what kind of paint brush is best to manipulate your spiders

[xBurntBytheSunx]

foam or bristles?

 

[Code Monkey]

Never gave it much thought. I use bristles but that's because it's easier to find long handled paint brushes versus long handled foam applicators. In theory, I think the foam might be better for poking at the Ts, but the bristles have the advantage that their fangs pass right through when you've got a particularly onery T to deal with.

I'd say use whatever you can find cheap and long enough for your comfort zone. It's also not a bad idea to have multiple sizes for particular jobs. I use a fine model brush for working in sling vials and baby food jars, the foot long when herding my N. coloratovillosus along.

 

[Gillian]

I agree with CM..
I can just see me using a foam applicator for my ornery blondi. Knowing her, she'd pull it from my hand and proceed to shred it, just like her exuviums. =D
Peace,
Gillian

 

[Godzilla2000]

Try using this one. I bet this will really get your tarantula to move where you want it to.

 

[Valael]

That'd be kind of like using a golf club to move it. They'd move, but you might not like the results.



I've actually only used a pait brush once. I stopped using it because I kept losing it, heh. I'm a little more organized this time aorund so maybe I should go pick one up.

Generally, I just use my tweasers. Usually, I use the handle end because it's kind of long and flat (I use one of those small zoo med tweasers)

 

[Godzilla2000]

Originally posted by Valael
That'd be kind of like using a golf club to move it. They'd move, but you might not like the results.



I've actually only used a pait brush once. I stopped using it because I kept losing it, heh. I'm a little more organized this time aorund so maybe I should go pick one up.

Generally, I just use my tweasers. Usually, I use the handle end because it's kind of long and flat (I use one of those small zoo med tweasers)

I'm obviously kidding there. I feel particularly impish today.

 

[Botar]

I use a 12" "fantail" brush. It is gentle on slings, long enough to avoid my T. blondi, and the "fan" gives you a bigger surface with which to work. Obviously not the only choice, but I've not had any problems with it. Just keep in mind that you may want to use it in small vials for slings. In other words, bigger is not always better when your talking about "fan" size. They can be purchased anywhere that sells art supplies.

Botar

 

[jwb121377]

When ever I feel the need to herd something and my fingure doesn't seem like the best option, I just grab a butter knife from the drawer and use it. For the most part I never feel the need to use one. When removing dead prey remains I just grab my 10" tweezers for the job.

 

[Valael]

So was I

 

[Godzilla2000]

Originally posted by Valael
So was I

Well if you really want to go there, this would really make your tarantula move anywhere you want it.

 

[Poecilotheria]

I've found my fingers to work extremely well in almost any situation (but I hate urticating hairs!). Otherwise I have a pair of 8in.? tweezers. The kind you have to press in the middle for them to open, weird kinda.
Steve

 

[jesses]

Originally posted by Poecilotheria
I've found my fingers to work extremely well in almost any situation (but I hate urticating hairs!). Otherwise I have a pair of 8in.? tweezers. The kind you have to press in the middle for them to open, weird kinda.
Steve

Plz use your fingers on my H. Lividum or P. Murinus and see what happens

 

[Godzilla2000]

Originally posted by jesses
Plz use your fingers on my H. Lividum or P. Murinus and see what happens

I hope you'll be taking ample pictures of this event.

 

[conipto]

Godzilla2000,

Thank you for adding absolutely nothing of value to the conversation at hand.


Anyways,

When you need a paintbrush, you're obviously trying to move a T. I think the medium you use is pretty inconsequential. I've coaxed H. lividum and P. regalis onto my hands with chopsticks, but had a large, soft 1/2 inch round brush result in a threat from a B. smithi. I've found with most of my new worlders, a firm but gentle touch is the key. If you just lightly touch them, they are more apt to kick hair than if you flat out give them a gentle nudge in the right direction. With the faster New worlders, and most of the old worlders, I just use whatever is handy. Be it rubber tipped 12 inch forceps, the big paintbrush, or a chopstick, the key is less in what you use than it is HOW you use it. With the skittish and fast/defensive species, you have to expect them to bolt at the first touch. However, often enough, repeated touch in a short time will ultimately end up in you being able to direct them where you want to go. (They seem to give up the fight after a short while) Usually, I crack open the lid enough to get whatever moving implement I have handy inside the tank, but not enough for the T to escape. I'll move it around it's terrarium for a minute or two, and when I feel it's calmed down, I'll direct it to where I want it to go. (Usually my hand, but occasionally a new home, etc..)

Whatever you do, be careful. Foam, Bristle, Chop Stick, Rubber.. all are capable of both injuring a tarantula, as well as really pissing it off.

Bill

 

[Godzilla2000]

Originally posted by conipto
Godzilla2000,

Thank you for adding absolutely nothing of value to the conversation at hand.

Jeese. I was just trying to be a little lighthearted and have some fun. You make it totally sound like I was commiting murder or something. Lighten up dude.

 

[xBurntBytheSunx]

levity is not an option!

 

[Godzilla2000]

Originally posted by xBurntBytheSunx
levity is not an option!

Damn. I guess I need to reconfigure my levity settings in my User CP then.

 

[luther]

I've also found that my Ts generally react better to a push than a brush. The light touch of a paintbrush causes a much stronger defense reation in them than a firm and consistant push. I normally use something like a long handled wooden spoon or my finger (depending on the individual).

 

[Godzilla2000]

Originally posted by luther
I've also found that my Ts generally react better to a push than a brush. The light touch of a paintbrush causes a much stronger defense reation in them than a firm and consistant push. I normally use something like a long handled wooden spoon or my finger (depending on the individual).

You know, I used a plastic straw to coax my H. longipendum Callisto out of her web for a photograph and she sure shot out of there really quick.

 

[Valael]

I think I actually use my finger more than anything else also. If it's an aggressive one, I'll usually use something longer.



Although, I almost had it catch up with me once -- When my pokie had an ant infestation, it was looking really sluggish -- legs just dangling. I actually thought it was dead (Stupidly. I didn't see any curling.) So I tapped it on the rear to make sure and that thing swung around faster than I could blink my eye. Luckily it didn't bite, but that was the most intense threat posture I've ever seen from any animal ever. I tried to lower a deli-like cup over it and it completely went apesh*t on it. Striking at it from every direction it could.


That was the only time I've ever truly been scared of a spider. I really didn't want to get bit by a pokie and have to go to work immediately after


That and I guess my G. Rosea freaked me out when it shot up my arm at full speed when I was handling my tarantula for the first time ever.