"The Dark Den" Good Influence?

[arthurliuyz]

I've seen a lot of threads saying that Exotics Lair is a bad influence. So, just wondering, is petko a good influence for the hobby? Is his husbandry good?

 

[Liquifin]

With animals on Youtube or the internet in general, there is going to be controversy and debate because while online video content may be entertaining, the health and care of the animal is also important. I personally do not like Exotics Lair, but it doesn't mean I hate him. The Dark Den is a mix bag for me, so I can't really say it's good or bad as it's heavily debatable on what is good care in terms of exotic pets.

So to each their own. I always advise people that while Youtube maybe a starting point into the exotic pet hobby. Always do your own proper research on multiple platforms and websites so you can come to your own conclusion of proper care for your pets. Always research for the most up-to-date information because exotic pets tend to have a lot of outdated information and practices on the web.

 

[Kibosh]

No.

Only T videos worth anything on YouToobe is Tom Moran and even then I would cross reference everything.

 

[HeartBum]

Got to admit I used to really like him. Until I saw an Instagram post of his where he was rehousing a P. murinus. Caption said something like “long overdue for a rehouse, she’s mad at me”. This thing was in an enclosure suitable for an arboreal sling and looked like it was juvenile. So many comments said “I hope this isn’t the enclosure she was in” because it looked like a catch cup, but the webbing and deco said otherwise. Needless to say the comments were ignored entirely and not addressed. Gave me the impression he was nervous of it/didn’t have the time or room to care for an individual amongst his collection. Lord knows he can afford a decent enclosure for all of them.

 

[waynerowley]

No. I think his vides from a couple of years ago aren't too bad, but he's got worse recently and it's now clear to me that his channel is more about entertainment than animal care and husbandry:

- He no longer provides water dishes
- He no longer appears to label his enclosures/Ts
- He never talks about specific species care requirements and needs
- He frequently walks away from enclosures leaving the doors wide open
- His method of rehousing is risky and the way he pokes his Ts sometimes just seems harsh and designed to provoke a threat response

Wayne

 

[Spoodfood]

I’d say he’s not great. For someone who already knows the information they need to know and wants to see how a t looks in action and not a still photo, sure. I mean I watched a video he did on Linothele sericata (not a t but same point) webbing Timelapse because I wanted to see it. Not because I needed or wanted husbandry information. So maybe for entertainment, but I wouldn’t emulate anything he does.
If you are just bored and want to watch some t stuff I don’t see the harm, but it should be for entertainment or interest in seeing a new species or something along those lines. Not for advice. I have seen some things I blatantly disapprove of and dislike on the channel, but I’ve also seen some nice feeding videos and stuff of species I’ve never heard of.

 

[Dry Desert]

With animals on Youtube or the internet in general, there is going to be controversy and debate because while online video content may be entertaining, the health and care of the animal is also important. I personally do not like Exotics Lair, but it doesn't mean I hate him. The Dark Den is a mix bag for me, so I can't really say it's good or bad as it's heavily debatable on what is good care in terms of exotic pets.

So to each their own. I always advise people that while Youtube maybe a starting point into the exotic pet hobby. Always do your own proper research on multiple platforms and websites so you can come to your own conclusion of proper care for your pets. Always research for the most up-to-date information because exotic pets tend to have a lot of outdated information and practices on the web.

Excellent advice - However.

Say I'm a first-time owner of " X " and have downloaded a " good " caresheet on same " X " and have watched YouTube videos on same, and don't know about AB how do I confirm their accuracy ??
I suppose this is the main reason we have new owners posting on AB with serious problems, or in need of urgent help.

There is no way of knowing the accuracy of any care sheet or video, and as mentioned I could search and have guidence from 4 sources, all inaccurate.

Unless there is some form of grading as to the accuracy of care advice - which will never happen - then new owners will always be at a loss as to accuracy.

Then, of course, we have to factor in the " advice " from some, no all , pet shops.

 

[arthurliuyz]

What about The Tarantula Collective? He seems do do a lot of care guides & stuff. Was wondering whether they're accurate? His care does seems pretty good.

 

[Spoodfood]

What about The Tarantula Collective? He seems do do a lot of care guides & stuff. Was wondering whether they're accurate? His care does seems pretty good.

