Total newbie, help!

[JeremyPR82]

Ok, I just got my first tarantula... it's a CR Zebra. I have no idea whether I should be handling it or not. Is it trying to shoot hairs at me when it's legs are kicking up? aaaahh I need answers!

 

[SpiderTwin]

If it is rubbing it's abdomen with its last pair of legs, it is kicking hairs at you. This is a sign that it does not want to be messed with right now.

When you say CR Zebra, do you meen A. seemani?

 

[Inuleki]

and they don't shoot hairs at you... they kick them toward you....

they float on aircurrents, not shot out of a gun

 

[Valael]

Originally posted by SpiderTwin
This is a sign that it does not want to be messed with right now.

The only problem with that is some species do it ALL of the time. They usually only seem to stop once you actually have them in your hand.

 

[JeremyPR82]

Well I know they kick they kick the hairs... I didn't mean he was literally shooting at me. Anyhow, yes it's an A. Seemani. I really could use a few pointers on taking care of it. Should I even worry about the urticating hairs? That's really why I haven't tried holding it. :?

 

[defour]

Originally posted by Inuleki
and they don't shoot hairs at you... they kick them toward you....

they float on aircurrents, not shot out of a gun

Not according to Tesmoignt. Here's an excerpt from his 1999 description of Pamphobeteus chrecpottens: "urticacious setae on the abdomen confined to a single area on the dorsal posterior, from which the evil beast delivers a noxious horde of offensive missiles via some sort of explosive charge or system of gaseous compression. The author was bedridden for a period of months after the collection of the holotype and still walks with crutches as a result of acute damage to his "Georgia groceries" inflicted by said setae from a distance of 20 meters."

Nothing to sneeze at, methinks.

To address the original question: there's no way you "should" be handling it. That would imply that the spider would like or need to be handled. I don't recommend that anyone go out of their way to handle tarantulas, and I would caution beginners to not do it. You'd just be exposing the spider to a greater risk of injury; A. seemanni tend to be a tad flighty to boot. Until you're very used to this particular spider and its reactions to you, I wouldn't mess with it.

Steve

 

[JeremyPR82]

Gotcha... no handling for a good long while then.

 

[defour]

I think it's a good idea to get to know the spiders (and to train your reflexes) before handling them. I still have an annoying reflex reaction to my tarantulas when they move quickly, and I realize that this isn't a good thing. I have about 60 T's at this point and have kept them in varying numbers for 18 years. If you feel you have to handle them, then absorb the available opinions and do what you feel is best. Remember though, that there's a lot of wisdom to be learned along the way, and that there are things that seem baseless in the beginning but will be evident after a few years. Read as much information as you can find in book and on the web, consider your own spiders, and then do what feels right to you. Everybody's situation is different.

If devote the time to get to know your spiders well, I guarantee that you'll have a lot more of them in short order.

Steve

 

[xBurntBytheSunx]

i don't try to handle my seemani b/c it is so skittish. it doesn't like being touched at all, the one time i had to move it i used a ruler and pushed on its butt a little to motivate it and it turned and struck the ruler extremely fast and a lot harder than i would have thought a little guy like him could have. it is also incredibly fast when it wants to be so thats another reason i'd rather not pick that guy up.

 

[TheDon]

I have an A.Seemani and lets just say mine surprised the crap out of me too with her speed. Before I raised the substrate in her tank she would constantly climb and one morning she had gotten her toe caught in the screen and seemed to be having trouble getting herself free. So i gently lifted the cover and slid something underneath of her so she could release it herself and then she fully crawled onto the screen. I flipped it over so she was standing on it instead of hanging and then it happened, she bolted. Thank God i had the lid only about an inch off the ground so she didnt fall. But she skittered across the floor and up the laundry hamper and thats where I caught her. Anyways I wouldnt handle mine because of the fact that she is skitterish and faster than expected.

peace

TheDon

 

[Charlie]

handeling

I never hold me A seemani either. She would probably take my hand off.


-Charlie

 

[sunnymarcie]

I have one too

His name is "Digger" Give it lots of substrate and you'll see
what I mean!
They are little bulldozers. Fun to watch, but not to touch.
Mine recently molted and when I went to get the shed it
snatched it out of the tweezers and tore it to pieces!!
Mine is a hands off T for sure!

 

[JeremyPR82]

Speed is one thing he's definitely got... I saw him scuttle one foot in a literal eyeblink, after an unsuspecting cricket. Parker's definitely not one to be tested. Like the name?

 

[Godzilla2000]

Originally posted by JeremyPR82
Ok, I just got my first tarantula... it's a CR Zebra. I have no idea whether I should be handling it or not. Is it trying to shoot hairs at me when it's legs are kicking up? aaaahh I need answers!

I say to leave the poor bugger alone because she obviously doesn't want to be handled if she's flinging hairs at you.

 

[MizM]

Originally posted by defour
Not according to Tesmoignt. Here's an excerpt from his 1999 description of Pamphobeteus chrecpottens: "urticacious setae on the abdomen confined to a single area on the dorsal posterior, from which the evil beast delivers a noxious horde of offensive missiles via some sort of explosive charge or system of gaseous compression. The author was bedridden for a period of months after the collection of the holotype and still walks with crutches as a result of acute damage to his "Georgia groceries" inflicted by said setae from a distance of 20 meters."
Steve

1999 description? That sounds more like 1899!=D And why did he expose his "Georgia groceries" to the T in the first place!=D

My seemani is named "Zoomer." Probably 'nuff said!

 

[bluerich74]

I cant remember where I read this but somewhere I read that they discovered that A.Seemani venom is somewhat more signicant than first believed,so I wouldnt be handling one.Anyone else see this...Rich

 

[abstract]

I've handled mine, but more just as a challenge than anything (watching out for the spiders safety of course) - and it's allright once I get it onto my hand. It is psychotic up to that point though.

As you are new to the whole spider keeping thing, I would HEARTILY recommend you do not pick this guy up yet, and start with a rosie or something that is not as skittish.

 

[mdfic]

i am originally from Georgia and dont know what Georgia groceries are. i can only assume that they are... well you know.

 

[MizM]

Originally posted by abstract
I've handled mine,

You have Georgia groceries?????

Couldn't resist. Sent you a pm!

 

[JeremyPR82]

The A. Seemani is the only tarantula they carry... I've never seen them anywhere else here. (Orlando, FL). I do like Parker, but I would've preferred a more docile tarantula.