Something I thought i'd just like to discuss

[Martin Oosthuysen]

Hello
So here it goes, the thing of beginner species or intermediate or expert bothers me a bit. I believe you should try the most difficult gruesome one out there, since if you start easy and progress, a lot of people then realize tarantulas aren't for them. Resulting in the market being flooded with unwanted tarantulas, and people going in and out of the hobby. I say shock your system, and see if its for you. Its like buying a motorcycle, buying small is safer i disagree. You would take chances on the small one, when you get the larger one try the same and kablam accident. Same with T'S, try handling your ornamental like your others and think how different could it be. So I would love to see your views, have fun.

 

[Tongue Flicker]

I have an adult female obt that is mild-tempered than most and wouldn't mind being handled (not picked up but when she goes out on her own). I don't believe the 3 levels of expertise as well, as long as you did all your research right, have the proper awareness, presence of mind and respect to the animal. Of course, experience is the best teacher.

 

[DalilahBlue]

Well, I don't handle, so that aspect is irrelevant for me. I say start with an easier specie as it is a tragedy for a creature to die because someone wasn't experienced enough. If you start with some of the NW desert species, which are easy to keep, and move up to those that need more humidity and heat and such, I think you run less of a risk of accidentally killing a T.

 

[Martin Oosthuysen]

Thanks for the replies so far, this Is more of people joining the tarantula keeping community just to leave it due to finding out its not for them. This in turn causes tarantulas to be either sold off or set free outside normal habitat, that's why I thought go for the most scary or difficult T. If its not for you it will soon be evident, instead of buying numerous T'S just to get rid of them.

 

[Charmyknux]

Not sure where I stand on this one. On one hand, I think that you should make sure you can handle an "easy to care for" T before getting one that you might accidenally kill. But I also agree that tarantulas aren't for every pet owner.
Just like any other pet, you need to do your research and make sure that you can take care of all the needs of the ANIMAL, instead of just thinking "oh it would be cool to have that" and buying something on a whim. When we make the decision that we can't handle things, it's the animal that suffers, not us.
And just because a spider is small doesn't make it different from any other pet. You wouldn't buy a horse, or even a dog or cat if you didn't think you could take care of it.
And if you WOULD, then you probably shouldn't be a pet owner.

 

[Nada]

That's a really bad idea. No body should buy a T beyond their level. That's how people and Ts get hurt.

 

[Charmyknux]

I suppose what I should have said is that while it is a good idea to make sure the hobby is right for you before you get too deep into it, there are other ways to go about it than buying something you can't handle.
If people would do research in the first place, before buying, then there would be fewer "incidents"

 

[Martin Oosthuysen]

Okay maybe I should explain, I didn't suggest a T blondi. I am trying to say that a T should be tried which needs greater care, since at the end of it all we could say read learn or research. We all know most people don't do what they are told(human nature), what they do by caring for an easy T is almost 0(none to little experience gained). Again, not saying get a T blondi(I shouldnt have said gruesome rather extra needs T lol), maybe an avic or something that requires a bit more care. So you can see for yourself, Am I really up for the task. When taking an easy T, no effort is required. I'm just trying to say, this could weed out potential people who make the T's suffer for their wrong judgments. Sacrifice one, to save the many ? So I apologize if it came across wrongly, but if you look at whats happening in the human/pet world you will find cases like this no matter what pet it is(cats,dogs,reptiles,arachnids or birds)

 

[Charmyknux]

Okay maybe I should explain, I didn't suggest a T blondi. I am trying to say that a T should be tried which needs greater care, since at the end of it all we could say read learn or research. We all know most people don't do what they are told(human nature), what they do by caring for an easy T is almost 0(none to little experience gained). Again, not saying get a T blondi(I shouldnt have said gruesome rather extra needs T lol), maybe an avic or something that requires a bit more care. So you can see for yourself, Am I really up for the task. When taking an easy T, no effort is required. I'm just trying to say, this could weed out potential people who make the T's suffer for their wrong judgments. Sacrifice one, to save the many ? So I apologize if it came across wrongly, but if you look at whats happening in the human/pet world you will find cases like this no matter what pet it is(cats,dogs,reptiles,arachnids or birds)

I agree that trying an avic or something with middle ground care requirements would be good for a beginner. It would make them pay more attention to the animal's needs, rather than a rosehair which coild easily be left alone for some time and be just fine.
It is so easy to see a cheap rosehair and just buy it without much thought. And that is for me as a hobbyist. So beginners probably shouldn't go that route as the animal could easily sit forgotten somewhere after its initial wow factor wears off. Or the owner then decides that it is too boring to keep.
As long as people don't go crazy and get something that is way to aggressive for them to handle, then I agree tgat your theory could be a good idea.

 

[Nada]

I think everyone should start with something that's hardy and slow, and then just slowly progress if they should. If you're not a handler, you can progress quicker.

 

[Martin Oosthuysen]

I agree to both statements, but kenny in a perfect world yes but its not a perfect world. Just do your self a favor at how many started in the T hobby, and have fallen away. Like I said, you can teach them tell them but human nature tends to take over 70% of the time. Its unfair towards these creatures, its like adopting with an option to get rid of. I do apologise, im just passionate about animals etc.

 

[Nada]

I appreciate the passion, but let's be honest (and realistic) in many cases Tarantulas are considered disposable pets. Therefore, starting beyond you're level adds to that. If someone's first experience is with a pokie or baboon, that spider is more likely to be neglected (out of fear) than say a Gramm or Avic.

 

[Martin Oosthuysen]

I appreciate the passion, but let's be honest (and realistic) in many cases Tarantulas are considered disposable pets. Therefore, starting beyond you're level adds to that. If someone's first experience is with a pokie or baboon, that spider is more likely to be neglected (out of fear) than say a Gramm or Avic.

Hello
Again, not saying get a pokie as your first. Just dont get a rose hair or curly, and think after that I can handle a pokie just as easy. Since a species like a rose hair, curly hair or even a chaco golden knee takes little to no effort or experience. So I do agree, like ive said sadly people selling T's off shows the trend.