Has anyone here ever had an accidental death happen by their hands?

[SikmT7]

What up T Forum family, I am currently up at 1:29 AM Eastern Standard Time having an IPA and a couple of shots of Jack Daniel's. This is not a celebration, this is sheer stress. Earlier this evening, I was pulling a bolus from a vial that I kept my L. mactans baby @1/8 inch and as I was pulling out the bolus it bolted out of the vial onto my hand. I got it back into the vial after about 3 minutes of trying to catch it and as I was putting the cap on the vial I didn't realize it bolted up to the cap right under the lip of the cap and I accidentally squashed it . I felt so horribly heartbroken and I was kicking myself like I could have avoided it, I actually broke down into tears for the Lil one. Ah T family I need a shoulder, has anyone in here ever accidentally killed their spider or tarantulas? The more responses the merrier, I appreciate everyone on here.

 

[Oursapoil]

Hello my friend,
As you know I’ve recently lost two of my babies and I feel you. Do not blame yourself, you are handling tiny/soft 1/8” creatures moving at lightning speed and with a will of their own. I believe it happens to the best of us.
Almost 3 years ago, I was in an accidental fire in my garage. I was severely burn and almost didn’t make it but to this day, even if all my skin grafts are a daily reminder of all lucky I am, I still feel horrible and responsible for the Ts that I left behind in the fire.
This was an accident Jason, it is not on you.
There is unfortunately only that much we can control. You love your babies and give them everything, **** happens, this is not on you.
Take a drive a weekend (definitely not after the JD) to us, I’ll be happy to give you a few Ts to make up for the lost one.
Today will be a better day, a good friend told me this recently

 

[I_am_half_sack]

What up T Forum family, I am currently up at 1:29 AM Eastern Standard Time having an IPA and a couple of shots of Jack Daniel's. This is not a celebration, this is sheer stress. Earlier this evening, I was pulling a bolus from a vial that I kept my L. mactans baby @1/8 inch and as I was pulling out the bolus it bolted out of the vial onto my hand. I got it back into the vial after about 3 minutes of trying to catch it and as I was putting the cap on the vial I didn't realize it bolted up to the cap right under the lip of the cap and I accidentally squashed it . I felt so horribly heartbroken and I was kicking myself like I could have avoided it, I actually broke down into tears for the Lil one. Ah T family I need a shoulder, has anyone in here ever accidentally killed their spider or tarantulas? The more responses the merrier, I appreciate everyone on here.

I done this with my first c elegans almost quit keeping ts when it happened but it does happen don't beat your self up about it just use it as a learning experience

 

[m0lsx]

I accidentally killed a funnel web last week. As I fed it, it bolted up my arm & as I caught it & got it back into the vile, it lost a leg & died overnight.

 

[DustyD]

I can certainly sympathize. I am sorry that you had to go through this. And Oursapoil, the more I learn about you the more I am convinced you are an amazing person!

Some people think it's strange, but I genuinely love my tarantulas. I talk to them, give them words of encouragement and advice. We are humans and it's in our nature to care. And it's in the nature of tarantulas to try to survive, whether that means to fight, hide or to bolt.

 

[octanejunkie]

I had a runner p irminia sling go missing under the kitchen counter that I never saw again.

I started ripping the dishwasher out and stopped myself; it's not a human. Yes, I felt bad and still do but it happens.

I've since changed how I handle vials to prevent that from happening again, doesn't mean it won't.

