(08-15-2012 09:01 AM)Josh Wrote:  I've always wanted a T but never had the guts yet. Maybe at the next reptile show...
I started TarantulaForum.com to help me get over my fear too - It's all about exposure

Josh, as soon as you are ready, I will get one for you. My small gift to you. I'll even help with the set up. Say the word my friend.

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(08-15-2012 08:52 AM)NudistApple Wrote:  I have a rose hair, she is mean as hell. <3
I've honestly never tried to handle her, but I enjoy watching her.

I have seen a couple like that. For my purposes (the movie business), that works great. I use them in teams. I like to have a sitter, a runner, and one that will rear up, show his fangs and stand his ground. Those mean ones are like gold to me. Don't see them too often.

!!! Thanks Tom! I really need to upgrade my digs before I can start adding to 'The Collection' :-/
Did I understand correctly when I heard someone say you really shouldn't handle most tarantulas - they're just so fragile?

This is a matter of opinion. Some people think its fine to handle them, but you do have to be careful because if they jump or fall onto a hard surface their abdomen can break open and they will slowly bleed to death. Other people think it stresses them out, makes them flick their urticating hairs all off (which is cosmetically unappealing), and is potentially dangerous with some species.

I fall in the middle. I don't handle mine much most of the time, and each one is an individual with their own personality. I often get them in quantity and have to go through them to select the personalities that match the action I have to get them to do.

There are generalities between the species, but there are definitely individual personalities too. Just like our tortoises!

(08-15-2012 11:57 AM)Josh Wrote:  !!! Thanks Tom! I really need to upgrade my digs before I can start adding to 'The Collection' :-/
Did I understand correctly when I heard someone say you really shouldn't handle most tarantulas - they're just so fragile?

If you know what you're doing, then it's not so bad. I normally tell people that they shouldn't be handled because they are a "look but don't touch" type of animal, much like pet fish. If you're looking for a pet you can cuddle with, pet, and handle on a very regular basis, then tarantulas aren't really the right one to go with. Many people are okay with them as long as they're just sitting, but once they start moving they freak out.

I'm a reformed arachnophobe. My last job was at a privately owned pet store with a HUGE selection of inverts. I was in one day on my day off to pick up crickets. One of the managers was working on feeding and cleaning the inverts, and talked me into holding a big female Curly Hair. Didn't take long for me to get over that fear, LOL!

I ended up choosing a Chaco Golden Knee (is it G. aureostriata or G. pulchripes? I'm still not sure on that...) sling for my first T. S/he is wonderful. Growing quickly and very calm when I do handle her. She's been a GREAT beginner tarantula. Someday I might branch out.. At the top of the wish list are Brachypelma auratum and A. versicolor.

Rose hairs are awesome!!! Words of wisdom.....never try holding a cobalt ......they are super aggressive!!!!!!!!!

A few years ago Polly (my wife's) red legged got into a predicament she couldn't get out of, I let her hang like this for several hours to see what she was going to do, she hung there until I put my hand under her and lifted her so she could get a hold with another foot,and then she was fine.When we got her she couldn't touch the outer edges of a quarter with all feet at one time.

(08-16-2012 01:49 AM)AustinASU Wrote:  Rose hairs are awesome!!! Words of wisdom.....never try holding a cobalt ......they are super aggressive!!!!!!!!!

I learned that the hard way at work. Evil little fellow almost bit me!!

(08-16-2012 06:47 AM)futureleopardtortoise Wrote:  

(08-16-2012 01:49 AM)AustinASU Wrote:  Rose hairs are awesome!!! Words of wisdom.....never try holding a cobalt ......they are super aggressive!!!!!!!!!

I learned that the hard way at work. Evil little fellow almost bit me!!

I used to work at petco as well, and a lady that worked their went to feed a cobalt. Literally as soon as she opened the top of the enclosure it jumped on her hand and tagged her twice. That was over two years ago and she still has severe nerve damage on that hand.....so for future reference be .......supppppper careful lols

(08-15-2012 11:30 AM)Tom Wrote:  

(08-15-2012 08:52 AM)NudistApple Wrote:  I have a rose hair, she is mean as hell. <3
I've honestly never tried to handle her, but I enjoy watching her.

I have seen a couple like that. For my purposes (the movie business), that works great. I use them in teams. I like to have a sitter, a runner, and one that will rear up, show his fangs and stand his ground. Those mean ones are like gold to me. Don't see them too often.

She is the run, charge, and then rear type. Though I've learned (while doing essential tasks like changing her water) that she will play dead if she thinks the threat is sticking around.
To her honour though, she hasn't ever flicked her hairs at me. I appreciate that.

(08-16-2012 07:26 AM)AustinASU Wrote:  

(08-16-2012 06:47 AM)futureleopardtortoise Wrote:  

(08-16-2012 01:49 AM)AustinASU Wrote:  Rose hairs are awesome!!! Words of wisdom.....never try holding a cobalt ......they are super aggressive!!!!!!!!!

I learned that the hard way at work. Evil little fellow almost bit me!!

I used to work at petco as well, and a lady that worked their went to feed a cobalt. Literally as soon as she opened the top of the enclosure it jumped on her hand and tagged her twice. That was over two years ago and she still has severe nerve damage on that hand.....so for future reference be .......supppppper careful lols

Hahahaha, I am SOOOO lucky then. I open the door all the time just to make sure the stupid thing is still alive, and when we first got it, I poked it's back with my finger and it reared on me. Then it freaked out and landed on its back. I didn't want to be responsible for killing an $80 spider so I grabbed a pen and tried to use it to flip it back over. It started crawling up the pen, so I dropped it, pen and all, back into the tank and he then started to beat the crap out of the pen. Evil, EVIL spider.

Courtney, is this guy still for adoption? If so, what is the cost?

The evil spider, or the rose hair? The evil spider is $80, the rosehair we have for adoption is $10 and I think he's still available, I didn't work yesterday but he was still there on Tuesday night. He doesn't come with a cage or anything though.

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She, I guess it's a girl, sorry Susan (we named the spider Susan)

ONLY $10! Let me know if she is still there. I am coming to Omaha on Sunday and if she is still available (which I really do doubt), then if I can locate your store I will buy her.

I had one years ago, which I was babysitting for my older son. I loved her. Since then keep fondly looking but never break down and buy one.

She's been here for two weeks now, I bet she'll still be here If you call the store, they may even put her on hold for ya.