I live in Maine and have a grammostola rosea named Charlotte. She (I hope) is a little over a year old and I have had her since October of 2020. She is my second tarantula. I had one named Fluffy many years ago. She had been passed down through several people before I got her, so I was never sure what her actual age was or what species she was but I had her for about 10 years before she died. At that time, the State of Maine made the keeping of a tarantula without special permitting illegal and as much as I wanted to get another I could not. They finally changed the law a couple of years ago but will only allow 3 species (only certain grammostolas) as pets without having to have any type of permit. I am so excited to have another one. I love spiders and think that they are absolutely beautiful. I try to convince people that they make great pets, but most people just think I am crazy. I am excited to be part of this forum.
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Hello
- Thread starter Sherito
- Start date
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- 11,039
- Location
- Malton, UK
Hello and welcome. 
It's such a shame that Maine is so strict when there are so many beautiful Ts available.
It's such a shame that Maine is so strict when there are so many beautiful Ts available.
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- 1,155
- Location
- Florida
Don't get it re. Maine. It is not like it is possible to have a Pokie apocalypse there.
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- 2,250
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- Norwich, UK
Hello & welcome to the forum.
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- 125
- Location
- North Kilworth Leicestershire
welcome to the forum....yay I'm not the "new boy" anymore haha
- Messages
- 1,182
- Location
- Maine
Welcome Sherito, this is a good place to be.
I have only had tarantulas for a few months, but have thought about them for much longer. I remember about 15 years or so ago getting a permit in Maine to “import” several species of tarantulas for myself, I just never did it. Wish I had, but I think real life intruded.
Staying within the state’s species limits, I have six tarantulas: two G. pulchra, one G. pulchripes, and three G. rosea, including two slings I picked up recently.
When I decide to get back to it, I am working on applications to the state to add species to the unrestricted list. It could be a long process, including by my procrastination.
I have only had tarantulas for a few months, but have thought about them for much longer. I remember about 15 years or so ago getting a permit in Maine to “import” several species of tarantulas for myself, I just never did it. Wish I had, but I think real life intruded.
Staying within the state’s species limits, I have six tarantulas: two G. pulchra, one G. pulchripes, and three G. rosea, including two slings I picked up recently.
When I decide to get back to it, I am working on applications to the state to add species to the unrestricted list. It could be a long process, including by my procrastination.
- Messages
- 1,182
- Location
- Maine
Yeah, I agree, but I think tarantulas have not enjoyed the support that herps have in the state. A quick glance of the unrestricted list shows more than 140 reptiles and amphibians that Mainers can possess. Herp owners have been active in the state for decades.
And I think there is a general concern at the state level about invasive species. There are many bugs attacking our trees and environs. Maine did not have ticks until the 1980s. There are concerns about invasive species of plants and fish affecting our waters.
I also think that many people, maybe even most people, flinch at the thought of spiders. And the word venomous doesn’t help.
- Messages
- 1,182
- Location
- Maine
Yes that is for sure. But as was pointed out, there was a time in the past where no Ts were allowed. So it is better than it was. Also awhile back some guy was caught with like 50+ spiders including some illegal Ts. So some do have them.
Hello and welcome.
It's such a shame that Maine is so strict when there are so many beautiful Ts available.
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- 791
- Location
- UK
Hi and welcome
The owner of Mr. Drew's (that I mentioned to you about the crickets and roaches) is one of the people that petitioned and met with the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to get the 3 species of tarantulas legalized. He said it was quite a process and they would only allow 3. I don't mean to discourage you and I hope you do decide to do it. I would live to be able to have some of the other stunning species of t's that are out there. Good luck and keep us updated.
- Messages
- 1,182
- Location
- Maine
Thanks for the update. I had heard similar info about the difficulty from a local pet store. I may check with Mr. Drew’s. The most recent list apparently came out in 2017. Not sure when the Ts were added.
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- 4,163
Welcome! Another lobstah local that can't legally own Ts
Tarantulas are to Maine what firearms are to California... strange, no?
Tarantulas are to Maine what firearms are to California... strange, no?
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- 4,163
Someone should sue the state of Maine over a vs rule that obviously means nothing I'd the reptile lobby can get 140 species "on the list"
Make the state show probable cause why to restrict
- Messages
- 1,744
- Location
- Queens, NY
Hello Sherito and welcome to this great place.
I would not of course condone breaking the law but was wondering on how the restriction is enforced.
Of course retailers and websites would not take the risk to send you Ts not on the approved list but a personal seller found on a forum might be a different story. How do they know what is in the box? Who would be in charge to differentiate the Ts and which species they are (especially with tiny slings)?
Last but not least, once in your home, who is to say what you have if nobody reports you?
Asking for a friend
I would not of course condone breaking the law but was wondering on how the restriction is enforced.
Of course retailers and websites would not take the risk to send you Ts not on the approved list but a personal seller found on a forum might be a different story. How do they know what is in the box? Who would be in charge to differentiate the Ts and which species they are (especially with tiny slings)?
Last but not least, once in your home, who is to say what you have if nobody reports you?
Asking for a friend
- Messages
- 1,182
- Location
- Maine
I’ve got to believe that Maine’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife game wardens have much more to worry about than track down illegal tarantulas. But coming across them as part of an incident or another investigation is another matter. Last year someone was caught with quite a few spiders/Ts in a motel room after the motel owner went to check on the room/occupant. The animals were seized.
So I got to believe there are others in Maine with illegal tarantulas.
And even though I tend to have a collector disposition, I myself have resisted the temptation to cross the line. So far. I am hoping Maine will add to its tarantula list and I am busy planning creative enclosures for my six Ts. That is keeping me away from the tarantula cookie jar. So far.
So I got to believe there are others in Maine with illegal tarantulas.
And even though I tend to have a collector disposition, I myself have resisted the temptation to cross the line. So far. I am hoping Maine will add to its tarantula list and I am busy planning creative enclosures for my six Ts. That is keeping me away from the tarantula cookie jar. So far.
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- 1,155
- Location
- Florida
The best of luck with that Dusty!
