Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts

The third part of the Tarantula exam series is here! This time around, we have some scenarios about tarantula care as well as some involving other aspects of the tarantula hobby. Enjoy! 

Okay, so I'm not really going to try to sell folks on keeping curtain-web spiders, but I do think that many tarantula keepers would find a lot to love about these huge, heavily-webbing spiders. In this episode, I discuss their care, setup, and temperament and explain why I think that they make awesome spiders to keep. Dipluridae feeding compilation

Old World tarantulas - they're "aggressive", they're "dangerous", and they're "deadly"...right? WRONG.   In this episode, we'll discuss Old World tarantulas and their bad reputation.  I will share my experiences with keeping Old Worlds as well as some tips for minimizing any risk when working with this misunderstood an unfairly villianized group of...

In this episode, we talk about care for the genus Brachypelma and I share my observations on the species that I currrently keep. 

Part two of my discussion with veterinarian Dr. Andy Anderson. In this episode, he discusses: Injuries that he's treated The "Tarantula ICU" Tarantula Euthanasia  The state of veterinary medicine in the US How to find a vet for your spider

Well, it has FINALLY happened. Dr. Andy Anderson and I were finally able to connect to chat about tarantula care, and man it was well worth the wait. In this episode, Dr. Anderson talks about tarantula medical topics like: DKS symptoms and causes Dehydration  Impaction  Molt issues Nematodes In part 2 next week, Dr. Anderson will discuss injuries he's treated and their causes, tarantula ICUs,...

First, we start off by discussing listener comments from last week's fossorial episode. Then, I go through some of the changes that I've made in my husbandry and setups and explain why I made these changes. 

It's a fossorial blow out! Well, not quite...but in this episode, I talk about the care, setup, and maintenance for our beloved "pet holes". 

What are some ways to organize and manage the expenses of a growing tarantula collection? How can you ensure that caring for your animals doesn't become a burden? In this episode, suggested by listener EarthsGeomancer , I discuss the following points. Labeling T enclosures Record keeping Scheduling Being time efficient and making time for other hobbies Tracking and inventorying feeders, subst...

...or, my creative way of trying to answer a bunch of common questions in an entertaining year-in-review format! Seriously, while trying to figure out a fun way to answer some of the questions I get about my favorite, or largest, or shyest, or WHATEVER tarantulas, I came up with the idea of a fake award show! Hopefully, folks find this entertaining (and not too embarrassing), and it becomes an ann...

First, I read and discuss some comments from listeners about last week's episode. Then, I give some updates on my Ephebopus species. 

To start the New Year, I got to thinking about what aspects of the hobby tend to give new tarantula keepers the most trouble. In this episode, I share five points that would make the hobby easier and less stressful for those just starting it. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope that everyone had a safe holiday season. To begin this episode, I'll talk about the mysterious case of my dying E. murinus juvenile. Then, we'll discuss the care for Pseudhapalopus sp. blue. 

We've all been there. When people find out that we choose to keep tarantulas as pets, the questions inevitably start flying. Some of them are good questions. Others? Not so much. In this episode, we talk about the questions tarantula keepers are most commonly asked. 

One of the reasons tarantulas are such easy pets is because they are relatively clean animals. That said, there are times when a cleaning, either partial or in full, is warranted. In this episode, we'll discuss the when and how to clean our spiders' enclosures when needed. I also share some tips about how to clean up those delicate acrylics without scratching them all up. 

In this this episode, I share some observations on three species of Thrixopelma , a very underrated genus. 

Well, it was "recently" made public that another once popular tarantula dealer has disappeared after taking a WHOLE lot of money from unsuspecting customers.  While some folks seemed to be surprised by the fact that this individual was shady, they shouldn't have been. There was evidence 18 months ago that this dealer was trying to skirt the law by selling so-called "hybrid&quot...

Well, it's 34 degrees out and the heat has kicked on, so it's that time of year again! With temperatures dropping, tarantula keepers have a few new things to worry about when it comes to their animals. In this episode, we discuss 10 issues keepers might encounter during wintertime. 

In this episode, we discuss care for the genus Aphonopelma. 

In this episode, I share all of the info and tips I can think of when it comes to buying and raising tarantula slings.

So, last week's episode certainly made some waves! To kick this one off, I'll share some comments I received about tarantula sales laws in other countries. Then, we'll tackle some questions and comments on last week's episode, including one by a very angry breeder.  Sadly, it wasn't the only one that I received. In this episode, I use this negative feedback to clarify and...

After the last podcast, I had several folks email me about the legalities of ordering Sri Lankan Poecilotheria species across state lines. In this episode, we will examine some of the other legal issues folks in the US need to be aware of so that they are not tricked into breaking the law by unscrupulous dealers.  Then, we disuss feeding schedules and why it is never one-size-fits-all. 

In this episode, Erin Cashel and Emile Weber join me to talk about the Tarantula Sustainment Project, a new initiative to grow breeding in the US and to ensure all species remain available from state to state. Want to take part? Just click this link!

First, we talk about the new "Tarantula Capital of the World", La Junta, Colorado where citizens are embracing their local tarantula population in an amazing way. Then, it's International Poecilotheria Appreciation Day! Okay, I might have made that up... However, I've made it very well known how much I adore this genus, and it bothers me that so many folks have been completely...

Tarantulas are some of the easiest and most low-maintainance pets a person can keep.  However, for those used to spending more time caring for more domestic animals, this aspect of the hobby can be the cause of some anxiety. In this episode, we discuss some situations that lead stressed out keepers to "over care" for their spiders.