My black Widow

[Patrick Long]

He's posting this same thread on multiple forums, with the same answer excusing his actions.

Imo, Latrodectus should never be free handled. Given, I have seen people free handle more dangerous species, but it is irresponsible. They are dangerous, and even if it does not kill you (which it most likely will not), their bite can inflict permanent damage.

Same thread he posted here, same answers he gave here.
http://www.reptileforums.com/forums/...605#post342605

X5

Thank you!

[Snakemaster24]

I was moving her to a new cage b/c she was outgrowning her old one. I did post on multiple forums b/c I like to see differtn answears. There venom is dangerous yes but is not usually fatal

[Beardedragon]

Black widows are pretty cool, but you would never see me holding one. In Georgia its common to see them EVERYWHERE. They scare the crap out of me when I accidentally touch one. When I was working on my friends fence we saw at last 50 of all sizes the first day, it was crazy! Beautiful spider though.

[stevenkeogh]

What the heck is antivenom?
-Steven

[Purrrfect9]

It's a medication derived from the venom itself that helps reduce the swelling/damaging effects. The bad thing about antivenom is that it doesn't work 100% of the time. I think I remember hearing that antivenom (for snakes like rattlers at least) has around a 60% success rate? and it might even make the wound worse? It's been a while since I've seen Venom ER. I'll go google it for a bit..

edit--
This link is an article published through the american medical association. The antivenom that is used here in the U.S. is derived from horse serum, and in 20-25% of patients the antivenom had no effects or actually worsened the wound http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/rep...61/16/2030.pdf

[stevenkeogh]

It was a joke question, as my 2 year old son would say:
"Ovu yu head!"
-Steven

[Purrrfect9]

lol my bad! Hard to get sarcasm over the internet =D

[Lucas339]

dude i have a crap ton of those in my garage at the house! FL love baby!

kinda cool that you are keeping it but a little crazy for holding it!

[kjhowland]

Another point is that the OP is not an adult and may be vulnerable to the venom. I don't know the physical size of the OP, but his age makes him more vulnerable than someone who is larger and older.

[ArachnoLady]

I agree that we should not be handling any medical significant species (not necessarily meaning death). Use the "cup to tank" method of reshousing.

I understand both sides of the coin and this is something that has been tossed around hundreds of times. This topic is nothing new.

Here is the deal: I have seen someone get tagged by a not so very potent species of centepede. The most that would happen to you is local pain where you were tagged However, this person had to be taken away by the paramedics. He had a severe rash and could not breath.

With this said, his body reacted differently than what should have commonly happened. Everyones body is going to react differently to venom.

I do handle my tarantulas but only the ones that are know to be typically docile such as curlyhair, Chacos, Pink Zebra Beautys, and mexican red knees-sometimes rosehairs. Even though they are docile, do I take my chances of getting tagged? yes, I do. However, I am a more experienced handler so I know how to test "moods" and I know how to pick them up in the safest manner. I am still not immune from getting bit though and I respect that fact that they are not domesticated animals and never will be.
I rarely post pics on the interent of me handling because beginners are going to want to hold their tarantula and may not necessarily know how to. This poses a risk to the handler and the tarantula.
I hold at home to see which spider is willing and I use them for demo's at shows and schools. However, I do explain that tarantulas on a whole do not like to be held and it's purely for our own enjoyment. I also disclose the risks.

If we show pictures of us holding (which we should not show us holding any medical significant or an aggressive (or potential) species on public forums) , we should make a disclaimer.
It's for the betterment of our hobby.