- Joined
- Feb 16, 2005
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not in person, but you could say i decided to update a certain album on my facebook very recently 
Last edited:
Using mine for Halloween
- Thread starter Mcskillz
- Start date
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- May 2, 2009
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If you do get some pics of that, you gotta post them.
My mom had joked last night if I could put a string harness on my tarantula for Halloween.
- Joined
- May 22, 2009
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You know I will!!!!!If you do get some pics of that, you gotta post them.
My mom had joked last night if I could put a string harness on my tarantula for Halloween.
This weekend, I tried affixing a 5.5" molt to my leather jacket. Until I snapped a leg off, glued it back on, and abandoned the idea to prevent any further damage to a well-preserved molt. Only to figure out later that it would have fit in the shoulder strap.....:wall:
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2005
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That is definitely true, handling is a constant debate.
Sorry Steve, handling is not an art. It is something that should be able to be done properly for inspection and emergency care if needed.
The risk to the T is one of the main considerations in the handling debate. Yes there is a risk to the animal. There is a risk to the handler. If these are both acceptable risks to the handler, then handle. I have nothing against those that handle, in fact it seems that most people that I know in the hobby are enthusiastic handlers. I am not. I don't handle unless I must. My Ts are my babies and if one came to harm from a stupid handling accident, I would never forgive myself, therefore, I just don't do it. I see no reason to, the T gets nothing from it, they neither need or appreciate physical attention from a human.
My rats, my dogs, my cats, my birds, yes. They are social animals and need to interact with me.
Tarantulas do not need or profit from physical interaction with a human.
Sorry Steve, handling is not an art. It is something that should be able to be done properly for inspection and emergency care if needed.
The risk to the T is one of the main considerations in the handling debate. Yes there is a risk to the animal. There is a risk to the handler. If these are both acceptable risks to the handler, then handle. I have nothing against those that handle, in fact it seems that most people that I know in the hobby are enthusiastic handlers. I am not. I don't handle unless I must. My Ts are my babies and if one came to harm from a stupid handling accident, I would never forgive myself, therefore, I just don't do it. I see no reason to, the T gets nothing from it, they neither need or appreciate physical attention from a human.
My rats, my dogs, my cats, my birds, yes. They are social animals and need to interact with me.
Tarantulas do not need or profit from physical interaction with a human.
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2009
- Messages
- 107
LOL You should ask the person who talked to Mad Hatter at a Petco! Apparently they know where to get tarantula leashes.If you do get some pics of that, you gotta post them.
My mom had joked last night if I could put a string harness on my tarantula for Halloween.
- Joined
- May 22, 2009
- Messages
- 659
Oh, yes it is.....LOL
Instead of debating ethics, let's do something a bit more fun. The English language is full of fun little amphibolies to play with. This post took some time to think out and word right, so it had better be worth it.
So, I went to good ol' http://dictionary.reference.com and typed in the word: "art." This is what popped up. You may follow along if you'd like. Granted, there are many more definitions of the word, but these two illustrated my point quite effectively. Please don't nitpick, as all definitions of a single word are valid within the context it is used. I'm just being a cynic, and making a point in good fun.
The very first listing for the definition of the word "art" on this page was:
1. The quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance
When I saw that, this argument practically wrote itself:
T's are truly beautiful, and extraordinary to us keepers. If someone wants to show them off in their own way, on YouTube/Photobucket/wherever, and put out a well-done video/picture/demonstration; would this not be "Bringing forth a quality production, which aesthetically (often on principal level) expresses within the digital/physical realm, these beautifully appealing creatures, who are more than ordinarily significant amongst fellow hobbyists?
A little further down the page, I saw this as an alternate definition to "art":
1. Human effort to imitate, supplement, alter, or counteract the work of nature.
Is that not the very definition of keeping tarantulas, no matter how they are kept? We do try to imitate their environment, and supplement their needs. Apparently, we do a bang-up job of it because there are increasingly more CB tarantulas in the hobby due to breeding efforts. Wouldn't this be considered completely altering the individual tarantula's natural history?
Furthermore, is not handling a part, albeit an optional part, of that whole experience of Theraphosid husbandry? Especially considering that definition...."to counteract the work of nature." Isn't handling a bit "un-natural," in the first place; and because the T doesn't benefit from the practice, would it not be counter-productive to the T's as well?
Finally, from the viewpoint of an actively writing, performing, and recording musician (otherwise known as a performing or recording "artist"), who has been practicing, and honing his art for many years now:
My definition of "art" is that: Art is what you make it to be.
Sorry, Mina......War isn't much of an art form either, but some Chinese guy 2,500 years ago thought it would make a great title for a book, LOL. ;P (Just had to take the friendly little jab.....)
Instead of debating ethics, let's do something a bit more fun. The English language is full of fun little amphibolies to play with. This post took some time to think out and word right, so it had better be worth it.