As previously stated, If you want husbandry information Tom Moran is really the way to go for YouTube. He’s got a great podcast that covers almost any beginner question too, he’s just not as flashy which I’m okay with. I think the collective gets really excellent footage of his animals and I think that’s his strength, not information so much. I’ve seen some click baity titles and also some things I don’t agree with, but I do believe there’s worse.

 

[arthurliuyz]

As previously stated, If you want husbandry information Tom Moran is really the way to go for YouTube. He’s got a great podcast that covers almost any beginner question too, he’s just not as flashy which I’m okay with. I think the collective gets really excellent footage of his animals and I think that’s his strength, not information so much. I’ve seen some click baity titles and also some things I don’t agree with, but I do believe there’s worse.

Thanks a lot Spoodfood and Kibosh. Will definitely check out Tom's channel.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Tom Moran is the only channel outside of the documentary/in-situ ones worth watching IMO, he's the most consistent in terms of the quality of info he provides, his rehousing videos are great, and he doesn't really go for any of the gimmicky crap favoured by a lot of other channels.

 

[RezonantVoid]

The Dark Den is someone I'm truly thankful to. If not for my discovering his channel, I would not be here typing right now. That said, I don't unconditionally agree with everything he does or view him as the epitome of tarantula husbandry advice. He was a great starting point for me, but in my honest opinion, I have far surpassed his level of care through this site and personal experimentation. It's been a while since I last watched his videos, but I hope he can continue to be such a figure for many new keepers to come.

The one thing i do think he does right is be fairly open about mistakes he's made. I can't recall exact accounts but I'm pretty sure a number of times he's readily admitted to mistakes he has made, which is not easy to do in front of such a large public audience

 

[8 legged]

It depends on what you do with information. You can also learn from Exotic Liars. Unfortunately, beginners can easily be misled! But that's not the provider's fault, everyone has something like personal responsibility. Even if it's easy to point the finger at others, you can't rule out that those who criticize do something better! And if a person keeps and cares for his spiders badly, then that keeper is to blame and nobody else!

 

[AlbaArachnids92]

Good enough to spark an interest in the hobby? Yes, but most youtubers are far from a good resource for care/husbandry practice.

 

[viper69]

I've seen a lot of threads saying that Exotics Lair is a bad influence. So, just wondering, is petko a good influence for the hobby? Is his husbandry good?

Many things he does are not right

Before he was on stupidtube, he was a regular AB member!

 

[HeartBum]

Many things he does are not right

Before he was on stupidtube, he was a regular AB member!

Jeeze, what happened? Or was he one of those “I’m right you’re wrong” people we see so often on here…

 

[VukSRB]

No.

Only T videos worth anything on YouToobe is Tom Moran and even then I would cross reference everything.

Personally I don't like him as much, he is always afraid of his spiders and does not give them enough supstrate, like never. I love Dave's little beasties. His channel is top notch in everything.

 

[jrh3]

I really enjoy Dave’s Little Beasties on YouTube. Haven’t really noticed if he is a good influence or not but I still enjoy his videos.

 

[viper69]

Or was he one of those “I’m right you’re wrong” people

Not at all actually. He was never a defensive jerk.

 

[Wolfram1]

No. I think his vides from a couple of years ago aren't too bad, but he's got worse recently and it's now clear to me that his channel is more about entertainment than animal care and husbandry:

- He no longer provides water dishes
- He no longer appears to label his enclosures/Ts
- He never talks about specific species care requirements and needs
- He frequently walks away from enclosures leaving the doors wide open
- His method of rehousing is risky and the way he pokes his Ts sometimes just seems harsh and designed to provoke a threat response

Wayne

I agree that Petco's videos have drastically declined in quality over the years. I simply don't care about "Monster" Drinks or him unpacking Chocolate!!!!

This might just be me but i get the impression that he has become dependant on his videos and animals for income and in his strive for new content has irresponsibly taken on too many animals. Giving out his adress to fans that want to send him animals is a huuuuge mistake. It seems to me he just can't keep up proper care and he still wants to get new animals all the time. He knows better but has to scrape by doing the absolute minimum for them. Unless one of them makes for a good video, ofc.


and i repeat myself but there are some good channels:

birdspidersCH by Martin Hüssler
bugsnstuff by Guy Tansley
lovetarantulas by Andrew Smith
World of Spiders by ?

for husbandry:
Tom Moran by Tom Moran xd
Dave's Little beasties by Dave Fisher