Why so scared of old worlds?

[LucN]

Not to derail this thread, but just to point out a few things:

Careful, NWs can be just as unpredictable as OWs and just as fast. That said, they -are- usually more laid back in their reactions (which some still describe as docile = to me nowadays just seems wrong as these animals cannot be tamed) and aren't as prone to display that level of agility in most circumstances. But if you ever decided to keep, say an Acanthoscurria geniculata, or any Pamphobeteus sp. for example, they'll quickly show you what I mean. Just don't get lulled into a false sense of security thinking they'll always be the way you experienced so far, sometimes a spider changes its entire behavior after a molt. So, watch your fingers

Oh, that I know. I've seen their feeding response, so I would never think of sticking my hand in the cage unless it was empty. I have a paintbrush if I need to interact with them. And sometimes they do attack the paintbrush. Probably a misplaced feeding response, but yeah, I make sure to be fully aware where the spider is at all times. They may be considered docile species, but I treat them as if they were venomous snakes. Complete hands-off approach.

 

[Polenth]

I keep pets because it's fun and relaxing. An animal that could put me in hospital for a few days is not fun or relaxing. This isn't the same as being afraid of being bitten or afraid of pain. I know I'd survive it and I'm in pain every day anyway, but that doesn't mean I'm going to sign up for the experience. Nor can I decide that the rest of my family has to be fine with it.

Life always has risks, but we decide if they're worth it based on the rewards. For me, the potential rewards aren't worth it and are things I can get by owning other animals that don't carry the same risk.

(I do find it funny that all of your examples are things I don't do, including having a dog... another pet I view as not relaxing to own.)

 

[liquidfluidity]

Myself, it was never about OW/NW. It was about what I liked. I grew up wanting a T. blondi. It was my dream spider, but I wasn't ready for that type of dedication. Fast forward 30 years and I'm raising a T. apophysis in a fully bioactive set up and I cherish it more than any of my Old Worlds. The only difference to me is venom. Old Worlds aren't any more difficult. If you think so, try rearing a blondi or apophysis and get back to me.
It's about choices and opinions. If you don't think you're ready, don't let peer pressure or the internet get you hurt. Be smart and trust your "gut feeling".

They are wonderful! I definitely will have a horde of pokies in time haha. Yeh each enclosure style has its set of pros and cons. I picked up some amac for this purpose but kept fiddling with them and decided against them as I couldn’t find confidence in the setup. I will put terrestrials in amac all day but will do arboreals in either front or top sliding doors is what I’ve landed on.

I hate to say this but for the money, the Zilla "assemble yourself" small arboreal enclosures are a very nice middle of the road arboreal enclosure. I'm not an acrylic fan and all of my permanent enclosures are glass, but the Zillas have a front opening door and a 3 way lock system. They were the only thing I found that did everything I wanted it to. I keep a couple Y. diversipes in them and the P. rufilatas will get them next.

 

[Postmalone35]

It's all relative and mostly fear related. Treat them with respect and stay focused when working with them -like you would when using a tablesaw.

 

[ccTroi]

Everyone should have a T buddy.

I found one simply by inquiring on these forums.

@cold blood is my t buddy uwu

 

[ArborealLotus]

Having gone from 0 to 6 tarantulas in a week with 4NW and 2OW, I feel like I can contribute to the OP / thoughts that have come up in the thread.

I had an adrenaline spike from my T vagans, P irminia and O aureotibialis while engaging (rehousing) with them. They had me in a state of supreme focus - a flow state. This is perhaps why I will continue this craft.

While still thrilling, my P regalis and other two terrestrials weren’t quite the same level (yet). I adore them each - yet hairs and spook velocity are more out of my control than taking venom to the bloodstream.

There is perhaps a good biological reason to have such reactions / tentativity around these animals - but when it comes to “fear” as is commonly described - I find this to be largely cultural and can be traced back to how spiders were treated/viewed/perceived by our mentors and friends growing up. Once a phobia is in place, we will cling to it as a fragment of identity and no external force can get it to loosen. Given the fight against the quo which demands we fear and kill these invader beasts to our manicured homes and lands... we’ve all done some inner work to one extent or another in order to keep tarantulas.

I respect and treat all these animals the same, and keep Ts as an extension of my existence. Providing safe spaces for other creatures to exist without predation as I do (also as I do fish and cats). When I am done using my cells to harness conciousness, they will return their raw materials to the dust - as the spiders will. We are of the same process of life.

Personally, I am more “nervous” for engaging with my NW than OW Ts thus far. I’d like my next batch to include the notorious demons everyone seems to have warnings about. And this isn’t JUST because they have warnings. I wanted a cobalt blue and h Mac before I learned their reputation. I find them stunning but people had talked me out of these two. Thinkin to get an OBT to start a list of “what’s all this fuss about” acquisitions. Also, they are just awesome : ).

