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Meadowknight In reply to blackphoenixart [2014-04-18 07:18:40 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! Yeah she is beautiful! She's the sassiest spider I own though, lol..she makes these little hissy sounds!! She may relax a bit more over time...love her loads . And yes they ARE very soft! If you ever decide to own one...they are a bit plain looking, and smaller, but a best first tarantula is a Grammostola rosea (Chilean Rose Hair)...very VERY docile (that was my first T., and still have her, her name is Pumpkin ). Those ones are very mellow, don't hiss or anything, lol...they are brown with a metallic pink carapace (upper body/head)  .

I just posted a photo of one of the new babies I got if you want to see! they are SOOO cute! I may post the other two I got as well. 

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Meadowknight In reply to Dryft-Art [2014-04-05 22:46:32 +0000 UTC]

Well..she's twitchy! I would nudge her from behind with my paint brush like I do to my other Ts to get her walking towards my hand...and she'd turn around and strike at the paint brush! I felt like she was just going to bite me for sure with that attitude..and I also read that they can be more nervous/sassy when they're smaller...which makes sense for survival purposes. I didn't feel like stressing her out or getting bitten, so I waited to see if she got calmer with age. I've been waiting for her to get bigger to hopefully calm down, and I think she is calming down . She did kick hairs at me before I got her onto my hand...and while holding her she seemed a little nervous still..making hissy sounds, lol...but she was okay! No threat pose..just slowly walking along my hands. I think she's at a better age for handling now, and may get even calmer over time. I'll try to hold her again in a week maybe, hopefully she'll get more used to me...I'm not sure if tarantulas are the type of animal that does get use to it's owner though...not sure what their memory is like. 

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Dryft-Art In reply to Meadowknight [2014-04-06 06:42:34 +0000 UTC]

ohhh very informative!!

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Meadowknight In reply to ItsProbablyMars [2014-04-05 22:19:55 +0000 UTC]

LOL..it's okay..sometimes people get freaked out by sudden movements! Basically any spider CAN run, but some tarantulas usually don't. I have three currently..one is a Chilean Rose Hair, then Spazz as shown here, my Mexican Red Knee..and then I have an Antilles versacolor (an arboreal tree dwelling one..not ground dwelling like the other two). The best thing to do is read up an each one and find one that fits your comfort zone...but nomatter what you'll probably be a little nervous at first! I was . If you can, have someone in an exotic pet shop show you how to handle them (I can describe it too)...in normal pet shops the people working there rarely know anything about what they have..so go to a specialty store..the animals health at those places is usually better too. 

I would suggest a Chilean rose hair, and look up handling videos on youtube so you can see what they move like ...that was my first T though, the Chilean Rose, and sometimes they are referred to as a "living rock" lol..they are usually slow and will sometimes just sit on you. But the thing is, they can run, like most living things (most animals can run), if they get spooked...so it's good to sit on the floor over carpeting, or on a bed just in case..so if they fall, they won't die.  Mainly what will make them run is if a draft or puff of air (like if you laugh or sigh, or breathe directly on them)...to them they dunno what that air change is, it could be a predator..so by instinct they'll run. But normally ground dwelling tarantulas just walk really slow or sit on you .

My arboreal (tree dwelling) one, Muppet, lol...she RUNS all over me (she ran up my arm, over my shoulder, and down my back, and onto my a$$ once...I was cracking up XD!), but since she's a tree dwelling type she has a good grip and doesn't slip and fall..so it just makes me laugh! But I'm not skittish about the running thing cause I know she's not trying or going to bite me or fall..she's just like "AHHHH! Where am I! what am I ON! *sprint*"..then "Oh it's just you...you feed me and love me" and she then walks calm and normal like the others, lol....I LOVE all of mine but she's actually my favorite. this is her by the way..she's normally much mor evidi than this cause she's about to molt in these photos..but she's fluffy and sweet, arboreals have fluffier and longer legs than the ground dwelling ones...yup this is my little sprinterrrr! awwww, lol < 3  -->  fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net…

All that being said, since you have never owned one and don't like running... I'd look into Chilean Rose Hairs . Those are considered "docile and calm" in temperament....just remember it may walk fast now and then when you first pick it up, and has the ability to run but probably won't if you learn about it's behavior and what it reacts to (basically just don't breathe directly onto it...mine has never really run and I've owned her for 10 years). They're cheap, most stores have them, and they don't grow as big as the Mexican red knee or others..so housing them is cheap (just a plastic tank for like $15 or $20 will do!). And if your house doesn't get colder than the high 60s you won't need heating stuff. NEVER use a lampo if you get a heating thing..only a heat pad..but Rose hairs seem to prefer cool to mid temps and a mostly dry enclosure. This is an old pic of me holding mine ...meadowknight.deviantart.com/ar… ..that's about their general size too. ..they have a pretty metallic pink carapace. 

