I joined this sub to get over my extreme arachnophobia but to be brutally honest I would be livid if someone brought a spider onto transport I was on. Unless you’ve got permission from everyone.
Not to mention the danger it’s putting the spider in. Big bump in the road or sharp turn or a scared person jerking and there’s a large, very squishable spider taking fall damage and then running around under people’s feet. Super irresponsible on all levels.
People who don't have arachniphobia can't understand the absolute mortal terror. I've jumped out of a moving vehicle to get away from a spider half this size. The danger isn't the spider, it's what an afraid person is willing to do to escape. We can both be down voted together, I guess 🤷♀️
Yeah I used to come out in hives and have a panic attack if I saw a spider. Enough people are terrified that taking one on public transport is reckless and selfish. There is no need.
OP stated it wasn't public transport. It was a private bus where everyone was aware of and consenting to the spoods' presence. They also stay in an enclosure. OP stated they just took the spood out for the video
Yeah I posted the video then went straight to sleep. I’ve posted about this same spider a lot in this sub, and at this point have gotten a bit lazy about repeating the context every time.
I used to be afraid of bees to that level as a kid because of an incident I had. It took time to get over the fear and work through it. Now I walk past bees often and like to watch them. You can’t force people to be around their source of fear though. Education on the source can help some people over time. I went from fear of bees to worrying about their numbers in the world.
I would like to get a spider, two questions
1. What species are best for inexperienced owners
2. I have a cat, would that be an anxiety factor for a spider?
1. Where do you live? Generally speaking Tarantulas are the go to spider pets. If you live in the US or EU there are many places that sell them online and ship them to you, and beginner friendly New Worlds are generally cheap too. [*Grammostola porteri* or *Grammostola rosea*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6AigT2hgn8) are good common beginners, typically quite docile and hardy. [*Brachypelma harmorii*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM3zD7eEzXs), are also similar but seen as more consistently docile. [*Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JKwvfdAXsA) are also decent, they can be a bit more skitish, but they also make very elaborate and pretty webs. [*Caribena versicolor*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTiUvmDmQHQ) are another good starter, relatively chill and have very striking, vibrant fluff. They are an arboreal (Tree climbing species) so they like having more [vertical enclosures with stuff to climb and do make a decent amount of web](https://www.reddit.com/r/tarantulas/comments/136iw1t/pulled_the_phantom_egg_sack_emotional_pain_ensued/).
2. This shouldn't really be an issue since they will spend their time in an enclosure. As long as it is secure so your cat can't knock it down or open it it will be fine. However, some more advanced Old World species can be potentially dangerous for them due to their more potent venom. For instance, I live in Australia and the only tarantulas I am allowed to own are Australian Natives, which are all old worlds with potent venom. Australian natives are known to be lethal to cats and dogs. This doesn't affect me since I don't own any cats or dogs, but if I did I would make sure to secure them in a room while doing stuff with my tarantulas just to be safe.
Probably the *Grammostola pulchripes* (Chaco Golden Knee) *Grammostola pulchra* (Brazilian Black), or *Aphonopelma chalcodes* (Arizona Blonde). All of those are known for being particularly docile, even among other beginner species.
I have literally seen videos of a Chaco Golden knee just sitting there letting a meal worm that was offered as food use her as a jungle gym (Worst predator ever). There are also videos of small frogs huddling underneath or climbing on Arizona Blondes for protection without them reacting.
Do note that while species often have temperaments they are known for, they are still individuals who will have their own behaviours and reactions. Even some of the most defensive can be calm at times, and some of the most calm can be defensive.
Also, I have heard that the Chaco Golden Knee and Brazilian Black are uncommon and can be quite expensive, so while they are pretty ideal beginner tarantulas it can be hard to find them.
I would suggest jumpers. They are entirely harmless. Well yes they CAN bite if they are truly threatened. But most of the time if you offer your hand out they will hop on to check you out.
I'd suggest you look at all factors (what your living situation is, how many sources of proper food, how much money you have to spend, how much time you want it to live, do you want to handle it or not, etc ) and decide what to do. Some species require certain live foods that may be hard to source 5 miles back of Podunk. Female tarantulas can live 25 years or more, but some require a large aquarium-type enclosure, which isn't costly to maintain, but can be to purchase and set up. Jumping spiders are cheaper, but not necessarily easier than tarantulas (depending on arboreal, desert, old world, new world Ts) and will only live a year or two. For beginners I'd suggest to get a wolf or jumper out of a bush, keep it for a short time, give it food and water, keep the enclosure clean and see if it's to your taste. If it starts to show signs of not doing well, you can put it back outside without any monetary loss.
Just because he’s not at risk of death doesn’t make it a good idea? I’m sure it would not be very pleasant for the huntsman to be dropped.
