My fraternity roommate and I had a tarantula back in the day.

While our eyes were frequently dry, red and irritated, we always assumed it was from that skunk weed they grew in southern Ohio.

My oldest had a tarantula at one time in our home.

He was never allowed to take it out of the aquarium he had it in.

I really dislike those things!!!!

Yuck!

Our spider escaped at least twice that I can recall. Some rather nervous times for numerous people since we didn't know whether it had slipped underneath our door and could be roaming the halls or bathrooms.

One time it turned up underneath a bed. The other time just nestled amongst some dirty clothes. Sort of raised the ol' heartbeat when I found that bugger under the bed. I was obviously not in any position (or condition, for that matter) to think or react too quickly.

Somehow I got him into a makeshift box or container and was able to get him back in the terrarium. The time he got in the clothes - nearly cardiac arrest. To this day I'm careful when checking my shoes, especially the old sneakers I keep in the garage for yard work. We have plenty of black widows here in NC. And some brown recluse spiders, too. And a copperhead in the back yard once. Or maybe it was a rattler,,, I forget.

The ones we catch in N Texas are harmless. I used to catch them as a kid and my son did the same thing. They are cool pets

Just seeing the picture made my toes curl up. Don't like spiders, especially big, hairy ones.

Ouch.

Can't understand why anyone would have anything as a pet that could kill them.

Can't understand why anyone would have anything as a pet that could kill them.

- John Bobbitt

Can't understand why anyone would have anything as a pet that could kill them.

---Tiger Woods-----

Tarantula sprays hairs into man's eyes

Man eyes hair spray for tarantula

Man eyes hair spray for tarantula

I never use hair spray on my own hair, but do have a can of "extra hold" hair spray I keep handy so I can at least stop some gross creepy crawlers in their tracks until I can reach the fly swatter. Don't want them disappearing in the meantime and not knowing when -- or where -- they'll pop up later.

That's the last time 101 will try to get fresh with one of his pets.

This is something I've never heard of - we have tarantulas by the score in Arkansas and have kept a couple through the winter months in the past - AND they seem to be quite friendly...

I let a tarantula crawl up one arm, across my face, over my head to my shoulder and down the other arm, and it did not spray me with hairs. This guy must have jolted the aquarium and scared that spider.

I used to let them crawl on me, too. As long as you don't mess with them or startle them, they are harmless.

My college roomie had a tarantula. He used to get it out and play with it as Grumpy Too describes. It never did anything hostile at all. It did, however, jump about 6 feet, which freaked me out pretty bad...

were they pubic hairs?

Can't understand why anyone would have anything as a pet that could kill them.
Mary Jo Buttafuoco

Had to be a female... male tarantulas don't live very long... cause they die whilst chasing the poontang. You don't wanna mess with a spider's coif.

"Flicking" urticating hairs is a natural defense mechanism of tarantulas. These hairs can be quite irritating, espeically to the eyes, and it is a good idea to have eye protection when handling a pet. Different breeds vary in aggressiveness and how they take handling, the Chilean Rose is the most common pet and fairly docile; other breeds can be very aggressive and shouldn't be handled at all. This guy probably startled it badly and it flicked hairs at him as a result. The hairs are tiny and barely visible and look like a little cloud but are definitely an eye hazard.

The biggest problem with that particular breed is it's tendency to be a pet rock with hairy legs...it often refuses to eat for a long time and just sits there.

Yeah, it's a defense mechanism, they shoot their leg hairs at you when they're pissed. They're like tiny little darts or splinters. So I wouldn't be taking my tarantula-care lessons from this guy.

If someone shows up with conjunctivitis and there's no clear reason why, it's not uncommon for the doctor to ask if the patient has a pet tarantula.

Ask and ye shall recieve.

