Handling Tarantulas
Regardless of what u have as ur pet, thereis always the urge to hold
it in ur hands, in other words, handling it. I personally like to handle my pets (dogs, hampsters, scorpions, tarantulas etc..)
but handling a tarantula is somehow different. One thing which we must know, we like to handle our Tarantula but our Tarantula
hates people handling them. Honestly i would not recommend handling ur Tarantula often unless it is necessary. Why do i say
so?
A terrestrial (AKA Ground Dwelling Ts) can easily die or have thier abdomen ruptured if we accidentally
drop them. And as for those abroreals, a short drop might mean nothing to them but they are relatively fast moving tarantulas
and it will be hard to catch them back if they escape.
Tarantulas also have potent defenses.
All tarantulas possess venom. They usually refrain from using venom when biting large adversaries, and for the most
part avoid direct contact with larger animals at all costs. In general (although some species have been reported to
have more potent venom) a tarantula bite can be compared with a bee sting in severity. While
any type of tarantula can bite you it is generally the Old World (Asian and African) tarantulas that tend to bite when confronted
or cornered. This should not to give you a false sense of security when dealing with New World (South, Central, &
North American) tarantulas. On the contrary, when dealing with New World species, you must know that they are capable
of biting, and often use another type of defense known as Urticating (itch-causing) Hairs.
Molting
Wonder what molting is? Molting is a process whereby a Tarantula sheds its old exoskeleton (outer skeleton) in
order to grow. In other words, thier exoskeleton doesnt grow as they grow so when it is too small for it, a new exo will grow
beneath the old exo and that is the time a tarantula goes into a state called "premolt". during a premolt, a tarantula will
lose its appetite, very unactive, darkened abdomen, and hids itself all day long. Usually a premolt will last from 3 weeks
to about 1 1/2 months before it finally molts. The new exoskeleton is soft, and needs to harden
before the animal can resume eating, walking and other routine activities. Tarantulas generally molt on their backs
or sides. If you wake up one morning and see your tarantula on it's back or side, DO NOT touch it. Molting
is a very strenuous and dangerous time for tarantulas.
Interested
in knowing more? Click HERE to know more about molting and its process.
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