"I am just trying to feed you little tarantula."

Silver trying to feed his pet tarantula and she sees him as a threat. She is making it clear who is boss now.

Sorry for being gone for a long time. This covid thing really has me pinned under the rocks of depression. I will try to bounce back.

Also here are some tips to help you if you want a tarantula but also if something happens to you; This will cover me so I do not get sued.

Do not let my pic make you fear tarantulas and spiders though.

When tarantulas throw a scary threat posture because they see a threat. You are bigger and stronger then them and the are terrified because of that. You are to Godzilla as a Tarantula is to You.

Tarantulas are defensive creatures. Meaning if they cannot hide, they will stand their ground. They will not attack for no reason.

They throw their arms up, and can slap the ground and some can "Hiss" by running special hairs between their fangs and legs. A tarantula will only bite of they feel their warnings are not heeded enough. New World Tarantulas (North and South America) will turn their backs towards the threat to kick hairs. These hairs are fine like fiber glass and are barbed. Its called urticating hairs, and it can cause intense itching on the skin, breathing problems if inhaled and even permanent blindness if it were to get in the eyes. Old World Tarantulas (Africa, Asia and Australia) Lack urticating hairs but make up for it in attitude and more powerful venom. Heed their warnings.

While in the same genus as Spiders, Tarantulas are not true spiders. They cannot spin webs to catch prey and use their back legs to pull silk from their silk glands like true spiders can.* Also tarantulas are not deadly as some of their smaller cousins. Death by tarantula venom is very rare and when it happens it's because the person bitten is very young, very old, allergic reaction to the venom or have underlying health complications. Depending on the species, a bite can be as painful as a bee sting all the way to sever crippling pain, with flu like symptoms, aches and anxiety followed by a racing heart.

* Thanks to spinnerets at their butts, a tarantula can make webbing, but it is to make shelter, detecting prey that wanders close to them, blocking tunnel entrances when needed and laying down a web mat to molt on.

There are no antivenoms for tarantula bites if your pet tarantula bites you. While not deadly to a healthy person, it's a very good idea to go to the hospital right away anyways. The most hospitals can do is offer painkillers, IV hydration, Tetanus shot and antibiotics, and keep you for a few hours to see if there is a allergic reaction. Keep pressure on the bite area to help slow down the spread of venom when on your way to the hospital. Do not suck out the venom like in the movies as that will not work and the bacteria in your mouth can infect your wound. Also your mouth, gums and tongue contains tons of blood vessels. The venom will soak back into the blood stream right away. This tip is for any bite from a venomous creature.

Many New World tarantulas are docile, slow, and prefer to try and crawl away if they feel nervous. If they bite, its no problem as long you aren't allergic or have health issues. They have urticating hairs but wearing latex or nitrile gloves helps when handling them and cleaning their enclosures and back your face away when they kick hairs and you will have no problem. If you plan on wanting one, start with a New World first. Never an Old World. Almost all Old World tarantulas are very fast, very venomous and extremely likely become very defensive and livid to anything that makes them feel nervous.

Owning a baby tarantula (A sling=Spider-ling) that is from a docile species and taking care of it can help alleviate and even get over the fear of spiders (arachnophobia.) Many tarantula keepers that own dozens of tarantulas now were once an arachnophobes before.

Tarantulas are like video game levels. Each species has a different difficulty in care and temperament, and danger to them. If you want to keep more dangerous species, you can work your way up. And start with them as slings, so you can learn understand them as they grow.

Tarantulas can also teach owners patience. They are one of the very few animals that can fast (not eat) for a year. They will refuse to eat before a molt as hormones suppress their hunger and prep their bodies for molting. This can takes days to weeks to even months before they molt and feel hungry again.

Many Tarantulas come in exotic colors, even in blues and purples. In the exotic pet trade, Tarantulas are prized as if gem stones depending on color, species/rarity and sex. Females are highly prized because females live much longer than the smaller males. Males can be traded to trust worthy sources of breeders in return for some slings of the same species. Trade one adult male and get several babies in return and increase your chances to get a female tarantula.
I realize the tarantula pet trade runs deep as snakes, dogs, and cats. It even comes close to popularity and want as exotic fancy guppies and cherry shrimp."

Also tarantula keepers are helping bring back many species of tarantulas from the brink of extinction with successful breeding and care. Like many animals, Tarantulas suffer too from deforestation and human expansion.

I hope my tips and facts help you understand these very fascinating creatures. Do not fear them. Respect them as with any animal.