Tarantulas: To Handle or Not To Handle?

I voted no.. Mostly because I've seen what happens when people put their faces too close to a T and they spring their hairs... If you want pain, get something embedded in your cornea.

IF you know your animal, and know it wont spook, i suppose i could see handling one. Its not for me though.

i didnt vote yes or no. i think it depends on the species you are dealing with. i have handled some when i was keeping them but only avics. it was a wierd feeling! i could feel its hooks dig into my skin. very strange. i would never hold anything like pokie or a OBT but have know people who have.

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Originally Posted by Lucas339

i would never hold anything like pokie or a OBT but have know people who have.

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LOL yeah I'd avoid OBT's too, I get what you mean!

The 2 I keep now I dont handle at all in 20 some years of keeping them I havent handled them much. I am allergic to bees though found out a few years back. I think you can if you want but it isnt nessecary.

Which Ts? With around 1000 species it is somewhat of a broad question. It could be compared to: "Should you handle snakes?" Much of that decision will rest upon the species in question and the keepers experience.

Definitly NO. An animal, which explores everything through "feeling" (some spiders can feel how big the insect is, that went around 1 m above them, if they are in a cave) will have to much impressions on an underground they don`t know. heartbeat, sweat,...
there are some more reasons which are har for me to explain in english, but the stated one is the biggest issue on hanlding spiders,...

Definitly NO! Anything with eight legs, beedy little eyeballs, and large fangs gives me the HEEBIE-JEEBIES! I freak out from a pinky sized spider to the point i pull over my truck jump out and find it before i get back in even if i am driving. :O (Of course I also call my hubby in to save me from ones in the shower too LOL)

....But I had to save him from a bat!

I don't own a T but I think they're amazing little critters and there's definitely one on my wish list. I've handled friends T's and T's at the reptile shop. I think it's ok with species that aren't really jumpy and flighty and should be done w/ extreme care since a short fall could be fatal. It's also a good idea to sit on the floor while handling so if the little guy or girl does fall it won't be a long drop...