So, I went to good ol' http://dictionary.reference.com and typed in the word: "art." This is what popped up. You may follow along if you'd like. Granted, there are many more definitions of the word, but these two illustrated my point quite effectively. Please don't nitpick, as all definitions of a single word are valid within the context it is used. I'm just being a cynic, and making a point in good fun.
The very first listing for the definition of the word "art" on this page was:
1. The quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance
When I saw that, this argument practically wrote itself:
T's are truly beautiful, and extraordinary to us keepers. If someone wants to show them off in their own way, on YouTube/Photobucket/wherever, and put out a well-done video/picture/demonstration; would this not be "Bringing forth a quality production, which aesthetically (often on principal level) expresses within the digital/physical realm, these beautifully appealing creatures, who are more than ordinarily significant amongst fellow hobbyists?
A little further down the page, I saw this as an alternate definition to "art":
1. Human effort to imitate, supplement, alter, or counteract the work of nature.
Is that not the very definition of keeping tarantulas, no matter how they are kept? We do try to imitate their environment, and supplement their needs. Apparently, we do a bang-up job of it because there are increasingly more CB tarantulas in the hobby due to breeding efforts. Wouldn't this be considered completely altering the individual tarantula's natural history?
Furthermore, is not handling a part, albeit an optional part, of that whole experience of Theraphosid husbandry? Especially considering that definition...."to counteract the work of nature." Isn't handling a bit "un-natural," in the first place; and because the T doesn't benefit from the practice, would it not be counter-productive to the T's as well?
Finally, from the viewpoint of an actively writing, performing, and recording musician (otherwise known as a performing or recording "artist"), who has been practicing, and honing his art for many years now:
My definition of "art" is that: Art is what you make it to be.
Sorry, Mina......War isn't much of an art form either, but some Chinese guy 2,500 years ago thought it would make a great title for a book, LOL. ;P (Just had to take the friendly little jab.....)
Instead of debating ethics, let's do something a bit more fun. The English language is full of fun little amphibolies to play with. This post took some time to think out and word right, so it had better be worth it.
So, I went to good ol' http://dictionary.reference.com and typed in the word: "art." This is what popped up. You may follow along if you'd like. Granted, there are many more definitions of the word, but these two illustrated my point quite effectively. Please don't nitpick, as all definitions of a single word are valid within the context it is used. I'm just being a cynic, and making a point in good fun.
The very first listing for the definition of the word "art" on this page was:
1. The quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance
When I saw that, this argument practically wrote itself:
T's are truly beautiful, and extraordinary to us keepers. If someone wants to show them off in their own way, on YouTube/Photobucket/wherever, and put out a well-done video/picture/demonstration; would this not be "Bringing forth a quality production, which aesthetically (often on principal level) expresses within the digital/physical realm, these beautifully appealing creatures, who are more than ordinarily significant amongst fellow hobbyists?
A little further down the page, I saw this as an alternate definition to "art":
1. Human effort to imitate, supplement, alter, or counteract the work of nature.
Is that not the very definition of keeping tarantulas, no matter how they are kept? We do try to imitate their environment, and supplement their needs. Apparently, we do a bang-up job of it because there are increasingly more CB tarantulas in the hobby due to breeding efforts. Wouldn't this be considered completely altering the individual tarantula's natural history?
Furthermore, is not handling a part, albeit an optional part, of that whole experience of Theraphosid husbandry? Especially considering that definition...."to counteract the work of nature." Isn't handling a bit "un-natural," in the first place; and because the T doesn't benefit from the practice, would it not be counter-productive to the T's as well?
Finally, from the viewpoint of an actively writing, performing, and recording musician (otherwise known as a performing or recording "artist"), who has been practicing, and honing his art for many years now:
My definition of "art" is that: Art is what you make it to be.
Well said...
I've read through this whole thread and loved some of the ideas on using moults for the more risky parts. Great thinking and caring for the T's health. Don't want to panic a kid into a freak attack and having him smash a T in your hand while your holding him. But, for this whole debate whether you hold your T or not is just plain stupid. If you have the skills and confidence to hold a T safely, then by all means go for it. Just make sure you have all your angles covered before taking that T out. Know the risks you take.... As for stressing the T out... Come on people... I pretty sure out in wild normal natural habitat of where that T came from, can be pretty stressful. I mean with weather, predators, human population growth, war, big farm animals, highways and such. I doubt you'd see several T's in the wild just sitting there with a straw hat, and a Rum, and coke just chilling out.
And here's a little twist.... WHAT ABOUT THE ROACHES AND THE CRICKETS!!!! I'd think they would be pretty stressed if all of the sudden some huge fleshy thing grabbed them and tossed them in to a glass box with a huge T there waiting...
Damn hypocrites... lol