Unexpected Houseguest

**Tattoo Bradley** · 20th August 07, 07:32 PM

I had a rose-haired tartantula as a pet. But, I'm mildly arachnophobic so I gave her away. I thought that would break the fear... but no.

**turpin** · 20th August 07, 07:32 PM

Hey! That could be your next full-mask sporran!

**ardchoille** · 20th August 07, 07:36 PM

Originally Posted by turpin

Hey! That could be your next full-mask sporran!

ha ha ha ha
I was wondering who would be the first to say that.

**pdcorlis** · 20th August 07, 07:37 PM

Note to self - be sure to check BruceK's note to self before moving to Arizona.

**Red_Raven** · 20th August 07, 08:26 PM

Lets just say that the damn thing is lucky chromescholar found it and not me...I'm of the flatten first and ask what it is later type...especially with spiders of any kind..But then my daughter keeps a Steatoda grossa or False Black Widow as a pet...If it gets out it will be flat also!

**Clockwork John** · 20th August 07, 08:50 PM

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.

toadinakilt · 20th August 07, 08:54 PM

ugh! gar! ngh! bth! asdfgh!

that is what RAID is for...

**Beertigger** · 20th August 07, 10:50 PM

There's an enormous wolf spider that's been wandering around my living room ceiling for the last few days. Just patrolling for bugs, but a bit creepy nonetheless...

**acstoon** · 21st August 07, 05:56 AM

Originally Posted by Crusty

The males live for one thing- breeding. They reach maturity, go looking for a mate, breed, and die.
I'd wager it's a male, and was looking for some loving.

...and here I was, loathing spiders... when in reality, they are just like me.

**Panache** · 21st August 07, 06:57 AM

Originally Posted by Crusty

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