When to start getting your T used to handling?

[spideyspinneret78]

There's also a book that might have some suggestions for program/ ambassador animals. It's called 'Invertebrates for Exhibition' . I'm not sure if there are any translations available in your native language, however.

 

[Tbone192]

That’s rough I don’t know why a freezing tundra would ban roaches that cannot survive in Canada ??? Maybe get a leopard gecko or ball python I don’t know. Talk to your boss find a better candidate to be held. Tarantulas are best kept like fish. Hands off .
Now if it’s handle a t or get fired I’d wear throw away gloves while you handle it as to not become allergic to the hairs.
I’m low on money can’t find non standing jobs. Being jobless sucks..

My boss is old and grouchy and may be past the point where he keeps an open mind about these things but hopefully he takes my suggestion and consider it. If I have to keep handling his T's I will use a glove, I'm already sensitive to Urs. I'm really hoping he thinks it over properly, I need the work but I love the T's.

There's also a book that might have some suggestions for program/ ambassador animals. It's called 'Invertebrates for Exhibition' . I'm not sure if there are any translations available in your native language, however.

It's okay I will find translate for it. Will put the whole thing through site if I have to.

 

[ladyratri]

Now, you need to understand first that, it's not an aggression, but it's just to state the facts.

AB members aren't aggressive, we're defensive. Some of us probably need a better hide and more leaf cover/anchor points in our enclosures.

 

[spideyspinneret78]

AB members aren't aggressive, we're defensive. Some of us probably need a better hide and more leaf cover/anchor points in our enclosures.

I think that some of us here on the boards need some very deep, moist substrate so they can retreat to the safety of their burrows if they feel threatened....otherwise they may lash out! Some even stridulate to ward off foes!

 

[Charliemum]

I have only gotten to the bottom of the first page, no just no, it doesn't matter how careful you are you can't predict what a t will do when being handled doesn't matter how careful you are to move slow n not breath on the t you can't control the airflow if the room or what other ppl would do when the t was on their hand, if they really are that arachnophobic then if that t even moves a foot there is a high chance your t could end up being flung across the room ! If they want to feel a t get a moult that way they can feel n see without any risk to the t's. As for training I believe t's can recognise vibrations as when you first get them they are shy and hide but once you have them a week or 2 once they are sure that vibration isn't going to end in death they are fine and out but I don't think they are "trainable " like a cat or dog. All in all I agree with the rest handling no, & especially not with non t ppl . T safty first.

 

[Rigor Mortis]

I do a mini lesson for sixth graders at the school my mother works at every year, and I'm going to be doing the same one at my job a few times next year. I bring 1-3 of my tarantulas with me along with a PowerPoint and a handful of framed molts. I give the kids info about tarantulas, tell them some cool facts, and then at the end I politely tell the kids we won't be handling any spiders today. They are only disappointed for a minute until I start passing around the molts and invite them to come up in small groups to see the spiders I brought with me, and ask whatever questions they have. I explain why I don't handle my spiders and not once has a kid said that they want to hold one anyway. This presentation always goes well, and even the kids who are terrified of spiders have fun because I only encourage them to participate at a level they're comfortable to.

All of that to say, it is very feasible to teach kids (and adults) about tarantulas without literally putting one in someone's incapable hands. It is not necessary. It only teaches them that wildlife is there to be handled by us instead of quietly observed. Most kids will understand why you're not letting them hold the spider if you explain why, and by offering an alternative in showing them a molt up close (if its an OW molt I'd even let them touch it, I'd just be wary of NW hairs) and getting a clear view of a live spider is cool enough for them.

I respect where you're coming from, trying to be an ambassador for tarantulas. I really do. But you don't need to put your Ts at risk to do it.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

look at these hilariously bad articles!
Op stay away from bad information like these two links.
Look here This guy thinks you can train a tarantula

How to Train a Tarantula

How to Train a Tarantula

oureverydaylife.com

Stick to ab for information . Don’t trust random sheets that say handling is normal.

 

[Charliemum]

I do a mini lesson for sixth graders at the school my mother works at every year, and I'm going to be doing the same one at my job a few times next year. I bring 1-3 of my tarantulas with me along with a PowerPoint and a handful of framed molts. I give the kids info about tarantulas, tell them some cool facts, and then at the end I politely tell the kids we won't be handling any spiders today. They are only disappointed for a minute until I start passing around the molts and invite them to come up in small groups to see the spiders I brought with me, and ask whatever questions they have. I explain why I don't handle my spiders and not once has a kid said that they want to hold one anyway. This presentation always goes well, and even the kids who are terrified of spiders have fun because I only encourage them to participate at a level they're comfortable to.

