My one B albopilosum likes to kick hairs. Got a nice bunch on my hand when showing her to a friend over the weekend, but had zero effect on me. So I think they are just for show

Shane, is the N tripepii that one you got from me? I think she had very good practice, that's why she is so good at kicking

I honestly think this differs from person to person, but I don't think any studies have been done on this as yet. A few months back there were a few brave-stars on the site that wanted to get "bristled" and even bitten by different species to see the different results, but the idea quickly faded away hahaha.

My worst experience was with an 8cm G.pulchripes, I had rash spots all over my tummy and in every spot with soft skin, like the neck, groin, under arms etc... Itched for about 2 weeks straight. Yet, I have had very close encounters - even picking up my adult male X.immanis (he got free and was running around the house - he's so strong he lifted the lid of his enclosure which was taped down!) with my bare hands while kicking bristles at me and the itching was minimal.

I have yet to be blessed with an experience of T.blondi or T.apophysis bristles, but seeing how i get all puffy, I'll give it a skip.

SynergyZA wrote: My one B albopilosum likes to kick hairs. Got a nice bunch on my hand when showing her to a friend over the weekend, but had zero effect on me. So I think they are just for show

Shane, is the N tripepii that one you got from me? I think she had very good practice, that's why she is so good at kicking

LOL! Yup, the aggro b!tch. :laugh:

Did you ever experience that burning in the nose and throat with her?

Nope. But I did get long term (2-3 weeks) skin irritation when I did anything with her enclosure. Was worst when I had to remove an exuvium (twice).

Shane Visser wrote: Stanley, I have a T. blondi as well, but I don't seem to get the same reaction when working in it's enclosure. The tank is much larger though, so maybe that contributes. Also, I'm extremely careful when working in the T. blondi enclosure for exactly the reason you mentioned above.

An interesting little background datum: No one seems to ever suffer a true allergic reaction to tarantula (or any other spider) venom. (It's so rare when someone is suspected of a true allergic reaction that it's written up in the medical journals). It is, however, very common for a wide spectrum of animals (apparently not just humans or mammals) to display a true allergic reaction to the urticating bristles of the New World species. (You will remember that no Old World species possess urticating bristles.)

Now, we are all aware of the fact that each of us has a unique immune system that reacts differently to different substances. Some of the less lucky of us seem to be allergic to almost everything from birth. Others of us have to contact a particular substance (called an immunogen) before we can react to it. And, the severity of this reaction varies widely from individual to individual, and with the number of times we've contacted the immunogen.

In your case, the fact that you do not react greatly to the bristles of T. blondi puts you into that last category. That may, or may not change as you age, or with repeated exposure to the bristles, or with your state of health. Just be aware of the possibilities and know what to do IF you suddenly begin to react badly.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU EVER GET YOURSELF INTO A POSITION WHERE YOU GET THE BRISTLES INTO YOUR EYE!

Since most New World tarantulas that possess urticating bristles shed them in small numbers almost constantly, everything in and immediately around their cages is likely coated with a fine dusting of them. Follow these rules:

When working in and around the tarantulas' cages, move slowly and try not to kick up a cloud of dust.

Wipe down the area around the cages with a damp cloth frequently, and rinse the cloth under running water immediately when finished to prevent spreading the bristles around your home. Launder the cloth or discard it safely after each use.

Always wash your hands after working in or around a tarantulas' cage. We used to wash our hands between working in different cages as well.

NEVER, EVER TOUCH YOUR FACE OR EYES WHILE WORKING WITH YOUR TARANTULAS, OR BEFORE YOU'VE WASHED YOUR HANDS!

Shane Visser wrote: Why no tarantulas Stanley?

I retired on August 31, 2005. The next day Marguerite and I moved into our motorhome full time. (Why waste time?)

(The "Duchess" camped in a rustic setting in the Davis Mountains of west Texas during the winter of 2006. Click or right-click the thumbnail to see a larger version.)

Since that time we have been following a snowbird lifestyle, vacationing in the sun belt of the USA in winter when the temperatures are mild, and vacationing in the summer in Canada, again when the temperatures are mild.

Although Marguerite passed away last October , I still follow the lifestyle and am currently snuggled among some Engelmann spruce in a nice little campground half way up a mountainside in Clinton, British Columbia , Canada.

(The "Duchess" in Clinton, BC with my two Shelties, "Monkeyshine" on the left, and Tinker Belle on the right. In reality, the dogs own the motorhome. I'm just the designated driver! :laugh: )

This lifestyle requires that I cross the US/Canadian national border at least twice a year, and that raises some serious problems with the laws controlling the transport of non-dog and non-cat animals across the border. The Canadians generally adopt a very nonchalant attitude, but the US Fisheries & Wildlife authorities are positively rabid about it. Every one of them wants to appear on COPS . "The land of the free" is apparently not so free after all!

In theory, I am able to gain permits to transport tarantulas across the border, but they must be obtained anew every time I propose to cross, they're a pain in the fundament to get because I must do so far in advance, and they and the inspection fees are expensive.

So I had to get rid of my tarantulas. But, as you can tell, I am still active in the hobby and pursuing the study of large, long legged, "hairy" spiders other ways .

Enjoy your bristly, little, 8-legged wonders!

Thanks for that reply Stanley. I enjoyed reading it.

Looks like you are living the life. Enjoy