Claim OwnershipTom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts
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© 2024 Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts
Description
A podcast devoted to the proper care and upkeep of tarantulas and other inverts. After keeping a G. porteri for over 16 years, I decided that I wanted to add another tarantula to my collection. Several years later, I now keep over 100 specimens and 90+ different species. It’s safe to say that I am now completely addicted to the hobby. I’m NOT an expert, and I’m currently still learning about keeping these fascinating creatures. In fact, there are so many species, that I suspect that I’ll still be learning years from now. A teacher by trade, I enjoy passing along what I’ve information and techniques I’ve discovered and helping others in their successful pursuit of this hobby. I enjoy hearing from folks, whether through comments on the blog or email. I have done and continue to do a lot of research, and I will only be discussing animals I personally keep, so the information I present should be current and accurate.
344 Episodes
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First, we discuss some comments from last week's episode.Then, we'll take a look at the most asked tarantula questions in 2024. Happy Holidays, All!
I have to be honest; if someone told me years ago that we'd still be arguing over the best temperatures for tarantulas in 2024, I would have been shocked. However, after posting my winter episode, some folks made some negative comments about keeping tarantulas in the lower range, indicating that this debate is still very much alive. In this episode, we will discuss why having temps dip a bit in the winter is not bad for your spiders, and examine why keepers fail to recognize that many of the ...
1First, we discuss some comments I received about handling tarantulas.Then, winter is upon us! Now that the temps are getting cooler and the heat is pumping, we may need to consider making some changes for the frigid winter months. In this episode, we'll discuss some tips for keeping your tarantulas safe during the winter.Below are links to some of the heating products mentions in this podcast. These are ONLY suggestions. Be sure to do research to see what works best for you! DeLonghi Ra...
After years of tarantula handling falling out of vogue, it seems that more and more folks are now holding their eight-legged wards. Why the change? In this episode, we'll break down why there is a resurgence in this practice and discuss the pros and cons of handling vs. not handling.
First, we discuss the recent tarantula smuggling incident in Peru.Then, I'll share some tips on how to fix up tarantula enclosures without having to rehouse the spider. Has your substrate settled and is now too shallow? Does your spider need more coverage? Did the cork bark hide collapse? Here are some things that you can do.
When did you first start keeping Old World tarantulas? For the first half of this podcast, we'll hear some listener responses to last week's episode.Then, I've been answering questions about tarantulas for over a decade, and I often get the same questions over and over...and that's okay. I've had folks ask me if I ever get annoyed by that. Truth be told, there are only a handful of questions that I find a bit frustrating. In these cases, it's usually because there is no quick answer. In this ...
First, we discuss a recent article that questions whether spiders can sleep and even dream.Then, why do many keepers feel so anxious about possibly keeping Old World tarantulas? We'll discuss how keeper attitudes about Old World species have change from the '80s and '90s to now.
The Tliltocatl albopilosus is one of the most established, popular, and widely-kept species in the hobby. However, ask ten different keepers about their experiences with the growth rate, behavior, and temperament of this species, and you're likely to get ten different responses. In this episode, we'll discuss this awesome species and why there seems to be so much variation in its care and husbandry.
After some listener comments and spider news, we'll discuss why some tarantulas are so expensive.
First off, we discuss a story about noble false widow spiders preying upon much larger vertebrate prey. Then, it's onto listener feedback on the last episode about my most defensive tarantulas.Finally, this week I received my "Heart Attack Pack" from Fear Not Tarantulas, and I discuss what I received.FIND THE HEART ATTACK PACK HERE!
First, we start off with some listener feedback. Then, we'll discuss some recent spider news before we get to the main topic. I've been asked many times over the years which species of tarantulas that I've raised have been the most defensive. My answer may surprise you!
After some listener comments and tarantulas in the news, I breakdown some key points in the paper "Assessing the Risk of Overexploitation to a Tarantula Species in the Pet Trade" and explain why this should be important to informed, responsible keepers. CLICK HERE to read the entire paper!
First, we take a few listener comments.Then, in spider news, scientists think that Orbweaver spiders may have an interesting way of hunting fireflies.Finally, for the "meat" of the podcast, we discuss the care for one of the hobby's most beloved tarantulas, the Grammostola pulchra (AKA, the Black Lab of Tarantulas). (15:10)
So, after mentioning Andrew Smith's AMAZING documentary Theraphosa & Ephebopus: Suriname's Giant Forest Floor Tarantulas, it became clear that many folks weren't familiar with Andrew and his incredible work. In this episode, I discuss why folks should be drooling over these DVDs and how we can help crowdfund the next video in the series.Then, we spend a bit of time discussing why folks can find a lot to love with fossorial tarantulas.SUPPORT Andrew Smith's Tarantulas of Costa Rica by clic...
