Arachnology question

[goldenpumpkin]

Is there a way to become an arachnologist with a sole focus on tarantulas, without having anything to do with true spiders? I love and care about Ts so very much and it would my dream to make scientific breakthroughs that would benefit their wellbeing. However, I strongly want nothing to do with true spiders... Is tarantula-only arachnology a thing?

 

[octanejunkie]

People specialize in stuff all the time, why not just tarantulas?

The bigger question is is it a life's calling that you can monetize and make the juice worth the squeeze?

 

[goldenpumpkin]

People specialize in stuff all the time, why not just tarantulas?

The bigger question is is it a life's calling that you can monetize and make the juice worth the squeeze?

I am not looking for anymore extra income, so fortunately it's okay if I can't necessarily monetize it I just don't want to be forced to look at true spiders all the time...*shudders* I could look at Ts all day but true spiders...that's a different story! Thanks for the reply

 

[NorseDad]

Check out the brief interview The Tarantula Collective did with an arachnologist recently. They kind of discussed the path you take. Like any academic field, you can choose what specifically you want to study and research.

 

[goldenpumpkin]

Check out the brief interview The Tarantula Collective did with an arachnologist recently. They kind of discussed the path you take. Like any academic field, you can choose what specifically you want to study and research.

That video is actually what prompted me to make this post hah. I don't recall her saying anything about what I'm wondering though. But if what you and octanejunkie are saying is true then maybe it would be worth pursuing! Ty for the reply

 

[TokeHound]

I am not looking for anymore extra income, so fortunately it's okay if I can't necessarily monetize it I just don't want to be forced to look at true spiders all the time...*shudders* I could look at Ts all day but true spiders...that's a different story! Thanks for the reply

I'm kind of the same way you are. I like Tarantulas but mos def not getting any pet "true" spiders... EXCEPT THE REGAL JUMPING SPIDER OMG so cute

 

[NorseDad]

That video is actually what prompted me to make this post hah. I don't recall her saying anything about what I'm wondering though. But if what you and octanejunkie are saying is true then maybe it would be worth pursuing! Ty for the reply

Just speculating, but it seemed like you basically enroll in biology or entomology. Then you can choose a study program based on your interests.

Like I went to school for psychology, then went to grad school for school psychology/education, then applied for and picked my internship and study areas within the field. (I focused my studies on crisis prevention and threat assessment for at-risk students.)

 

[Gizalba]

Yeah from what I gathered from that podcast, it is quite complicated if you wanted to actually do scientific research as you'd have to get a degree in Biology first, then specialise in Entomology (insects), then find an Entomology department that actually has an Arachnology department to further specialise in that.

I have done a bit of research into this as I too would love to study it scientifically, but I would have to accept that I have to do tons of insect research first and perhaps even a PHD in that before getting to arachnids in general, never-mind just tarantulas. I have a degree in Psychology so I am unclear whether I'd need to start again with an undergrad in Biology or whether the Psychology being a science degree could get me onto an Entomology masters degree or PHD. If anyone knows please let me know! However even finding a university with an Entomology department is hard; I seem to have found only one in the UK, so it would potentially mean going abroad.

With Arachnology being relatively new and rare in terms of academic study, even Dr. Linda Rayor in that podcast seemed unsure as to whether her official title is an Arachnologist, as it's not like she could do a degree in that, so I think she said her official degree title was something to do with behavioural entomology?

I hope this is changing though, and that eventually there will be degrees in Arachnology available. However I think the prerequisite currently of having a science degree is to learn all the statistical methods etc that can then be applied to studying tarantulas.

Dr. Rayor did mention that an alternative if you don't want to do the academic route could be to do summer schools or something, maybe courses on tarantulas for the public? I've never heard of these, maybe they have some in other countries? I'm not sure what that would entail though, whether you could actually contribute to the research or not. Usually the research assistants they use to help them gather the data and look after the animals are under-grads and you have to apply. However I wonder whether extensive experience with pet tarantulas and a serious passion for them could be enough to become a research assistant? Might be worth looking into, but again first you need to find a country where that research is done argh lol.

 

[goldenpumpkin]

Yeah from what I gathered from that podcast, it is quite complicated if you wanted to actually do scientific research as you'd have to get a degree in Biology first, then specialise in Entomology (insects), then find an Entomology department that actually has an Arachnology department to further specialise in that.

I have done a bit of research into this as I too would love to study it scientifically, but I would have to accept that I have to do tons of insect research first and perhaps even a PHD in that before getting to arachnids in general, never-mind just tarantulas. I have a degree in Psychology so I am unclear whether I'd need to start again with an undergrad in Biology or whether the Psychology being a science degree could get me onto an Entomology masters degree or PHD. If anyone knows please let me know! However even finding a university with an Entomology department is hard; I seem to have found only one in the UK, so it would potentially mean going abroad.

With Arachnology being relatively new and rare in terms of academic study, even Dr. Linda Rayor in that podcast seemed unsure as to whether her official title is an Arachnologist, as it's not like she could do a degree in that, so I think she said her official degree title was something to do with behavioural entomology?

I hope this is changing though, and that eventually there will be degrees in Arachnology available. However I think the prerequisite currently of having a science degree is to learn all the statistical methods etc that can then be applied to studying tarantulas.

Dr. Rayor did mention that an alternative if you don't want to do the academic route could be to do summer schools or something, maybe courses on tarantulas for the public? I've never heard of these, maybe they have some in other countries? I'm not sure what that would entail though, whether you could actually contribute to the research or not. Usually the research assistants they use to help them gather the data and look after the animals are under-grads and you have to apply. However I wonder whether extensive experience with pet tarantulas and a serious passion for them could be enough to become a research assistant? Might be worth looking into, but again first you need to find a country where that research is done argh lol.

This has given me a lot to think about and consider; I really appreciate this detailed response. And yes I found it mildly amusing that even she wasn't quite sure if that was her official title! I am definitely gonna do some more research on this stuff

 

[Lentulus]

Consider reaching out to Stan Schultz. He did it. He’s a member of this forum. Who better to get information from about studying T’s, than a guy who spent a lifetime doing so. He’s older than organized religion, so getting a hold of him may be tricky, but if anyone has practical real world advice about it, he’s gotta be a great source.

 

[goldenpumpkin]

Consider reaching out to Stan Schultz. He did it. He’s a member of this forum. Who better to get information from about studying T’s, than a guy who spent a lifetime doing so. He’s older than organized religion, so getting a hold of him may be tricky, but if anyone has practical real world advice about it, he’s gotta be a great source.

Wow thanks! What's his username on here?

 

[Gizalba]

Wow thanks! What's his username on here?

I last saw him hanging around on the ping pong thread > https://www.tarantulaforum.com/threads/ping-pong-balls.28880/#post-190233

Stan Schultz

www.tarantulaforum.com

 

[octanejunkie]

Calling @Stan Schultz

 

[goldenpumpkin]

I last saw him hanging around on the ping pong thread > https://www.tarantulaforum.com/threads/ping-pong-balls.28880/#post-190233

Stan Schultz

www.tarantulaforum.com

Many thanks