We recently bought 2 tarantulas a few weeks ago, and although I have held them a few times I still get really nervous when I pick tem up. One is a Rosehair, and we were told by the petshop the other is a Pink Salmon Birdeater, but my husband has been researching tarantulas lately and says he's not totally convinced that's what it is. I've been reading forums about "T"s, and I have read a few times that people will post something like "when they lift their backside up, I know it's time to put it down". I know they're fangs are attached to their head, obviously, so what does that have to do with being bit? Can spiders sense my nervousness? I want to get used to handling them because they are so fascinating, but I'm afraid I might be so startled if I get bit that I might drop the poor thing and hurt it. Are there any "warning signs" I should watch for? I know eventually I WILL get bit, because it is, after all, a spider. I'm just dreading the 1st time.
2007-03-01 15:12:41 · 9 answers · asked by crackersmacker_1 2 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
I wouldn't reccomend holding your T's too much, more for their protection than yours. A drop from a few feet can be fatal to them as they are surprisingly fragile. With that being said, it's worse than a beesting, so don't fall for that! Look at the size of their fangs, much bigger than a bee's stinger, right? The Rosehairs are pretty docile, but the SPBE is a different story. They are quite aggressive and much faster than they look. Some of the warning signs are raise front legs, raised abdomen and strikes. More than likely the SPBE won't give you a warning though. If you feel the need to handle one, stick with the Rosehair and leave the SPBE alone. Niether one is medically significant, but it isn't worth it, trust me, I have gotten tagged, it is not pleasant!
2007-03-02 00:47:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's sold in a general pet store rather than a specialty shop it's likely safe to handle and even if you were bitten it wouldn't be life threatening unless you were allergic to it. Rosehair Tarantulas in particular, as I've heard, leave a nasty welt that's painful for a few days/weeks when they bite but it's nothing serious.
As for whether or not they can sense nervousness I would have to say that they probably can. Spiders in general are very sensitive to vibration and tremors so even if you don't notice it the spider probably feels the very small tremors in your hands when you're nervous. The spider may interpret this as a threat or it may think it's food so it's possible it could bite. I would suggest holding the spider for short periods of time so both you and the spider can adjust to it being held. Eventually the spider will get used to any movement it feels from you and you'll get used to holding it and you shouldn't have any problems after that.
If you were to be bitten and did drop it the spider would probably not be hurt. As I understand it spiders, especially larger ones, are pretty well built and sturdy. As long as you dropped him from no higher than perhaps your waist or so he should be ok. You could try keeping him over a counter or table until you're more comfortable with him just to be safe.
I'd love to be able to tell you some warning signs but I'm not a spider expert. I would guess just general anxiety like being particularly skittish or keeping it's legs close to it's body would probably be a sign that it feels threatened or nervous.
Hope I was some help and good luck with your spiders!
2007-03-01 15:24:35 · answer #2 · answered by Digital Haruspex 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have been bitten by the Australian bird eater a very painful bit considering there fangs can reach 10mm in length I'm not sure about the American spiders but the Australian tarantula can be aggressive and handling them is not really a good idea although most of the breeders and myself do handle them when cleaning there homes saying that some spiders will tolerate being handled my advise is to let it walk onto your hand and yes they do pick up on your nervousness as all animals do as far as signs as to when it is going to bite you go i always wait until they lift up there 4 front legs and start pushing there abdomen down but buy then its to late any movement from your hand will set of a strike in conclusion if you handle them sooner or later you will be bitten only time and experience will teach you what to expect from your spider
2007-03-01 21:27:54 · answer #3 · answered by jungle_farnorth 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
different than toddlers/ill elderly or a intense allergic reaction there is not any lifelike hazard of somebody death from a tarantula chew. some species of tarantula have hairs that shoot off of their legs that worsen the floor, yet this additionally does no longer kill somebody. With appreciate to length, it rather is known that the smaller species of spiders and snakes have the better venom because of the fact they a million. decide for to kill their prey speedier so as that they do no longer injury the predator doing the biting and/or 2. they decide for to kill the prey speedier so as that they do no longer could desire to bypass a good distance from their area chasing their nutrition down. With the greater desirable species they have the potential and skills to subdue and chase their sufferers in the event that they do no longer straight away stop shifting.
2016-09-30 02:21:38 · answer #4 · answered by gazdecki 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most tarantulas are harmless to humans. It hurts to get bit, but not more than a bee sting. I used to catch them in the wild, keep for a few weeks and put em back One day a angry males took a bite, it was a surprise and it sure did sting. I don't remember the species but they live in the hills all over southern california.
2007-03-01 16:25:49 · answer #5 · answered by Palor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rose hair tarantuals are not overly aggressive and can / should be handled with care. DO NOT pinch them or press on them to pick them up while they are on your body ! I have let them walk onto my hand to transfer them from place to place or back into their container with no trouble. I would use caution with the Bird Eater however, They are similar to Usambra spiders and much more aggressive.
2007-03-01 16:11:43 · answer #6 · answered by hotsnakes2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually I've had my Rosehair for 2 yrs & she has never bitten.....you shouldn't handle them much anyway because too much handling shortens their lives!!! Handling it over a table will help but are you also aware they brush off urictictating hairs that itch REALLY bad!!! I wish somene had told ME that!!!!
2007-03-01 16:05:29 · answer #7 · answered by Catcanscratch 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when keeping those type of animals, it takes some courage.i hve been bitten about 10 times and they are much like bee stings.
2007-03-01 21:43:28 · answer #8 · answered by Reptile Lover 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should have expected such a thing....why not a little dog or a cat????
2007-03-01 15:17:42 · answer #9 · answered by Val® 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