What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever heard about a tarantula online

[Cmac2111]

People who have "emotional support" spiders that they try to pet and cuddle. Also people who say something like "don't do this at home!" While they post photos of themselves handling a P. ornata or other OW. So incredibly stupid. I've seen people do the same with deathstalker scorpions and it makes me want to beat my head against a brick wall.

You've got to be joking!?! I knew things were bad online but "emotional support spiders"? Seriously?!? That's the dumbest thing I've heard in a long time, madness...

 

[aprilmayjunebugs]

Apparently there's a big name long time seller telling people tarantulas drink from their feet? That's enough to prevent me from buying from them.

Another big time dealer with a pokie communal, makes me not want to give them my money either. Their deals are tempting though.

 

[Gilligan]

Latest dumb thing has got to be commenter's on Facebook posts. Talking about T. Albo's, one person said a T. Albo is the name of the Nicaraguan form and the B. Albo is the name of the Honduran form. Also the lady who said it was okay to keep a Psalmopoeus irminia terrestrial and laughed at people who commented otherwise.

Another big time dealer with a pokie communal, makes me not want to give them my money either. Their deals are tempting though.

Got one by me too. They have over 6 pokie communals and brag how they are never going to stop.

 

[Frogdaddy]

You guys should join the tarantula Discord. It's a laugh riot over there.

 

[Mountaindani]

“My tarantulas love me petting them and chilling on my chest”

Don't they? What T doesn't love a scratch behind the ears!

 

[Westicles]

Some of the posts I've read on AB!!!!

 

[Hardus nameous]

If memory serves me correctly just search for "Festes" and read that thread from start to finish.
You're welcome.

Actually it's buried in references so here you go: (bring beer and popcorn) https://arachnoboards.com/threads/i...emale-pokie-ornata-lacking-confidence.297756/

 

[campj]

If memory serves me correctly just search for "Festes" and read that thread from start to finish.
You're welcome.

Actually it's buried in references so here you go: (bring beer and popcorn) https://arachnoboards.com/threads/i...emale-pokie-ornata-lacking-confidence.297756/

I think you won. This is comedy gold, and the stupidest thing I've read in a long time.

 

[Mike Withrow]

Some of the posts I've read on AB!!!!

This. I don't use FB or any other social media period. Any other reading I do about spiders is on a actual site with legit published papers.

 

[arthurliuyz]

"poisonous"
Plus, only ones that "live in Central and South America" can be called tarantulas.

And this is by Oxford.

 

[LucN]

Don't they? What T doesn't love a scratch behind the ears!

They have ears ? News to me

Fortunately, I don't visit many other T-related websites, but sometimes, a Youtube comment section can be rife with idiotic banter. Especially those from some "High Profile T Keepers" (ie, not Dave or Tom) that keep putting out content with often questionable practices.

 

[Frogdaddy]

Posts on Discord saying wild Tarantulas eat on a schedule, and there is nothing wrong with captive T's eating on a schedule. Can post SS if you want to read the absurdity.

 

[PanzoN88]

Every post in every Facebook group that recommends youtube as the best source for information, to top it all off they all recommend the worst channels.

 

[Pedipalpable]

Before realizing that websites like Arachnoboards are really the only place on the web with decent, accurate information, I was searching for beginner species recommendations to get an idea of what might be a good starting place. Some pet enthusiast website had this to say about Homoeomma chilensis.

They are friendly, curious and will often try to get your attention and initiate physical contact. If you want a social buddy to share with your friends and family, this species is a good place to start.

Despite not being experienced with tarantulas (I don't even have one yet as of writing this post) I knew that had to be wrong. In fact I think this may have actually been what made me realize that I needed to stop looking at random websites and find someplace with people who have actual experience with tarantulas.

 

[Moakmeister]

Occasionally someone on Reddit claims that their tarantula likes belly rubs

 

[TechnoGeek]

I made a thread like this recently, and basically everything you read on peta qualifies.

They say pet tarantulas are lonely, they also say they have feelings among other things, all of it extremely stupid and even silly.

Out of curiosity, I looked at other pet articles on the website and had to physically stop myself from facepalming several times per minute. These people seem to be about as bright as a dead lightbulb from the 1960s.

Now don't get my wrong, I've had friends who don't know much about exotic pets ask me how I keep my Ts in a plastic box or a 10 gallon fish tank without them getting lonely or depressed, and it's totally fine. Not knowing much about a certain animal doesn't make someone stupid, but feeling you have the authority to demand an entire hobby be banned and a community be dismantled when you have no idea what you're talking about is very different.

It's about as stupid as if I were to call fish keepers evil cause they force their pets to live under water.

PETA’s most recent article on tarantulas as pets

Most recent article? Do these people ever post anything that's not so hopelessly moronic it could warrant treatment for a cognitive issue?

 

[Introvertebrate]

Occasionally someone on Reddit claims that their tarantula likes belly rubs

As long as it's a roach doing the rubbing.

 

[Vulash]

Everytime I see the word "trantula"

 

[Introvertebrate]

Everytime I see the word "trantula"

You mean the poisonous kind?

 

[taranbandido]

Give them caresses with the paint brush with the softest hairs you can find. It is used to train them and then touch the opisthosoma with the tip of your finger!