The Tarantula Times...

**Rue** · 04-14-2012, 03:49 PM

Pics...not much to see...

Rose T:

And our Tarantula themed powder room...

...hmm...looks worse in the picture...I'll need to pretty it up a bit...

**Rue** · 04-29-2012, 05:45 PM

I had to laugh...this guy has an 'Angry Little Spider' (Salmon Pink Bird Eater) same size as mine...

I just won't handle mine...spiders don't like it...

Enjoy!

**Cyberra** · 04-30-2012, 05:18 AM

*shudders and backs away*

**Rue** · 05-03-2012, 03:41 PM

I pick up just enough crickets to feed the herd on Wednesdays (cricket delivery day at PetSmart)...(that way I don't have to keep crickets at home -they stink and they're noisy - been there - done that...when the kids had lizards).

...the girl that's been working there for a year now...bought my Rose T's 'sister' from the same place I got mine...lol...

...now we can bond when I drop by to pick up dinner...

**Demjor19** · 05-03-2012, 05:41 PM

How many T's do you have now? I used to be pretty scared of spiders, but I am somewhat forcing myself to get over it. I see how people react to my snakes and realized I have been doing the same thing to people with spiders. I'll never own a spider, but I can be around them with no issues now.

**Rue** · 05-03-2012, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by Demjor19

How many T's do you have now? I used to be pretty scared of spiders, but I am somewhat forcing myself to get over it. I see how people react to my snakes and realized I have been doing the same thing to people with spiders. I'll never own a spider, but I can be around them with no issues now.

I have 5 at the moment. All are still not fully grown. If they all survive...I'll have 3 VERY large spiders and 2 large spiders to look after...

I'm glad you manage to conquer your nerves. It's so funny what we're concerned about. My son's GF has no problems with the Ts, but won't go in the snake room. Although she's okay to stand in the doorway.

My cousin refuses to visit us...the snake was bad enough apparently...but the spiders were the last straw...

**escamosa** · 05-04-2012, 07:45 AM

Is that big hairy one that you have there *shivers* one that if it shakes itself, the hairs will come off and irritate your eyes, Rue? I read something about that in the paper a while ago. Apparently there is quite a few that can do it, and someone was warning people to really limit the handling of some of them. *shivers*

**Rue** · 05-04-2012, 01:57 PM

Three of the 5 I have have the urticating hairs...those are a defensive mechanism. If you bother the spider...rather than get close enough to have to bite (either dry - or wet - then waste the venom) they use their hind legs to flick these branched hairs at the attacker before they'er in direct combat.

They won't flick these barbed hairs if they're not stressed...although some nervous individuals tend to always be stressed.

Again, you just need to be careful. Another good reason not to handle spiders...

... the main danger would be to get the hairs in your eyes...so use gloves, safety glass when cleaning out containers, don't rub your eyes unless you've washed your hands thoroughly...etc...

**escamosa** · 05-07-2012, 09:22 AM

And what would be the lifespan of a spider like that?

**Rue** · 05-07-2012, 03:56 PM

...just reread my post...and good grief...my typos are atrocious...

The females can live up to 30 years. Males are relatively short lived. They tend to die shortly after maturity at around 3 years of age.

I don't know for certain which of mine are male/female yet...