Share one unique bit of advice!!!

[Moultmaster]

The most important tool in a tarantula keeper's arsenal is a long handled soft-bristled paintbrush. I use it for everything from manipulating crickets that are into playing hide and seek rather than see and be eaten, to gently nudging the T's if they're in the way of enclosure maintenance. Even the most aggressive of T's can be calmed by the gentle stroke of a paintbrush. I am working on a handling video showing proper use of a paintbrush when handling T's as there are do's and dont's. Nice OBT Jay and Erica. How's the handling coming along? It's Don btw.

 

[killy]

WHAT A GREAT THREAD! :clap:

I guess the best advice I've learned from this site is that if the T in question disappears for days in his burrow, as long as he isn't emitting a malodorous pong, he's okay whatever he's doing, so chill and don't worry about it.

Too bad the rule of this thread is to mention just ONE thing, because the list of good advice/info/intelligence/ tips/hints/disabuse/counsel/sympathy/empathy I've gleaned from this site could go on for days

 

[Kuro]

* T's aren't "just bugs" they have their own personalities and you grow fond of them

** Pokies, OBT's, and other speedy old worlds are not as bad a they seem to be especaily if you go slow and don't spook them




psst Killy, did you get the LP and L. Klugi??

 

[Steve Calceatum]

Oooh thought of another one! Everyday items take on new meaning. Peanut butter lids, bottle caps..........you will gain a collection of them!

Not even ten minutes ago I was staring at this container my side-salad came in, and thinking, "what could I house in this thing??"

 

[Lucille]

30mm plastic petri dishes make great water dishes for Ts and they are shallow enough that crickets can climb out.

 

[nurunuru]

There was some talk of methods for making tiny holes in a container to be used for slings. The cheapest method I've come across (believe I saw it in the tarantula keeper's guide) is to unfold a paper clip and make it into a long U shape. Then grip it in a pair of long-nosed pliers, heat it over a flame till it's hot and stick it through the container. Repeat ad infinitum.

 

[curiousme]

The most important tool in a tarantula keeper's arsenal is a long handled soft-bristled paintbrush.......

Chopsticks work great as well.(plus you have an excuse to go eat Chinese )

We have found that sometimes the Ts seem to dislike a paintbrush, but the chopstick is just fine.

 

[curiousme]

Not even ten minutes ago I was staring at this container my side-salad came in, and thinking, "what could I house in this thing??"

We got one of our enclosures from a yard sale, a little glass jar with a lid. Worked great for our N. chromatus after his tiny phase.(which went by incredibly fast!!)

 

[Stopdroproll]

Chopsticks work great as well.(plus you have an excuse to go eat Chinese )

We have found that sometimes the Ts seem to dislike a paintbrush, but the chopstick is just fine.

Haha for sure, chopsticks are good. I use them in place of tweezers (yes Asian).

 

[Moultmaster]

Chopsticks work great as well.(plus you have an excuse to go eat Chinese )

We have found that sometimes the Ts seem to dislike a paintbrush, but the chopstick is just fine.

The reason I use a paintbrush is because there's never the chance you might injure the T as there is with tweezers and chopsticks. More than anything I use my bare hands but when a tool is required I use the brush.

 

[tarantulakeeper]

If you keep your Ts in a small walk-in closet and you use an electric floor heater to keep them warm on cold winter nights...don't neglect to turn it off in the morning. (timers are good tools) John

 

[Stan Schultz]

I think that this could be an interesting thread. What I'm asking for is simple. Name one very valuable lesson or bit of advice you could offer the community that you personally learned first hand! No books, no friends, experts, etc. Just an experience that you learned from. ...

Don't believe anything a pet shop tells you unless you read it either here or on the ATS forum first! (Even then, if it sounds the least bit hokey, ASK FIRST!)

Well, you said "No books, ..."

 

[iluvcreepystuff]

tricky molts

my first t molted and i thought the t was the molt and that it was dead but i decided 2 wait a few days and see if it moved. it didnt, so i thought for sure it was dead when removing it i noticed it was hollow and the abdomen was busted out so i took a peek under his hide and that little guy came flyin out!
If your t is on its back dont flip it over!

 

[JasonCrowl]

avice

Use common sense and you should be fine with the OBT's and P. Regalis. I've had each, and mine have not been near as difficult as advertised.

 

[XEightLegsX]

The most important tool in a tarantula keeper's arsenal is a long handled soft-bristled paintbrush. I use it for everything from manipulating crickets that are into playing hide and seek rather than see and be eaten, to gently nudging the T's if they're in the way of enclosure maintenance. Even the most aggressive of T's can be calmed by the gentle stroke of a paintbrush. I am working on a handling video showing proper use of a paintbrush when handling T's as there are do's and dont's. Nice OBT Jay and Erica. How's the handling coming along? It's Don btw.

Hey Don. Whats up my friend? I didnt know you were on here. i can only handle my obt with in the first 48 hours after she molts. Then shes back to a crazed killer!

 

[whitewolf]

Tupperware is better than tanks in large numbers. LOL. I learned this the hard way. Now I can't stand having tanks in my T Room for T's or Scorpions.

The bigger totes make great places to keep little containers to keep slings warm. I did it then started see where other people where doing it too. I also learned by doing this and setting a container of water on the spot where the heat mat is it keeps the humidity up inside the big tote and all the containers. :wall: Duhh big incubator. LOL.

 

[violentblossom]

Set a budget before you go to reptile and/or tarantula expos.

 

[Endagr8]

i can only handle my obt with in the first 48 hours after she molts.

Don't do that!




Never attempt to rehouse pokies, haplos, OBTs, etc. before bedtime...you could be up for a while.

 

[Mattyb]

Buy some long tweezers so you can pick up poop or food bolus from the T's tank. It's better to reach with the tweezers into their tank than with your hand.

Have at least two pairs on tongs, cause sometimes one pair isn't enough

 

[killy]

psst Killy, did you get the LP and L. Klugi??

Hey Kuro ... I got the LP, but I opted for a GBB ... this time ... next time around (STOP ME BEFORE I COME HOME WITH MORE !!!) will most likely be a b emilia and ... yes, a KLUGI !!!

So here's the best advice I've found on this site so far ... DON'T FIGHT THE ADDICTION ... IT'S FUTILE!!! (especially with pushers like Kuro encouraging the habit hahahahhaha ....)