With research and respect... a T is a T and all are wild. Each is very different and the hobby as a whole is still learning a lot about them. Keep what you are drawn to, and never mind the rest.

There are as many deep inner reasons for why we all keep tarantulas, as there are people keeping them. To each their own indeed.

 

[Teds ts and Inverts]

As the title states why are so many keepers on here scared to keep old world tarantulas? I get the venom is worse than new world tarantulas and all. My point is most of us drive cars and a crap ton of people die in car crashes every day and some also get seriously injured and have to be amputated. Never heard of anyone dying or getting amputated from a bite of an old world tarantula. Some of you smoke cigarettes as well, lying in a hospital bed hooked to a breathing machine with lungs black as night sounds worse than any old world bite as well.

Dogs kill and hurt a fair amount of people each year and almost everyone I know keeps a dog as a pet.
Point I am trying to make is there is a crap ton of things out there that kill people everyday or send to the hospital for surgery that we use or do everyday, old world tarantulas are not part of this so why so scared of them?

I read a post the other day someone has been keeping for over 13 years and and has no interest in keeping old worlds, to each his or her own but I find this to be odd and see this type of attitude on the boards daily yet most of you drive cars every day and other drivers are as predictable as any tarantula.

Also hear that it's a cool factor for some to keep old worlds, well let me say that zero and I mean a big fat fricken ZERO people in my family or friends even like my tarantulas old or new. You guys are the only ones I talk to about tarantulas, I have never even had a conversation outside of this forum where I use scientific names to anybody when talking about tarantulas.

I started this hobby in 2007 with an old world tarantula and 90+% of collection is old world and i haven't had any issues at all and never even have come close to being bitten, they ALL disappear to burrows when disturbed.

So let's hear it why so scared of old worlds????
There is nothing to be ashamed of for not keeping old worlds and I am not trying to be rude or think less of you for not keeping one to each his or her own just curious as to why most on here don't keep or want one in there collection. Thanks for your replies in advance.

They can be really mean. My C. lividus once tried to beat me up and take my lunch money....

 

[0311usmc]

They can be really mean. My C. lividus once tried to beat me up and take my lunch money....

Good to hear from you buddy!! At least you see yours coming out of burrow,lol. Mine is only visible through a bottom corner of enclosure.

 

[BillsSpider]

Scared? No, respectful, yes. I keep some baboons and cyriopagopus and I don't want to get bit. That doesn't mean I'm scared

 

[VaporRyder]

The vast majority of my collection is OW. I choose my spiders based upon a combination of appearance, behaviour, and disposition. I’m going to admit it - I like for there to be the *potential* for challenging situations, and I like a feisty animal.

My absolute favourite snake was a female Sri Lankan Python (P.molurus pimbura) who was the most extremely defensive animal I have ever met. She could only be safely handled by hook and tongs and would hiss constantly if I even approached her, lungeing violently at me (and the glass) at every opportunity - I loved it! (Interestingly her male mate - I managed to breed them but the eggs weren’t viable, sadly - was a total pussy cat!)

Am I scared of Old Worlds - Definitely! And that's a big part of why I keep them!

Of course not all my spiders have the reputation of being demonically possessed and, to be fair, none of them have really been that difficult so far.

 

[0311usmc]

The vast majority of my collection is OW. I choose my spiders based upon a combination of appearance, behaviour, and disposition. I’m going to admit it - I like for there to be the *potential* for challenging situations, and I like a feisty animal.

My absolute favourite snake was a female Sri Lankan Python (P.molurus pimbura) who was the most extremely defensive animal I have ever met. She could only be safely handled by hook and tongs and would hiss constantly if I even approached her, lungeing violently at me (and the glass) at every opportunity - I loved it! (Interestingly her male mate - I managed to breed them but the eggs weren’t viable, sadly - was a total pussy cat!)

Am I scared of Old Worlds - Definitely! And that's a big part of why I keep them!

Of course not all my spiders have the reputation of being demonically possessed and, to be fair, none of them have really been that difficult so far.

They are not difficult at all, i just never understood all the fuss. Its still all over the boards today, someone posts they got a old world tarantula and the first post goes like this. "Is this your first t, what other t's do you keep? Its mind boggling for me as keeping ow is stupid easy as keeping all tarantulas nothing hard or difficult about it at all.

 

[SpottedRabbit]

I have no old worlds after nearly 20 years and over 100 spiders spread over that time. If the questions is whether I feel "ready", then sure I do! However, the venom potency is a major concern for me. I'm not the only person in the home and the tarantulas aren't the only pets. While the risk of a H Mac getting loose and having an encounter with the cat is very low, the only way to keep the risk at 0 is to not have a H Mac.

As for that "Old World personality", I'd like to propose the T Vagans that slaps and drips venom every time I go in to change her water dish...

