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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Scoolman" data-source="post: 59030" data-attributes="member: 41">NO!Say NO to Tarantula crossbreeding and hybridization!Here is why:Currently there are over 100 genera and over 900 different species of Tarantulas in the world. Only a fraction of those species can be found in the hobby today. Out of those few genera Scientists and Hobbyists are still not 100% sure what species under some of those genera are. Aphonopelma, Avicularia, Ischnocolus und Pamphobeteus are only a few of them that are in need of a major classification clean up.Creating a hybrid Tarantula in captivity is a great concern to most hobbyists and Tarantula breeders/dealers today.Just take one persons fascination with creating a hybrid Tarantula, what do you think that person will do with 100's of them? Can s/he sell them, no, most likely not! Either they will be given away or even worse set out into the wild.If given away, no one can guarantee that person will not continue to breed that hybrid Tarantula in the future, you get the point?Now let's take a look at a hybridized Tarantula in the wild! What if this hybrid Tarantula now breeds with the current population of a local species? Some of our species are in need of a thorough classification, this will make it even worse if a hybrid has now passed on his gene if fertile.Keep the pure breeds pure and say NO to irresponsible Tarantula crossbreeding and hybridization.What are the advantage and disadvantages of owning a hybridized Tarantula?Advantages: -You have one Tarantula that looks different from any other one.Disadvantages:-In the past scientist and hobbyists have documented that many species are often infertile and can have other side effects and complications throughout their lifetime.-Some spiderlings/adults are already very difficult to differentiate from one species to another, now imagine trying to tell a hybrid apart?What can you do to prevent hybridization from Happening?1. Only breed true Tarantula species that you know come from a reliable source (breeder/dealer or hobbyists you trust).2. Don't breed different species.3. Don’t purchase or accept free hybrid Tarantulas.4. If a hybrid ends up in your collection, don't breed it and most of all don't give it away. It must stay in your collection.</blockquote>

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