Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts

In this episode, we address the most popular tarantula-focused topics and concepts hobbyists love to argue over on forums and social media groups. 

As the first Tarantula Exam was quite a hit, I decided that it would be fun to return to the classroom to try a part two. This time around, the questions are a little more difficult and feature 15 short scenarios that ask listeners to determine what the keeper is doing wrong. Again, this is all just for fun and an entertaining way to discuss some common missteps in the hobby. Enjoy and good luck! 

I get asked this question a couple times a week, and I have a quick goto list of vendors that I've used over the years. In this episode, I go over the folks that I have had great experiences with in hopes of spreading the word. 

Four years ago, I did an early podcast on the state of the hobby in the United States. In this episode, we'll revisit the topic. In many ways, it's a great time to be a tarantula hobbyist, with more species and dealers around than ever. However, with increased exposure bringing negative attention to our little pasttime, could we be in for a much darker future? 

First, we revisit last week's episode. Then, I give an update on my Poecilotheria formosa , who was recovering from a bad molt. Finally, I just rehoused my sub-adult Xenesthis sp. blue and thought that it would be a good time to update my care notes on that species. 

In this episode, I talk about 5 tarantula species that I would like to see more readily-available (and inexpensive!) in the hobby. 

Well, the US Government is at it again. A new bill titled America Competes Act of 2022 has amendments added that could decimate the exotic animals hobbies.  In this episode, we discuss what this means and what can be done. PLEASE CHECK OUT USARK and be sure to write your local senators!

In this episode, we take a look at some of the signs that point to a hobbyist not being as informed and knowledgeable as he or she should be. 

In this episode, we discuss three recent news articles featuring tarantulas. 

It's one of the touchiest subjects in the hobby. In this episode, I break down why tarantula hybridization is so frowned upon. 

First, I talk a bit about last week's episode on handling. Then, I review some of the Tarantula Crib sling enclosures I just received before segueing into our main topic, "Enclosure Snobbery." . 

With a lot of beginners contacting me lately for my opinion of the best tarantulas to get for handling, I thought that it was time to revisit this controversial topic from a new angle. 

To kick this episode off, I share an amazing story about an M. balfouri communal that a subscriber shared with me. Then, there are apparently folks out there keeping all of their slings dry? We talk a bit about why that is a pretty dangerous practice. 

Now that I've been keeping more true spiders and trap doors, I've had some folks asking me about the differences between these types eight-legged predators. In this episode, I discuss some of my early findings and thoughts. 

Okay, to make up for no podcast last week, we now have a 75 minute episode about the most common mistakes hobbyists make! 

First, I vent for about 15 minutes about some issues with my theme music. At about the 16 minute mark, we start the main topic...namely, are lists that rank tarantulas as "best beginner" or "best starter old worlds" really useful? 

With the cold weather upon us, here are some things to think about as we get ready for winter. 

In this episode, we discuss three of the worst and most misguided reasons folks get into the hobby for. 

In this episode, we discuss what happens when your attempts to lure others into the hobby attracts the wrong type of people. 

In this episode, we discuss some of the tarantulas that sport those festive orange tones. Happy Halloween! 

I've had several requests for updated Pamphobeteus care lately, so I decided to focus a podcast on it. As I was recording it, I got the sneaking suspicion that I had talked about this topic before, but I was on a roll, so I kept going. Well, I DID cover it this year as it turns out...oh well! Here are my updated notes on Pampho care (next week, I'll make sure that it's a totally fre...

Anyone who has listened to me for any length of time knows how much I HATE when folks use their social media platforms to feed into the idea that spiders are dangerous and aggressive creatures. The way I see it, they are already feared and even loathed by so many that we shouldn't be helping to fuel that hatred. Now that I've moved into keeping some true spiders, I'm noticing that s...

To kick it off, I talk a bit about my recent huntsman spider buying spree. Then, we tackle a topic I get asked about all of the time; what do you do if you HAVE to heat your spiders? In this episode, we'll talk about what "too cold" is and discuss the best ways to provide extra heat should it be warranted. 

After being asked how one ends up with 220 tarantulas, I sat down to give some thought as to why this hobby is so addictive. 

Looking to buy your tarantulas online? In this podcast, we'll discuss some advice for spider shopping as well as some as tips on what to expect.