When to start getting your T used to handling?

[Tbone192]

So I have a 2" LS T.kahlenbergi in my collection that I want to try handling at some point. I am a supporter of the belief that T's should be left to there devices and never handled, unless absolutely necessary. That being said I have handled large tarantulas a fair bit at this point, volunteering as a wildlife liaison. I would like to habituate my T.kahlenbergi to very occasional handling for educational purposes.

1. What size is big enough to start handling your T?
2. How do you get an individual used to handling? Is that even possible?
3. Prepare to die laughing when I post the bite report.

Edit Update:

Whoo! I have successfully managed to get my boss to rethink his techniques. He has agreed to start using enclosures, especially with kids. He recently lost one to handling and I think he's starting to realize just how harmful handling can be for T. I no longer have to hold them spider and risk an allergic reaction and I can sleep peacefully at night too. I am very happy, no more animal abuse . Thank you all very much for your input on this topic. Hvala i živjeli!

 

[Introvertebrate]

Do you intend to handle it yourself in front of the kids, or let them handle it? I wouldn't trust a kid not to injure it.

 

[BoyFromLA]

I want to try handling at some point.

Just don’t.

I am a supporter of the belief that T's should be left to there devices and never handled, unless absolutely necessary.

Then don’t.

would like to habituate my T.kahlenbergi to very occasional handling for educational purposes.

It won’t. Never.

1. What size is big enough to start handling your T?
2. How do you get an individual used to handling? Is that even possible?

Never.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I’d say it’s a bad idea to do handling period get a lizard or snake.
I’m not a fan of handling although I’m guilty of doing it during rehousing occasionally. Usually the spider runs on me.
If you are being forced to handle them for education hold it over a pillow or soft bed never over concrete or anything else hard that’s a death trap. Never handle a fast t like a seemani /pokies you’re asking for trouble..
or educate your superiors too my non handling method of t care .

Never let a kid handle them. Ever ever ! Only you.

 

[BoyFromLA]

Prepare to die laughing when I post the bite report.

It’s not even funny. It’s a life or a death matter to a tarantula. Be a responsible live animal keeper or get else. Like a cat or a dog that you can handle or touch.

 

[ladyratri]

How do you get an individual used to handling? Is that even possible?

My understanding is that they don't have the neurological capacity for this. They aren't "trainable" in any way, won't form any attachment or recognition of you as an individual, and will just be evaluating fresh each time you touch them whether you are food, predator, or some really weird kind of tree.

If you want something to handle for educational purposes, pick a different invert...hissing cockroach, jumping spider, I'm sure there are plenty of others where it would be safer for both you and the animal. Don't teach people that handling a tarantula is safe.

 

[Tbone192]

Do you intend to handle it yourself in front of the kids, or let them handle it? I wouldn't trust a kid not to injure it.

At the last expo I was at some child dropped an A.chalcodes I was given to use, thankfully it survived. Since then I don't allow anyone but me to handle them. The person who taught me how to handle T's is prominent in the field and has been studying mygalomorph spiders their whole life. So again this isn't merely for entertainment but for education and work purposes.

 

[BoyFromLA]

So again this isn't merely for entertainment but for education and work purposes.

It also can be very very educational while a tarantula staying still in an enclosure.

 

[SpookySpooder]

The last expo I was at somebody at a booth tried handing me their Avic. I didn't want it as my hands had been touching everything at every booth I has been at but then he handed it to my GF who then passed it to me, so I passed it right back to him. He then passed it to another person who had walked up, and it jumped onto the table.

Pretty pointless interaction if you ask me. I didn't learn anything. Don't think the T enjoyed it either.

Oh something I noticed about a lot of the Tarantulas that are handled a lot and shown to kids... they're usually bald

I understand that handling happens sometimes and that some T's will crawl onto you with no hesitation. I'm not here to tell you what to do, just putting in my 2 cents.

I am guilty of making physical contact with my T's sometimes, especially during rehousing or escape attempts or if one decides to walk out during maintenance I will nudge it back in. I just don't pull them out for fun, or coax them out to show them to people or take photos.

 

[Tbone192]

It also can be very very educational while a tarantula staying still in an enclosure.

I mainly deal with arachnophobes which seems a bit counterintuitive ik. I am not one to blindly rush into something, hence this thread. One of the things that has helped people overcome their fear is seeing how calm I am as a big spider slowly crawls up my arm. I am very careful with every T I am given, and try to show as much respect as possible to any eight-legged buddies when I handle them, I don't even breathe towards them. I do appreciate the concern and I agree with most of the responses above, unfortunately it is not totally up to me as I am working for someone, not doing freelance interpretive biology. If they say they want something done one way, I must comply or they will find someone new, biology is a competitive field my friends.

 

[SpookySpooder]

I mean what LA Boy said was spot on and in line with your intent. You can display AND pass around the T while it is safe in an temporary enclosure such as a CritterKeeper. Just holding that container with a T in it should be enough for the arachnophobic as well.

Your method is in line with the sensationalist zookeeper method, which is quite risky and dangerous for the T. Who's to say when the person you're exposing it to has reached their threshold of tolerance and flings the T into the air? Or has a panic reaction to it crawling across them and slaps it?

I think having them hold the giant spider in a box is a safer first step toward exposing them to it and educating them. It protects everybody involved and provides a safe OUT for the arachnophobe should they reach their limits. It's much easier to hand you back a container with a handle, than a free roaming T.

 

[BoyFromLA]

I mainly deal with arachnophobes which seems a bit counterintuitive ik. I am not one to blindly rush into something, hence this thread. One of the things that has helped people overcome their fear is seeing how calm I am as a big spider slowly crawls up my arm. I am very careful, and try to show as much respect as possible to my eight-legged buddies when I handle them, I don't even breathe towards them.

