Lolspiders [Warning: Spider images for Arachnophobes]

[Dewclaw]

LOL, I love the boss spider one.

[Nick]

Hogger has finally met his match.

[Nelium]

Haha, I love all of these pictures! So cute and interesting.

I really miss my old spider, I can not think of her species right now thought. She was about 10 inches long and pretty chunky. Black/red/yellow/orange/white. She was beautiful, I kept her in my room for almost 6 months before my mom found out about her! I got her a mate and she had little ones! I was amazed and loved to watch them grow and eat their food. I believe I might just stop by the arachnid section at the expo I will be going to in a few weeks...maybe I will find a new little friend.

[Vephriel]

The assistant let it do that. She woudn't let the girl have it on her face if she thought it would hurt her.

The problem, though, is that no matter how tame you think a tarantula is...even if they've never shown any sign of aggression in their life, they are still a wild animal and therefore can be unpredictable. I agree with Rhyela that letting it walk over a young girl's face is a bit irresponsible. The chances of it hurting her were probably slim to none, but why risk that when it could be so dangerous? Again...if she had accidentally moved suddenly or even exhaled swiftly it could have spurred a natural reaction in the spider to either fling urticating hairs or possibly bite down.

[Rhyela]

I really miss my old spider, I can not think of her species right now thought. She was about 10 inches long and pretty chunky. Black/red/yellow/orange/white.

Sounds like a brachypelma smithi - I believe their common name is Mexican red knee or something like that. Common names are so confusing, it's easier to learn the Latin names.

And Veph is right - tarantulas are not "tameable" in the sense that a cat or dog or even a hamster is. There are many tarantulas that are more docile or less defensive than others, but no tarantula can ever be certifiably tame. There have been tons of recorded incidents of tarantulas that had always been perceived "tame", suddenly biting their owner for apparently no reason. They are wild animals and every time you make physical contact with one, you put yourself and the animal at risk of injury. Let's say the tarantula felt threatened and flicked its urts or bit the girl - her reaction would most likely have been to swat or smash the tarantula. It's just safer for both to not make physical contact with them. But if you do feel the desire to hold a tarantula, you should do so with your hand, and close to the floor. If it darts off your hand for any reason and falls more than a foot or so, it could mean death. Their abdomens are so incredibly fragile that a seemingly-small fall could kill them. So yeah, regardless of what the instructor thought, that was still an irresponsible move in my opinion.

[Vephriel]

*nods*

My own tarantula, Shelob, is a darling. I've held her a few times and she's never shown any signs of aggression. Still, I rarely handle her mostly for her own sake. In the rare cases that I do I am fully prepared for something to happen. I always expect a bite - not because I think it will occur, but just so that I'm ready should she do that and I won't flinch or risk possible harm to her. A mental preparedness ensures that you won't be surprised by something, and I'm well aware that a bite is within the realm of possibility when handling a tarantula.

Regardless of all that though, tarantulas are best kept as 'see-don't-touch' pets. They're beautiful creatures that are just amazing to watch and observe, and I have a lot of pride in simply owning such a unique pet.

Pimpin' her picture again because I <3 her. xD

[Nelium]

What a beautiful spider, she looks well taken care of.

Oh and that does sound like my old spider, her name was Grimlace just btw, now that I think about her again I really miss her!

I agree 100% with the being ready for anything to happen.

It was quite a while ago, but I had a bad stomach flu, one of those that really knocks you out and you forget about pretty much anything for about a week beside sleep and water. They are no fun at all.
I had been in bed for nearly two days. I remember not feeling like it had been any time at all, but then I looked up and my python (who's enclosure is on the opposite wall from my bed) was sliding up and down the top of the cage with his head. He is a big boy so he can lift a normal tank that is why I made him a special cage that fits him perfectly and he can be comfortable. Knowing that he had gone too long without food and his water dish was dirty I felt horrible and went to clean his cage. I was just barely keeping my eyes open I felt so sick, but I was not going to let Jazz be uncomfortable. I was pulling his heavy water dish out of the cage when I remember I swung my other hand to the top of the cage. Jazz struck out and grabbed onto my hand. I was shocked out of my stomach flu for a moment and barely caught myself as he held onto my hand. It hurt, but I quickly remembered to worry about him not myself and got him off and finished cleaning his cage. I went to the bathroom to check how bad the cuts were, turns out that some of his top teeth went into the tips of my fingers, and the bottom jaw had got me on the wrist. It was very painful, but I felt so bad about forgetting everything I had learned and worked for, and I felt like I had let Jazz down. I wrapped up my hand and sat in front of his cage for a while just telling him I was so sorry. Possibly one of the worste moments in my life. I hope I never forget it though, I learned a lot that day. Even if the animal is your best bud, when it feels threatened and does not understand it will fight back.

Sorry for the long slightly off topic story...I have not actually ever told anyone about it before or typed it out.

[Ryno]

even if they've never shown any sign of aggression in their life, they are still a wild animal and therefore can be unpredictable.

Same thing could be said about Saturo...

[Saturo]

even if they've never shown any sign of aggression in their life, they are still a wild animal and therefore can be unpredictable.

Same thing could be said about Saturo...

*Tries to bite Ryno's hand*

[Ryno]

even if they've never shown any sign of aggression in their life, they are still a wild animal and therefore can be unpredictable.

Same thing could be said about Saturo...

*Tries to bite Ryno's hand*

Aaaaahhhh!! Get it off GET IT OFF!!!

/shoves a cookie at Saturo's head

[Mania]

Less talking. More pictures.

[Saturo]

Less talking. More pictures.

*Completely silent, for once*

[Sonata]

*zips mouth*

...my humor is dry

[Ryno]

Well, this entire page had only one picture, so I suppose there was a wee bit too much talking, hehe...

[Tygamoon]

Best pet ever! /tame

[Rottingham]

Best pet ever! /tame

OH GOD YES!!!

[Wassa]

I don't know if this was posted here before or not but... here is my favorite spider video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHzdsFiBbFc

[Rhyela]

I don't know if this was posted here before or not but... here is my favorite spider video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHzdsFiBbFc

LOL, loved it!!!

[Dulanie]

OMFGROTFLMFAO!!!!!!!!!


that vid is hilarious I love Canada

[Rottingham]

I don't know if this was posted here before or not but... here is my favorite spider video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHzdsFiBbFc

thats going on my facebook!