Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas And Inverts

First, I talk a bit about the full collection video I'm putting together. Then, it's on to the main topic in which we discuss the controversy around beginner lists or people jumping in with old worlds. 

In this episode, we'll revisit the topic of substrate and review some of the popular choices as well as discuss some additives and mixtures. 

After attempting to make a video featuring my top 5 favorite old world tarantulas back in 2017, I figured that it would be fun to revisit the topic again now that I've added more to my collection. As always, this is just a list of some of MY favorites, and not a list of ones I think are the "best." Enjoy! 

What do you do when you suddenly feel like you're second-guessing your ability to care for your animals?In this episode, we discuss some scenarios that lead to folks losing their confidence in their ability to care for their tarantulas as well as some ways to avoid these situations. 

Well, after years of admiring them, I finally picked up a couple Linothele species from Eresus Spider Shop. My first impressions? I'm enamored with them. In this episode, I talk about how I set them up and my early observations. Eresus Spider Shop:

In this episode, we talk about the care for a  hobby staple...the "Singapore Blue".

In this episode, we look at some of the hobby activities that come with risks and talk about how people decide which ones are worth the potential "reward." 

UGH. Hot on the heels of the last podcast about being an informed hobbyist and hobby responsibility, I got sucked into this little discussion. Since recording this, I've been approached by two other keepers asking if I saw it and by one asking me if it was now legal for the Sri Lankan species to be sold across state lines.  It sounds like someone has thought of a "clever" way to get around this ban...For folks who want more background to this story, please check out the following articles:TARANTULA HYBRIDIZATION IN THE HOBBYTHE USFW RULING ON SRI LANKAN POECILOTHERIA SPECIES

In this episode, Luis Roque (creator of the Arácnido Facebook group) and I discuss a myriad of topics  that center around the theme of being a more informed hobbyist.  Luis has not only been a friend of mine for years, but he has been an invaluable resource for me when it comes to taxonomical changes and getting a hold of new spider-related papers. Covered in this podcast are such topics as the importance of scientific names, why name "changes" are a good thing, and why the hobby bears some responsibility for dwindling tarantula populations in the wild. A HUGE thank you to Luis for joining me on this discussion! 

Who needs Godzilla vs. Kong when we have another age-old battle to settle? Seriously, though, I get a lot of folks who argue that one group of tarantulas is better than the other, so I thought that it would be fun to break down the arguments. 

Is it okay to put your collection in a high traffic room? In this episode, we talk about whether a busy room is okay for tarantulas. Also, is it okay to reuse substrate? Finally, I vent a bit about social media toxicity in the hobby.  

So, last episode we covered how to plan should you ever find yourself in a situation where you can't care for your tarantulas. In this episode, we talk about a different type of emergency...a power outage in the winter.Also, we're always told never to dig a spider up. However, are there instances where a spider buries itself and doesn't come up to eat? 

Have you ever considered who would take care of your prized pets should you be unable to? In this episode, we brainstorm some ways to prepare for such an emergency. 

I just rehoused my adult female P. murinus or OBT (Orange Baboon Tarantula), and I figured that it would be a great time to update folks on my spider and to discuss this oft maligned species. 

First, I talk about some awesome European tarantula enclosures that I just received from ARACHNOsys. Then, I just received some custom vented replacement tops for Exo Terra Nano tanks that are a cool alternative to ripping out the screens. Finally, I discuss why I don't measure humidity in my tarantula enclosures (and why I think that doing so can be dangerous for those new to the hobby). 

I've had many people request this one over the years, so I've finally decided to give it a shot! Here are some tips for folks looking to have smoother tarantula transfers. 

We've all experienced it: You're on social media, and you see pics from a keeper who is not practicing correct husbandry with his spiders. Maybe it's the old sponge in the water dish or an arboreal species in a terrestrial enclosure. Or, it might be a moisture dependent species kept too dry or a death trap enclosure filled with sharp decorations. Whatever the case, you want to offer advice, but you don't want to come across as a know-it-all. In this episode, we'll discuss some tips for offering unsolicited tarantula advice in a way that doesn't offend. 

Although she's always offscreen, Billie plays a crucial role in all of my Tom's Big Spiders endeavors. In this episode, Billie answers some questions from listeners and viewers. 

Well, after 25 years in my care, The Queen has finally died. I spend a little time talking about the spider that started it all. Also, I discuss Pamphobeteus care. 

First, I talk about some very recent deaths in the collection, Then, it's on to discuss E. campestratus (Pink Zebra Beauty) care.