Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas And Inverts

Let's talk about crickets! I get plenty of questions about the different types of feeder insects available for tarantulas, so in this episode I'll discuss some of the ones I've used (including some pros and cons of each).

In this episode, we talk about tarantula ICUs and their effectiveness in treating ailing spiders; what size slings beginners should start with; and some legalities surrounding the shipping of spiders. As usual, those who would like to comment on this podcast are encouraged to check out my Tom's Big Spiders Facebook page.

In this installment, I answer questions posed on my Facebook page about various tarantula topics. Questions include: What is the state of the hobby? Is it growing or in the decline? How can you protect yourself from urticating hairs? How does one recognize good information on tarantula husbandry? A huge thanks to Eddie Marquis, Jennifer Waters Dellinger, and Allen Evans for the questions!

Going on two years ago, I started an M. balfouri communal setup with the intention of documenting it from sling to adulthood. For over a year, I posted monthly video updates on YouTube, and I was able to catch some truly amazing things. Now, my little ones are all grown up, and many folks have been starting M. balfouri communities of their own. I've received a lot of question lately about M. balfouris, so I figured that it would a good time to sum up my thoughts and observations on this incredibly fascinating and rewarding set up.

I've spoken to several people over the years who have just bought their first tarantula yet know literally NOTHING about them or how to correctly keep them. It got me thinking: what do folks need to know when starting the hobby? What do I wish I had known before acquiring my first tarantula? In this podcast, I try to lay out the basics for anyone who has just stumbled into keeping Ts (or anyone currently doing their research before entering the hobby!). As I'm certain that I missed some things, there will likely be a followup.

The inevitability of death is a part of the hobby. Whether it be a mature male on its last legs, an older specimen, or a sick sling, everyone is going suffer a loss at some point. However, when a seemingly healthy specimen suddenly dies, it's important for the diligent keeper to do his or her best to make certain that it wasn't human error or husbandry issues that led to the premature passing of the animal. In this episode, we address deaths in the collection and discuss some important things to think about.

A lot of hobbyists reference "power feeding" their tarantulas. But what exactly is "power feeding"...and does the term even apply to these arachnids? A discussion of the pros an cons of a more aggressive feeding schedule for Ts.

Many of us get into the hobby with aspirations of breeding, and it can be an incredibly rewarding aspect of this pastime. However, breeding is can be a huge investment to time and, in some cases, money. For those looking to breed in the future, here are some things to think about.Also, can Old Word tarantula venom mean a trip to the hospital?

Many folks new to the hobby seek out "best beginner species" lists and the like in order to help them select a good "starter" tarantula. These are species commonly believed to have the easy care and laid back temperaments that make them good first tarantulas for new hobbyists. However, there are some that loath these types of lists and videos, and consider them to be misleading and useless. In this episode, we'll be discussing beginners lists, as well as evaluating their importance to the hobby. 

After receiving several emails from folks looking to drop slings in adult enclosures, I decided to chime in on the debate. What follows is a discussion of some points to consider when choosing what size enclosure to use for your tarantula.

In this episode, we tackle three hobby-specific topics: - Should children be involved in the tarantula hobby?-What do people mean by "room temperature?"-What are good substrates for tarantulas?

So, I had covered this topic in a blog article years ago, but I really thought that it would be fun to revisit it. For those just getting into the hobby, maybe talking about these trouble spots can help you to avoid some grief. As for the veterans, I think many of us forget how confusing aspects of the hobby could be when we first got into it. Perhaps talking about some of the pitfalls will help us to be more reasonable the next time we have to answer a newbie's question.

The topic of whether or not keeping snakes (or other exotics) can help you transition into keeping tarantulas comes up quite a bit. Although I've heard many folks say that the other hobbies in no way prepare you for spiders, I would have to disagree. Also, should you feel guilty with pet store rescues?

Just in case the first episode didn't convince folks to follow, here is a bonus episode to kick things off! In this installment, I answer questions posed on my Facebook page about various tarantula topics. Questions include: What is your oldest tarantula? How do you spot premolt in Old World species? If you could see any tarantula in it's natural habitat, which would you choose and why? What are nematodes? What are they, how do Tarantulas get them, and what can we do for them if they do? Do you intend to do another communal? If so which species and why?Also, an interesting article on nematodes: http://www.thegreenscorpion.com.au/documents/Nematode%20Worms%20and%20Tarantulas.pdf

For this "pilot" edition of Tom's Big Spiders, the Podcast, I'll be responding to questions and comments posed by hobbyists. Topics include: "Is it bad to feed tarantulas dead prey?"; "Why you should you ignore care sheet humidity requirements", and "The need for patience when shipping in the winter."NOTE: This is only a pilot to try out the format and software.