To Buy a Tarantula or to not Buy a Tarantula

[suntiger117]

So, at my local Pet Store, they have a variety of ts for sale. I would like to buy the Vietnamese Tiger or a P. regalis. However, my father is skeptical about it because he believes it is a waste of money. But is it? As a person who is going to college soon; should I be spending money on them? I love t's, but from other hobby goers ; would it be worth it?

 

[litebritedeath]

So, at my local Pet Store, they have a variety of ts for sale. I would like to buy the Vietnamese Tiger or a P. regalis. However, my father is skeptical about it because he believes it is a waste of money. But is it? As a person who is going to college soon; should I be spending money on them? I love t's, but from other hobby goers ; would it be worth it?

I'm confused. Your profile says you already own T's? If so you should know if they "are a waste of money" or not in your own mind.

 

[suntiger117]

I do, I own 4. I just want opinions from people if they have been in a situation like mine.

 

[pyro fiend]

well most parents think they are. my parents called me an idiot when i got my first 100$ snake "theres no way it can be worth that" lol but i fyou are going to be getting a parttime job or even full time wiel at school. i dont see why not get it. its your money so long as you can feed it who are they to say no? unless its at their house

 

[Wadew]

After reading your question.....ya, I agree with your dad none of them are worth it to you with the undecided,wishy washy attitude. spend your money on school.

 

[suntiger117]

I'll hold off on the tiger. But I really wanted to get a L. Violceopes. This would be my last one for a while! Aren't t's just addicting to own? I enjoy owning them because each species has different tendencies and personalities; not to mention their awesome appearance.

 

[scorpio948]

Well, it depends. Will you be going away to college and living on campus, or will you be near home or in your own apartment? Most campus dorms don't allow them, so you would not be able to take them; but, if staying close to home, at home, or your own apartment, then I don't see why you should not get it.

I'm in the same situation, but I will have my own apartment off-campus due to the GI Bill covering all the costs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[litebritedeath]

I do, I own 4. I just want opinions from people if they have been in a situation like mine.

Well it sounds to me like you are asking others to make adult decisions for you. How are we to know if you have the time, resources, etc that it takes to take care of another spider. These are questions you should be asking yourself not a random board of spider enthusiast. I'm 31 and have 14 T's and more on the way. I have had them before and I now have the time, energy, and desire to take care of as many T's as I have. The most important thing to ask yourseld is if YOU are ready to give the animals the attention and life they deserve by using and devoting your time, energy, and resources to them. It's not an "is it worth it?" issue.

 

[suntiger117]

Am I not liable to ask question? Why can't I see how others have dealt with this. See this is the problem I have with people on this board; they try to get all personal and attack people's thoughts. I POSTED TO ASK A QUESTION. I am devoted to them. In all honesty, tarantula's don't need that much attention. Make sure they have water and are fed once or twice a week and that should lead to a happy spider.

---------- Post added 03-03-2014 at 02:25 PM ----------

I think I will be staying at home. Even so, if I did go away, they don't need the attention every day. I could visit once a week or every 2 weeks and it would be fine.

 

[litebritedeath]

Am I not liable to ask question? Why can't I see how others have dealt with this. See this is the problem I have with people on this board; they try to get all personal and attack people's thoughts. I POSTED TO ASK A QUESTION. I am devoted to them. In all honesty, tarantula's don't need that much attention. Make sure they have water and are fed once or twice a week and that should lead to a happy spider.

---------- Post added 03-03-2014 at 02:25 PM ----------

I think I will be staying at home. Even so, if I did go away, they don't need the attention every day. I could visit once a week or every 2 weeks and it would be fine.

You are speaking thinking of the best case scenarios when checking on them every couple of weeks. A lot could happen in two weeks. A spider could become sick, get stuck in it's cage, become stuck in a molt, etc. nobody had "attacked your thoughts". I only brought up that the best person to answer the question you presented is you yourself.

 

[Formerphobe]

There have been several college students or high school transitioning to college students posting on here. Most dorms don't allow tarantulas. Many apartments don't. Many roommates don't. There have been stories of the roommate's cat or dog 'interacting' adversely with the tarantulas. Or even roommates causing a spider's demise. College students occasionally post their tarantulas for sale in the classifieds because they need the money for books, tuition, etc., or because they don't have the time or place to keep them.

Personally, I check on all of my tarantulas every day, sometimes twice a day. If I could only visit them once every one to two weeks, I would probably find them a more satisfactory home. Nor would I leave them behind and expect non-T people to be responsible for them (read: parents).

Part of being a tarantula keeper is learning patience. There will still be tarantulas available when you are out of school and have your own place.

 

[klawfran3]

Actually sun tiger, I don't think people understood the question. You're sad king if its worth it to get the tarantula since you're leaving for college soon. I am in the exact same situation. I want so many tarantulas but I don't know what to do with them when I go to college. So should I get them but have to get rid of them in a few months, or not get them but be very sad and disappointed.

 

[cold blood]

Here is my take for you to consider suntiger. Are you ready to up your commitment to the tarantulas? I know its only one more, but I know when I went off to college, once I got there I realized just how much there was to do. Not only that but it often means rooming with less than responsible individuals. There's going to be a ton of new people you meet, and likely many more different interests you may want to experience. Having t's while in this environment isn't always advisable, it would need to be a right situation. Will you also be working a part time job? Now if you are living at home and commuting to school, that would certainly solve the roommate issues. There's only going to be a little more for you to do, yes, but it will seem like you have less than half the time to do it as college can be a very busy and social time for most people and YOU will need to be sure you are really willing to make that commitment.

Every individual is different, and only you can really answer the question ultimately. Most college kids would probably be better off without IMO and IME, but there certainly exceptions to every rule, and only you know if you fall into that exception and become an exceptional young T keeper. If you take the job of keeping t's as seriously as a heart attack, it may prove to be a worthwhile investment. The fact that you are asking for others opinions and not just doing it because you want to is commendable, every single t purchase is something to think about and take seriously, and many kids or young people fail to realize this.

Good luck suntiger

I agree that planning to come check on them every week or two is a less than ideal situation for sure

 

[litebritedeath]

There have been several college students or high school transitioning to college students posting on here. Most dorms don't allow tarantulas. Many apartments don't. Many roommates don't. There have been stories of the roommate's cat or dog 'interacting' adversely with the tarantulas. Or even roommates causing a spider's demise. College students occasionally post their tarantulas for sale in the classifieds because they need the money for books, tuition, etc., or because they don't have the time or place to keep them.

Personally, I check on all of my tarantulas every day, sometimes twice a day. If I could only visit them once every one to two weeks, I would probably find them a more satisfactory home. Nor would I leave them behind and expect non-T people to be responsible for them (read: parents).

Part of being a tarantula keeper is learning patience. There will still be tarantulas available when you are out of school and have your own place.

+1 this is great advice. It's also specific to your circumstances.

 

[Wadew]

Suntiger.
Yes your question is welcome. Yes you are allowed! Just be prepared for different responses seeing you are asking enthusiasts on a spider forum "are spiders worth it"? So given the question you are asking on the forum you have decided to present it on, with the facts you have given to people you have directed it to, I would say you could benefit from more focus on school. I would also tell you I too am a dad and he just might have some wisdom behind his opinion. I also find the "addicting to own" statement scary..... it might be just me!

-Wade

 

[Ghost Dragon]

If it were me, Sun Tiger, I'd wait. You have 4 already, and you'll have the rest of your life to collect more, not to mention the money, once you get your degree.