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General Tarantula Discussion
Overcoming arachnophobia
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<blockquote data-quote="NorseDad" data-source="post: 202764" data-attributes="member: 30858"><p>I was never an arachnophobe myself, but definitely was not a fan of spiders at all. I just went down a rabbit hole on YouTube one day, and the itch to own one of these wonder animals hit me. Two years later, and I have 26 tarantulas and a scorpion. </p><p></p><p>You'll find so many schools of thought when it comes to peoples opinions on how to pick your first tarantula. There are folks who start with a "beginner" more docile species and there are people who start with the one they like the look of. (My buddy started with a pokie.) </p><p></p><p>Because you've stated that you have a phobia to work through with exposure, I would recommend you start with a more docile new world species. Brachypelma, Aphonopelma, and Tliltocatl species are what I would look for. </p><p></p><p>Next, determine what species catches your eye and do a little more research on it. Not all are created equal. Many people recommend Tliltocatl species for example, but I would not recommend a T. vagans for a beginner as they can be a bit more temperamental.</p><p></p><p>Next, I would determine the life stage you're interested in. These long-lived new worlds take a long time to grow. The A. chalcodes for example, grows glacially slow. I bought my first T (B. boehmei 1/2" sling) and got a freebie A. chalcodes 3/4" sling. After two years, that B. boehmei is about 3" diagonal leg span (DLS). The A. chalcodes is still under 1" DLS. Now there are benefits to getting a slow growing tarantula if you have a phobia in that the time it takes to go from a little jelly bean to a big fluffy spooder allows you to VERY gradually get used to them without feeling overwhelmed by a big spider before you're ready. If you think you can handle it and don't want to wait too long, get a juvenile or sub adult.</p><p></p><p>I promise you that this is a rewarding hobby. Spiders are just so different from the typical pet, and I personally can't believe I ever felt the way I used to about them. I've gone from killing any insect or spider I saw in my house to handling a scorpion without hesitating. Keeping will change your whole perspective. I hope it helps your fears, and you get a wonderful pet.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="NorseDad, post: 202764, member: 30858"] I was never an arachnophobe myself, but definitely was not a fan of spiders at all. I just went down a rabbit hole on YouTube one day, and the itch to own one of these wonder animals hit me. Two years later, and I have 26 tarantulas and a scorpion. You'll find so many schools of thought when it comes to peoples opinions on how to pick your first tarantula. There are folks who start with a "beginner" more docile species and there are people who start with the one they like the look of. (My buddy started with a pokie.) Because you've stated that you have a phobia to work through with exposure, I would recommend you start with a more docile new world species. Brachypelma, Aphonopelma, and Tliltocatl species are what I would look for. Next, determine what species catches your eye and do a little more research on it. Not all are created equal. Many people recommend Tliltocatl species for example, but I would not recommend a T. vagans for a beginner as they can be a bit more temperamental. Next, I would determine the life stage you're interested in. These long-lived new worlds take a long time to grow. The A. chalcodes for example, grows glacially slow. I bought my first T (B. boehmei 1/2" sling) and got a freebie A. chalcodes 3/4" sling. After two years, that B. boehmei is about 3" diagonal leg span (DLS). The A. chalcodes is still under 1" DLS. Now there are benefits to getting a slow growing tarantula if you have a phobia in that the time it takes to go from a little jelly bean to a big fluffy spooder allows you to VERY gradually get used to them without feeling overwhelmed by a big spider before you're ready. If you think you can handle it and don't want to wait too long, get a juvenile or sub adult. I promise you that this is a rewarding hobby. Spiders are just so different from the typical pet, and I personally can't believe I ever felt the way I used to about them. I've gone from killing any insect or spider I saw in my house to handling a scorpion without hesitating. Keeping will change your whole perspective. I hope it helps your fears, and you get a wonderful pet. [/QUOTE]
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