do tarantulas make good pet

snakeman92 · 11-30-02, 10:00 PM

i have been trying to get my mom to let me get one for a few weeks know and need some ideas to try on her plz help
thank

Them and Us · 12-01-02, 06:47 AM

With mothers it is always difficult. i have no real advice but do wish you luck. i might say tell her what you plan to do with the setup. tell her about locking the cage at all times etc. nagging works too.

Pixie · 12-01-02, 12:12 PM

I suggest showing some documentation of the species you are considering. Everybody's first question to me when they find out I have a tarantula is: Aren't they venomous? or Aren't they dangerous? Having documentation that proves they aren't dangerous and docile (depending on the species) helps greatly.

Good luck, not many moms would willingly let a tarantula into the house

!!!

nouserpif · 12-01-02, 09:38 PM

Tarantulas are kick *** pets by:
Dan Conner.
All prices approximate, and in CAN funds.

They are barely dangerous to humans, there has NEVER been a recorded human death by a tarantula. The best begginer species (Chilean Rose Hair, and brachymupelma species (spelling) have a bite much like a beesting, and will only bite if provoked horribly.
They are really big chickens.

They do not need to go to vets, no shots, medicine, etc... and only need to be cleaned like twice a year.

They eat maybe one or two crickets a week, and averaging 10c each, that is a max. of lets jsut say a quarter a week. 25 cents times 52 weeks is only like $13 a year to feed, not much more than keeping goldfish...

members.rogers.com/creepy-crawlies sells spiderlings of the easiest species (Chilean Rose) for $8 plus shipping. They need about a 5 gallon aquarium to live in full grown, with lid, lets say $30 (you can get them for cheaper, easily). They probably need a heat lamp ($20 to set up) or a side mounted small heat pad ($30). They need a substrate (compressed brick of coconut fiber works well...) 10$, adn a hide, like half a container, like an old/chipped terra cotta pot (you can get a chipped one from walmart for like $2), or a 1L yougurt tub, etc...

This means you are all set up, and in the first year, including food, for under $100, maybe a bit over with shipping from Ottowa for the T itself. Not very much for a pet that can live 20+ years!
They are wonderful.
hope that helps,
Dan Conner

nouserpif · 12-05-02, 01:33 AM

Hey, any luck with that? Did you/are you allowed to get one?

Keep us posted...
Dan Conner

Rookie · 12-06-02, 09:33 PM

Hey there,
Tarantulas make excellent pets for the above-mentioned reasons, plus a few more:
-they produce very little waste, and what is produced is difficult to see, and it has no smell (believe it or not)
-their enclosures need no matenance (except in case of emergency; ie: mold), and you can use the same substrate without changing for over a year.
-they cannot affect individuals with alergies like other pets because their 'hairs' are not hairs at all, and therefore cannot produce dander (the cause of alergies).
-they make no noise, of course.
-they take up very little room, and housing can be very inexpensive (i keep mine in a rubbermaid container).
-their temperature specifications are not complex like herps; they can survive quite well at room temperature (all species).
-they are incredibly fascinating animals that cannot be appreciated until you have one of your own.

My greatest advice to you is to READ ABOUT THEM. Get to know about them, and prove to your mother that you are willing to learn about them and research them, and that you take the idea seriously. Also, the more you read about them, the more you want to own one.
Hope that helps, good luck!
The Rookie

JeffT · 12-11-02, 04:34 PM

It depends, I sold mine a while ago because it was too agressive. I went to camp for a week and came back and the thing forgot me and would go psycho.

But thats my experience.............

Rookie · 12-12-02, 12:23 PM

Jeff,
What species of Tarantula did you have? There are very few Tarantulas that will 'go pyscho' at the presence of a human. Only the most agressive species, such as Pterinochilus species, or Poecilotheria species would attack a human when provoked. Most species are quite gentle, and are known for being quite docile. Such species would be best for a beginner, and thus, such a species is one I would recommend. All Tarantulas are handleable, and I have personally seen photos of experts holding the agressive species I mentioned above. Tarantulas are of no threat as long as they are treated with respect, just as any herp is, I'm sure. As for your Tarantula 'forgetting you', a Tarantula doesn't really have the brain capacity to understand who you are. I was once told by an experienced tarantula keeper that the best we can ever hope for, is they see us as a large organism, non-threatening. Even though we're responsible for feeding them, and temperature, and maintaining their humidity, they don't have the ability to comprehend this. So, as for your Tarantula 'forgetting you', it never knew who you were in the first place.
Of course, despite all of this, the final decision comes down to snakeman92. A tarantula has the potential to be a great display animal though, if he chooses to get one.
The Rookie

JeffT · 12-13-02, 05:26 PM

It was an adult female chilean Rose Hair. She was always so nice and docile and i would even let my 4 year oild cousin hold her. Then I came home, opend the top and she reared back and would try and bite. This went on for about 2 months and then I sold her to Petland for $20.

12-17-02, 10:39 AM

It's not that easy and depends upon several factors. There are a few tarantulas that are considered very docile, and others that are considered skittish or aggressive, Some have fairly lax environmental requirements others are fairly exacting, some will burrow or spin a web and seldom will you see them others patrol the enclosure all the time. Best thing is research and a realistic attitude, and that may be the best way to get mom on your side.

dlucka · 12-17-02, 12:03 PM

No secret way to get a mother on your side all in here give you a good way, read show her how you like those animal. One more thing that no one talk about, catch a wild one in or around your house (may not be a tarantula) but you can find it really special.
I couch a crab, wolf and other spider this way, (if she's very scare of spider) you can tell:" She was free in the house better been in control!!!). They are very special animal even if there not tarantula. I give them cricket 5 time larger then they are (for the crab one) they'll attack it, they are amassing. Wolf and crab spider are hunter they will not build a web and wait.

Wish you the best luck.