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Meadowknight In reply to WinterSoulStudios [2014-04-05 23:17:53 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! Neat top see people appreciating her ! I think age is helping ...but can't be entirely sure! i did read somewhere a while back, that this species can be a little aggro/pissy when they're smaller...I mean it makes sense! They're tiny and need to look out for themselves! She was still nervous, and making little mild hissy sounds..and her steps were very careful...her feet were a little tappy and uncertain (it was cute, lol), but she definitely seems better . I think she may even get calmer over time!

I am a casual keeper because I'm so busy with my art, so i haven't studied/memorized the scientific or genus names just yet (it's on my to do list)...I just looked up Steatoda to see what you were talking about...widows and such huh? Those types of spiders I appreciate, but I actually find them a bit creepy! I found a couple photos of someone handling a widow or one similar...is that normal? do many people handle them? I have a black widow I caught, I keep them now and then because I find them interesting (I won't handle them, no way). I also have a bold jumping spider I named Paprika, I have a photo or two in my main gallery section..she is AWESOME, such a cutie (i handle her!)...and I have an Antillies versicolor tarantula named Muppet, and also a Chilean Rose hair named Pumpkin  . 

Here's Muppet...took this a couple weeks ago..she's nearing a molt though so she look a bit dull here. --->  fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net…  I need to upload this pic here on DA since people seem to enjoy seeing these cuties...she may be my fave tarantula if I had to pick .

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WinterSoulStudios In reply to Meadowknight [2014-04-27 20:47:44 +0000 UTC]

Steatoda are very closely related to widows, (both are in the cobweb weaving family). The cobweb spiders for sure have that classic Halloween/creepy/spikey-legged vibe to them Yeah, I've seen folks handling widows before too. I'm not sure about their temperament, although I wouldn't handle them either, that seems like it would be an accident waiting to happen!

Aw, jumping spiders are the best, so much personality packed into a tiny spider! And Muppet is beautiful, it's awesome how plush and fuzzy some tarantulas can look, the variations in body types amongst spiders is just amazing!

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Meadowknight In reply to kevdragon [2014-04-05 10:37:44 +0000 UTC]

Well nobody really likes spiders that get in your shoes and stuff, lol...I think learning more about them solves a LOT though. Just learning why they go certain places, etc...and which ones are dangerous and which are not. Basically if it's comfy for you it's usually comfy for a spider, lol. When I see a scorpion or spider that gets in the house I put a cup over it and a paper under it and take it outside or keep it. I even have a black widow in a plastic container currently...just because she's interesting to watch and safer in a container than outside or in the garage where she might get on clothing or something (the other option is killing her and I don't like killing stuff!). In America there's only a few out of thousands that can hurt people seriously....but it's cool that you're open to learn
more and just don't view them as something to squish!

Thanks, she is a pretty girl . As far as I know they can't really be trained..base don my experience and what I've read...they seem to be reactive to what's going on, I'm not sure if they memorize stuff. When it's feeding time, they eat live food, I feed mine crickets mostly and sometimes meal worms...usually in their cage they sit in a "hide", which is usually half a plant pot or log hollow, and they'll wander out now and then...or they'll dig a burrow. That's if they're a terrestrial one though (ground dwelling), there are arboreal ones too (I have one arboreal one that i LOVE)...arboreal are tree dwelling, and make these silk like funnels as their hide/home . When you feed them...they grab the cricket with their front legs and fangs, and they'll either chase it and grab it, or they'll let it walk by then quickly grab it. Oddly it's best to keep a tarantula in a tank that isn't very large, and the place they sit most is their hide or their silk hammock/funnel...there's no real precise feeding area, they just chase it or grab it much like a lizard. I guess they are similar to keep like a lizard in some way. They do know where their water dish is . As far as training though, I don't think so...what i wonder about is if they ever get used to a person! To handle them I usually nudge them up the wall of their tank and onto my hand, and they kinda walk around like "what's this surface?!" .

If you want to look into them more and consider getting one, I would recommend starting with a Chilean Rose Hair, or a Mexican red Knee like Spazz here. The difference is, the Rose hairs are MUCH cheaper, and much smaller when full grown...and they have them in almost every pet store that has reptiles. Rose hairs live long too...I think 10 to 25 years...red knees 30 years tops. Both are considered docile, I'd Google both those names though, and type in "care sheet" after the name...they are some of the most common ones. A Chaco Golden knee is supposed to be really tame and get huge too....I want to get one of those next . they aren't as colorful as the red knee but are supposed to be giant (slow growing) and tame.  If I were you I'd get a Chilean Rose though ...perfect starter tarantula! there are the occasional aggressive ones though so just check em' out at a pet store and make sure you don't get a psycho, lol. OH, another important thing..get a female, the males don't live very long . 

Rats are awesome, very cute and smart ..I get a little nervous about rodent teeth though..been bit by a hamster and rat as a kid, and boy can they draw blood, lol. I have two ferrets (ferrets are not rodents..they have teeth similar to a kitten which doesn't make me nervous for some reason)...amazing animals.  And yeah rats, they can be pests or pets ...I think they're awesome little animals . they do have a strong smell though that some people don't like (tarantulas seem scentless btw..unless there's too many cricket parts in the tank when it's due for a clean). 