 

[Wolfram1]

i agree, i hate it when people say "i want species "x" but "i am not ready"/"people have told me i am not ready" so i will get species "y" instead.

Get the species you want but do your due diligence and know what you could be in for.

i get why there is this stigma. when i decided to get my Poecilotheria spiders i first informed my family of all the potential dangers to make sure all of them are aware of the potential consequences. They couldnt understand why i would get such "dangerous" pets and now i am slowly introducing them to their quirks by showing them the "erratic movements" and speed they are known for but also explaining how i can deal with this.


It would be irresponsible to say they are safe but preparation and knowlege are key, i have also told them what to do should i or them ever get bit etc. not that it will ever happen.

the "motorized saw" example was great

 

[VaporRyder]

While the risk of a H Mac getting loose and having an encounter with the cat is very low, the only way to keep the risk at 0 is to not have a H Mac.

Actually it’s not - you could sell the cat!

 

[YungRasputin]

OW’s are challenging and not everyone is up for that challenge - i think it’s as simple as that - it’s just like snake keeping, not everyone is going to be up to the challenge of keeping venomous snakes

also, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with fossorials - people say “pet hole” this and that but there’s much to appreciate with fossorials and their behavior and ingenuity is truly fascinating

 

[VaporRyder]

OW’s are challenging and not everyone is up for that challenge - i think it’s as simple as that - it’s just like snake keeping, not everyone is going to be up to the challenge of keeping venomous snakes

also, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with fossorials - people say “pet hole” this and that but there’s much to appreciate with fossorials and their behavior and ingenuity is truly fascinating

Yeah, ‘horses for courses’ and ‘each to their own’.

 

[VaporRyder]

Its still all over the boards today, someone posts they got a old world tarantula and the first post goes like this. "Is this your first t, what other t's do you keep?

This is true TBF! The T police always be patrolling!

Edit: although I do agree with @YungRasputin that OW’s are challenging. Maybe not day to day, generally, but things are often ‘fine’ in life until suddenly they’re not. Complacent or inexperienced rehousing could be problematic, for example.

 

[YungRasputin]

i have more to say:

what the hobby needs most is accurate, objective information and advice - i’m solidly Team OW but people really need to quit with this “any beginner can keep an OW they just need to be dedicated” business - i can appreciate that some people want to break the stigma associated with some species but giving people bogus advice and intentionally downplaying things is not the way to do it

there are, legitimately, OW species that require an experience keeper - Cyriopagopus schmidti, Selenocosmia crassipes, Stromatopelma calceatum, Heteroscodra maculata, etc - each and every one of these are my top favorite T’s but they’re still extremely challenging, have real potent venom and need a special kind of keeper

it’s just like how some genus of scorpions and true spiders should only be kept by experienced people eg: Hottentotta tamulus is my #1 favorite scorpion species, i love them, i wish i would’ve tried breeding when i had the chance and I’m actively looking for some rn but they also have a +40% mortality rate and therefore would be an illogical suggestion for the beginner scorpion keeper - that doesn’t mean they’re bad or evil; it just means they need a special kind of keeper

and just because some people don’t keep OWT’s or über spicy scorpions + true spiders doesn’t make them any less of a keeper than those that do

a lot of the time it reads like “oh you’re a beginner snake keeper? you can totally keep Ophiophagus hannah right off the bat, you just have to be dedicated”

 

[VaporRyder]

i have more to say:

what the hobby needs most is accurate, objective information and advice - i’m solidly Team OW but people really need to quit with this “any beginner can keep an OW they just need to be dedicated” business - i can appreciate that some people want to break the stigma associated with some species but giving people bogus advice and intentionally downplaying things is not the way to do it

there are, legitimately, OW species that require an experience keeper - Cyriopagopus schmidti, Selenocosmia crassipes, Stromatopelma calceatum, Heteroscodra maculata, etc - each and every one of these are my top favorite T’s but they’re still extremely challenging, have real potent venom and need a special kind of keeper

it’s just like how some genus of scorpions and true spiders should only be kept by experienced people eg: Hottentotta tamulus is my #1 favorite scorpion species, i love them, i wish i would’ve tried breeding when i had the chance and I’m actively looking for some rn but they also have a +40% mortality rate and therefore would be an illogical suggestion for the beginner scorpion keeper - that doesn’t mean they’re bad or evil; it just means they need a special kind of keeper

and just because some people don’t keep OWT’s or über spicy scorpions + true spiders doesn’t make them any less of a keeper than those that do

This is why I tried to suggest the development of some kind of ranking system - which didn’t really seem to go anwhere…

 

[YungRasputin]

This is why I tried to suggest the development of some kind of ranking system - which didn’t really seem to go anwhere…

I got your back, I was planning on adding to that later today