You asked for opinions. I gave my opinions. I can’t stop you. It’s your tarantula, not mine. You do not need to explain for anyone’s approval. You’re responsible for your live animals. Good luck.

 

[Tbone192]

I mainly deal with arachnophobes which seems a bit counterintuitive ik. I am not one to blindly rush into something, hence this thread. One of the things that has helped people overcome their fear is seeing how calm I am as a big spider slowly crawls up my arm. I am very careful, and try to show as much respect as possible to my eight-legged buddies when I handle them, I don't even breathe towards them.

I mean what LA Boy said was spot on and in line with your intent. You can display AND pass around the T while it is safe in an temporary enclosure such as a CritterKeeper. Just holding that container with a T in it should be enough for the arachnophobic as well.

Your method is in line with the sensationalist zookeeper method, which is quite risky and dangerous for the T. Who's to say when the person you're exposing it to has reached their threshold of tolerance and flings the T into the air? Or has a panic reaction to it crawling across them and slaps it?

I think having them hold the giant spider in a box is a safer first step toward exposing them to it and educating them.

for the last time not my method, only doing as I am told for work purposes. My opinion is stated in op. "I am in support of the idea of never handling T's" just want to clarify.

I am definitely bringing this up with my mentor, passing enclosure is way better than handling. You have no idea how much sleep I lost over that chalcodes incident, felt totally responsible and I was. With the enclosures though I won't feel itchy and guilty at the end of the day.

Thank you all for your awesome input, and especially @SpookySpooder and @BoyFromLA for that banger suggestion.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

My understanding is that they don't have the neurological capacity for this. They aren't "trainable" in any way, won't form any attachment or recognition of you as an individual, and will just be evaluating fresh each time you touch them whether you are food, predator, or some really weird kind of tree.

If you want something to handle for educational purposes, pick a different invert...hissing cockroach, jumping spider, I'm sure there are plenty of others where it would be safer for both you and the animal. Don't teach people that handling a tarantula is safe.

Correct

for the last time not my method, only doing as I am told for work purposes. My opinion is stated in op. "I am in support of the idea of never handling T's" just want to clarify.

I am definitely bringing this up with my mentor, passing enclosure is way better than handling. You have no idea how much sleep I lost over that chalcodes incident, felt totally responsible and I was. With the enclosures though I won't feel itchy and guilty at the end of the day.

Thank you all for your awesome input, and especially @SpookySpooder and @BoyFromLA for that banger suggestion.

are you being forced by your bosses to handle spiders? Maybe educate them and tell them to join this site and ask the experts here. Never let a kid handle
Them they could drop the spider to its death. And yes I choose not to handle my spiders I’m allergic to the urt setae. You can become allergic by handling them like me.

 

[Gilligan]

For your mentor/boss - Not much education from a dropped spider or an escaped one. It's probably more traumatic.
To you - I hope you can find a safer resolution.

 

[Tbone192]

Correct

are you being forced by your bosses to handle spiders? Maybe educate them and tell them to join this site and ask the experts here. Never let a kid handle
Them they could drop the spider to its death.

It is a big part of the job description and he is very pro-handling. I've mentioned that I am against handling T's, not for my own safety but because a tarantula is basically a walking water balloon. But he always looks at me like I'm crazy when I say that. When we handle we always keep them close to the ground/table and keep my other hand ready in case they try going somewhere, that is what I was instructed to do. Idc if I get bit so much as long as I can get the T back to safety. Yeah kids cannot be trusted, especially with fragile spiders.

 

[SpookySpooder]

My bad, I missed that part about the boss.

Again I'm not telling you what to do, just offering suggestions.

I mean it's an intuitive step IMO.

When my friends ask to see my T's, I don't pop the lid and dump a T in their hands, I pass them the entire enclosure.

I'm guilty of making too many jokes too. I've told them T's like high fives and to stick a finger into the burrow to pull it out. But trust me, I would never let any of them even open the lid to my Ornithoctoninae enclosure.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

It is a big part of the job description and he is very pro-handling. I've mentioned that I am against handling T's, not for my own safety but because a tarantula is basically a walking water balloon. But he always looks at me like I'm crazy when I say that. When we handle we always keep them close to the ground/table and keep my other hand ready in case they try going somewhere, that is what I was instructed to do. Idc if I get bit so much as long as I can get the T back to safety. Yeah kids cannot be trusted, especially with fragile spiders.

that’s tough I’d say keep your job and Copy my handling methods maybe wear throw away gloves.

Only one or two of my tarantulas are handle able the rest are skiitish and have strong strong urticating hairs.
Which species are you handling?
myLasiodora difficilis (Brazilian Fire Red Birdeater Tarantula) & basically everything is too skittish to be handled.
My 5 lasiodora parahybana are insane.

 

[Tbone192]

Alright going to pitch the enclosure idea ASAP. Will keep this thread updated I guess.
Again thanks all , actual heroes of the community.

that’s tough I’d say keep your job and Copy my handling methods maybe wear throw away gloves.

Only one or two of my tarantulas are handle able the rest are skiitish and have strong strong urticating hairs.
Which species are you handling?
myLasiodora difficilis (Brazilian Fire Red Birdeater Tarantula) & basically everything is too skittish to be handled.
My 5 lasiodora parahybana are insane.

Mostly I'm handling A.chalcodes and G.rosea but *someone* told me I could try using T.kahl.

 

[ladyratri]

If you must handle, you still can't "train" a T to tolerate it. You're better off carefully selecting the individuals who tend to be less skittish and probably less food-motivated...in any event choose the ones least likely to bolt. Individual temperament is likely to help you out more than any kind of training or acclimatization.