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How did you get into the hobby?
- Thread starter Poppy2020
- Start date
- Messages
- 11,061
- Location
- Malton, UK
I blame my son, he'd nattered about getting a tarantula for many years and being scared stiff of spiders I always said no way. I eventually gave in and he got himself a P. vittata. 6 months later I became more and more fascinated with her and decided to get one myself in the hope it would overcome my fear so I bought my 1st T, a juvi OBT.
Tboltguy1000
Member
- Messages
- 48
- Location
- Evanston, IL
When I was around 7 years of age I bought my first tarantula, a female Brachypelma Boehmei. I still have her today! I'd always been obsessed with interesting critters and arachnids.
My kid pulled me in. She was looking at spiders and took an interest. I took an interest in her interest. Some YouTube videos, a class project, and a few sales pitches later we got our GBB. Joined a group of like minded weirdos. Have a total of four now. I haven’t started stealing condiment containers from the salsa bars yet so I guess I don’t have it that bad.
- Messages
- 1,155
- Location
- Florida
I was at a medical conference....BORING. Any hoo, I had access to the internet. I was online researching a trip to Costa Rica when I stumbled across a pic of A. seemani. The caption said that this tarantula, found in Costa Rica lowlands was a favorite in the pet trade. WhAT??? So, I started researching about these awesome arachnids. In the end, I came home 2 days later and told my wife I wanted a tarantula. I will never forget what she said:: "what the hel kind of crazy conference did you GO TO?!?!!!" 3 months and many arguments later, she relented.
Oh BTW, I did get to Costa Rica and saw A seemani and an M. mesalis in the wild!!!
Oh BTW, I did get to Costa Rica and saw A seemani and an M. mesalis in the wild!!!
Short answer: the phobia and a Honduran T. albopilosum.
long answer: It was late 2013, I had the phobia still and I tend to do a lot of thinking at night and I just started thinking about how much I love animals in general, then it hit me that I was terrified of tarantulas and spiders in general. Then one night while surfing the web (I was looking at reptiles at first) and I came across a youtube video about tarantulas (thank the lord I didn’t follow the advice in those videos, because it was that howcast junk), so I decided to look further and came across a jon3800 video featuring his late T. albopilosus, it was his guide that convinced me that it was time to get over the fear, so I watched his videos everyday for a little less than a year, but in April of 2014 he mentioned AB in one of his videos, so I checked it out and lurked until September of that year when I made an account and asked my own questions and posted my first wanted ad (I miss the vbulletin days). It was there that I bought my first tarantula a 1/4” T. albopilosus sling from a member that I’m not sure if he’s even in the hobby anymore. That tiny sling is now a confirmed female that is approaching 5” now.
I will admit, I didn’t even expect to end up the way I am now. Although I’ll just blame @Casey K. for adding to my addiction, because it just seems like the fun thing to do since I’ve bought from her more than anyone else as far as I can remember.
long answer: It was late 2013, I had the phobia still and I tend to do a lot of thinking at night and I just started thinking about how much I love animals in general, then it hit me that I was terrified of tarantulas and spiders in general. Then one night while surfing the web (I was looking at reptiles at first) and I came across a youtube video about tarantulas (thank the lord I didn’t follow the advice in those videos, because it was that howcast junk), so I decided to look further and came across a jon3800 video featuring his late T. albopilosus, it was his guide that convinced me that it was time to get over the fear, so I watched his videos everyday for a little less than a year, but in April of 2014 he mentioned AB in one of his videos, so I checked it out and lurked until September of that year when I made an account and asked my own questions and posted my first wanted ad (I miss the vbulletin days). It was there that I bought my first tarantula a 1/4” T. albopilosus sling from a member that I’m not sure if he’s even in the hobby anymore. That tiny sling is now a confirmed female that is approaching 5” now.
I will admit, I didn’t even expect to end up the way I am now. Although I’ll just blame @Casey K. for adding to my addiction, because it just seems like the fun thing to do since I’ve bought from her more than anyone else as far as I can remember.
