Help!

Hello,
I love snakes to death! But, I have this terrible fear of tarantulas! I really want to overcome this fear, and actually own one! But, every time I try to hold one and freak out and run out of the pet shop.. Its pretty bad, if anybody can help me it'll be greatly appreciated!!
Thank you :)
Billy

Hi

I was afraid of the tarantulas for a while too

What I would recommend would be to find someone who has some little tarantulas and work on getting used to them first. The little ones are really cute, and can't really do much to ya.

Also, they aren't really touchy feely pets...they would actually do better without any human handling at all. So you don't have to feel obligated to hold them; they won't miss you

My little guy is the greatest...you should definitely get over the fear so you can get some!!

I used to be afraid of tarantulas too. I hate spiders.
But one day I had a rose hair female as a lab partner in biology and it changed my views forever. (don't worry, no experiments, just handing and looking at their physical anatomy.)

She was really neat and sweet. Just sat in the palm of my hand for a few minutes. She was very gentle and soft to touch.

And while I still don't like the little tiny house spiders, I do like the big fuzzy tarantulas. It was just a matter of making that first step of holding one that let me overcome my fear. After holding her, it really wasn't as bad as I thought.

Basically what Nikki is trying to say is that shes a beer pong tarantula ninja master.

If you're thinking about getting one then definitely start off with a sling so its smaller and easier to work with. Go for a docile, slow moving species. As it grows, so will your confidence in working with it. I don't really handle my T's unless they come out to me or mayyyybe during a transfer. They're more look but don't touch pets. Especially the Old worlds haha. They make great pets because literally all you have to do for months on end is feed and water them. Rehouse only when they outgrow whatever you have them in. Easy!

Lmk if you have anymore questions.

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

If you're thinking about getting one then definitely start off with a sling so its smaller and easier to work with. Go for a docile, slow moving species. As it grows, so will your confidence in working with it. I don't really handle my T's unless they come out to me or mayyyybe during a transfer. They're more look but don't touch pets. Especially the Old worlds haha. They make great pets because literally all you have to do for months on end is feed and water them. Rehouse only when they outgrow whatever you have them in. Easy!

Lmk if you have anymore questions.

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On the other end of the spectrum...
In my opinion I would stay away from slings as a beginner. They are small, delicate and sometimes very hard to keep alive. They can be very finicky when it comes to temps and humidity. They don't have the wow factor (small and most species are brownish colors) of an adult, they can be very fast and quick to escape. Some species take years to grow and mature. If it's a second or third instar you would need pinhead crickets or fruit flies which can be a pain to obtain and keep.

I honestly would buy a sub adult, at least 3-4 inches. This way it has a great chance of survival and also can be easily sexed at this stage by a breeder, and still has more growing to do. Females can live 20-30 years so take that into account, males mostly 5-10 years, all depending on the species.
I would go with most any of the Brachypelma species, Grammostola is another good beginner T species variety. Stay away from arboreal which is most of your old world T's. They are lightning fast, aggressive, and most have a more potent venom. Not quite beginner T's.

I used to have an irrational fear of spiders and some insects too but when i met my boyfriend he told me to pick out one I thought was really cool looking and care for it and i would change my mind. I did, and I still to this day have not held a T (seems ridiculous) but I've kept them for about 3 years now, and I have over 20 different species. You don't every have to hold them if you don't want to. Mostly I choose not to just in case one falls and hurts itself or escapes. I choose not to take that chance. But I assure you if you get a T as a pet you will grow to appreciate many different kinds of insects after that. You'll be hunting in the garden with a plastic vial looking for spiders in no time. :gj:

3-4inches is pretty intimidating to a first time T owner lol.

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

3-4inches is pretty intimidating to a first time T owner lol.

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well a sling would eventually grow to that size and larger lol
If a 3-4 inch T is too intimidating then I would say don't get one.

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Originally Posted by mues155

well a sling would eventually grow to that size and larger lol
If a 3-4 inch T is too intimidating then I would say don't get one.

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Yea but if you get something when its small and watch it grow, it isn't scary because you're used to it. That's my philosophy at least.

Totally outsider view, but I've always been more bothered by the creepy crawlies that are too small for me to watch body language than ones that are a little bit bigger. 3" really isn't that large (no matter what your mom tells you, Mike :weirdface ). I agree with staying away from anything overly venomous or aggressive, but find one that just looks really cool to you so you maintain interest. Just like what I suggest to people thinking about getting their first lizard or snake. :D

When then they're slings you don't have to watch body language lol.

