Hello I am new and I thought I already posted an intro but I guess not.

[melzatticus]

Charlotte

 

[melzatticus]

My post is missing? Charlotte never has bitten anyone. But when they do bite, it is similar to bees. There have been no reported deaths by a tarantula sting. We handle her regularly and she does not seem to mind, body language is universal so you can tell she does get upset when unfamiliar people come near her. Spiders toss up their hair as a warning and the hairs can actually get into your eyes and cause problems, but she has never done this either. I really enjoy having her, she is sitting on my desk as I type this.

 

[EverythingEnglishMastiff]

How fast is she? Could she easily get away and wind up in the closet or something? Even if I ever warmed up to a /shiver giant spider, if it wound up in the closet somehow my wife would stomp it for sure.

 

[melzatticus]

She is very slow, but they do get out. I have never lost her. As babies they are super quick and get lost frequently. They usually end up in a shoe or some other warm place that will get you beat by your wife.

 

[EverythingEnglishMastiff]

I did some rooting around and a lot of folks are saying that the Chilean Rose is not the best tarantula because they are finicky eaters and they aren't as active. Some referred to them as "pet rocks". Sounds like a good thing to me I don't want a speed demon or one that's over active. The more crawly the more creepy lol. How often do you feed yours? I'm seeing anywheres from weekly to monthly.

 

[melzatticus]

I do the unheard of and free feed her...I have crickets in her cage usually.. I think she eats most weeks, not too often and not as often as you would think. . Yes she is pretty quiet and she is not as pretty as some of the other spiders some are bright blue or red. She is a good starter spider (especially for a 5 year old) and she is docile hewhich I like.

 

[EverythingEnglishMastiff]

Ya from some of the videos I've watched it seems they are the least likely to get into an aggressive "I'ma bite you" posture. The few places I've read about caring for them, they stress hard not to leave food in the cage. Now about hair flicking. There seems to be widely varying opinions on this. Some people are like wear gloves and eye protection or don't handle them. Others seem to think it's not a big deal unless you actually get the hairs in your eyes. Some says it's like the irritation that insulation causes to the skin. I'm having trouble gauging this. Care to comment, in your experience with handling yours, is flicking an issue, irritant, dangerous?

 

[melzatticus]

I handle her regularly. When she looks upset. Like when a new person is around, I leave her be. Working around with animals you know body language is universal. I think they have to be pretty angry to bite or toss hairs. I have never seen her even threaten to throw her hair.. If one does get in your I hear it hurts and can be a big deal (like everything) I allow my son to hold her because it was a way for him to learn respect and kindness. He is special needs and has sensory issues(he is rough) she is an amazing teacher, like all animals are. She is pretty calm and does not seem to mind the insects left in her cage but she is in front of me constantly (since she is on my desk) and I have her habits and behavior pretty well down.