Although I've addressed this topic before, it's an important one. I've received quite a few messages over the past year from folks who are concerned over their tarantulas who have seemingly been burrowed for way too long and who have asked for advice for what to do. In this episode, I'll discuss the species I've had this issue with and explain what to do if you encounter this behavior.Then, it's on to listener comments and spiders in the news!Read the National Geographic Article Here!
And, we're back on Sundays!First, we discuss a new species of Aphonopelma recently described.Then, I take some listener feedback.And, for the main topic, we'll discuss some reasons why hobbyists shouldn't overlook arboreal tarantula species.
First off, we'll discuss a new study on the "Jorō spider" that explains why it is doing so well in urban environments (and why it shouldn't be feared).Then, we'll discuss a comment I got about a tarantula park that perpetuates negative stereotypes about these animals.Then, for our main topic, I'll discuss 6 species or genera of tarantulas that get undeserved bad reputations and break down where these notions came from.
Now that the last four Phormictopus species I acquired have put on some size and are showing some adult color, it's time to do an update on the 16 "species" that I keep. In this episode, I'll discuss age, colorations, and behaviors as I take you on a tour of my Phormictopus collection. For those interested, I'll also be posting up a video version on YouTube later this week. NOTE: Many of these "species" are likely just regional variants of P. cancerides, but we won't know for sure until...
Well, it's been over two years since I got my Ephebopus slings, and it's finally time for a proper genus review! In this episode, I'll talk about the care and set up of E. murinus (The Skeleton Tarantula), E. uatuman (The Emerald Skeleton Tarantula), E. refescens (The Red Skeleton Tarantula), and E. cyanognathus (The Blue Fang…Skeleton Tarantula)!
First, we'll discuss some listener comments from last week's episode.Then, we've all been there. You're at work or having company over, and suddenly you find yourself giving an impromptu presentation about tarantulas to folks who may be terrified of them. Or, perhaps you're someone who is planning to present about spiders at a school or library. It can be difficult to stay focused on the fly, which is why it's prudent to plan out one of these presentations ahead of time. In this episode, I sh...
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What a great and informative podcast Tom. Thanks so much.
I have to agree with you Tom in that there are a lot of videos of people doing crazy things with spiders on social media places and it has been like this for years. There are some folk who like to watch animals fight each other to the death for entertainment on SM. These may be the same people who think it's cool to put a spider in their mouth. If only moderators on these SM sites would take these types of clips down or even better ban them and replace them with better content such as your own.
i didn't get that choice of getting an old world spider. I was sold a Catumiri parvum sling and kept it as such. After a few molts later i discovered that it was actually a Pternochilus murinus. It went from a nice chilled out spider one day to an all out aggressive beast the next. Still love it though it gives me heart attacks from time to time. great pod as always!
unrelated: I just panic googled about my first spiderling burrowing itself alive, and your post about it calmed me down a ton. later tonight I decide to see if any tarantula podcasts exist, and I find this. instant follow and instant fan, thank you!!
Oh, this is a great topic
You’re my favorite 😁
Hi Tom, I got into the hobby jus thg a few months the ago at the age of 53. Once I decided to get my first T, I began with exhaustive research. Your rop beginners list motivated me to start with my Tlictocatl Albopilosus and it was a decision that I do not regret one bit. recently I have added two slings to my collection recently. a Chromatopelma cuaneopubescence and a Lasiodora parahybana. All of these amazing creatures were on your top beginners list and I am grateful for your guidance in my decisions. Will I get an old world? Sure, when the time is right, but I have nothing to prove to anyone and so I sip this hobby rather than gulp it. Thank you for all that you do.
The head-lopping chromatus has to be called Lizzy Borden 🤘
really interesting. I have a camera on my T albopilosum enclosure and I noticed a long time ago she would randomly jump sideways and then stress curl several times a day. one day I turned sound on the camera and she was reacting and getting upset by the vibrations of my big dogs when they'd suddenly bark (usually at mailman). I moved her into a quieter part of my house never saw it again . just figured I would share a case where something loud WAS stressing the T . poor girl ! lol
love the podcast. I had isopods in my roach colony and I had an explosion of them and they ended up actually killing off my colony
happy Easter Tom!
them nats! aooooahhhhhh
Love the podcast.
Love this podcast. Great information for keepers of all skill levels.