Here are a few things I have added...

[Abcat1993]

I have a scar on my thumb from a spider bite when I was young. I found it on my grandparents pier. Or on ME on my grandparents pier. I flicked it, and it bit me.
I just hate spiders

 

[sfaoldguy]

This is so funny. I have been learning more than I ever wanted to know about Arthropoda in zoology lab and have tons more to come and then I see this post. Does it ever freaking end!!! LOL Joke.

Those are some really gorgeous spiders. A couple of them seem to have gotten agitated at something and been rubbing their abdomen a bit, but that happens.

Would it be ok for me to give some of your picks to my lab professor? Don't know if he will use them, but the tarantula picture he showed us today was kind of cheesy. They have tons of your basic red hairs and a couple of the feisty blue guys, but that's it in the schools collection.

 

[Cegninedorf]

Oh, no...as I began to read this thread, I got the chills from seeing all of the spiders -- which I'm not a fan of, as one was in my face when I woke up one summery childhood morning, but I do appreciate them for all that they do in helping plants. I'm the one that people have always come to when it comes to removing an insect or a spider, as I always save them. I've been saving Daddy Longlegs for eons... (Well, wasps & hornets will suffer my newspaper or shoe wrath, but spiders get out alive...and I do bring other kinds of insects into my classroom, namely butterflies & mealworms/beetles -- which I brought in purposely to get over them...) However, it then hit me: this might be my next fear to face...

And then I saw this and groaned...

The fear responses that we have seen on this thread in response to the spiders is sadly enough the same of the majority of people when you mention snakes...even sweet little corn snakes. I think through further education and experience some of these phobias could be stopped but its of course difficult when only faced with media expenditures, wives tails, and images.

Obviously, I am respectful of the fact they are a wild animals though and treat them as such. I would find no pleasure in handling them, but I don't go killing every one I see like I did at one time.

I teach 2nd grade. *sigh* And the latter statement is exactly what I am for...teaching respect for nature.

And, while no offense to dawnrenee2000 by quoting her & leading me to realize that this would be a good thing for me to do, I do believe that maybe someday, if I want to ensure that children will not stop the saviors of my plants by becoming one with the bottom of their shoes, I may have to teach them by bringing one in...damn. That pinky-twinkle-toes one was pretty...perhaps I could deal...I just don't know...however, this is also how I faced my little snake fear, so maybe...

Any tarantulas who are calm-ish and non-venomous? Any recommendations for a simple, basic run-of-the-mill tarantula? Egad, I can't believe I'm contemplating this...!

Thanks!

 

[DAND]

Had to resurrect this thread. I was in a pet shop today and held an adult rose hair tarantula and while it was real cool to watch how gracefully it moved and how cool it looked and felt, I decided I really don't need one; I want one, but I don't need one.:grin01:

Congrats Danny. Now all you need to do is get a 20 long set up and pick up (not literally) a Goliath Birdeater. :grin01:

 

[DAND]

Those are some really gorgeous spiders. A couple of them seem to have gotten agitated at something and been rubbing their abdomen a bit, but that happens.

Some of them are ornery and throw hairs just to do so. :shrugs:

Would it be ok for me to give some of your picks to my lab professor? Don't know if he will use them, but the tarantula picture he showed us today was kind of cheesy. They have tons of your basic red hairs and a couple of the feisty blue guys, but that's it in the schools collection.

Feel free to use any of my pics to show to your professor.

 

[dwyn127]

Congrats Danny. Now all you need to do is get a 20 long set up and pick up (not literally) a Goliath Birdeater. :grin01:

Oh yeah, nothing like starting small.

 

[DAND]

And, while no offense to dawnrenee2000 by quoting her & leading me to realize that this would be a good thing for me to do, I do believe that maybe someday, if I want to ensure that children will not stop the saviors of my plants by becoming one with the bottom of their shoes, I may have to teach them by bringing one in...damn. That pinky-twinkle-toes one was pretty...perhaps I could deal...I just don't know...however, this is also how I faced my little snake fear, so maybe...

Any tarantulas who are calm-ish and non-venomous? Any recommendations for a simple, basic run-of-the-mill tarantula? Egad, I can't believe I'm contemplating this...!

Thanks!

Sorry but they are all venomous. Some are more calm than others but like other critters (dogs, snakes, etc...) you have bad with the good. Rose Hairs are generally calmer, though I have a few that are real aggressive.

I suggest and practice the HANDS OFF approach to tarantulas, especially with children. Yes I have handled them on occasion but not as a "petting the little fuzzy guy/gal". Their bite can hurt and the potential of injuring or killing your T should be avoided. They have the tendency to loose legs and even pop if dropped.

 

[DAND]

Oh yeah, nothing like starting small.

If you want to learn to swim, you might as well jump in the deep end. :grin01:

 

[~slither~]

I thought if you jump straight in the deepend then you sink rather quickly? :grin01:

 

[DAND]

I thought if you jump straight in the deepend then you sink rather quickly? :grin01:

Tread, tread, tread. :eek1:

Here is a friendly one I just picked up this weekend in Indy. Anybody want go swimmming? :grin01:

 

[Hypancistrus]

I tossed around the idea of getting a T for my classroom. I don't have arthropoda represented in my crew, but as my GF pointed out, while the blue T is lovely to look at, how could I clean its tank?? I don't know that I'd be able to put my hand in there!

Just for my own information, can someone give me the name of that pretty blue one so I can read about it a little more??

 

[DAND]

Haplopelma lividum - Cobalt Blue

 

[LadyOhh]

I had shivers when I saw that...

YUCK on spiders... I have such an irrational fear of them, and I know it, but NO thanks.. Those fangs look and probably are deadly..

 

[DAND]

Those fangs look and probably are deadly..

If you are a cricket they are. :grin01:

 

[Hypancistrus]

Thanks DAND

 

[DAND]

Thanks DAND

You are welcome. Glad to help.

 

[kath71]

Tread, tread, tread. :eek1:

Here is a friendly one I just picked up this weekend in Indy. Anybody want go swimmming? :grin01:

maybe a quick toe dip and then retreating to the high board would be in order lol

Beautiful creatures tho

 

[DAND]

The numbers are in...

I believe someone within this thread asked me how many I have. Well, if I counted correctly after this poast weekends show my total is now 24 varieties for a total or 64. Unfortuantely I will be attending two shows this weekend so chances are very good the numbers will be going up . :grin01:

 

[alyndria]

That blue spider is gorgeous.

..the web in the first set of pictures? It completely freaks me out. I have no fear of spiders-- I love 'em-- but their webs creep me out.

 

[DAND]

I believe someone within this thread asked me how many I have. Well, if I counted correctly after this poast weekends show my total is now 24 varieties for a total or 64. Unfortuantely I will be attending two shows this weekend so chances are very good the numbers will be going up . :grin01:

Well, I have been informed that my numbers will be going up by at least one. I am sharing some of my table space with someone who has informed me he is going to be giving me a sling for his portion of the table. It was either that or cash. :grin01: