My husband was evicting someone out of their apt and they had a tarantula running lose in their house. My husband scooped it up in a plastic box with holes poked in it. We fed it a cricket and it ate it. We are holding it for 30 days to see if the owner wants him. If not we'll keep him.
but if we keep him, can we touch it or hold it? Will it bite us? If it bites us, will we be poisened?
I read they are venomous but my husband says their not and I dont like spiders. They give me the heebeejeebees!
2007-09-14 03:42:28 · 8 answers · asked by Cutie 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Most are not poisonous to any degree that will harm you, but they can bite and the bites are quite painful. I wouldn't recommend you holding it if you don't like spiders, if you make any type movement that the spider perceives as hostile, it may in fact feel threatened and bite you. Might want to do some research to see if the tarantula you found is indeed poisonous or not.
2007-09-14 03:52:13 · answer #1 · answered by larryt1974 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All tarantulas are poisonous, but the poison isn't enough to affect us humans (unless you are allergic, of course - and many people are allergic to a tarantulas bite, so you definitely have to be careful). Initial bites from most tarantulas don't feel any more painful than a bee sting, tarantulas with a more potent venom can cause severe pain for a few days to a month.
As for handling - I never recommend tarantula owners to handle tarantulas, especially new owners. For terrestrial/burrowing species, even a small fall can cause their abdomen to rupture or internal bleeding which can kill the tarantula. If you don't like arachnids and don't feel comfortable picking one up, then DON'T. Tarantulas will feel shaking hands and sweaty palms and will in turn get nervous which can cause them to run, jump off, or bite you (keep in mind most, if not all, tarantulas will never bite the surface they walk on - including your arm - but when nervous won't hesitate to bite fingers).
ALSO keep in mind that new world species can kick hairs off their abdomen when they're nervous or annoyed (some species will do this often, without hesitation), so make sure your face is as far away from the tarantula. The hairs can get in your eyes on in your mouth and possible lead to a risky situation.
The next thing you might want to do is find out what kind of species of tarantula you have - is it terrestrial, burrowing, or arboreal? You don't want to put an arboreal tarantula in a normal fish tank or the tarantula will be short-lived. If you can, you can easily post a pic on the great community I've listed below and they'll be able to identify your tarantula or you can go to a pet store and give it a go there, perhaps there's someone who can help you out.
Make sure to research tarantulas or you won't have the tarantula for very long, some species are very hard to take care of.
2007-09-14 13:43:25 · answer #2 · answered by Daisy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do bite, and their bites are venomous. However, for most species, the toxicity of their venom is much like that of a bee or wasp. It is most likely to cause a nasty local reaction incluidng pain, redness, swelling. However, people can have a an allergic or anaphylactic reaction to spider bites in the same way that some people react to bee stings, and this reaction can be fatal.
2007-09-14 03:53:13 · answer #3 · answered by Adam O 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could always sell it. Put an add in the paper or online and see if somebody will take it. The tarantula will not bite unless it feels threatened, so handel it with great respect, and it shouldn't bite. I also think that not all tarantulas are venomous. You could always take it to a local pet store to have it identified, and get info on how to take care of it.
2007-09-14 03:57:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
you may be able to hold it. some of them have venomous poison and some do not. if it was a pet to the old owners then odds are it had its fangs removed which means it will do no harm to you. but if you do attempt to hold it you may want to use a thick glove to protect your hand. you could also take it to a vet to see if the fangs were removed and to see if it is venomous. good luck .
2007-09-14 04:00:27 · answer #5 · answered by morgan p 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My boyfriend has one.
He holds it, spite the fact he could get bit.
He puts it on my back whenever i lay down.
She's fine with people.
But you never know whether or not his old owner held him alot or not.
Just use caution.
2007-09-14 03:55:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/tarantulas/a/tarantulasaspet.htm
2007-09-14 04:03:13 · answer #7 · answered by g g 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cool....keep it around, it might come in handy! Sooooo furry, so soft....lol
2007-09-14 05:56:41 · answer #8 · answered by chris j 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