Newpaper Article and Video Clip About ArachnoCon

[Pyst]

Here's a local San Antonio article written about ArachnoCon. I thought some of you might be interested in reading.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA071606.03B.SpiderMania.1050154.html

[Schlyne]

bought a versi-colored pinktoe tarantula

anybody else find that funny? {D

[MRL]

It was a choco golden-knee tarantula native to Asia.http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[edesign]

I'm confused...I did not think Old World species had urticating hairs :? :? :? ...the media...why do they confuse so!?!?!!? ;)

[Arachnoboards]

I just found a link to some coverage that was aired on the Expo: :D

http://www2.mysanantonio.com/multimedia/video/NewsOnDemand/index.cfm?videos=39147


Debby

[Michael Jacobi]

I just found a link to some coverage that was aired on the Expo:

Cool, my female A. metallica is a star! Due to my sensitivity to urticating hairs, I recently got rid of all my Avics but I kept her :clap: It's my favorite Avic "species" and I will always have at least one female. Remember I am against handling tarantulas... that must be some other guy who wears a black bracelet reaching into my vivarium and plucking her out :liar:

As for that article, that guy was taking notes, not recording what we were telling him and got a lot wrong. For the record, I did not provide any comparisons regarding Phoneutria venom; I believe Matthew asked me whether they were X times more venomous than a widow and the guy must have just "improvised" from there. I don't remember any mention of rattlesnakes at all :wall:

[MizM]

Surely you know by now that the press doesn't get ANYTHING right!

My friend here in CA said she saw Arachnocon on a local TV station. She doesn't remember which one, but I'd sure like to find out.

It's bad, it's nationwide!!!

[Windchaser]

My friend saw the coverage in Denver. So, it did spread somewhat. Not sure if it was carried in all markets and I haven't heard of anyone in the Midwest or east seeing. Nevertheless, it is cool that it did get as much coverage as it did.

[Code Monkey]

Due to my sensitivity to urticating hairs, I recently got rid of all my Avics but I kept her...
Completely off topic question: given that you're a dealer and must wind up working up close and personal with hundreds to thousands of Avicularia and other urticating hair possessing spiders every year, is there actually any practical reduction in your exposure by eliminating them from your personal collection? Seems a bit odd.

[Michael Jacobi]

Completely off topic question: given that you're a dealer and must wind up working up close and personal with hundreds to thousands of Avicularia and other urticating hair possessing spiders every year, is there actually any practical reduction in your exposure by eliminating them from your personal collection? Seems a bit odd.

In short, I only sell early instars. And I sell very few New World spiders at all. I am the most specialized of the dealers - I sell arboreals and Old Worlds and a few select New World genera that don't have urticateous setae (e.g., Cyriocosmus, Holothele). My personal collection is the same. As an arboreal specialist, it doesn't please me to not be able to keep Avics, but just packing up a 2-inch A. sp. "bicegoi" yesterday made me itch like crazy. I've got to sell them before they get past an inch ;) A. metallica, which many saw me handle, and A. laeta don't bother me at all and are the only adults I now keep. I am also raising some A. minatrix because I don't get much reaction from them either.

25 years ago, Brachys didn't even bother me. It's hypersensitization over time. I am also highly allergic to crickets now, after 30 years of reptile and arachnid keeping. I touch one and touch my face and my eyes swell shut. Years ago I had no problems and used to eat them.

Cheers, Michael

[bagheera]

25 years ago, Brachys didn't even bother me. It's hypersensitization over time. I am also highly allergic to crickets now, after 30 years of reptile and arachnid keeping. I touch one and touch my face and my eyes swell shut. Years ago I had no problems and used to eat them.

Cheers, Michael


Michael... so what do crickets taste like?:?

[Michael Jacobi]

Michael... so what do crickets taste like?:?

It all depends on what they have been gut-loaded with.

Michael

[Brian S]

MJ, I think you're just getting weak in your old age LOL :D

Seriously though, what is it in crickets that give you an allergic reaction? Perhaps I am behind times but I have never heard of this before.

[Cheshire]

MJ, I think you're just getting weak in your old age LOL :D

Seriously though, what is it in crickets that give you an allergic reaction? Perhaps I am behind times but I have never heard of this before.

I know with roaches, it's usually the frass. I'd imagine it would be the same in crickets.