Hi everyone,

I am just wondering why some T's are illegal, besides the obvious reasons such as being nearly extinct. For example OBT's, why are they illegal to keep without a permit and why are some T's legal to keep in certain provinces and some not in others. Sorry, I am new here and really need to find out. Apparently obtaining permits is a pain in the neck. :S
Also, how does one know which ones are illegal and which ones are not, are there "lists" somewhere or is it a trial and error thing, asking around until blue in the face.

Thanx
E

Just a quick reply.

Not all "nearly extinct" spiders are illegal, quit the contrary. OBT (P murinus) is very abundant, yet illegal. P metallica almost extinct in the wild, yet not illegal. M balfouri does not exist in the wild any more due to a cyclone that swept over Sokotra in the late 90's and they are not illegal either. (Based on articles I read.)

A spiders that might pose a threat to our indigenous populations would be deamed illegal, like OBT.

The list is basic - ALL local Baboon spiders are illegal to collect and/or keep.

The list - courtesy South African Tarantula Society.

Augacephalus spp.
Brachionopus spp.
Ceratogyrus spp
Harpactira spp.
Harpactirella spp.
Idiothele spp.
Pterinochilus spp.
Trichognathella spp.

Exactly as Scarab said, its more that you are not allowed to keep any local/indigenous species, but the way the laws were setup was that the complete genus is now protected even though some of the species does not occur in South Africa......therefore the OBT is now classified as illegal.

When it comes to what you may and may not keep in the different provinces that is all up to them. Each province makes its own laws and decides what they want to allow and what not. Some of this is based on fact, but a lot is taken from international studies of which species may be invasive.

Jakes wrote:

When it comes to what you may and may not keep in the different provinces that is all up to them. Each province makes its own laws and decides what they want to allow and what not

Where can you see what is listed in your province?

You can accept that the list I posted will apply to all Provinces.

Thanks for the info!

Isn't the Western Cape extreme with regards to T keeping? I've read/heard it is illegal to keep ANY tarantula in the Western Cape.

Aside from this the rest of SA is open to T keeping, apart from those on the list mentioned below.