Rose Hair Tarantula handling question?

[brylecc1989]

I picked up a rose hair today. She is beautiful almost 5 inches long and seemingly very placid. I saw her in the pet store, googled some care sheets on my girl's iphone, and decided for 15 bucks i couldn't go wrong. I really like her, got her all set up, but honestly am slightly nervous to handle her. I heard that if dropped it means pretty much certain death for them. I just really don't know how to go about picking her up. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

[stephanbakir]

Place a hand flat on the ground in the terrarium, tickle their abdomen and guide them onto it. Dropped rosies generally die, if its 1+ foot.

Make sure if you do get bitten that you don't fling him/her.

[totheend]

Yep, place your hand on the bottom of enclosure and touch her back end, she will move forward. You shouldn't drop her, just watch what she is doing. I have never dropped one. They are pretty good for staying on you. Just be sure that if she bites you or kicks hairs at you, you aren't going to fling her off you. Good luck and enjoy her. I think you should show us some pics :D

[brylecc1989]

Thanks a lot guys. What does it mean when they "flick hairs"?

[stephanbakir]

New world tarantulas can kick urticating hairs at you, allot of the time its actually worse then the bite, especially if you inhale them or get them in the eyes.

[thelocket]

What they have said...Also, be careful not to rub against the grain on their hair and wear gloves to clean the substrate. It WILL make your fingers itch something fierce! Most Rosies are docile, so don't be too frightened. Until recently, my 10 yr old daughter had a Rosehair and handled her quite a bit. She was never bitten and Raven never postured like she would strike. Not even when startled. The plus side is that you really don't have to handle her much anyway. Tarantulas don't get lonely for interaction. :) Congrats on your first Rosehair!