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Around 19. I had just finished my apprenticeship & was working away from home on my first contract. A friend of a friend was a herpetologist & took in reptiles from private individuals, as well as via the Police, RSPCA etc. It was a few years after DWA & working with snakes etc, appealed. But occasionally he took in things like tarantulas & scorpions & I discovered I loved tarantulas & needed to know more about them & how to care for them.
So my first T's were not mine & were only cared for until a decent home could be found for them.
I was still in my teens and I believe it was around 1980 ish! They labeled it as a Mexican brown but due to its size I now believe it to be a Lasiodora Parahybana. I was a kid and had no clue what I was doing! I was getting haired like crazy and didn't even know it! She was huge! Would easily take big full grown grasshoppers (2 or 3 sometimes) with ease. Kept her on sand from the yard. Didn't realize what I was doing could harm her! Hardly no info on them and how to properly care for them! Think she got parasites and passed! Move on 10 years or so and I got another " Mexican brown" and what was labeled a " Mexican Rose Hair! How long ago it's been. Everything seemed to come from Mexico but now I know better! Move on 35 years or so and now I'm back with a vengeance! Have 50 or so guys and gals and raised up several males that have passed and absolutely adore my T's! And I know a heckava lot more than beforehand. Happy Spoodering all you wonderful folks here at Tarantula Forum! Peace!