With all that's going on in the world, why do politicians keep trying to pass laws banning exotic pet keeping? In this episode, we'll talk about some recent laws proposed to curb the keeping of exotics and discuss how, as a hobby, we can do better when it comes to how we present the tarantula hobby to the public. 

First, we'll discuss what to do if you think that you were sent the wrong tarantula species.

Then, I have had a LOT of folks ask for me to do an update on my Aphonopelma species, so here goes! When last we checked in on these slow-growers, it was 2023. In this episode, I'll discuss their growth and appearances. 

Often, when I post videos of spiders other than tarantulas, I get comments like, "They're pretty, but they don't live long" or "That's nice, but I don't keep true spiders." In some instances, the animal that I'm showing off is a) very long lived and b) not a tarantula OR a true spider. Many are not aware of the difference or what to expect from both of these groups.

In this episode, I attempt to break down the differences between spiders in the infraorders Mygalomorphae and Araneomporphae and share my experiences keeping species from both. I will also touch upon the suborder Mesothelae. 

NOTE: This list is NOT comprehensive and is only meant to be a quick crash course on this topic! 

First, we'll hear some listener feedback.

Then, we held our second Arachnid Appreciation Club meeting at my school, and it went great. I'll talk a bit about what we did and my plans for the future.

Finally, (28:00) in this new feature, I'll talk about a species of tarantula that I think gets unfairly ignored. In our first episode of "Worth a Second Look," we'll be discussing the Hysterocrates gigas or "Cameroon Red Baboon."  

When making my rehousing videos, I often talk about what behaviors I expect from the spiders as they settle in. However, I often forget to follow up and update folks on how they are getting on. In this episode, we'll take a look at some recently rehoused spiders as I discuss their behaviors in their new enclosures. 

It's season 8! And to kick it off, we'll discuss a new paper that examines the symptoms of a Poecilotheria species bite.

Then, I'm often asked what the "best starter arboreal" spider is. Although the popular answer is usually an Avicularia or Caribena species, folks still seem to struggle with their care. This got me to thinking...how do the other popular arboreal genera compare when you look at ease of care, temperament, and behaviors? In this episode, we'll take a look!

First off, we'll read an article that discusses the successful reintroduction of a previously endangered spider species in Europe. Next, we'll hear some listener feedback.

Then...feeding is one of the most entertaining and rewarding aspects of the hobby. In this episode, I'll discuss the 8 spiders that I enjoy feeding the most. 

So, I recently posted a video on YouTube discussing the tarantula species I've found to be the most defensive. Although I tried to think of an Old World species that gave me a difficult time, I didn't have a single one on the list. I knew that this was going to be shocking for some, but I wasn't expecting to be called "biased" when it came to how I present Old World behaviors. In this episode, I will discuss how and why my opinions on Old Worlds have changed over the years, and do some soul searching as I consider the message I am putting out. 

Check out the video here! 

First, we had our first Arachnid Appreciation Club at my school, and I'll share a bit about my preparation for it.

Then, I have people message me to ask which "giant" tarantula species they should start with. In this episode, I'll compare the genera with the most massive spiders: Lasiodora, Phormictopus, Pamphobeteus, Xenesthis, and Theraphosa.

First, we discuss some feedback from last week's episode (and the fact that I had JUST covered this topic in September!).

Then, I get asked all the time which species are the most visible out of the ones that I keep. Now that it's been several years since I last covered this topic, I have some new ones to add.