oi, ok, it seems like this is going to be a long thread - which is good

I am in the business of communication, and communication for me is a specific response to a specific input, so thanks for the responses.

I would just like to raise an issue I have on scientific vs common names. I am in agreement with all of you to use both - and in my book I do that. In fact, every species I write about I take the reader through the entire scientific classification tree. However, when I go into a pet store - and bearing in mind I had my own for 10 years - the beginner doesn't ask for a tarantula by its scientific name.

I dont buy the argument that using common names "spoils" the hobby - a red knee is a red knee and has been for as long as they have been in the pet trade, similarly chilean rose, curly hair etc.

I think going completely scientific names doesn't do the hobby a favour either because you mention the scientific name on here, and then I as a beginner use google and not much comes up, but when I enter the common name - plenty of info...anyway, this debate I sense will be like debating religion or politics...

As a beginner you should definately not be handling tarantulas, in fact, you should not be handling tarantulas full stop - in my opinion it is negligent - I dont care how experience you are, there is always that one time, and it is at that one time that the tarantula will go flying and will die as a result - so I have never advocated handling tarantulas - for me, keeping tarantulas is not about the ego trip...similarly I dont handle scorpions or venemous snakes and I dont advocate it either.

Anyway, thanks for the input - much appreciated.

I agree with what you are saying scorpion. when I started out (which wasn't long ago - April 2010), I was referring to my Chacos and curlies.

And with a pet store and specifically referring to beginners, the common name are mostly used.

But from experience, I have seen MANY Chilean rosies, but later discovered the NCR and RCF colour forms and the NCR being referred to as G porteri and the RCF as G rosea.

but anyway, in most cases people know what you are referring to, but I feel it is important specifically with confusing species (A geniculata, A seemanni, G pulchripes, any other striped knee) to use scientific names.