- Joined
- Dec 12, 2005
- Messages
- 749
Don't worry, I would never even consider it. I like my spiders fully loaded
The reason I'm asking is because I just got into a discussion about it with somebody on a different site who left a comment on one of my tarantula photos. They were under the impression that all pet tarantulas were de-fanged and de-venomed before they could be sold. I told him it wasn't true, and even if it were, Ts can regrow their fangs so there wouldn't be much point. He conceded that the fangs weren't removed but still said "you can devenom them, although I'm told it's complicated."
Well as far as I can see the only way to stop a T producing venom would be to remove the venom glands. And without them surely the T would be unable to feed. Plus the difficulty of performing any kind of surgery on a spider of course. I've told him this, but I think he's still under the impression that devenoming is possible.
I've tried having a look around for any articles relating to the subject. So far all I've found is an entry in a tarantula FAQ which states "A tarantulas venom can be milked for whatever purpose necessary however there is no permanent way to de-venom a tarantula without killing it."
So basically can anybody cite any sources that discuss the topic, or can I just get some definite answers as to whether or not it is possible? Personally I hope it's not. My thinking is if you don't want a venemous pet, don't buy a venemous animal!
The reason I'm asking is because I just got into a discussion about it with somebody on a different site who left a comment on one of my tarantula photos. They were under the impression that all pet tarantulas were de-fanged and de-venomed before they could be sold. I told him it wasn't true, and even if it were, Ts can regrow their fangs so there wouldn't be much point. He conceded that the fangs weren't removed but still said "you can devenom them, although I'm told it's complicated."
Well as far as I can see the only way to stop a T producing venom would be to remove the venom glands. And without them surely the T would be unable to feed. Plus the difficulty of performing any kind of surgery on a spider of course. I've told him this, but I think he's still under the impression that devenoming is possible.
I've tried having a look around for any articles relating to the subject. So far all I've found is an entry in a tarantula FAQ which states "A tarantulas venom can be milked for whatever purpose necessary however there is no permanent way to de-venom a tarantula without killing it."
So basically can anybody cite any sources that discuss the topic, or can I just get some definite answers as to whether or not it is possible? Personally I hope it's not. My thinking is if you don't want a venemous pet, don't buy a venemous animal!