spiders

[roger sharp]

what species of spiders would a Amateur keep?

[Kate Arbon]

Usually recommended as beginner Ts are Grammostola rosea (Chilean Rose), or any species of Grammostola. These are all fairly docile and very easy to look after. But really there are lots of species you can keep as an amateur if you do the research (even the easiest species of T requires that you read up on it first). It depends what you want from a spider. But probably best to start with something slow-moving and hardy.

What are you looking for in a T? What kind of attitude, how big, how colourful etc?

[roger sharp]

ive been keeping spiders for 5 to 6 years now and have quite a collection but i have been classed as a so called Amateur and was just wanting to know what peoples views was on this. i keep Haplopelmas, P. murinus ,P regalis,P rufilata,P striata i can go on but i dont like being called a amateur and being talked about behind my back at local petshops. it makes me want to give up the hobby as its makes me feel like i cant look after or have the knowledge on the species i keep, the only thing i dont do is hold any of my docile species this isnt because im scared of them or getting bit its because i feel for the saftey of the spider.

[Kate Arbon]

Well if you've been keeping Haplos and pokies and OBTs for 5 years then I think you can consider yourself not to be an amateur! I have only been keeping them 2 and a half years and while I wouldn't call myself an expert I think I know enough about spider care to not be an amateur.

I wouldn't pay too much attention to what pet shop people think, a lot of them seem to have fairly high opinions of their own knowledge. My local store has several dozen tarantulas over a good range of species but the guy in charge of them still doesn't have much of a clue. (he thought Chilean Rose were from Africa... not sure why he thought they were called Chilean Rose)

Not wanting to hold your spiders is not a sign of being an amateur. If anything I find the people who have the most experience and who have been keeping spiders the longest, are the least likely to get their Ts out and hold them. I used to hold mine a lot when I first got them, now I only do it if I absolutely have to. Like you, it's not because I'm scared of them, but because I realise it probably freaks them out and it's not worth the risk to them.

[Steve McIntyre]

Hi Roger, if you've been keeping them for 5 years and they're thriving ok, you must be more than an amateur...consider yourself experienced! I remember my first Exotic pet shop experiences no not that type ...one of the employees tried to baffle me with a few scientific spider names... I was in awe of his vast knowledge However, when I learned a few scientific names myself and gained some more experience, mainly through observing my T's, talking to other keepers and reading lots of books, it soon became obvious that 'he', the employee, didn't know much and he soon realised that I was 'on to him'. You must have some 'bottle' to keep Haplopelmas as they're not exactly 'cuddly' spiders, are they

[jason holland]

ive had a T for a few months now... well half a year, i got myself a lovely B. smithi (mexican red knee) i think they make perfect begginner tarantulas, but also perfect T's for anyone to keep. mine is always out on show, always performs a great show when its hunting, is really docile, and always does random stuff when its out and about (which is 80% of the time). a great tarantula to start with i think. i would most definately consider myself an amature t keeper at the moment, ive still got my smithi's maturity to come yet, possably breeding, and of course a couple more T's for my bedroom

[Nicola Dolby]

Hi Roger,
I wouldn't worry about what people say at your local pet shop. Some people are very insecure about themselves and are always on the look out for a victim. If it wasn't your spiders it would be something else. Maybe they don't feel they're good enough to do their job so they play this little game to make themselves feel better, and if their negative behaviour gets a negative response, that re-enforces their low self-esteem further. Your spiders are happy and you are happy caring for them. Let the muppets take their issues elsewhere!

[mary walters]

Hey Roger,
Is that why you have been quiet of late???? Go back and blind them with science mate, and don't think of leaving the hobby, they ain't worth it love.

[Mark Pennell]

Roger
After 5 years your are well past any beginners stages, I can't see why they should call you Amateur as this suggest that eventually you'll get paid to keep your tarantulas and be a professional.

Trust me there is no such thing as a professional tarantula keeper! just advanced hobbyists.... and 99% are as broke as the rest of us.

Perhaps its time to not use these shops, get your needs from other sources such as on-line and shows.

Anyway just keep up the good work and enjoy the hobby and take no heed to others idle gossip. You should read the things I get called in emails almost weekly if I took notice of these I would have given up years ago


All the best
Mark

[Ray Hale]

None of us are experts and it is a brave man or woman that claims to be. We are all just enthusiastic amatures. Admittedly some have more knowledge than others but that does not make you a lesser person. I have been keeping Tarantulas for well over 30 years and I still pick up a book and learn something I dont know about them. It sounds as if you have had a bad experience with someone. The next time you will be prepared. As Mark says as an experienced keeper of 5 years you have already acquired a wealth of knowledge far in excess of your critics and remember we learn things because it benefits us personally who cares what the saddos think?

keep on keeping Roger

My advice to you all.

Read, read, read and then read it again.

Ray

[James Box]

yeah Roger, don't let their bad attitudes deter you
those are great T's you've got...my first T's were C darlingi, talk about jumping in at the deep end
the fact that we're all still learning makes this such a fascinating scientific field of study, and i hope it doesn't change in my lifetime!

there are people that claim to be experts, but it's quite fun to see those people's pet opinions crushed by new knowledge and experiences

[Payton MacDonald]

I may be mistaken, but I do believe the root of amateur is "amour", which means "love" or "to love." In that sense we're all amateurs! Too often the word is used in a perjorative manner, but in fact, historically, it has been a badge of honor to be an amateur at something because it shows a love of something.

[Louise~Nichols]

Hiya Roger, just keep doing what you do, life is about learning anyhow...you only live once, but no one accuses another person of being an *amateur human* just because they haven't lived for 300 years. lol
Heck, if we paid any attention to gossips in general, none of us would leave our homes for fear of being maligned. In my area I am known as *that eccentric goth with all the freaky pets*...and I ain't bovvered! So, just smile to yourself, and have faith in your own judgements...you know you're doing just fine, so don't let anyone else spoil that for you.

As for your next spider...take your pick, there's a whole hobbyload out there just waiting for you to learn their ways!!

[Peter Lacey]

If I found a shop treating me like that I'd take my custom elsewhere... and I'd let them know it. As Mark suggests its not a matter of whether you're amateur or professional, its a matter of 5 years experience with some more advanced species.

[James Box]

I may be mistaken, but I do believe the root of amateur is "amour", which means "love" or "to love." In that sense we're all amateurs! Too often the word is used in a perjorative manner, but in fact, historically, it has been a badge of honor to be an amateur at something because it shows a love of something.

interesting, that would tie in with what someone else said about "professional" implying you're paid for it!
so amateurs do things for love, professionals do them for money...
well i know what i prefer, though obviously would love to get paid to look after spiders