Don't beat yourself up, pour one on the curb for your dead homie and life goes on

 

[SikmT7]

Hello my friend,
As you know I’ve recently lost two of my babies and I feel you. Do not blame yourself, you are handling tiny/soft 1/8” creatures moving at lightning speed and with a will of their own. I believe it happens to the best of us.
Almost 3 years ago, I was in an accidental fire in my garage. I was severely burn and almost didn’t make it but to this day, even if all my skin grafts are a daily reminder of all lucky I am, I still feel horrible and responsible for the Ts that I left behind in the fire.
This was an accident Jason, it is not on you.
There is unfortunately only that much we can control. You love your babies and give them everything, **** happens, this is not on you.
Take a drive a weekend (definitely not after the JD) to us, I’ll be happy to give you a few Ts to make up for the lost one.
Today will be a better day, a good friend told me this recently

My brother, thank you kindly not only for your encouragement but also for sharing your struggle with me as well. This is an understatement as I could only imagine what horror you felt in that tragic accident, and the devastation of it must have been immense. I'm so sorry for what occured and your loss. I'm just thankful that you're alive and here on the forum encouraging, caring, and helping out many people. If that fire didn't take you out then you're strong enough to take on any challenges that may come your way. You're totally awesome Vinny always remember that.

 

[SikmT7]

I done this with my first c elegans almost quit keeping ts when it happened but it does happen don't beat your self up about it just use it as a learning experience

Jeesh I know it kinda knocks the wind out of your sails when you lose one. You gain so much experience and confidence and then suddenly something like that happens and it completely deflates your confidence. I feel you, I was almost ready to never get something that small again, but if I gave up then how would I ever learn and become an even more experienced keeper? So glad you decided to continue to keeping T's. Thank you so much for your kind words.

 

[SikmT7]

I accidentally killed a funnel web last week. As I fed it, it bolted up my arm & as I caught it & got it back into the vile, it lost a leg & died overnight.

My friend I'm so sorry for your loss, it cuts deep, especially when you had the spider for a lengthy amount of time they really begin to grow on you after a while. We learn in this hobby that quick hands can be a double edge sword, good for keeping the spider safe and contained but also bad because they're so small that the slightest mistake could injure or even kill them. I remember way back in the day when I first started to keep T's I didn't know very much about them but I went to this local pet shop and was looking for a T there, I held am Avicularia avicularia,. Suddenly without warning it bolted and jumped off of my hand onto a concrete floor, I felt terrible but at that time I had no idea how fragile they truly are. But regardless of our mistakes we chalk it up to experience and stay encouraged to become more advanced in the hobby. Thank you for being here for me.

 

[SikmT7]

I can certainly sympathize. I am sorry that you had to go through this. And Oursapoil, the more I learn about you the more I am convinced you are an amazing person!

Some people think it's strange, but I genuinely love my tarantulas. I talk to them, give them words of encouragement and advice. We are humans and it's in our nature to care. And it's in the nature of tarantulas to try to survive, whether that means to fight, hide or to bolt.

Yes indeed I can totally relate to you. I spend time talking to my T's, holding them, and even petting them. I tell them about my problems if I had a rough day. I have this female Lasiodora parahybana that when I open her enclosure she walks right up into my hand when I call her. She knows when I'm stressed out and she just lays down on my hands and stares at me as if she is listening to me. I have T's that know when its feeding time and they walk right up to me, staring with anticipation and expectation for me to drop them a feeder. They are highly intelligent creatures,with genuine feelings, and they know their owners. I don't think it's crazy at all to talk to your T's because I truly believe the more you talk to them, the more intelligent they become and the more they trust you. Thank.you for reading this thread and writing to me.

 

[MBullock]

The first aphonopelma steindachneri I ever found died on the way home because a tiny little stick found its way in there and impaled it right over the heart. I was so pissed off lol. needless to say, im paranoid about that now and remove any loose debris no matter how small, now when i collect stuff from the wild.

 

[SikmT7]

Pj
it won't.

Don't beat yourself up, pour one on the curb for your dead homie and life goes on.

Sorry you lost your irminia I know they teleport quantum leap status. You're right bro, I just have to take extra precaution in handling the vials, and yes, it may happen again, but I do need to pay more attention. It's difficult to do so when they are so tiny, but I will get the hang of caring for such a small spider. Yessir, time to pour out one for my Lil homie. Thank you for taking time to read my thread I really appreciate it.

