Claim OwnershipTom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts
Subscribed: 265Played: 26,571
Subscribe
© 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. This blog is a bit of a journal to track my interest in the hobby and to share some of the information I’ve learned. 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. I also regularly update older posts with current photos, observations, and information. However, this is an ever-evolving hobby, so I implore anyone interested in keeping these animals to use whatever they find here as a springboard for further research on techniques or species-specific care.
312 Episodes
Reverse
How do you know when you’re getting too many tarantulas? How can you tell when you’re reaching what should be your limit?In this episode, we’ll discuss the importance of establishing routines and setting boundaries early on to avoid having your collection turn into a hoard.
I've encountered this scenario many times...an upset keeper emails me to ask what he did wrong because his adult female didn't make it to the supposed max life expectancy. In many cases, it sounds like the animal died of natural causes, but the thought that it should have lived longer can eat away at a concerned keeper. In this episode, we discuss some of the maximum lifespans given for tarantulas online and break down why some might live longer than others. I will also share the ages of several of my females when they finally passed away.
In this episode, I talk about my experiences with the three Theraphosa species: Theraphosa stirmi (the Burgundy Goliath Birdeater), Theraphosa blondi (the Goliath Birdeater), and Theraphosa apophysis (Pinkfoot Goliath Birdeater).
To start this one off, I share some of the feedback I got from last week's episode and respond to a couple comments.Then, at 21:25, it's been five years to the day when I last covered some tips for ordering tarantulas online. In this episode, we will review the dos and don't as well as discuss some new issues that have presented themselves over the last five years.
A couple of years ago, I stumbled on an article about the "inadvertent domestication" of animals raised for the sole purpose of being released back into the wild. This is when, despite our best efforts, captive animals were becoming inadvertently domesticated by temporarily or even permanently adapting to a captive environment , which was making them less fit to survive in the wild. This could often occur within a single generation of captive-reared animals.And that got me thinking...Many species of tarantulas have been actively bred in captivity for decades, so is it possible (or likely, even) that the animals in our collections have adapted over multi-generational captive breeding to be better suited to being kept in our home? In essence, is there a fundamental difference between our captive bred spiders and their wild counterparts? Is human selection making allowing them to thrive in our care?In this episode, we will explore the theory of tarantula domestication and why I think that it’s important to consider that the spiders in our collections might not necessarily be true wild animals. NOTE: I am NOT talking about them becoming tame, like dogs or cats. Spiders are not and never will be tame animals. We are specifically asking if they could have been changed by years of being bred and kept by humans.
I've been doing this a while now, and there is one occurrence that I will never understand...when keepers ask for advice and then ignore it. Luckily, it doesn't happen often, but when it does, the results can be quite tragic. In this episode, we'll discuss a few of the more egregious experiences I've had with this type of behavior.
Over the years, I've continued to constantly switch up what I use for substrate when it comes to housing my tarantulas. In this episode, I review what I've used in the past and share an inexpensive "recipe" I'm currently using that yields a LOT of substrate for very little money.
In this episode, we discuss some instances where folks have lost large parts or all of their collection due to mishap or an overlooked environmental hazard.
Within the past couple weeks, I spoke with two teenagers who were interested in getting their first tarantula. Both had many questions about where they should start and what they should prepare for. In this episode, I lay out several things anyone thinking about getting a tarantula should do...and some things that they shouldn't.
First, we discuss the "controversy" a recent episode caused. Then, I field a question from a long-time YouTube subscriber about changes that I've made in how I set up fossorial tarantula enclosures.
Well, it had to be done! In this episode, two popular genera of giant tarantulas will duke it out for hobby superiority! Okay, that's a bit dramatic; in reality, we will compare the two genera and talk about the similarities and differences.
To start this one off, we'll discuss some feedback to last week's episode.Then, after reflecting on 10 years of doing the TBS stuff, I realized that there is one major issue that I will never overcome.
Recently, I've received some comments on my YouTube videos with folks saying that my tarantulas are "skinny" or "underfed", which left me a bit confused. However, after speaking with a hobby friend, I realized that, through social media, many folks new to the hobby may be exposed to photos of chubby Ts. For many, a spider with a bloated abdomen is the norm.In this episode, we'll discuss overfeeding tarantulas and feeding schedules. A huge thank you to Charlotte for the awesome topic idea!
Happy New Year! In this episode, I give my take on whether or not it's appropriate to say that tarantulas have "personalities." We will also discuss whether tarantulas need enrichment to avoid boredom.
In this episode, we compare two very similar species: the A. geniculata or "Brazilian Black and White" and the N. chromatus or "Brazilian Red and White." Both are awesome species and, in my opinion, hobby staples. But which has more to offer?
First, I have an important message from the US Tarantula Sustainment Project.Then, we're going to have a little fun. In this episode, we'll compare and break down two species that are often confused for each other, the C. cyaneopubescens (GBB) and the D. diamantinensis (Brazilian Blue Beauty). Which spider is the "best"? Who knows! But we will attempt to find out!Be sure to chime in with your vote on either Spotify or tomsbigspiderspodcast.com!
In this episode, I'll talk a bit about the tarantula species that I've raised that buck the old "keep 'em moist" rule for slings.
Having just rehoused my juvenile Eresus walckenaeri (Velvet Spider), I figured that it was time to talk a bit about how I care for it.Also in this episode, is the current Jumping Spider and Velvet Spider social media fad and rampant anthropomorphization leading to decline in overall appropriate husbandry in the spider hobby? I'll discuss what I feel are the realistic pros and cons of the attention these "cute" spiders are currently receiving.
In this episode, I'll go through all of the types of tarantula enclosures I've used, from cheap to pemium, and share my pros and cons of each.
Last week, I had a few folks contact me a bit upset that there was no episode for Sunday. And, to be honest, this happens every time I miss a week. Although I completely understand that this podcast has become very important to folks for a myriad of reasons, I thought that it might be a good time to explain why I do the Tom's Big Spiders stuff . In this episode, I'll go through the entire history of TBS from the original blog, to YouTube, and now the podcast. My hopes are that folks will understand my motivations for putting out this information and appreciate that, sometimes, I just need a day off. My apologies for spending an entire episode talking about me. Next week, it's back to spiders!
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States
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.