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Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred
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WelshBoa
Contributing Member
Joined: 26 Aug 2006
Posts: 90
Location: Ystalyfera
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 Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 10:38 am Post subject: |
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| mark_w wrote: | I confess to knowing very little about tarantulas. A question: are any species (incl. the Mexican red knee) suitable for supervised handling by children? Am I right to be concerned about hairs being a skin irritant? Does this vary between species? Do these guys bite/jump/do anything else unpleasant lol?
My youngest daughter wants a pet spider.....
Thanks,
Mark. |
You will get different opinions from different people. Some people prefer not to handle their T's unless neccessary, for risk of the T falling etc - guess it depends on how confident you are handling them.
Certain species are more prone to flicking hairs than others, good starter T's can be the chile rose which is one of the most popular but there are plenty of others which could fit the bill etc but each tarantula could be one of those that loves to flick hair or bite. You could probably guage that early on or even in the shop if it gets defensive when you put your hand in. How old is your daughter?
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shaz
Key Member
Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Posts: 247
Location: south east london
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| Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:05 pm Post subject: |
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| mark_w wrote: | I confess to knowing very little about tarantulas. A question: are any species (incl. the Mexican red knee) suitable for supervised handling by children? Am I right to be concerned about hairs being a skin irritant? Does this vary between species? Do these guys bite/jump/do anything else unpleasant lol?
My youngest daughter wants a pet spider.....
Thanks,
Mark. |
I think best starter is reading all you can maybe pop along to a few places to look at some first 
Many spider species can be handled all come with the risks!
I have a curly haired spid really nice lil guy never had a problem with handling never flicked hairs and last week opened him up and he showered me in hairs great the itch like hell!
Thought maybe i shocked him so left it at that but nope his took to rearing up at me now and striking!
Not to put you off but some do change!
So even if you get a nice one be ready for hormones kicking in with age!
I try not to handle my Ts sometimes they will shoot up my arm but thats about it i just turn them about and off they go back indoors!
Most of them wont go out of there way to bite you and if they are going to do that they will be showing signs when you first get it i would think!
If they do bite it does hurt dont listen to what anyone says you can feel it and its one of those reactions you shout and throw your arm up then hop from foot to foot for a while! 
Most people say about the same as a bee sting never been stung by a bee have been by a wasp and would say far worse!
But then again has only happened twice once was my fault for sure other time was a new spider went to move it and it turned so guess that could be me too?
I had about 50 at one point and none of them go out of there way to bite!
Flicking hairs does seem to be the worst thing!
Would agree with welshboa's idea of a chile rose they are nice lil Ts and make great starters
But again depends on your girls age!
My sons nearly 11 he has held one and one only wouldnt allow it again until he fully understands what they could do if they wanted!
But from all what i have said above dont be put off they really are great lil beasties and i wouldnt be without them
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Shaz
http://bugnation.co.uk
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mattie
Key Member
Joined: 09 Nov 2005
Posts: 316
Location: middlesbrough
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| Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 11:54 pm Post subject: |
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shaz and welsh boa are spot on, as for mexican red knees mines evil throws hairs every chance it gets, id recommend a pink toe for a first T that can be occasionally handled they have adapted feet for climbing so theirs less chance of them falling and injuring themselves, although they can jump which can be a bit un nerving  |
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David Maguire
Key Member
Joined: 23 Oct 2006
Posts: 271
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
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| Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 12:14 am Post subject: |
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most of your avicularias are ok to handle but will squirt poo when threatend
brachypelmas are good but do tend to flick alot when coming up to shed
and of coarse only buy an old world spider for lookin not touchin
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