here we go again!

[colin haris]

Hi All

Have you seen the latest killer spider on the loose story, mind you the link to the 20ton mechanical arachnid is cool, I would love that hanging on side of my house!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1712940.ece

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1645934.ece

[matthew spooner]

i think a new area of the forum should be set up just for these types of threads, they are getting more and more common with the same responses every time lol

[Colin D Wilson]

we could always create a sticky thread that people could add to as and when

[Mark Pennell]

Ok for starters who has ever found thier T's molt perfectly spread out like that, its a hoax by someone at the plant. The Sun has ignored all facts or even bothered to ask anyone with an once of sense, if this just may be true.

Just of late I have been fortunate to be doing a rather more accurate piece for the BBC, which goes out Wednesday night.

Some of you might remember the BBC roaming around the BTS expo. Well its only 8.5 mins long but should show us all in good light and a small bit we film in Borneo this year... ohh did we find that new sp ?

Tarantula's are often used in sensational headlines its up to us all as best as posblie to qwell these myths and untruths as and when we can.. This is difficult at best and saying these ancient creatures are safe and harmless does not sell papers or TV!!!!.

Cheers
Mark

[Lisa Baines]

True enough... but I have to add that last time i had my hair cut the hairdresser was that busy being freaked out by the 'camel spider' episode that she cut my hair wrong... so now i have to pay again to have it done right... grrr.

Yeah I think someone wanting their 5 mins of fame with the T.Blondi as well.

As for the mechanical spider... I I win the lottery I will get one built and have it on remote control. Then Invite everyone to come up and have a play hahahaha! What a day that would be lmao!
That mechanical spider is soooo cool! It's about time they were created as a wonderful piece of artwork on a MASSIVE scale

[James Box]

Lisa if it were me - it wouldn't be, i buzz my own head haha - but if it were, i would angrily demand a refund! she should be a professional! so you shouldn't have to pay twice.

the sun is not even worthy to be called bog roll!

Mark, i'm glad you're doing that BBC bit, will be great to see!

one thing, i have been made aware that numerous people back in Canada that know my family and thus know about me (my mum WILL talk!) have been influenced not to randomly squash spiders somehow by the fact that i keep them. they even keep an eye out now!
If we all have a circle of friends and family that at least think twice and at least start to question the media lies on this subject, the results will be good.
even starting to question the media on any level is a good start as well, i'd say!

[Steve McIntyre]

These 'stories' really make my blood boil . I work in a Petrochemical plant also and was / am tempted to create another 'spider on the loose' story, using my spider skins, strategically placed for maximum effect! just to see what the Sun makes of it! Do you think the chemical companies will close all the plants due to an 'invasion' of killer arachnids? Obviously, someone there also has some T's and probably brought the skin in just for a laugh, probably not thinking that the Sun and other papers would possibly run a story! As Mark says, it all sells newspapers (if you can call the Sun a newspaper). Mind you, because of the extra heat on Chemical plants and lots of lighting, some of the Araeneas diademata (is that spelt right?) are huge, so why worry about Blondi's when the British spiders are massive!

[Phil Rea]

These 'stories' really make my blood boil . I work in a Petrochemical plant also and was / am tempted to create another 'spider on the loose' story, using my spider skins, strategically placed for maximum effect! just to see what the Sun makes of it! Do you think the chemical companies will close all the plants due to an 'invasion' of killer arachnids? Obviously, someone there also has some T's and probably brought the skin in just for a laugh, probably not thinking that the Sun and other papers would possibly run a story! As Mark says, it all sells newspapers (if you can call the Sun a newspaper). Mind you, because of the extra heat on Chemical plants and lots of lighting, some of the Araeneas diademata (is that spelt right?) are huge, so why worry about Blondi's when the British spiders are massive!

Have to be something other than Yamia sp. though Steve

[James Box]

lol Phil and Steve

here's a true story i told on arachnophiles a while back:
i had a shipment sent to my work including three P pulcher spiderlings, and after i'd checked them, i must've put the lid on wrong, and one got out! i only discovered later after i'd left work, and just hoped it was on the train...
two days later...someone yells for me, saying they've seen something that will be right up my alley!
well it was my little spider alright...i suggested it was either a funky native or that it came on a bunch of bananas! i then said i'd "give it a good home!"
well everyone pretty much worked out it was mine (and understands why i won't officially admit it lol!), thankfully i didn't get in trouble...but it was precisely the thought that the news might get called in to talk about yet another tarantula in a bunch of bananas! and i knew i couldn't keep up the lie there lol
so i guess i could've done that prank to wind up the sun etc...but i think i might get in trouble as everyone here knows i'm that weird guy what keeps spiders

[Lisa Baines]

lol I think I would have felt a prize wally if it had gone as far as going to the press.

It's funny since we moved into the flats and people found out we have a nice collection of 8 legged friends, we get someone in the block at least once a week bringing some sort of bug or spider to us asking "is this poisonous"?
They found a nice big fat house spider the other week and wouldn't believe me that it was from this country because of the markings on its abdomen. And if they see an especially large house spider they keep asking if one of ours has escaped! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

[James Box]

lol!
yeah we had a random housespider (male) and i was asked if it was mine by the people visiting...obviously not, but what do they know?

gotta admit it's good that people are asking questions (even dumb ones) rather than just smashing them all willy nilly though!

positive press is good!

[Andrew Ferguson]

My depot is less than 5 mins from the Conocco plant in Scunny. The area is far too cold and windy for a T. blondi to survive there. However, opposite the site is a large landfill which provides a great home for rodents of all sizes. But, I'd put this down to a prank, and The Sun is hardly renowned for accurate journalism is it now!!!!????

And this comment posted by Traceyb says a lot about the Sun readers really

Symon I cant believe it your right 10 legs, Im shaking ad its only a picture, That is bloody horiable

[Andrew Ferguson]

Just of late I have been fortunate to be doing a rather more accurate piece for the BBC, which goes out Wednesday night.

Some of you might remember the BBC roaming around the BTS expo. Well its only 8.5 mins long but should show us all in good light and a small bit we film in Borneo this year... ohh did we find that new sp ?

Mark

Time please and is it a regional or national show Mark?

[James Box]

My depot is less than 5 mins from the Conocco plant in Scunny. The area is far too cold and windy for a T. blondi to survive there. However, opposite the site is a large landfill which provides a great home for rodents of all sizes. But, I'd put this down to a prank, and The Sun is hardly renowned for accurate journalism is it now!!!!????

And this comment posted by Traceyb says a lot about the Sun readers really

Symon I cant believe it your right 10 legs, Im shaking ad its only a picture, That is bloody horiable

oh my word...that is so funny! Traceyb...she should become famous!

[Matthew Baines]

oh my word...that is so funny! Traceyb...she should become famous!

For what? If it was upto me it would be for contracting every nasty flesh eating virus known too man , and i would be the one rubbing salt into the festering sores!! Sorry being a bit dark but i needed too vent before i went hunting for idiots!!!