@ MrFerretman, what if your Brachypelma vagans hair gets out and kicks urticating hairs into your baby's face when it is in its cot? Stories are for bed time... Urticating hairs in the human face are way more dangerous than venom from any tarantula... so is this to say, the beginner tarantulas such as the Brachypelma vagans which is a big hair kicker and often rated as a novice species are safe because of a system that hobbyists not accredited scientists have placed upon tarantulas as fact and truth? There is some truth to it but most of it is a fabrication for people to sell more spiders... I can hold 80% of my pokies with no worries but yet my Brachypelma albopilosum i will not even sick my hand in the cage to get the water bowl because she will bite me... now were does this system of beginner and advanced spider keeping come into play as fact and truth? I have had spiders for 7 years now and realise this system is B.S. Every spider has its own temperament this is my observation and not fact... I will advocate the people can get what ever spider they want when ever... And to all the people i have sold to, i tell them all there is to know about that species, and that it is not recommended for a newbie but if they still want it then im not going to stop them and ill support and help them... Have you ever spoken to me or bought a spider from me? NO you have not. I think you are jumping to conclusions saying i am irresponsible keeper. But then again we entitled to our opinions on this forum and i respect that and what you have to say.

[Bit of a joke] Maybe its a South African thing or a just a ME thing, might be wrong, but our natural animals we have are hardcore compared to the rest of the world and a spider is kinda nothing for most of us... if it cant kill us its harmless... lol

spinnerkop wrote: [Bit of a joke] Maybe its a South African thing or a just a ME thing, might be wrong, but our natural animals we have are hardcore compared to the rest of the world and a spider is kinda nothing for most of us... if it cant kill us its harmless... lol

Definately a South African thing.
When I was still working at a tour company, we had to get our guides to fill in a test regarding safety procedures. We were part of a global company and all of the guides worldwide had to answer the test.
One of the questions was: "If your client wants to do an activity that is considered dangerous, what should you do?"
The correct answer was: "Tell them that it is dangerous and convince them not to join"
All of our SA guides answered: "Accompany them on the activity"
Us adventurous South Africans.

spinnerkop wrote: @ MrFerretman, what if your Brachypelma vagans hair gets out and kicks urticating hairs into your baby's face when it is in its cot? Stories are for bed time... Urticating hairs in the human face are way more dangerous than venom from any tarantula... so is this to say, the beginner tarantulas such as the Brachypelma vagans which is a big hair kicker and often rated as a novice species are safe because of a system that hobbyists not accredited scientists have placed upon tarantulas as fact and truth? There is some truth to it but most of it is a fabrication for people to sell more spiders... I can hold 80% of my pokies with no worries but yet my Brachypelma albopilosum i will not even sick my hand in the cage to get the water bowl because she will bite me... now were does this system of beginner and advanced spider keeping come into play as fact and truth? I have had spiders for 7 years now and realise this system is B.S. Every spider has its own temperament this is my observation and not fact... I will advocate the people can get what ever spider they want when ever... And to all the people i have sold to, i tell them all there is to know about that species, and that it is not recommended for a newbie but if they still want it then im not going to stop them and ill support and help them... Have you ever spoken to me or bought a spider from me? NO you have not. I think you are jumping to conclusions saying i am irresponsible keeper. But then again we entitled to our opinions on this forum and i respect that and what you have to say.

[Bit of a joke] Maybe its a South African thing or a just a ME thing, might be wrong, but our natural animals we have are hardcore compared to the rest of the world and a spider is kinda nothing for most of us... if it cant kill us its harmless... lol

I see where your point is but how many flickypelmas are able to bolt out of their enclosures? Agreed it is a personal opinion and I apologise for calling you irresponsible. You must realise though, there are a lot of idiots out there who would keep a spider for 'macho' reasons. Maybe the idiots are more prolific in the UK.

You cannot deny the potency of Pokie venom though and I would imagine a small child would be in serious trouble if bitten by a big adult female. I never handle my pokies, I simply will not take the risk, but I love them regardless.

Perhaps it is a SA thing, health and safety here is ridiculous.

Hahahaha thats so funny, we are a different breed i tell you... Thats why South African recces are the most sort after military people in the East for mercenary work not right in the head lol

@ MrFerretman no worries bud, no hard feelings... :thumbsup:

MrFerretman wrote:

spinnerkop wrote: You must realise though, there are a lot of idiots out there who would keep a spider for 'macho' reasons. Maybe the idiots are more prolific in the UK.

Couldnt have put it better myself. You a rugby fan Ferretman..........?

Doesn't really matter witch one you decide to go with. I have a female P. Irminia and a male P. fasciata and I would gladly stick my hand in the P. fasciata enclosure but I wouldn't dare doing the same with the P. Irminia. I have a lot of T's and my P. Irminia is by far the one that stresses me out. IT all comes down to the luck of the draw.

First arboreal get an avic your chances of getting something less violent is much better.

As for the South African thing as the rest of the world knows we have lions running wild in the streets and we use OBT's instead of fly swatters. As for the intellect and lack of idiots... I think that statement could be revised.