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General Tarantula Discussion
How to get your tarantula used to being handled
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<blockquote data-quote="Martin Oosthuysen" data-source="post: 35074" data-attributes="member: 1070"><p>Hello Everyone </p><p>I feel I have to step in here and also give my view on how I perceive this topic, since many will take this topic and apply as they see fit. Only thing that bothers me is,it has been discussed countless times all over the net on many social media platforms. </p><p></p><p>Let's start of with point 1 </p><p>- Should I handle a T ? </p><p>I myself have handled some of my specimens from small to large,and from docile to defensive. As I grew in the hobby I realized that I am possibly acting irresponsible,simply due to the risk factor. What risk factor ? Let's see,the Tarantula could fall could bite causing me to react and drop or hurt it. There are countless scenarios which you CAN'T plan for,unless you can see the future. You could prepare or plan, but you will never EVER have a full proof 100% plan to ensure safety of the tarantula I don't even worry about the handler since he chose to do it not the T. I am closing this point ad follows,if you can see the future by all means take the risk.</p><p></p><p>Now point 2</p><p>- Teaching a T ?</p><p>I doubt it very much a T can be taught,since tarantulas are driven by instinct and lack cognitive thought. Also they do not reason,or have emotional episodes. As for learning,that means a specimen will be able to be taught a certain pattern to apply in a certain situation every single time meaning repetitive. This means it will recognise a certain thing or action,and due to memory repeat the desired outcome taught to it. I don't want to sound like I am making this as a joke,since it's not. If people think they can teach a T,they will take unnecessary risks with any T thinking they can change its patterns actually nature. They are preprogrammed in their genetics,and react accordingly unless someone would like to step forward where a tarantula has shown memory and I say memory not instinct in completing a said action.</p><p></p><p>Now point 3 </p><p>- Tarantulas attack to kill ?</p><p>I'd say, depending in the situation of the attacker. If it defends through an aggressive move and the attacker moves away from the tarantulas close proximity it will not easily chase after it this is seen over and over in matings where males run away. Oh,and don't say but I have seen many males die of course that will happen since the close proximity of the mating is an artificial area and in the wild it's an open area and more chance for escape. In my opinion,first and for most the T wants to survive and not risk itself in a battle till death.</p><p></p><p>Now point 4 </p><p>- Wet or dry bite or both ?</p><p>From what I have read a tarantula may exhibit both,this has been documented in many bite reports where no symptoms were visible nor clear fluid exiting the bite wound. Also,they have speculated that tarantulas only have a small amount of venom they use conservatively. People have even said in bite reports only one of the two puncture wounds exhibited fluid coming out, this is very debatable I guess but from the bites I have had I will go with the aforementioned. Remember that is like a natural epidermic needle,flow is controlled by the T and will use it as it would see fit in the situation it finds itself.</p><p></p><p>I will now finish this off with the following,I don't judge nor do I agree with handling but how it is perceived and passed over to others. I can mention countless negative sides of it,but fail to see one positive except what the keeper gains from it not the T. If a T had a choice,it would be living out its natural life freely and not encaged in our homes. This has been my perspective on this topic,just a view as others have theirs. So in the end,let's have fun grow and enjoy this as a family and pass it on to our kids.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Martin Oosthuysen, post: 35074, member: 1070"] Hello Everyone I feel I have to step in here and also give my view on how I perceive this topic, since many will take this topic and apply as they see fit. Only thing that bothers me is,it has been discussed countless times all over the net on many social media platforms. Let's start of with point 1 - Should I handle a T ? I myself have handled some of my specimens from small to large,and from docile to defensive. As I grew in the hobby I realized that I am possibly acting irresponsible,simply due to the risk factor. What risk factor ? Let's see,the Tarantula could fall could bite causing me to react and drop or hurt it. There are countless scenarios which you CAN'T plan for,unless you can see the future. You could prepare or plan, but you will never EVER have a full proof 100% plan to ensure safety of the tarantula I don't even worry about the handler since he chose to do it not the T. I am closing this point ad follows,if you can see the future by all means take the risk. Now point 2 - Teaching a T ? I doubt it very much a T can be taught,since tarantulas are driven by instinct and lack cognitive thought. Also they do not reason,or have emotional episodes. As for learning,that means a specimen will be able to be taught a certain pattern to apply in a certain situation every single time meaning repetitive. This means it will recognise a certain thing or action,and due to memory repeat the desired outcome taught to it. I don't want to sound like I am making this as a joke,since it's not. If people think they can teach a T,they will take unnecessary risks with any T thinking they can change its patterns actually nature. They are preprogrammed in their genetics,and react accordingly unless someone would like to step forward where a tarantula has shown memory and I say memory not instinct in completing a said action. Now point 3 - Tarantulas attack to kill ? I'd say, depending in the situation of the attacker. If it defends through an aggressive move and the attacker moves away from the tarantulas close proximity it will not easily chase after it this is seen over and over in matings where males run away. Oh,and don't say but I have seen many males die of course that will happen since the close proximity of the mating is an artificial area and in the wild it's an open area and more chance for escape. In my opinion,first and for most the T wants to survive and not risk itself in a battle till death. Now point 4 - Wet or dry bite or both ? From what I have read a tarantula may exhibit both,this has been documented in many bite reports where no symptoms were visible nor clear fluid exiting the bite wound. Also,they have speculated that tarantulas only have a small amount of venom they use conservatively. People have even said in bite reports only one of the two puncture wounds exhibited fluid coming out, this is very debatable I guess but from the bites I have had I will go with the aforementioned. Remember that is like a natural epidermic needle,flow is controlled by the T and will use it as it would see fit in the situation it finds itself. I will now finish this off with the following,I don't judge nor do I agree with handling but how it is perceived and passed over to others. I can mention countless negative sides of it,but fail to see one positive except what the keeper gains from it not the T. If a T had a choice,it would be living out its natural life freely and not encaged in our homes. This has been my perspective on this topic,just a view as others have theirs. So in the end,let's have fun grow and enjoy this as a family and pass it on to our kids. [/QUOTE]
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