The slings can jump quickly just like a juvenile can. If a .5" sling moving quickly freaks you out then a 3" T moving quickly will make you crap your pants. Especially if its your first T and you're still iffy about them. I guess it's just a personal view on them then. A .5" sling taking off on me is like "ohhh get back here you little cutie! You're so silly!" A 3" T getting away from me is like "oh blank, where the blank are you going? Holy blank, chill the blank out psycho!"

Three inches on a ruler doesn't look big but a 3" spider is huge compared to any spiders you've ever found in your cold, clammy basement, Anna. :D

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

When then they're slings you don't have to watch body language lol.

The slings can jump quickly just like a juvenile can. If a .5" sling moving quickly freaks you out then a 3" T moving quickly will make you crap your pants. Especially if its your first T and you're still iffy about them. I guess it's just a personal view on them then. A .5" sling taking off on me is like "ohhh get back here you little cutie! You're so silly!" A 3" T getting away from me is like "oh blank, where the blank are you going? Holy blank, chill the blank out psycho!"

Three inches on a ruler doesn't look big but a 3" spider is huge compared to any spiders you've ever found in your cold, clammy basement, Anna. :D

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Lmao. This is Georgia, the wolf spiders can hit 3"!! And I wish I had more spiders in the basement to eat those terrifying camel crickets!

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

Lmao. This is Georgia, the wolf spiders can hit 3"!! And I wish I had more spiders in the basement to eat those terrifying camel crickets!

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I'm pretty sure there aren't any wolf spiders that get to 3". This is where your concept of size is deceiving you lol. The wolf spiders you're seeing are probably an inch or so. So, triple the biggest wolf spider you've seen in your basement and thats the size of T I'm talking about. Also, add more "size" bc T's (at least the genus' that were mentioned) are more heavy bodied than wolf spiders. The fuzzyness generally makes them look bigger too.

Wait a minute. Are we including legs in the measurements when were talking about size here? I think i misunderstood some of you. My opinion remains unchanged though.

OK I was terrified of spiders. I bought a chillean rose hair to help with that. I can not let a critter go uncared for. So I just went to a reptile show. Picked one up when I did my research and Bam that's what I chose. Also for sizes draw a circle on a piece of paper to see the true size. I will also point out that it took me a long time to take her out. My ex wife did all that not going to lie when I held her for the first time I cried. (spider not the ex wife)

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Wait a minute. Are we including legs in the measurements when were talking about size here? I think i misunderstood some of you. My opinion remains unchanged though.

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Spiders are normally measured with legs at a resting "normal" pose. So when measuring in inches that's total length with legs.

My argument is still just that a sling can be discouraging to a beginner. You really have to know what your doing to keep a sling alive. I know I would be disappointed if I was a beginner and my new pet passed away and I didn't really understand why. It just makes more sense to me for a beginner to get a sub adult.
It all comes down to what the OP chooses and maybe more research is needed for them to make an informed decision.
whatever you get just make sure your comfortable with the new pet spider and that it is getting the proper care. I look forward to seeing a post in the future from you titled my new spider! :gj:

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Wait a minute. Are we including legs in the measurements when were talking about size here? I think i misunderstood some of you. My opinion remains unchanged though.

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Yes, I was referring to the diameter of the whole spider, not just the body.

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Originally Posted by mues155

Spiders are normally measured with legs at a resting "normal" pose. So when measuring in inches that's total length with legs.

My argument is still just that a sling can be discouraging to a beginner. You really have to know what your doing to keep a sling alive. I know I would be disappointed if I was a beginner and my new pet passed away and I didn't really understand why. It just makes more sense to me for a beginner to get a sub adult.
It all comes down to what the OP chooses and maybe more research is needed for them to make an informed decision.
whatever you get just make sure your comfortable with the new pet spider and that it is getting the proper care. I look forward to seeing a post in the future from you titled my new spider! :gj:

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I'm bordeline window licker and even i haven't managed to kill any brachy or grammo slings :p

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

I'm bordeline window licker and even i haven't managed to kill any brachy or grammo slings :p

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Well you've had wonderful luck then. I know my 1/3 inch slings can be a bit of a challenge.