They say hind sight is 20\/20. \u00a0There are several things that I know about keeping tarantulas that I did not know when I first started. \u00a0The World Wide Web was in its infancy back then and the hobby was too,\u00a0so it wasn’t like there was a wealth of information out there for me to look up. \u00a0Today, however, the opposite is true. \u00a0There are numerous tarantula keepers out there who are willing to share their experiences and provide tips on how to better keep your eight legged companions. \u00a0This is such a page. \u00a0I will add to this as more things come up that I learn or feel that I need to share.<\/p>\n
The fact that most New World tarantulas have urticating hairs is not a mystery. \u00a0It’s one of the first things people warn you about when purchasing a New World tarantula. \u00a0What I did not know (It seems like common sense to me now) is that a tarantula’s enclosure is an urticating hair bomb waiting to explode. \u00a0I learned this the hard way when I was cleaning my Grammostola Rosea’s enclosure. \u00a0While you do general maintenance on a tarantula’s enclosure, I felt like my G. rosea’s enclosure was due for a complete cleaning so I set out, bare-handed, to scoop out the substrate and wash out the aquarium in my kitchen. \u00a0After I was finished, I noticed that I began to feel itchy on my face, neck, and arms. \u00a0My arms were so bad I felt like I had been rubbing them in fiberglass! \u00a0Then it hit me. \u00a0Every molt, every time it flicked hairs, the hairs were settling into the substrate of the enclosure. \u00a0When I disturbed the dry substrate I kicked up a cloud of urticating hairs all over and around me. \u00a0I felt much better after taking an immediate shower but I still itched for a couple of days after that experience. \u00a0I’m itching right now just thinking about it!<\/p>\n
A word to the wise. \u00a0If you’re going to clean your tarantula’s enclosure, make sure you do it outside. \u00a0You may want to wet down the substrate to keep hairs from flying prior to cleaning. \u00a0It is also a good idea to wear gloves and\/or a surgical mask to protect yourself from any flying urticating hairs. \u00a0I was lucky that I didn’t breathe any or get them in my eyes. \u00a0Keep in mind that some species possess urticating hairs that are worse than others.<\/p>\n