One of the most common questions that arises when people discover you keep tarantulas as pets is, “Do you hold them?” For many new enthusiasts, the idea of handling a tarantula is a significant milestone, almost a rite of passage in the hobby. There’s a certain allure to interacting directly with these fascinating creatures, and for some, it feels like a deeper connection to their eight-legged companions. But is handling a pet tarantula truly a good idea?
Experienced keepers often have varied opinions. Some enjoy occasionally handling their calmer tarantulas, viewing it as a way to strengthen their bond and demonstrate to others that these animals are not as menacing as they are often perceived. Some even find it practical for tasks like rehousing or enclosure maintenance, believing it can be less stressful than using tools to guide their spiders. Years of experience often allow these keepers to recognize subtle cues in their tarantulas’ behavior, helping them gauge when a spider might be receptive to handling.
However, the topic of handling tarantulas is a contentious one within the tarantula keeping community. Mention handling in online forums or groups, and you’re likely to ignite a long-standing debate. The community is often divided between those who advocate for handling and those who consider it a risky and unnecessary practice. Like discussions on sensitive topics, opinions on tarantula handling can quickly become polarized, turning a nuanced issue into a seemingly black and white argument.
When I first ventured into the world of tarantula keeping, handling was definitely on my mind. In fact, acquiring my first tarantula, a Grammostola porteri, was partly motivated by wanting to overcome my arachnophobia. However, after years of learning and observing these creatures, my first attempt at handling her was almost disastrous. Despite her typically docile behavior, when I presented my hand, she defensively struck at a paintbrush I was using to gently guide her, her fangs scraping against it in a clear threat display. In hindsight, it was likely a feeding response, but it highlighted the inherent unpredictability of these animals. Had that been my hand, I would have been bitten.
Over time, as I gained more knowledge and listened to the experiences of other keepers, I realized that the desire to handle my tarantulas was more about my own curiosity than the well-being of the spider. My immediate reaction to pain is to recoil, and a bite could easily lead to accidentally injuring the spider. The urticating hairs are also a significant deterrent. The only real benefit of handling seemed to be personal gratification – being able to say I held a tarantula. For the tarantula, the experience offers nothing positive and potentially introduces stress, the risk of falls, or even escape.
This is, of course, my personal perspective, and many keepers hold differing views. I understand the appeal of handling and how it can foster a feeling of closeness to your pet. For me, expressing care for my tarantulas means prioritizing their safety and well-being by avoiding potentially risky situations. However, I acknowledge that many keepers handle their tarantulas regularly without incident, demonstrating that handling, when approached cautiously, isn’t inherently wrong. The key is understanding the nuances and making informed decisions.
There are also accounts of people who, after a positive experience handling a tarantula, have come to see these creatures in a new light, appreciating their beauty and fascinating nature. Such experiences can even spark an interest in tarantula keeping in others – an undeniably positive outcome.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to handle a tarantula requires careful consideration and informed discretion, especially for new keepers. Experience and understanding tarantula behavior are crucial before even contemplating handling.
It is important to note that this article is not intended to discourage handling entirely, nor is it aimed at changing the minds of those who already handle their tarantulas responsibly. It is meant to provide crucial points to consider before making the decision to handle your pet tarantula.
You Don’t Need to Handle Your Tarantula to Be a Good Keeper
If you’re concerned that not handling your tarantula will make you seem less experienced or dedicated in the eyes of other keepers, you can put those worries aside. Many seasoned keepers, with years of experience, adopt a strict hands-off approach. A quick search on tarantula forums will reveal countless keepers who initially handled their tarantulas but later abandoned the practice as they gained more experience and a deeper understanding of these animals. Your credibility as a tarantula keeper is not tied to handling them.
When friends or acquaintances ask if you handle your tarantula, confidently explain that you care for your pet much like someone would care for tropical fish – admired and observed, but not touched. You can also explain that choosing not to handle is not about fear or perceiving tarantulas as dangerous. It’s about acknowledging the potential stress handling can cause and minimizing the risk of injury to both yourself and your spider, should it become startled or attempt to escape.
Tarantulas Tolerate, They Don’t “Tame”
While some might argue otherwise, tarantulas are not known for their intelligence in the way we typically understand it. While I’ve observed in my own collection that some tarantulas can become conditioned to respond to certain stimuli – for example, some now emerge from their burrows when I open their enclosures, anticipating feeding – whether this constitutes true “learning” is debatable. It’s more likely that some tarantulas simply possess calmer temperaments than others and might become more tolerant of handling through repeated exposure.
However, it’s crucial to understand that if a tarantula appears calm during handling, it merely indicates its tolerance at that specific moment. Instinctually, a large presence reaching for them signals potential danger or predation. Their natural defense mechanisms – biting and urticating hair flicking – are triggered to inflict pain and facilitate escape. This is an ingrained survival response honed over millennia. Even subtle changes in their environment, like a slight breeze or an imperceptible vibration, can abruptly switch a seemingly calm tarantula back into survival mode.