We had a striped-knee tarantula... I named him Smiley. Was creepy holding him in my palm as it was difficult getting past the fact that touching my skin were two 1/2" long fangs. The poison wouldn't kill you or make you sick (unless allergic), but supposedly would make it hurt like a mother! He'd shake as he'd sink his fangs into his crickets and inject them with liquefying venom. He'd also dig tunnels and lined them w/ web. Not the warmest pet, but pretty cool none the less.

Once, my cat saw it leap from my hand and onto my bedding. As he scurried under the blankets, the cat pounced. After getting the cat out, I carefully pulled back the covers and discovered Smiley was missing a leg! I didn't know this then, but he totally regenerated his missing leg.

This article reminds me that as a kid we used to have these little classroom nature visits from the locals who owned exotic pets.

We had a Texas rat snake white with blue eyes), ball python, raccoon, macaw and an otter.

The day we had the tarantula my mother made me promise to stay away from it. That and the turtles were off limits.

"Just seeing the picture made my toes curl up.
#5 | Posted by CalifChris"

I'm tempted to post something funny about those gross finger-toes you share with Nanc, but Rogers will probably give me another dump for it, without explaining why.

The ones we catch in N Texas are harmless. I used to catch them as a kid and my son did the same thing. They are cool pets

#4 | Posted by goatman at 2010-01-02 04:54 PM | Reply | Flag:

Can't they bite?

...and if so, what happens?

There a few spiders out there that cause necrosis of the flesh, not sure about those tarantuala

If someone shows up with conjunctivitis and there's no clear reason why, it's not uncommon for the doctor to ask if the patient has a pet tarantula.

#19 | Posted by snoofy

Not up in our currently freezing Michigan.

Hey CC - I've been working, traveling, vacationing, Rose Bowling, etc. I was also on a three week vacation from this insane asylum because I posted something about not touching Nanc's gross finger-like toes even if she had just dipped them in acid and bleach (or something like that). Santa was good to me and mine, as usual. He obviously doesn't know if you've been bad or good.

How have you been? Is Goatman still deflecting your advances? If so, do you think it's because he's secretly gay?

Can't they bite?

...and if so, what happens?

If you startle them, they will. But it's just painful. Nothing like a black widow or brown recluse's poison.

"Nothing like a black widow or brown recluse's poison."

No shit.

Recluse killed Max.

I finally got nailed by a scorpion recently; Stepped on the little arachnid inadvertently; Didn't fare as well as I did.

Yellow jackets are much worse. Red wasps can fuck you up. And we have really nasty snakes, too.

I've suffered a couple of recluse bites but my skin is so thick they just leave bumps.

Widows stay in their webs.

I was just outside and heard coyotes again.

We have fucked up yellow jackets in Oregon. They attack en mass if they feel their hive is threatened, especially in August/September. Fucking little monsters.

Monte,

That is perfectly normal behavior for yellow jackets. Tangle with a big enough hive and you will be in a serious world of hurt. Unlike honey bees they can sting multiple times and bite as well. The behavior was evolved to protect the hive from bears. Using in on a poor human is kind of overkill.

We have fucked up yellow jackets in Oregon.

They are quite a problem in Texas, but there is this spray you can get at Home Depot that literally makes them drop straight down from their nest when you spray it on them. It kills them that quickly. I don't remember the name of it, but I'm sure you can find it there.

I've suffered a couple of recluse bites but my skin is so thick they just leave bumps

That's pretty fortunate,I've had friends fucked up for months by them.Too close to a tendon a couple have needed reconstructive surgery.

How have you been?

I've been doing fine, Montecore, thanks.

Is Goatman still deflecting your advances?

Oh geeze, here we go again. Nope, no advances for poor Goat to have to deflect. lol We're just blog buddies -- as you well know.

Besides, and this is just generally speaking, when it comes to real life I'd say most women would consider Goat as kinda already being in the "married man" category (except for the license) -- as they usually see most guys who are in a serious, years-long relationship with a girlfriend. There are plenty of guys out there not in some relationship, so most women would rather skip the heartbreak and hassle which often goes with getting involved with someone who's already committed to someone else.

