Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts

After a short, sweet article about a chance encounter with a tarantula, as well as some listener comments, we'll talk about my experience moving a large tarantula collection and some things to consider should you have to move yours. 

First, we take some listener comments and discuss a science fair project involving tarantula venom.

Then, I've been asked what the most important quality a good tarantula keeper needs. In this episode, I break it down. 

First, we'll discuss an article about Poecilotheria metallica conservation efforts. Then, we'll hear from some listeners about the last episode.

For our main topic, I will discuss care and observations on one of my favorite all-time tarantula species, Selenobrachys philippinus, or the "Philippine Tangerine." 

First, we'll take some listener feedback and discuss an article about a 500-year-old fossil that rewrites chelicerate history.

Then, they've been one of the most popular pet tarantulas for years, yet many still struggle with them. Why? In this episode, I'll discuss care for the Caribena versiclor (Martinique pinktoe), as well as some of the mistakes I see people making with them. 

First, I have an update on the Phormictopus that went to the vet. Then, I share some frustrations that I've had with correspondence lately before discussing a recent catastrophic molt with my Grammostola iheringi.

Finally, we move on to the main topic. In this episode, I share some of the more common myths and misconceptions that I've been hearing from keepers lately, and why I think that these ideas are so problematic.

First, we have an update for last week's episode where we discussed a tarantula going to a vet.

Then...have you ever wondered which tarantula species were the first to be kept as pets in the hobby? In this episode, we'll break down when some common species first made their appearance as pets.

First, we'll read some listener comments. Then, we'll discuss an article about a veterinarian treating Kristen the tarantula.

For our main topic this week, I will discuss the care for the amazing Theraphosa apophysis!

Welcome to season 9! In this episode, we start by discussing some listener comments from last week's episode about T. vagans.

Then...

"Can a tarantula bite kill you?" Despite being told that one can't die from a tarantula bite, many stories have circulated over the years that appear to contradict that widely held belief. In this episode, we will investigate the validity of six cases of death by tarantula envenomation.

Happy New Year! 

First, we'll discuss a listener question about whether or not tarantulas can "learn" to accept handling.

Then, this species has been described as "aggressive", "nasty", and even "evil," which is laughable. In this episode, I will break down care and my experience with the wonderful and unfairly maligned T. vagans or "Mexican Redrump." 

 First off, we'll take listener comments about last week's episode on feeding.

Then, we discuss the article,  "Environmentalists Seek Protections for Malaysian Tarantula Targeted by Illegal Pet Trade" and how it applies to the tarantula hobby.

And finally, it's onto our main topic. Is tarantula hoarding really a thing? We'll break down why the word "hoarding" is often tossed around and how this question, especially when it comes to pet influencers, is a bit more complicated to answer.