- Messages
- 2,565
- Location
- Baltimore MD
https://tomsbigspiders.com/2017/01/...t-and-open-mindedness-in-the-tarantula-hobby/
He's right. New ideas drive innovations.
He's right. New ideas drive innovations.
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Interesting article
- Thread starter Whitelightning777
- Start date
- Messages
- 33
- Location
- Bonners Ferry, Idaho
When I started, there was almost no information and NO internet! Surprisingly enough, she made it anyway. These beautiful creatures have managed to survive for a very long time and will tolerate a lot of conditions. It seems that there is more complementary information than conflicting. Some have very special needs but it seems that most will do just fine given a chance. The rest is just a preference. Good article.
- Messages
- 6,382
- Location
- The Oregon rain forest
Lol...I remember in the 80s raising B. Hamorri's and others on sand or fish gravel. I dont ever remember having any problems, no mold, no mites. 
- Messages
- 33
- Location
- Bonners Ferry, Idaho
You are so right, only it was desert sand for me! Never had mites or anything else either. Ignorance was indeed bliss, and lucky.
- Messages
- 6,382
- Location
- The Oregon rain forest
Tom is spot on. For an example, I came across a particular C. cyaneopubescens that as a sling webbed only at the top of her enclosure. All her sac mates were burrowing in the substrate so I decided to buy her. I have raised her as a semi Arboreal. I've been documenting her entire life (she's about 4.5" right now). On other forums or discussion groups I have been torn to shreds for posting pics of her or of her enclosure. So I don't anymore. I Only share close up pictures of her. It's sad but Tom is absolutely right.
- Messages
- 1,155
- Location
- Florida
- Messages
- 1,155
- Location
- Florida
Great article. Tom is eloquent, informative, and truly loves these marvelous creatures. He is an excellent ambassador for the hobby. As @Arachnoclown noted, the hobby has changed dramatically over the decades. Surely, more changes are to come. Our children will one day say “can you believe that so-and-so was once taught as gospel?” Community enclosures are a relatively new idea.
I started with AB as an online source: great information, but there are enough assholes on that forum that I couldn’t take it anymore. Gentle wisdom and guidance are always appreciated (Ennie, Thistles, Casey and others). But, shut-you-down-you’re-an-idiot mentality does nothing for the enthusiast and, as Tom said, could be harmful for your T.
I started with AB as an online source: great information, but there are enough assholes on that forum that I couldn’t take it anymore. Gentle wisdom and guidance are always appreciated (Ennie, Thistles, Casey and others). But, shut-you-down-you’re-an-idiot mentality does nothing for the enthusiast and, as Tom said, could be harmful for your T.
You know I have to say- I have been in pet care in some form or another all my life and I have been involved in many pet forums etc.
I have to say coming into the world of Tarantulas I was worried because they are so different to most animals I have cared for in the past.
I was concerned about having a hard time learning and getting information- I have to say though- people in this hobby, more than any other pet
or animal hobby are the nicest. I have never yet been made to feel dumb for asking a question and for the most part everyone seems to respect others
points of view. It's refreshing! I love the article and I am so happy to be a part of this hobby
I have to say coming into the world of Tarantulas I was worried because they are so different to most animals I have cared for in the past.
I was concerned about having a hard time learning and getting information- I have to say though- people in this hobby, more than any other pet
or animal hobby are the nicest. I have never yet been made to feel dumb for asking a question and for the most part everyone seems to respect others
points of view. It's refreshing! I love the article and I am so happy to be a part of this hobby
- Messages
- 5,547
- Location
- Outside San Antonio, TX
Tom is a decent guy, and articulate too. I just get mad and act like an ass..fortunately I found a good forum with great mods, who aren't overbearing, and won't tolerate eltist, closed minded garbage for long here. There's several members that will cut that **** off quick, too. I remember the sea salt post. Everyone here tried to be nice and disagree politely but the poster still got upset. She probably just felt overwhelmed by all the disagreeing hobbyists.
