Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas And Inverts

This podcast thing is still pretty new to me, so I guess it's inevitable that I produce some stinkers. A recent email from a listener confirmed that last week's episode might have been a bit much. To kick this one off, I want to explain where I was coming from producing a particularly negative episode. Secondly, I discuss what's going on with my two communal setups. 

First off, I'll soon be creating my first bioactive enclosures thanks to Josh Halter from Biodude. Josh and his company have just released Terra Aranea, their first substrate exclusively for use with inverts, and I'll be trying some out. I've had a LOT of folks ask me about bioactive enclosures over the years, so I'll be documenting my attempts at setting some up. This week, I received full kits for five different species, and I'm excited to try them out. Secondly, I've been asked many times if there are any good tarantula guides out there for new hobbyists. With that in mind, I'll be reviewing "Tarantula Spiders as Pets" by Lolly Brown. Strap in, as this one is a humdinger!CHECK OUT BIO DUDE HERE.

Continuing with the Facebook Q & A, we'll talk about how to select the right cage size for your tarantula. Also, there is a new digital magazine for tarantula enthusiasts available now. Those interested can find a copy of The Spinnerette magazine here.

For those of us who have large collections, it can be difficult to explain why we need so many tarantulas to coworkers, friends, and family. How do we convince them that we are not candidates for the next season of Hoarders? In this episode, we discuss some talking points to start with. 

Continuing with the listener requests, this episode is a discussion of the pros and cons of glass, acrylic, and plastic bin tarantula enclosures. Glass Enclosure Build by White Rose Tarantulas

Once again, a huge thank you to all who asked questions on my Facebook page! This episode includes:Do loud noises and loud music stress tarantulas?Which genus is better: Phormictopus, Pamphobeteus, or Xenesthis?Could communal "failures" just be nature at work?Do you bring your tarantulas to school?

I recently asked my listeners on Facebook for questions and suggested topics, and the response was amazing. In this episode, I answer the first batch of questions. Topics include:How to Remove Uneaten PreyMy Biggest Challenge as a KeeperTips on Feeding Arboreal SlingsDo Mature Males Start to Lose Their Minds?Best Classroom Tarantula SpeciesCan Stacking Sling Enclosures Stress Ts?Why I Won't Do Patreon

Leading off this episode, we'll discuss whether or not it's okay to put a tarantula spiderling in an adult enclosure. Next, we'll cover the confusion around Avicularia juruensis and it's two morphs. Finally, we'll tackle some questions listeners posted on Facebook.Want to comment on this podcast? Please join me on my Tom's Big Spiders Facebook page!

With winter officially upon us, and many folks asking about shipping spiders in the wintertime, I figured that it would be a good time to discuss the topic. Happy Holidays! 

I've had a lot of folks advising me lately on how to make my YouTube channel more "fun" and approachable to folks who may not already be in the hobby. Others get frustrated because I refuse to do any promotion for it. The fact is, I'm not in this to be a YouTube "famous"; my purpose is to educate. Although I certainly don't strive to be boring, my only real hope for my channel (or any of this stuff) is that people get good information. Now, does that mean that I have something against those channels that are meant to be more entertaining and fun? Absolutely not. Personally, I feel that there is a place for both types of channels, and each can serve an integral role in growing the hobby. In this episode, I discuss my thoughts on both the importance and potential issues with tarantula YouTube channels.  Next week, we're back to specifically talking about tarantulas. Promise. 

This episode features updates on my M. balfouri, N. incei, and P. metallica communal setups. Also included is the latest on my Tityus stigmurus scorpion communal! 

To kick this one off, we revisit episode 41 and address some comments listeners had about "winterizing tarantulas." Then we move into the meat of this podcast and explain why some folks think that the tarantula sold as G. pulchra in the hobby for years might actually be a similar but different species. 

The title says it all! Back in February, I covered some of the topics and facts I wish I had known before getting into the hobby. Well, here are some more! For the beginners, I hope you find this informative. For the those who have been in the hobby for a while, perhaps it'll be fun to think back on a time where this was all new!For some amazing information on tarantulas, check out Arachnoboards! 

For this episode, we address some ways a tarantula keeper can get her or his spiders ready for the winter. These are just some tips and practices that I've picked up over the years. If you have more, please feel free to comment on my Facebook page. I would love to get a dialog going.TOM'S BIG SPIDERS FACEBOOK 

Okay, here is my attempt at a top 15 favorite tarantula species list! Please keep in mind that if a species you like isn't on it, it does NOT mean that I don't like that species. I've kept well over 100 different species, and I've honestly liked them all. It is VERY difficult narrowing a list down to just a handful of spiders. Even now I'm totally second-guessing myself on several that did not make it to the list. Enjoy! 

On Halloween (of course), National Geographic published the article, "The Illegal Market for Tarantulas Is Hairy Business." Despite the hokey title and annoying attempt to market these creatures as terrifying Halloween monsters, the article made for quite an interesting read. This podcast includes some of my thoughts on the article.A huge thanks to Eddie Marquis for sending me the link! READ THE ARTICLE HERE!

In this episode, we'll break down the recent "name changes" for Euathlus sp. red as well as several species of Tapinauchenius (SPOILER: Your "T. gigas" is now "P. gigas!") We'll also talk a bit about some of the rehousing techniques available to hobbyists. 

I normally steer clear of this debate as I can honestly see points on both sides. Personally, I don't make a point of handling and don't promote it in my videos or articles. However, after a few recent questions and rude comments about my stance on handling, I decided that it would make for a good discussion piece. 

Anyone who has ever experienced DKS symptoms in a tarantula can tell you how terrible it is to observe...and how helpless it leaves you feeling. In this episode, I'll review the paper "Dyskinetic Syndrome In Tarantula Spiders (Theraphosidae)" by Emily Draper and Steven A. Trim from the Veterinary Nursing Journal, (www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17415349.2018.1484677). In this paper, the authors discuss these symptoms and their possible causes. 

I've been getting a lot of questions about Chilobrachy species lately, and folks have been asking for a podcast that focuses on species care, so why not a genus review! Also, a brief aside about when to clean fossorial species.