Scarab wrote: I handled every one of the 2745 (or so) spiders I ever owned. As a matter of fact, I have an H minax on my lap as we speak.

It must be all that wine giving you dutch courage! :laugh: After watching my mates L. klugi go postal on a pair of tweezers, I think I'll be very selective of which T's I handle in the future. That same T was one I handled a few months ago. Never again though. LOL!

I saw an H. minax throw an impressive threat display at the SOS expo. Do you use the cupping method, or do you herd it onto your hand as I do?

Here is a question for everyone. Of the T's you consider very docile, (I'm referring to T's that you own/owned) have you ever noticed the occassional mood swing or are/were they always docile?

I give this advice as a newbie as I am NOT an expert, nor a Biologist or Scientist (as accurately stated by another highly Scientific and experienced member).

Please note: The handling of ANY Tarantula should ALWAYS be done with the utmost care, is NEVER recommended and is ALWAYS done at own risk.

Tarantulas have these basic defenses. Run, hide, fight, bite, but not always in that order.
You should always be aware in which order this will take place. Some species will run first, then fight, then bite when cornered. Others will fight, then run, then bite when cornered. Biting specifically stated last in each case because this would almost ALWAYS be a last resort. Depending on the species, you must be prepared to deal with any of these.

Never surprise your spider. They are acutely aware of their environment, therefor, a rule of thumb would be NEVER touch your Tarantula "out of the blue". Always use an extended tong and ALWAYS touch the surrounding webbing or substrate BEFORE attempting to touch the spider. This will ensure that the spider becomes aware of your presence and eliminate the surprise and the initial defence reaction. Then, NEVER approach a spider from the rear. ALWAYS touch the pedipalps first and don't shit yourself if the spider grabs the tong or slaps it with it's legs. THIS IS NORMAL. If it detects that the tong is not food, it will let go. Only now would the spider be "ready" for AN ATTEMPT at handling it.

A fleeing spider is not a happy spider. A spider in a threat pose is not a happy spider. A hiding spider is not a happy spider. If your spider displays any of this behavior, LEAVE IT ALONE.

If you MUST handle your spider, perhaps to rehouse, follow the above rules and ALWAYS work on or close to the ground in an open space. Your lawn or inside a bath tub WITH THE PROP IN PLACE works well.

I have handled H minax, OBT, H lividum almost all Poecilotheria and many other bitches just by respecting and observing their natural body language. If you are aware of its personality, you are prepared for its reaction, then just deal with that.

Use it, don't use it...

That looks like sound advice Scarab. One more question though. Why not approach a spider from the rear? If I'm herding a T, I almost use a paintbrush to gently prod at it's rear legs or abdomen.

You must first make the spider aware that you are there, so touch the webbing and/or substrate, then approach from the front. Once your spider is aware that some activity is happening, you can "herd" it by gently touching the hind legs or abdomen.

The idea is to eliminate the surprise because a surprise approach is likely to trigger some form of defense.

You might have seen a spider grab a cricket in mid air when you feed? That is how sensitive they are to movement. Some are as sensitive to light. The faintest shadow (change in light) moving over them will warn them of impending activity. Now you open the lid and start prodding away. This causes a reaction. If you work gently and slowly, you reduce the likelihood of the spider reacting with a defensive attitude.

As a matter of interest, I have once moved a P metallica female from one enclosure to another with a bright light. I never touched her, but used the torch like you would use a brush. She kept moving away from the light, so I could determine where I wanted her to go.

We don't handle ours at all ... yet .... I'm too bloody scared ! We just try to nudge them in a direction whenever it is absolutely necessary (cleaning, etc). I don't think I'll ever be able to feel comfortable with handling them ! :S