Quote Originally Posted by Crusty View Post
With most new world tarantulas, you have to worry about urticating (irritating) hairs more than you have to worry about their bite.

Also, only the females make good pets. The males live for one thing- breeding. They reach maturity, go looking for a mate, breed, and die.
As the females rarely stray more than a few feet from their burrows, and you found it in your living room, I'd wager it's a male, and was looking for some loving.
At one point I was the floor manager of a large pet department and had to assist a customer who wanted some information on tarantulas.

Customer: Is there a difference in having a male tarantual vs. a female tarantula as a pet?

Panache: Good question, there is one actually. The males only live 3-4 years then die. The females if well cared for can live for up to 20 years.

Customer: (looking at spider in display case) How do I know if that one is a male or female?

Panache: Well if you purchase it and make sure to take take of it right and it drops dead in 2-3 years, it's a male.



Cheers

Jamie