Have you ever accidentally breathed directly on a tarantula? The reaction is often immediate and panicked. Keep this in mind if you decide to handle your pet; one moment it might be calmly resting in your hand, and the next it could suddenly bolt or bite. This leads us to the next critical point…
Tarantulas Are Wild Animals: Inherently Unpredictable
Can tarantulas become conditioned to tolerate handling? Possibly, to some degree. Do they “enjoy” or “like” being handled? Highly unlikely. Are they still experiencing stress even if they appear calm? Most likely, yes. While some individuals might tolerate handling better than others, even a minor disturbance can trigger a defensive reaction. This inherent unpredictability is a key factor to consider.
Tarantulas are not domesticated animals; they are essentially wild creatures, and not particularly known for advanced cognitive abilities. This inherent wildness makes them inherently unpredictable. Online forums are filled with stories of tarantulas that were once docile turning aggressive after molting (and sometimes reverting back to docile again later!). Their temperaments are not static, and many can change as they mature. That seemingly cuddly juvenile Grammostola pulchripes you handled at 3 inches might become a defensive, hair-flicking terror at 4 inches. Many keepers report tarantulas that tolerate handling one day becoming highly reactive the next. Always remember this unpredictability before placing your hand near even a previously “tame” tarantula.
Old World Tarantulas: Potent Venom and Fang-Forward Defense
Personally, I see absolutely no justification for handling Old World tarantulas. The majority of Old World species are fast, defensive, and possess more potent venom than their New World counterparts. I’ve come across videos online of keepers handling species like Ornithoctonus aureotibialis (OBTs) and Poecilotheria species (large arboreals known for potent venom) – often seemingly to challenge temperament myths or, in some cases, to appear “brave” (or perhaps reckless!). It’s concerning that such videos might lead less experienced keepers to believe that handling a Pterinochilus murinus (OBT) is a common or safe practice. It is not.
If you are even considering handling an Old World species, take the time to read through bite reports on reputable arachnid forums like Arachnoboards. While no human fatalities from tarantula bites have been recorded, the symptoms associated with Old World bites can be severe. Extreme pain, vomiting, muscle cramping, dizziness, and heart palpitations are just some of the reported effects. Worryingly, some individuals experience symptoms for extended periods after the bite. Old World tarantulas lack urticating hairs, making biting their primary defense. An incident with an Old World species could easily result in a trip to the emergency room.
Bites and Hairs: Painful Even Without Potent Venom
Many keepers become overly focused on venom potency, sometimes overlooking the fact that even a bite from a species with less potent venom can be incredibly painful. A bite from a large New World tarantula, even if not medically significant in terms of venom, can still inflict considerable pain due to the sheer size of their fangs and the mechanical damage they can cause. Some New World species grow to impressive sizes, and larger spiders equate to larger fangs.
And then there are urticating hairs. Those who haven’t experienced urticating hairs firsthand might dismiss them as a minor and ineffective defense mechanism. How irritating can tiny hairs really be? The answer is: quite irritating, and sometimes much worse. Some species possess hairs that are exceptionally irritating, and individual reactions can range from mild discomfort to severe reactions. The effects can cause significant itching and discomfort lasting for days. If hairs get into your eyes or are inhaled, emergency medical attention might be necessary.
Furthermore, even if your first exposure to urticating hairs is mild, repeated exposure can lead to increased sensitivity. This means you don’t “get used to” the hairs; instead, your body may become more reactive over time. Some keepers even report having to rehome certain species because they find the hairs too bothersome to manage. This is definitely something to consider, especially if you are prone to allergies or sensitivities.
Handling is Not Necessary for Transfers or Maintenance
Some keepers argue that handling tarantulas simplifies and makes rehousing safer. If experienced keepers find handling effective for them, and they prioritize safety, it is their informed choice. However, in my experience, handling is never a necessity for routine tarantula care. I have successfully performed countless transfers and maintenance tasks without ever feeling the need to handle a tarantula directly. In fact, I actively try to minimize hand-to-tarantula contact during these procedures. My approach is always to be calm, deliberate, and focus on moving the tarantula with minimal stress and risk to both of us. Handling, in my opinion, introduces unnecessary stress for the tarantula and increases the risk of bites or escapes up an arm. The key is to take your time, avoid rushing, and to step back and reassess if the tarantula shows signs of stress or agitation.
Remember, it only takes a single bite to potentially injure yourself or your tarantula. Ask yourself: if your tarantula decides it’s not in the mood for handling, can you guarantee you won’t flinch and accidentally drop or fling it? Is the perceived benefit of handling really worth the potential risks? It’s a crucial question every keeper should honestly consider.
Informed Decisions and Preparedness Are Key
Again, many keepers advocate for the rewards of handling tarantulas, and if you ultimately decide that handling is something you want to do, it’s not inherently wrong. However, it’s vital to thoroughly consider the points discussed above to ensure you are prepared and can prioritize the safety of both yourself and your tarantula. Search online for “tarantula handling guides,” research proper techniques and safety precautions, and watch videos demonstrating responsible handling. Most importantly, take the time to carefully observe your individual tarantula to assess its temperament and determine if it is even a suitable candidate for handling.
Full disclosure: I HAVE handled my Euathlus sp. red a few times, but not for recreational purposes. This particular tarantula has a habit of attempting to climb out of her enclosure every time I open it. In these instances, I gently use my hand to guide her back inside. I have never intentionally taken her out for the sole purpose of handling.
Euathuls sp. red tarantula gently walking onto a keeper's hand, demonstrating a moment of calm handling, although handling is not generally recommended.
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