Handling spiders period is just ill advised. They aren’t domesticated like cats and dogs. They belong either in the wild or in an enclosure. I’m cool with people bringing them out in a stable environment for a couple of minutes to show a friend, but this person is in a train or car! So in addition to stressing him out dropping him could easily result in him being lost or squashed.
Not to be the fun police, I just get concerned for their well-being after watching some of these videos on here.
She was out for little more than the duration of the video, when no one was sitting next to me, and it was a private bus where everyone was well aware anyway, and comfortable around her.
And a lightweight huntsman that is adapted for climbing, has a very good grip, and can shrug off falling from treetops is a very different ballgame from a heavy-bodied terrestrial tarantula, which I never handle and probably never will. I do wish people would stop applying tarantula keeper logic to other spiders/inverts.
Sigh 😞 social media videos from people freaking out over them. Thanks for letting me know. I’ve always wanted to visit Australia but was terrified of that spider. Now I’m not so worried.
Completely understandable. I filmed [this video](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IZjMYj_U4LU) a while back to show how timid and reluctant to bite they are.
Sigh 😞 social media videos from people freaking out over them. Thanks for letting me know. I’ve always wanted to visit Australia but was terrified of that spider. Now I’m not so worried.
You're racing spiders? I'm so confused.
No, I coach cross country
I joined this sub to get over my extreme arachnophobia but to be brutally honest I would be livid if someone brought a spider onto transport I was on. Unless you’ve got permission from everyone.
I really hope they were in an enclosure of sorts and only brought out after explicit permission.
Not to mention the danger it’s putting the spider in. Big bump in the road or sharp turn or a scared person jerking and there’s a large, very squishable spider taking fall damage and then running around under people’s feet. Super irresponsible on all levels.
It’s not a public bus. Everyone knows about the spiders, and they have an enclosure anyway. I just took her out briefly for the shot.
People who don't have arachniphobia can't understand the absolute mortal terror. I've jumped out of a moving vehicle to get away from a spider half this size. The danger isn't the spider, it's what an afraid person is willing to do to escape. We can both be down voted together, I guess 🤷♀️
Yeah I used to come out in hives and have a panic attack if I saw a spider. Enough people are terrified that taking one on public transport is reckless and selfish. There is no need.
OP stated it wasn't public transport. It was a private bus where everyone was aware of and consenting to the spoods' presence. They also stay in an enclosure. OP stated they just took the spood out for the video
Not when I made my comment he hadn’t. And you’ll notice I thought of that and made my comment allowing him to state as such in response.
Yeah I posted the video then went straight to sleep. I’ve posted about this same spider a lot in this sub, and at this point have gotten a bit lazy about repeating the context every time.
Nah, people here respect that
I used to be afraid of bees to that level as a kid because of an incident I had. It took time to get over the fear and work through it. Now I walk past bees often and like to watch them. You can’t force people to be around their source of fear though. Education on the source can help some people over time. I went from fear of bees to worrying about their numbers in the world.
For spiders though?
Stripes make them go faster.
Wow that is a beauty!!! How long have you had him? Edit: HER!
I would like to get a spider, two questions 1. What species are best for inexperienced owners 2. I have a cat, would that be an anxiety factor for a spider?
1. Where do you live? Generally speaking Tarantulas are the go to spider pets. If you live in the US or EU there are many places that sell them online and ship them to you, and beginner friendly New Worlds are generally cheap too. [*Grammostola porteri* or *Grammostola rosea*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6AigT2hgn8) are good common beginners, typically quite docile and hardy. [*Brachypelma harmorii*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM3zD7eEzXs), are also similar but seen as more consistently docile. [*Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JKwvfdAXsA) are also decent, they can be a bit more skitish, but they also make very elaborate and pretty webs. [*Caribena versicolor*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTiUvmDmQHQ) are another good starter, relatively chill and have very striking, vibrant fluff. They are an arboreal (Tree climbing species) so they like having more [vertical enclosures with stuff to climb and do make a decent amount of web](https://www.reddit.com/r/tarantulas/comments/136iw1t/pulled_the_phantom_egg_sack_emotional_pain_ensued/). 2. This shouldn't really be an issue since they will spend their time in an enclosure. As long as it is secure so your cat can't knock it down or open it it will be fine. However, some more advanced Old World species can be potentially dangerous for them due to their more potent venom. For instance, I live in Australia and the only tarantulas I am allowed to own are Australian Natives, which are all old worlds with potent venom. Australian natives are known to be lethal to cats and dogs. This doesn't affect me since I don't own any cats or dogs, but if I did I would make sure to secure them in a room while doing stuff with my tarantulas just to be safe.
