. I usually watch Old World T videos, so they are quite the difference.

And yeah, I'm on your side. Especially if the thing dies.
More on that really, I have noticed an alarming amount of people that have no idea about tarantulas on those Facebook groups. Which is what made me remember this place and encouraged me to join.

And thank you! Honestly I'm just extremely dedicated to underdogs who deserve love. Arachnids in general my next goal is an Arizona Blonde.

I'm sorry if my original post got negative feedback due to me generalizing everyone with a certain look.

 

[WillowLovesSpoods]

I'm sorry if my original post got negative feedback due to me generalizing everyone with a certain look.

It's no worries! No hard feelings here, promise.

 

[Cemykay]

I joined a few of the bigger ones to show my pictures and feed my ego . Also to see pictures of rare species or breeding projects in my area. In some of the german groups people like Volker von Wirth are writing pretty interesting stuff. Besides those people i would not take care advice postet there as a guide for me.