In the early 90’s a coworker/ friend told me about a tarantula he had that was given to him as a gift and asked me if I’d like to have her. I didn’t think twice 
—she was a Grammastola rosea named Maldoon and was with me for about 15 years. In 2009 (thanks to the computer) I got a couple of slings and successfully raised them. Such a great experience! Two years ago I rescued another Grammastola rosea . Then back in August of this year, my husband suffered from a massive heart attack. Fortunately my line of work enables me to be at home to help him. Being at home has opened up the opportunity to raise more slings..... and gives me time to have something else to focus on. Six slings and a juvie later.... I love tarantulas and I’m fortunate to have a husband who is very supportive and accepting. He is doing well btw
—she was a Grammastola rosea named Maldoon and was with me for about 15 years. In 2009 (thanks to the computer) I got a couple of slings and successfully raised them. Such a great experience! Two years ago I rescued another Grammastola rosea . Then back in August of this year, my husband suffered from a massive heart attack. Fortunately my line of work enables me to be at home to help him. Being at home has opened up the opportunity to raise more slings..... and gives me time to have something else to focus on. Six slings and a juvie later.... I love tarantulas and I’m fortunate to have a husband who is very supportive and accepting. He is doing well btw 
- Messages
- 2,286
- Location
- Norwich, UK
A friend of a friend back in the late 70's was a Herpetologist & had an amazing collection of snakes etc. If I remember correctly it was just after the Dangerous Wildlife legislation & being a Herpetologist, he was asked too often to help with rescues, especially with rescues of unlicensed snakes.
I learnt a lot about Snakes etc off, him, but most of all, I discovered I was interested in the few tarantulas he very occasionally took in prior to finding them a more experienced home.
My interest in Tarantulas was encouraged, but as I lived a nomadic life in the construction industry at the time & thus took it no further. It was not until a discussion with my wife about what I should spend some Christmas, or Birthday money on many years later, that I picked up the interest again., mainly because she was interested too.
After all these years I cannot remember the name of the Herpetologist, but I can remember his gauge for if you deserved to be a friend of his & able to help with his snakes. You would be asked to help with cleaning one of his snake enclosures. "Hold this for a second," he would say, as he passed you a snake guaranteed to give you a quick & harmless bite. And the way you responded to the bite decided your fate.
I learnt a lot about Snakes etc off, him, but most of all, I discovered I was interested in the few tarantulas he very occasionally took in prior to finding them a more experienced home.
My interest in Tarantulas was encouraged, but as I lived a nomadic life in the construction industry at the time & thus took it no further. It was not until a discussion with my wife about what I should spend some Christmas, or Birthday money on many years later, that I picked up the interest again., mainly because she was interested too.
After all these years I cannot remember the name of the Herpetologist, but I can remember his gauge for if you deserved to be a friend of his & able to help with his snakes. You would be asked to help with cleaning one of his snake enclosures. "Hold this for a second," he would say, as he passed you a snake guaranteed to give you a quick & harmless bite. And the way you responded to the bite decided your fate.
- Messages
- 166
- Location
- California
My husband went camping in the desert and returned home with a hitchhiker in one of his bags. A male juvenile A.Chalcodes. After unsuccessfully trying to find someone to take him because I was terrified of spiders! I decided to keep him. After my Cal matured, we returned him to the desert where he started from and I'm hoping he was able to find himself a pretty little "blonde" and die a happy T. I now have 3 more.
Great story
- Messages
- 2,572
- Location
- Baltimore MD
My very first invert was H spinifer, a scorpion.
First T was C versicolor. He lived a long life. After eating some crickets, he molted suddenly and then became unable to climb the glass.
Assuming he was dehydrated, I placed him into the water dish immediately. He had difficulty leaving it and passed away one day later.
I suspect the cricket but can't prove it.
I also fed the same batch of crickets to my female P striata. She seemed to molt ok but upon closer inspection had no fangs.
I think it's red runners from now on. I'm glad there weren't to many in that box from petsmart!!
In any event, I have 2 empty cages to decontaminate & it's about time to get some P metallica slings before they're banned.
Second T was L klugi. Third was a P striata, who is getting old but still going strong. Fourth was P sp machala who matured out as male. Fifth was H pulchripes, who also matured out as male.
..... & so on.
Use caution when getting crickets from petsmart, even though I can't prove it was them.
