Why?

Phantom_ · #1 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 03:47 AM

I was just wondering, why would someone keep a tarantula as a pet? I am not bashing people who own them or anything, I am just curious why people have them.

John_E_Dove · #2 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 04:02 AM

We have a group of local native species that we have been studying for around 7 years and are constantly learning new things about their habits under various conditions. We also keep 4 South American species just because they are interesting to watch and try to understand their behavior.
The best way to sum it up would be they are like fish in an aquarium only different.

ssjsmits · #3 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 04:03 AM

same reason why people decide to keep snakes, lizards, turtles etc.

Phantom_ · #4 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_E_Dove

We have a group of local native species that we have been studying for around 7 years and are constantly learning new things about their habits under various conditions. We also keep 4 South American species just because they are interesting to watch and try to understand their behavior.
The best way to sum it up would be they are like fish in an aquarium only different.

Can you handle a tarantuala? Or is it something that you watch, like fish?

stalk · #5 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 04:08 AM

I handle my fish all the time... I don't see what's wrong with it. They like to play around and do flips in my hands. I think it's cruel to keep fish in their tanks all day, I think they want to get out and explore. That's why they are so happy they do flips when I take them out.

Ophiophilia · #6 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stalk

I handle my fish all the time... I don't see what's wrong with it. They like to play around and do flips in my hands. I think it's cruel to keep fish in their tanks all day, I think they want to get out and explore. That's why they are so happy they do flips when I take them out.

Lmao.... I hope your joking about that though.

John_E_Dove · #7 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phantom_

Can you handle a tarantuala? Or is it something that you watch, like fish?

Can you handle them? Yes but I never suggest doing so because it places the T in danger. They are surprisingly fast when they want to be and one leap can cause a burst abdomen and death to the T.
When we have to remove a T from it's enclosure we use a soft paint brush to gently nudge them into a square tupperware container with a lid we then put in place. When we do programs with our Ts we do the same but we use clear food storage containers so the audience can get close without endangering the spider.

X-Factor · #8 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 04:25 AM

Stalk I am sending you a bill to replace my keyboard, which has doritos and mt Dew all over it....

richardduckworth · #9 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 04:59 AM

some people don't require interaction with everything. there are TOUCHERS and LOOKERS.

a looker can get just as much joy simply observing something as would a toucher with their grubby hands all over it.........you can learn a lot from just looking

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