I started in the hobby less than 6 months ago as a card carrying arachnophobe who would execute on sight. It all started when my sister got a little Curly which slowly metamorphosed into this awesome, fearsome tarantula! Kinda like the cage diver getting so close to a massive Great White that they can look into their eyes, I found myself captivated by this perfect miniature apex predator. It was so strange because I was terrified by spiders before, but I as I watched her Curly grow and feed and generally become more and more BOSS! I just couldn't resist the fact that I was strangely hooked by it all.

Now, 6 exciting, interesting, anxious, relaxing, rewarding months later my little collection has grown to 10 awesome tarantulas ranging from little Betty at 1.3cm to Spike at 4.5cm. Here's my list:

'Betty' - Acanthoscurria geniculata (Brazilian Giant Whiteknee) 1.3cm
'Curly' - Brachypelma albospilosum (Curly Hair) 2.6cm
'Emily' - Brachypelma emilia (Mexican Redleg) 4cm
'Fangs' - Lasiodora striatipes (Bahia Grey BirdEater) 2cm
'Lil' Wayne' - Brachypelma vagans (Mexican Red Rump) 4.2cm
'Marley' - Grammostola pulchripes (Chaco Golden Knee) 2.2cm
'Matilda' - Avicularia avicularia (Pinktoe) 2.5cm
'Red' - Brachypelma boehmei (Mexican Fire Leg) 2.4cm
'Rosie' - Grammostola rosea (Chilean Rose) 2.8cm
'Spike' - Psalmopoeus irminia (Venezuelan Sun Tiger) 4.5cm

Of course I have no idea what sexes they actually are, but that's half the fun anyway. This hobby seriously rocks!

I started with Fangs, Red, Curly and Marley, who were tiny little critters that were too chicken of the live Jiminy's I gave them. So I had to help by incapacitating them first. Then getting Spike who simply had no shits to give and would go gangbusters on anything you inserted into the arena. Then later getting little Betty (A.geniculata) who was the tiniest at about 0.8cm but could care less what you think. She has tackled live prey from the word go and after her first molt in my care at still only 1.3cm the only crickets I had were much bigger than guidelines suggest she can handle. And yet insert one and, boy, does it get HANDLED!!!"

What an awesome feeling! Being responsible for them, caring for and nurturing them as they move from the first vulnerable stages and seeing them grow and metamorphose before your very eyes!

And all the little hidden rewards you don't expect. Like being surprised that one of your coolest little guys is very common in the hobby and also dirt cheap. But, wow, Curlyhairs are amazing, what a beautiful spider!!! He's hit an inch now and you can see the big boy is starting to show. With an appetite for destruction! On the other end of the spectrum you have all the anxiety of watching out for an avic and just hoping that all will be well. She rewards you by stopping eating for over almost 2 weeks before she starts really going dark and then just stays like that interminably... tick... tick... tick... Me sitting there, tapping my feet thinking, wtf, COME ON ALREADY!!!! Then, on her own timetable, and after what seems like forever, I woke up yesterday morning to find she'd molted. It's amazing how satisfying it is to watch.

And each one is different. With Rosie there's no anxiety, she hasn't molted in my care yet and she is overdue now, but it's no worries
because I know she's a tough girl. With her it's just the excitement of not knowing what colour form she will be because I read that you can get the different colour forms all from the same eggsac. I saw a sub adult with red colour form and it looks amazing but I don't mind which one she has because they're all very cool in their own way. What an amazing little spider. So curious and with such an attitude and a 'houding' about her. The other thing is, she's like a lineout player. I've watched Rosie tackle prey in midair, full on acrobatic stylee! It's just so cool to watch her. Always doing something, even if it's only lurking with menace at the entrance to her hide. You can see why they are so incredibly popular.

But, I reckon the part that has really blown me away is the fact that I have been handling them. OK, with Spike we are NEVER going there unless it's accidental. But I have handled all of the others. I am really stunned at how it feels. I have absolutely no fear and feel totally calm. The only anxiety I have comes from the fear that I will make a mistake and hurt one of them. It's really weird for me to experience and has led me to thoughts about how powerful it can be to simply change your mind about something. I was a serious arachnophobe!!! No holds barred, straight up, terrified of spiders!!! Yet here I sit completely and utterly devoid of all fear.

It's really made me think. This has so much application in the rest of my life.

I love this hobby and knowing that some of my posse will be with me for a very long time fills me with great satisfaction!!!

Anyway, I just had to share that.

Meanwhile, in other breaking news, the Proteas have the boot firmly on Aussies neck. :starwars: Life is good!!!

Thanks for a very cool post.

I wrote one just like it when I got in to this hobby. Totally afraid of spiders, but now, it doesn't matter what spider I see, I want to see it closer and find out what it is. Before keeping T's, any spider that crossed my path simply integrated with whatever foot apparatus I had in arms reach.

Tarantulas were the key to overcoming my fear of spiders. Period.

Enjoy your collection and I hope it grows even more.

HS

Great post! I must say, I was on the opposite end of the spectrum and have LOVED spiders from a little boy already but I feel the same way anyway. You have hit the nail on the head with your entire post trumpet

Marley! What a breath of fresh air!! I am sure that YOU are the target market Taki had in mind when they created this forum as a environment for like minded people to share information and excitement about the hobby!! You made my day and reminded me why i started with the Hobby!! :happy:

HeteroScuderia wrote: Thanks for a very cool post.

I wrote one just like it when I got in to this hobby. Totally afraid of spiders, but now, it doesn't matter what spider I see, I want to see it closer and find out what it is. Before keeping T's, any spider that crossed my path simply integrated with whatever foot apparatus I had in arms reach.

Tarantulas were the key to overcoming my fear of spiders. Period.

Enjoy your collection and I hope it grows even more.

HS

Yeah, the same with me. The other day, there was this perfect little jumping spider on the wall next to my desk at work and after watching him for a while I coaxed him onto a piece of paper and took him outside. So cool, all these fast jerky movements, like a coiled spring.

As for the collection growing even more, the potato chips motto is sadly true. I can see I will drop some serious cash on this hobby over the years :evilgrin:

Thanks for listening, my better half just looks at like I'm weird when I try and explain my fascination :rock

Taki wrote: Great post! I must say, I was on the opposite end of the spectrum and have LOVED spiders from a little boy already but I feel the same way anyway. You have hit the nail on the head with your entire post trumpet

Glad you liked it. I really needed to just tell somebody!

BTW, you're a great photographer, I really dig your work! :rock

Carlo wrote: Marley! What a breath of fresh air!! I am sure that YOU are the target market Taki had in mind when they created this forum as a environment for like minded people to share information and excitement about the hobby!! You made my day and reminded me why i started with the Hobby!! :happy:

Yeah, sometimes noobs do have their uses :angel: , reminding everyone of their roots. Thanks Carlo.