First T was C versicolor. He lived a long life. After eating some crickets, he molted suddenly and then became unable to climb the glass.
Assuming he was dehydrated, I placed him into the water dish immediately. He had difficulty leaving it and passed away one day later.
I suspect the cricket but can't prove it.
I also fed the same batch of crickets to my female P striata. She seemed to molt ok but upon closer inspection had no fangs.
I think it's red runners from now on. I'm glad there weren't to many in that box from petsmart!!
In any event, I have 2 empty cages to decontaminate & it's about time to get some P metallica slings before they're banned.
Second T was L klugi. Third was a P striata, who is getting old but still going strong. Fourth was P sp machala who matured out as male. Fifth was H pulchripes, who also matured out as male.
..... & so on.
Use caution when getting crickets from petsmart, even though I can't prove it was them.
- Messages
- 6,381
- Location
- The Oregon rain forest
As a child i captured bugs and spiders and cared for them in a old shed on our property.
A local college in 1982 had a add in the paper to find someone that would care for two tarantulas over the summer.
I got permission from my parents and we went to meet with the professor. He gave me a crash course in what they were and how to care for them.
The first one was a Euathlus smithi...Brachypelma smithi.
The second was a Theraphosa blondi. At the time he said there was only one or two other blondi in captivity in the U S.
I took them home and cared for them all summer. At the end of the summer my Mom talked with the professor and he said they got some new donations and if I wanted to keep them I could. That's how it all started.
A local college in 1982 had a add in the paper to find someone that would care for two tarantulas over the summer.
I got permission from my parents and we went to meet with the professor. He gave me a crash course in what they were and how to care for them.
The first one was a Euathlus smithi...Brachypelma smithi.
The second was a Theraphosa blondi. At the time he said there was only one or two other blondi in captivity in the U S.
I took them home and cared for them all summer. At the end of the summer my Mom talked with the professor and he said they got some new donations and if I wanted to keep them I could. That's how it all started.
- Messages
- 2,572
- Location
- Baltimore MD
Latest Ts, 2 P metallica slings once payment details are worked out.
Best of all, I found a cage that I forgot I had!! That means only 1 to decontaminate.
This means that there is a third cage.....
Hmmmmmm
H mac? OBT? Singapore blue? P irminia? P pulcher?
or maybe go b@ll$ to the wall and get a S cal
Decisions decisions decisions.....
With a side opening door, I can't really do a fossorial
Best of all, I found a cage that I forgot I had!! That means only 1 to decontaminate.
This means that there is a third cage.....
Hmmmmmm
H mac? OBT? Singapore blue? P irminia? P pulcher?
or maybe go b@ll$ to the wall and get a S cal
Decisions decisions decisions.....
With a side opening door, I can't really do a fossorial
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Ahaha, every time I get a new pot of hummus I think 'new spiderling house!'
I seem to have started eating more hummus... I'd always liked how big, cute and fluffy tarantulas looked at the botanic gardens. However the author Lisa Gardner dragged me in. Her 'Say Goodbye' novel featured a serial killer obsessed with tarantulas and I was curious whether all the spider facts in the book were true so looked them up. Turned out they were as her young son was the one that gave her the idea due to his fascination and owning a Theraposa blondi.
My first T. was a Tliltocatl albopilosus, Misty In July this year.
My first T. was a Tliltocatl albopilosus, Misty
In July this year.ScorpionFriend
New Member
- Messages
- 1
- Location
- North Texas
Got stung by a Texas Striped Bark Scorpion (Centruoides vittatus). Thought I was going to die. Got online to find out how much time I had left to live. Found the most amazing creatures and been fond of them since.
Ahaha, every time I get a new pot of hummus I think 'new spiderling house!'
I understand you completely! I'm collecting Stevia, sugar substitute, containers! Peel off the label and it's totally clear, with a cool green flip top or screw off lid. They are so perfect! Ventilation holes with a soldering iron will be a snap. My 5 slings will go into these when they are ready to leave their vials. Woot!!
I stumbled across a Youtube video about tarantulas. I think it was a clip from Nat Geo or some other kind of nature show. Anyway after watching that one video Youtube started suggesting others. I watched a few Dark Den videos and became completely fascinated with them. In less than a year from that I had my first GBB.