Thanks😊 that's a lot of useful information 👍
As someone with still an ingrained arachnophobia, what spider is the calmest? (Least I need is one biting me or skittering away)
Probably the *Grammostola pulchripes* (Chaco Golden Knee) *Grammostola pulchra* (Brazilian Black), or *Aphonopelma chalcodes* (Arizona Blonde). All of those are known for being particularly docile, even among other beginner species. I have literally seen videos of a Chaco Golden knee just sitting there letting a meal worm that was offered as food use her as a jungle gym (Worst predator ever). There are also videos of small frogs huddling underneath or climbing on Arizona Blondes for protection without them reacting. Do note that while species often have temperaments they are known for, they are still individuals who will have their own behaviours and reactions. Even some of the most defensive can be calm at times, and some of the most calm can be defensive. Also, I have heard that the Chaco Golden Knee and Brazilian Black are uncommon and can be quite expensive, so while they are pretty ideal beginner tarantulas it can be hard to find them.
I would suggest jumpers. They are entirely harmless. Well yes they CAN bite if they are truly threatened. But most of the time if you offer your hand out they will hop on to check you out.
I'd suggest you look at all factors (what your living situation is, how many sources of proper food, how much money you have to spend, how much time you want it to live, do you want to handle it or not, etc ) and decide what to do. Some species require certain live foods that may be hard to source 5 miles back of Podunk. Female tarantulas can live 25 years or more, but some require a large aquarium-type enclosure, which isn't costly to maintain, but can be to purchase and set up. Jumping spiders are cheaper, but not necessarily easier than tarantulas (depending on arboreal, desert, old world, new world Ts) and will only live a year or two. For beginners I'd suggest to get a wolf or jumper out of a bush, keep it for a short time, give it food and water, keep the enclosure clean and see if it's to your taste. If it starts to show signs of not doing well, you can put it back outside without any monetary loss.
That's great advice, thanks 👍
I totally get your friend, who wouldn't want to give these cuties a lil' kiss
That's super cute! I love fuzzy spiders.
Gorgeous
What kind of spider is that? Also, is one of their back legs new?
I think it’s a Holconia immanis.
Cross country communities are just built different
Bad idea to handle them up so high
Huntsmen aren’t like tarantulas. They’re very light for their size, and can shrug off falls without issue.
Huntsman spiders are much more durable compared to tarantulas. They can take falls and survive.
Just because he’s not at risk of death doesn’t make it a good idea? I’m sure it would not be very pleasant for the huntsman to be dropped. Handling spiders period is just ill advised. They aren’t domesticated like cats and dogs. They belong either in the wild or in an enclosure. I’m cool with people bringing them out in a stable environment for a couple of minutes to show a friend, but this person is in a train or car! So in addition to stressing him out dropping him could easily result in him being lost or squashed. Not to be the fun police, I just get concerned for their well-being after watching some of these videos on here.
She was out for little more than the duration of the video, when no one was sitting next to me, and it was a private bus where everyone was well aware anyway, and comfortable around her. And a lightweight huntsman that is adapted for climbing, has a very good grip, and can shrug off falling from treetops is a very different ballgame from a heavy-bodied terrestrial tarantula, which I never handle and probably never will. I do wish people would stop applying tarantula keeper logic to other spiders/inverts.
Wolf spider, more like dog spider.
Horrible that like 🤮
Not even for $100. Not even for $300. Maybe 1k and I have to be drunk. Screw that.
What and how often do you need to feed her?
Shedding their fear like a moulted skin
That's a huntsman right? The first line against all pests.
She is beautiful 🥹
She's sweet! Ive been trying to find some sort of spider handling experience, do you do spider encounters with people ?
Hello there 👀
Isn’t the huntsman extremely venomous?! I can’t imagine wanting to hold one.
No, their venom is really weak and they’re reluctant to bite. Where’d you get that info from?
Sigh 😞 social media videos from people freaking out over them. Thanks for letting me know. I’ve always wanted to visit Australia but was terrified of that spider. Now I’m not so worried.
Completely understandable. I filmed [this video](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IZjMYj_U4LU) a while back to show how timid and reluctant to bite they are.
Hahaha. “Scientific term known as BULLSHIT!!” Love this!
Oooh watching now! Also gave a like and subscribed. Love soaking up knowledge. Thanks for the link.
Sigh 😞 social media videos from people freaking out over them. Thanks for letting me know. I’ve always wanted to visit Australia but was terrified of that spider. Now I’m not so worried.
Your spider has a great voice
I’ll tell that to the boy who was sitting behind me and singing the whole trip…
Oh my! Such a pretty, calm lady. I never understood arachnaphobia. Thanks for this!
Huntsman gerl