All of that to say, it is very feasible to teach kids (and adults) about tarantulas without literally putting one in someone's incapable hands. It is not necessary. It only teaches them that wildlife is there to be handled by us instead of quietly observed. Most kids will understand why you're not letting them hold the spider if you explain why, and by offering an alternative in showing them a molt up close (if its an OW molt I'd even let them touch it, I'd just be wary of NW hairs) and getting a clear view of a live spider is cool enough for them.

I respect where you're coming from, trying to be an ambassador for tarantulas. I really do. But you don't need to put your Ts at risk to do it.

That's so cool what a great thing to do with your time Rigor, brilliant way to teach kids about this without risking your t's!

 

[Smotzer]

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.

These two sentences are in direct opposition to eachother, and it sounds like clearly you know the right answer: Don’t Handle.

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.

Yeah so I wouldn’t be looking up to a “mentor” if they conduct bad work practices.

work purposes.

Yeah this makes it worse actually, in business you don’t willfully risk asserts “just because”.

Honestky As someone who has taken educator roles you simply don’t risk the tools you use to teach because it’s “cool”

 

[Tbone192]

These two sentences are in direct opposition to eachother, and it sounds like clearly you know the right answer: Don’t Handle.

Yeah so I wouldn’t be looking up to a “mentor” if they conduct bad work practices.

Yeah this makes it worse actually, in business you don’t willfully risk asserts “just because”.

Honestky As someone who has taken educator roles you simply don’t risk the tools you use to teach because it’s “cool”

Absolutely, good thing I start this thread it is creating positive change in my workplace. I have convinced stubborn old boss to change technique, now we are using plastic containers with ventilation so the T can showed off and kids can get close without stressing out the spider too much or worry about getting bit. Awesome suggestions everybody, very appreciated. Thank you, thank you, thank you all so much very helpful

These two sentences are in direct opposition to eachother, and it sounds like clearly you know the right answer: Don’t Handle.

Yeah so I wouldn’t be looking up to a “mentor” if they conduct bad work practices.

Yeah this makes it worse actually, in business you don’t willfully risk asserts “just because”.

Honestky As someone who has taken educator roles you simply don’t risk the tools you use to teach because it’s “cool”

I do a mini lesson for sixth graders at the school my mother works at every year, and I'm going to be doing the same one at my job a few times next year. I bring 1-3 of my tarantulas with me along with a PowerPoint and a handful of framed molts. I give the kids info about tarantulas, tell them some cool facts, and then at the end I politely tell the kids we won't be handling any spiders today. They are only disappointed for a minute until I start passing around the molts and invite them to come up in small groups to see the spiders I brought with me, and ask whatever questions they have. I explain why I don't handle my spiders and not once has a kid said that they want to hold one anyway. This presentation always goes well, and even the kids who are terrified of spiders have fun because I only encourage them to participate at a level they're comfortable to.

All of that to say, it is very feasible to teach kids (and adults) about tarantulas without literally putting one in someone's incapable hands. It is not necessary. It only teaches them that wildlife is there to be handled by us instead of quietly observed. Most kids will understand why you're not letting them hold the spider if you explain why, and by offering an alternative in showing them a molt up close (if its an OW molt I'd even let them touch it, I'd just be wary of NW hairs) and getting a clear view of a live spider is cool enough for them.

I respect where you're coming from, trying to be an ambassador for tarantulas. I really do. But you don't need to put your Ts at risk to do it.

This is a fantastic way to teach while still keeping them safe. I love this suggestion, I hope it is okay I use it? Very thoughtful and informative. Absolute T lifesaver. I respect that a lot thank you.

 

[Smotzer]

Absolutely, good thing I start this thread it is creating positive change in my workplace. I have convinced stubborn old boss to change technique, now we are using plastic containers with ventilation so the T can showed off and kids can get close without stressing out the spider too much or worry about getting bit. Awesome suggestions everybody, very appreciated. Thank you, thank you, thank you all so much very helpful

We’ll good on you for understanding our intent and remaining open minded, and willing to change! With live animals, in educational environments/ situations that can be dangerous, the number 1 priority is to show not just the animal, but show future generations the best way to respect the animal! If one can’t educate individuals about animals while modeling proper safety and welfare for the animal then the mission was not a success. Good for you trying to change the workplace!