If so, do you think it's because he's secretly gay?

No, I do not think he's "gay" at all -- secretly or any other way. You're an idiot, Montecore. lol Besides, I have no way of knowing any of his sexual proclivities. Try asking someone who would, since you're so interested.

You, on the other hand, still seem to harbor hope your fantasy "old, white Southern gentleman, hairy, oil rig worker" will one day show up for real on your doorstep.

You should have asked Santa to bring you one this Christmas. LOL

You, on the other hand, still seem to harbor hope your fantasy "old, white Southern gentleman, hairy, oil rig worker" will one day show up for real on your doorstep.

Anyone new to DR not familiar with the long running joke between Montecore and Goatman is going to think my comment was nuts. And do I care? No. LOL

No, I do not think he's "gay" at all -- secretly or any other way. You're an idiot, Montecore.

Is m'boor still fantasizing about me being gay? LOL

Yes, m'boor, I'm queerer than a $3 bill. Print that out and put it next to your he-man magazine during your next jerk-off session. Hope it helps.

LOL

Anyone ever hear of a Banana Spider? I think that's what they're called. The bastards are everywhere in FL. When I was stationed there I would try to mountain bike the trails and I constantly ran through their webs that spanned the trail (always at head height too). Never got bit, but apparently, if they do bite you, the flesh around the bite dies and can leave a crater. UGH!!

Anyone new to DR not familiar with the long running joke between Montecore and Goatman is going to think my comment was nuts. And do I care? No. LOL

#35 | Posted by CalifChris at 2010-01-05 02:47 AM | Reply | Flag:

I'm listed as member #68 and that's only because I was too lazy to register for several weeks after RCADE stopped letting everyone sign in as 'Visitor' and I had no idea this was going on.

Then again, I was also in the dark regarding the 'Car Antenna as a weapon' thing for almost a year.

"They are quite a problem in Texas, but there is this spray you can get at Home Depot that literally makes them drop straight down from their nest when you spray it on them. It kills them that quickly. I don't remember the name of it, but I'm sure you can find it there.

#32 | Posted by goatman"

I've used that stuff. It kicks ass. I don't bring it backpacking though. I just don't like teaching my kids that about bees and other bugs "if you just leave them alone, they'll leave you alone," and then have them attack like mother fuckers.

"as they usually see most guys who are in a serious, years-long relationship with a girlfriend.
#34 | Posted by califchris"

Are you talking about the one he calls his "fuck buddy"?

I just feel sorry for you, CC. You try so hard. You do research for Goatie, you make these long posts that just reek of unrequited love, and then you get nothin. I think maybe it's time for you to try out a relationship with a person in your general geographic area, and not a fantasy relationship with your fantasy idea of someone you've never even met. (E.g., "gentlemen" do not call their girlfriends "fuck buddies," and they don't talk to their nieces about the fact that their sisters have vaginas that they choose not to fuck.) Maybe some of us here can pitch in and buy you a subscription to eharmony or match.com. Would you like that?

Hi Monty, looks like you forgot to return the Scrooge costume after the holidays were over. :-)

I just feel sorry for you, CC...I think maybe it's time for you to try out a relationship with a person in your general geographic area, and not a fantasy relationship with your fantasy idea of someone you've never even met....Maybe some of us here can pitch in and buy you a subscription to eharmony or match.com. Would you like that?

#40 | Posted by mOntecOre at 2010-01-06 01:57 AM

Aw, MonteM'Luv, your concern about my love life is so touching (and weird lol).

As for your subscription offer -- thanks but no thanks. I have no interest -- nor need -- to join some stupid dating clubs like eharmony or match.com. Barf.

...and then you get nothin.

I don't want nothin.

I don't want nothin.

#43 | Posted by CalifChris at 2010-01-06 03:52 AM | Reply | Flag: Menopausal