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monkey see, monkey do- I’m not surprised at all.
Probably someone who hates spiders and is scared of them.
Yep, I noticed that too and I thought. "Really ?! I don't think you and I have visited the same forum." Sure, sometimes Viper's replies comes off as offensive, but when you're used to his approach, his replies are simply short and sweet... and to the point. To claim that we're trolls is quite the insult. Well, there's another channel I can totally cross off from viewing completely.
Makes sense now why he’s taking trash. One of his latest videos is about how to do research. To no surprise.. in his video he claims great places to get care info is from “himself” with a link to his site, and some of his other buddies. As well as telling people it’s great to watch YouTube videos for help. He’s a used car salesman trying to make a buck. I wouldn’t be half surprised if he came here at some point, asked a stupid question without doing the bare minimum of research, then got scolded. Probably butthurt about it.
Really? Yikes. All bow down to the mighty Richard, who just started off by photographing his T's (which is pretty much all his videos are anyway) and now thinks he's qualified enough to be dishing out advice
That is not what the original research paper the Wired article is based on says at all. The research paper basically highlights that the trade in arachnids has been growing for the past 22 years while there has been no efforts by regulatory bodies to assess its impact to wild populations. It also points out that by using wildlife import/ export databases of international and domestic (from the perspective of the United States) government agencies, more arachnids are brought into trade from wild populations than from captive bred populations. The research paper elaborates on the complexities in assessing the risk to wild populations of arachnids due to circumvention of wildlife law, such as by sending arachnids through the mail, as well as the evolving taxonomy/ change of scientific names, and a lack of knowledge of a species full geographic distribution. It also shows that a few countries export wild collected arachnids that are known to be from other neighboring countries. The article refers to such activity as "laundering." Essentially, the conclusion that the research paper comes to is that as the arachnid trade grows in popularity, there is a risk to wild populations due to a lack of understanding of what exactly is being traded, how many are in trade, and a lack of involvement in wildlife regulatory bodies to understand the arachnid trade. Although habitat loss is an undeniable factor in diminishing wild populations of arachnids, the pet trade is a factor that should not be overlooked as a contributing factor since it is difficult to assess just how many are taken from the wild for trade. Further, the research paper also identifies other sources of trade causing a potential threat to wild arachnid populations such as the rising popularity of arachnids as novelty and traditional food items in Asia and western countries.
I absolutely agree that the pet trade should not be overlooked in terms of wild caught specimens but we seem to be much more targeted than habitat loss and deforestation which is presumably much more damaging to wild populations.
There are far more studies on the impact of habitat destruction and climate change on wildlife populations, including invertebrates, than there are about the impacts of the pet trade on wild invertebrate populations. The point of research articles such as the one covered here is to assess the potential impact the pet trade has on wild invertebrate populations and to call out how they are overlooked by wildlife regulatory bodies in favor of more charismatic animals such as the reptiles, birds, and/ or mammals. Out of the invertebrates traded for the exotic pet industry, arachnids, and specifically tarantulas, are the most popular which is why it may seem like the tarantula community is targeted. What the research paper the Wired article covers points out is that in a span of about 20 years, millions of arachnids, mostly tarantulas, have been removed from the wild for various commercial purposes, including the pet industry, but no one is paying attention to it.
I mean the hobby is rightfully under scrutiny. Can't blame people for rethinking its legality, but you can blame them making misinformed decisions and voting to ban the hobby under false pretenses.
I've been on here two years and lurked a little before that. I've seen some comments that might be considered a little rude or whatever but for the most part, everyone is happy to help out new keepers and get excited for them when things go well. Trolling is just part of the internet and on this site it's kept pretty well contained in the watering hole where, even there, it's tame. When those of us who partake address serious questions on husbandry, we take it relatively seriously and try to give sound advice.
Unfortunately truth and facts don't always fit their narrative and they go with whatever fits their agenda to push their story.IMO Richard saw a chance to promote himself and his videos as the go to source for information concerning this hobby and ran with it.