Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas And Inverts

I've had several requests for updated Pamphobeteus care lately, so I decided to focus a podcast on it. As I was recording it, I got the sneaking suspicion that I had talked about this topic before, but I was on a roll, so I kept going. Well, I DID cover it this year as it turns out...oh well! Here are my updated notes on Pampho care (next week, I'll make sure that it's a totally fresh topic!). 

Anyone who has listened to me for any length of time knows how much I HATE when folks use their social media platforms to feed into the idea that spiders are dangerous and aggressive creatures. The way I see it, they are already feared and even loathed by so many that we shouldn't be helping to fuel that hatred. Now that I've moved into keeping some true spiders, I'm noticing that some of the ignorant hyperboly has intensified, and I'm being asked more often why I have such a "dangerous" hobby. In today's episode, we have a fun conversation about how truly blown out of proportion the idea of spiders being particularly dangerous creatures truly is. 

To kick it off, I talk a bit about my recent huntsman spider buying spree. Then, we tackle a topic I get asked about all of the time; what do you do if you HAVE to heat your spiders? In this episode, we'll talk about what "too cold" is and discuss the best ways to provide extra heat should it be warranted. 

After being asked how one ends up with 220 tarantulas, I sat down to give some thought as to why this hobby is so addictive. 

Looking to buy your tarantulas online? In this podcast, we'll discuss some advice for spider shopping as well as some as tips on what to expect. 

First, we talk a bit about the perception that C. versicolor is a fragile spider. Then, we discuss why tarantula prices are so high in the United States. 

In this episode, we discuss whether or not children should have tarantulas as pets and whether or not these amazing arachnids pose any threat to the little ones in your home. 

In this episode, we talk about hazards in our home that could prove dangerous or lethal to our spiders. 

Well, I'm back to school and prepping for my new classes, which has me in full teacher mode. While taking a break, I thought that it would be fun to design an assessment for all the tarantula hobbyists listening. In this episode, I present The Tarantula Care 101 Exam, a test with 33 tarantula care specific questions. Can you get an A?  

As luck would have it, the day after posting my podcast featuring some communal updates, I caught an amazing interaction in my M. balfouri communal enclosure. In this podcast, we discuss the significance of this behavior. Also, I talk about the care for O. violaceopes.

In this episode, I share some updates on the M. balfouris, the P. metallicas, and my O. violoceopes. 

Over the years, I've heard some crazy stories from people about their tarantulas and tarantula care. In this episode, I go through some of the strangest things I've heard from other keepers. 

Recently, I did an unboxing video for an order from Swift's Inverts, and the two spiders I bought gave Billie and I quite the hard time during the rehousing. In this podcast, I talk about my awesome experience buying from Swift's and then critique what went wrong during the rehouse. 

To kick it off, we'll talk a bit about misinformation surrounding feeder insects. Then, we answer a listener's question about if it's a bad thing to have no fear of OW tarantulas. 

After Googling some tarantula topics the other day, it dawned on my why what I believe is a very simple hobby appears to be so darned complicate at times. 

To kick this one off, I talk a bit about the passing of my adult H. chilensis. Then, it's off to the main topic in which we discuss some of the measurements of my "giant" tarantula species and how they compare to supposed max size numbers. 

Well, Phormictopus species seem to be the new "it" tarantulas, which should be awesome. However, in this episode, I discuss my mixed feelings about their newfound popularity.Also, in this episode I share the story of my P. formosa's terrible molt. 

And the FINAL part of this marathon discussion!  

In the second part of this feature, I discuss the spiders in my collection G-0 (yes, there will be a part 3!).

With the collection tour video now live, the only real criticism that I've received on it is that people missed my commentary. Unfortunately, I didn't feel like I could do any of the spiders justice in the short time I had for each clip, so I went with soothing ambient music instead. However, I thought that it would be fun to supply my "director's commentary" in the form of a podcast! This is the first part featuring some thoughts and anecdotes on species A-E. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE!