Anybody here keep spiders?
 

Long story short I am thinking about getting a tarantula to get over my irrational fear of spiders. I figure if I have to take care of one it will force me to interact with them. My long term goal is to eventually become more accustomed to them and not freak out, screaming bloody murder when I encounter a spider in my house or while out for a walk. I want to be comfortable holding it eventually. I'd like a *gentle* type of tarantula that is friendly and relatively easy to care for.

Anyway who here keeps spiders and what do you like/what don't you like about them? Any tips for a beginner spider enthusiast and where to get one?

What's wrong with irrational fears?

I like to challenge myself. Unfortunately zombies and ghosts are kind of hard to find in real life these days. And also they generally don't interact on your terms only or fit conveniently in a small aquarium so this year is going to be the year of getting over spiders for me.

Living in my home country for a few months will easily take your fear away since you would have to interact with spiders all the time....well not as a pet but shoooooo them away ;)

You'd think living lakeside for a couple years on Cold Lake would have done it, but no, sadly I'm worse that I've ever been. I know my fear is irrational. I've kept snakes as pets and have no problem with them at all. For some reason it's just the spiders and most other insects that make my skin crawl.

Understandable....I hate creepy crawlies!

Haha I'm like you too. I'm just gonna keep on stepping on them though. Your braver than I.

I do not keep nor fear spiders but I do have an irrational fear of slugs..

Turns out you are braver than I. I put cups over them and let my man deal with them when he gets home. I can't handle the squishing of bugs. The crunchy noise creeps me out.

Its not irrational. Spiders are freaking creepy. Useful but creepy as hell.

Crabs are equally as freaky. Even when combined behind glass they creep me out.

So no. Sorry. I don't keep spiders. But share the fear.

way back in the day i had one of these

http://www.tarantulaguide.com/tarant...air-tarantula/

Really easy to care for and great for a beginner and most pet stores have them. I think you can get them as spiderlings so it may feel less intimidating.

I'm in for it. My heart rate rose by a few beats just looking at the picture of a spider on your link. *shudders* gross.

Thanks for the tip.

+1.

Rosey's would be your best bet... unless you really want to challenge yourself and get a Goliath bird eater!! HAHAHA! Seriously though, the bird eaters are great tarantulas... but they get VERY big... like the size of a dinner plate for a large female. (sorry if I just arranged for your nightmare tonight)

I had the luxury of learning from a spider expert when I worked at a fish/reptile/spider store in Calgary. As with anything, you relly need to do your reserch and make sure that you end up with something condusive to your world. I unknowingly handled both the most agressive (cobalt blue) and the most venomous (baboon) spiders that are comonly available in the pet trade while I was trying to get used to spiders... much like you're doing. On top of that, I accidentally killed a spider by holding it the wrong way and dropping it.

Good luck!

I used to have many tarantulas. A Rosie is a perfect starter, cheap, calm readily available. Pink toes were my favorite and can be kept in groups. I think they are great pets and would still have lots except for the stupid crickets.

x2.. Where's that salt..

I've had 2 in the past, a Chilean Rose Hair and a Salmon Pink Birdeater. You'll want to go with a Rosehair but make sure it's a female. Both mine were males and they'll typically only last for about 5 years where as a female will live much longer--possibly 20-30 years. I was able to handle my rosy but be very careful of their hairy abdomens. When threatened, they'll kick off these hairs which will cause great discomfort if they get lodged in your skin and you don't want them in your eyes. Do your research and you'll do fine. I too was terrified of spiders but not not anymore.

Man.. Me too. Crabs freak me out. I hate having to catch any of mine for any reason. The net stays far, far away from me at all times lol.

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www.tarantulacanada.ca/ has a huge selection of arachnids... owned and operated by a couple of morticians of course....some people like to have greate fun by put these pets in their mouths and blow out bubbles.