 

[SikmT7]

The first aphonopelma steindachneri I ever found died on the way home because a tiny little stick found its way in there and impaled it right over the heart. I was so pissed off lol. needless to say, im paranoid about that now and remove any loose debris no matter how small, now when i collect stuff from the wild.

Dang I know that really hurts poor Lil T. They are so supseptible to harm especially in the wild, its just so amazing how they are so fragile but yet are able to thrive and survive out there. I do the same thing, I always check the substrate for sharp objects as well as jagged edges on their hides to ensure their safety. I do a thorough inspection of the substrate and enclosure before I even place the T in it. Thank you kindly for writing to me.

 

[MBullock]

Dang I know that really hurts poor Lil T. They are so supseptible to harm especially in the wild, its just so amazing how they are so fragile but yet are able to thrive and survive out there. I do the same thing, I always check the substrate for sharp objects as well as jagged edges on their hides to ensure their safety. I do a thorough inspection of the substrate and enclosure before I even place the T in it. Thank you kindly for writing to me.

I believe normally that stick wouldnt've hurt a tarantula, the steindachneri was probably just too tender. Found it on accident flipping stones lol

 

[regalspottedbeast]

Nobody is perfect. We're all human, and everyone makes mistakes eventually. I know how much it hurts to lose a spider though. It's amazing how attached we get to them. Sorry for your loss .

 

[MBullock]

The worst is watching a mature male go senile it's so agonizing to witness it reminds me of humans getting dementia

 

[DustyD]

The worst is watching a mature male go senile it's so agonizing to witness it reminds me of humans getting dementia

Yeah, I think about that when I purchase tarantulas although most of what I have bought have been unsexed. Two of five unsexed have turned out to be males. Two remaining are about 1" and a third I am awaiting a molt.

 

[Arachnoclown]

Numerous times...its the circle of life though. I feel bad every time he doesn't make it out. (I perfer male tarantulas over females as pets).

 

[WolfSpider]

Not a death by my hands, but my stupidity tells a funny story,

So, I have this Phormingochilus sling. And of course it is a pet hole. It hasn't eaten in 3 weeks and is no where to be found in my dram vial. Well, like an idiot I go exploring in my bathroom. I am sifting through substrate carefully and dumping it into the trash can. Over time, I end up dumping all the substrate and no spider. I am bummed and assume I threw away the dead carcass and didn't realize it.
The next day I am sitting in the bathtub (our shower houses cat litter boxes--another long dumb story). Anyway, I am taking a bath. My wife had previously exited the bath and she is blow drying her hair wrapped in a bath towel seated on her side of the bathroom. On the back of her chair is a white towel. I so happen to glance up toward her.....and there is my sling chillaxing on her towel just inches from her back. And...of course, my wife is petrified of spiders. My first reaction is "Cool". It is alive. My second reaction is "How the heck did it get out without me realizing on the previous day". My third reaction is "Holy sh÷÷" How am I going to pull this one off so my wife doesn't freak and end my favorite hobby.

So, since my heart is small black and cold like the Grinch, I hatch a plan. I ease my buck naked self out of the tub, dry off and put a towel around me. I say to my wife. "Ummm. there is a spider on the towel right behind you". She jumps a mile, runs to the bathroom door and yells "It's not one of your tarantulas is it?" I calmly say, "No, it looks like a cute house spider". "Well get rid of it dammit!"

So while she has obviously exited the bathroom for good, I take a catch cup and place my spider in another dram vial with appropriate substrate. I then take the catch cup, it is empty now, and put a piece of cardboard under it and make a show of bringing it to the front door, opening it, and "let to go" off of the front porch.

She has never been the wiser and I learned a valuable lesson about patience with fossorial old worlds.

 

[SikmT7]

Nobody is perfect. We're all human, and everyone makes mistakes eventually. I know how much it hurts to lose a spider though. It's amazing how attached we get to them. Sorry for your loss