 

[Rigor Mortis]

This is a fantastic way to teach while still keeping them safe. I love this suggestion, I hope it is okay I use it? Very thoughtful and informative. Absolute T lifesaver. I respect that a lot thank you.

Of course you can! I'm glad you were able to talk to your boss to enact some change in your methods, that is great news.

 

[viper69]

These two sentences are in direct opposition to eachother, and it sounds like clearly you know the right answer: Don’t Handle.

Spot on 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000%

Indeed they are! It’s like if I said I don’t believe in stealing, and robbed banks!

 

[SpookySpooder]

Sounds like he may have convinced his boss to update his old ways! We should count this as a small victory for the community and hobby instead of smashing on the poor fellow for his position in his job.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Sounds like he may have convinced his boss to update his old ways! We should count this as a small victory for the community and hobby instead of smashing on the poor fellow for his position in his job.

Hurray ! Case closed have the op show this to his boss also.

 

[TechnoGeek]

While I do handle my Ts (rarely) I have to tell you that there's no reason to believe Ts ever get used to it in the sense that they start reacting to it better when repeated exposure. This would require that Ts learn not to associate being picked up with danger and it's very doubtful that Ts can learn such a thing.

I've noticed that some of mine which were hesitant to attack worms at first started taking them much more readily after a while but handling is very different. They simply have no way of telling you're not a predator, and their instinct (which is like 300 million years old) tells them that something so much bigger than them is a potential predator.

Try to limit handling to once a month or so, my calmest T is my B emilia and you can literally pick her up like you would a stuffed toy lol and still I don't handle her often cause I have no reason to.

Btw, if you're gonna handle do NOT pick up your T and walk around with it on your hand. Simply keep your hand no more than an inch or 2 from the ground.. like this:



It's very important to make sure that should your T decide to run for it, it would simply walk off your hand and onto the floor, no falling involved.

That being said, even if your T couldn't fall and rupture its abdomen, handling your T like every single week would likely stress it. Like I said, only do it once a month at most and only after you test your spider's mood.

 

[juniperkisses440]

I am glad yo hear you found a resolution. Good luck in the field. I have decided it is not the one for me. After working several years with others in the field I have found that most have little regard for the life of an individual if you call it the greater good. Or research. And in my masters I have learned that often people don’t view insects and arachnids as anything capable of stress or deserving of empathy. I would rather throw away my degree and hold onto my own moral compass than sacrifice it for the success of my career.
Besides, I would rather wait for the right employer and work in other fields than hold onto one who doesn’t respect or appreciate me, because it can’t truly be a good fit and you can’t be the best scientist you could be with an employer like that.
best of luck! I’m glad you used this as an opportunity to educate your employer and they listened to your perspective and ours.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

While I do handle my Ts (rarely) I have to tell you that there's no reason to believe Ts ever get used to it in the sense that they start reacting to it better when repeated exposure. This would require that Ts learn not to associate being picked up with danger and it's very doubtful that Ts can learn such a thing.

I've noticed that some of mine which were hesitant to attack worms at first started taking them much more readily after a while but handling is very different. They simply have no way of telling you're not a predator, and their instinct (which is like 300 million years old) tells them that something so much bigger than them is a potential predator.

Try to limit handling to once a month or so, my calmest T is my B emilia and you can literally pick her up like you would a stuffed toy lol and still I don't handle her often cause I have no reason to.

Btw, if you're gonna handle do NOT pick up your T and walk around with it on your hand. Simply keep your hand no more than an inch or 2 from the ground.. like this:

View attachment 456183

It's very important to make sure that should your T decide to run for it, it would simply walk off your hand and onto the floor, no falling involved.

That being said, even if your T couldn't fall and rupture its abdomen, handling your T like every single week would likely stress it. Like I said, only do it once a month at most and only after you test your spider's mood.

I saw a seemani get killed once because the pet store allowed handling. It ran fast and dropped like 5 feet.

 

[spideyspinneret78]

Excellent! I'm glad that you were able to inspire change at your workplace. Good on you for having an open mind and being willing to consider suggestions.