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Meadowknight In reply to kirava1 [2014-04-05 10:54:20 +0000 UTC]

They feel really dainty!! They have tiny little claws on the ends of there feet..like small hooks...but they are SO fine/tiny you can barely see them... it doesn't hurt at all, but can kinda tickle....personally I think they feel really cute to hold, and it depends on how big it is too...I feel Spazz more than my smaller Chilean Rose. But basically, very lite and graceful! it's fun to watch and feel their little steps on you . I especially love my Antilles versacolor, Muppet, lol..she's an arboreal tree tarantula, and has really long fluffy legs! She has excellent grip since she's made for jungle tree climbing/life....so she's much less likely to fall off while I'm holding her which puts me at ease, but she's dainty and graceful too...almost like a walking feather.

Don't feel bad about being too nervous...I think everyone is the first time they handle one because they are so different looking than other animals. If you do, what's best is having someone show you how in person, so you can also see the other person being calm and the tarantula not hurting them. For me it was a trust thing, I was very nervous until I got used to my first one and realized she wasn't threatened, so wasn't going to bite or freak out or anything, lol. It's also important to keep in mind how fragile they are...and to be more concerned about their safety gets you less worried about your own. Plus, most bites are said to be no worse than a bee..so it's not like even if the worst case scenario happened, you'd be badly hurt or in any danger, lol. Honestly I get a little nervous with each new one..because you're getting to know it's personality . All three of mine are a little different! My Chilean Rose is the most calm (and will sometimes literally just SIT still on me and do nothing after she takes a few steps, lol), Spazz here flicks the most hairs and seems a little nervous, but still seems to walk slow...and the one tree dwelling tarantula I have will dash if she's spooked and run onto my back and I need to get someone to help if I can't reach her, lol...but she just dashes, then calms down..she doesn't try to bite or anything, and has an adorable walk (super fluffy and colorful! She' s emerald green and red!). Each species has a different temperament, and the three I have are notoriously docile...so knowing they are known not to bite helps! if you ever wanna get one and need any help, shoot me a note . For now try googeling these three if you want; Mexican Red Knee, Chilean Rose Hair, and Antillies Versacolor (my personal fave so far)...the versicolor is my tree spider . ..great second spider pet, they need a good balance of humidity and they're quick..so a better secondary pet after some experience with a slower one. 

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kirava1 In reply to Meadowknight [2014-04-05 18:49:45 +0000 UTC]

Oh wow versicolors are so pretty! (on google images there's one nestling in a dudes beard lol)
I'd like to try to handle one, but my hands constantly tremble slightly so I'm cautious if that would startle them or not

I might get one as a pet... maybe... But personally I'm a snake and wolf person myself

I don't know exactly why I'm skittish about spiders in general, even the common house spiders here in England, I guess it's the legs in comparison to their body, and too many eyes sometimes... yeesh. It's kinda funny really, i'm 6 foot 4, and I'm timid towards something less-than-half the size on my foot XD

And thank you kindly for replying, its was an interesting read, and it must've took you a bit of time to type all that

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Meadowknight In reply to MoogiMonster [2014-04-05 10:08:52 +0000 UTC]

She kinda does make you want to tickle her..she's so danged cute XD!! lol...I don't know, I think they're more "is that a threat?" instinctual, than playful like a dog, cat, or ferret would be . it's a good question though! They'd probably just be like "What the HELL is that?!", lol. One of my facebook friends pets all his tarantula's bellies (under the abdomen)..and takes videos of it, and it's really funny/cute...they kinda stick their butts up like a cat arches it's back  (they seem to like it, and don't act threatened at all, and don't try to move away from the petting....so it really seems like they like it, or don't care, lol). if a tarantula is unhappy, it dashes away, flicks hairs (urticating hairs), or rears up bearing it's fangs in a warning threat pose (never seen mine do that..i own docile species, lol..but mine have flicked hairs and run if they get spooked XD )....so all that being said leads me to believe they like being pet on the belly since they seem to react in a positive way, lol. 

Tarantulas are very odd creatures, I think they are one of those animals you just need to own for a while to fully understand and appreciate their appeal, and see their little quirks over time....building trust was a big part of it for me too, I still haven't been bit. I'm sure I will eventually, but if you get a docile species bites never happen or are very rare...they won't do it if they feel safe basically, and even if they don't they usually just run or give a warning.  I got my first one, Pumpkin, a Chilean Rose Hair,  about 10 years ago (she's still alive..they live a long time! Well the females do, males don't live more than a few years or so usually)...and had I had known they were this neat I would have owned one much sooner in my life. Spazz in this picture...being a Mexican Red Knee can live to be 30 years old, so I'll be almost 60 when she dies if she doesn't have any health problems over the years. It's not hard to keep that commitment though when you love them, and they're also so easy to care for...almost as easy as a plant, lol.

Sorry I rambled..I have tarantulas on the brain today . 

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