And, we're back on Sundays!

First, we discuss a new species of Aphonopelma recently described.

Then, I take some listener feedback.

And, for the main topic, we'll discuss some reasons why hobbyists shouldn't overlook arboreal tarantula species. 

First off, we'll discuss a new study on the "Jorō spider" that explains why it is doing so well in urban environments (and why it shouldn't be feared).

Then, we'll discuss a comment I got about a tarantula park that perpetuates negative stereotypes about these animals.

Then, for our main topic, I'll discuss 6 species or genera of tarantulas that get undeserved bad reputations and break down where these notions came from. 

After doing a video featuring a rainbow of different spiders, I thought that it might be fun to do an "extended commentary" in which I cover even more species.  My hope is that people might listen to this list and discover some colorful spiders they weren't initially aware of.

Oftentimes, I find myself in need of a certain type of enclosure for a rehousing in relative hurry, and I resort to hopping on Amazon to see what I can find. As a result, I've tried out a bunch of enclosure possibilities, both inexpensive and more pricey, over the years that work pretty well for our eight-legged friends. In this episode, I review some of the ones that I've tried. 

Unfortunately, I'm fighting off the 'rona right now, so this episode will be a bit shorter. This time around, I talk a bit about my recent video on hobby staple tarantulas. Then, I answer questions about tarantulas and bright lights, which species of spiders I would never keep, and how often to clean away webbing. 

First, I talk a bit about the Ephebopus slings that I recently acquired. Then...sure, spiders can bite, have venom, and can put a hurting on anyone foolish enough to trifle with them. However, there are some spiders available in the trade that have been the victim of over exaggeration and hyperbole to the point where many will refuse to keep them. In this episode, we take a look at 5 spiders that receive this dubious distinction. 

First, we take some listener comments from last episode. Then we discuss why it's always important to consider your living situation before you start a tarantula collection. 

First, we discuss how to tell when a spider is truly dead, and I share a story about my Psalmopoeus Langenbucheri sling.

Then, if you're older and in the hobby, should you continue to buy long-lived species? Should you pass away, what will become of your collection? In this second part of the podcast, we talk about how you should prepare in the event that you leave your tarantula collection behind. 

This one has been a long time coming. There is a lot out there about the physiological and behavioral difference between these two classifications of tarantulas. However, much of it takes a very superficial and exaggerated stance when it comes to the comparisons. In this episode, I break down the differences between these two types of spiders and explain how these differences can impact the hobbyist keeping them. 

Hot off of "What Makes an Expert Species", this topic covers what skills, traits, or "tools" the "expert" keeper should possess. Thanks to ProfessorChani for the topic suggestion! 

After having a discussion with a fellow keeper about arachnophobia, I got to thinking about how spiders are presented in media and how much some of those depictions strengthened my own fear of these animals. In this episode, I talk a bit about spiders in media. 

Happy Mother's Day 2022! In this episode, we discuss how we designate which tarantula species are "advanced" (and why these designations aren't always accurate). 

First off, a heads up that the first half of the podcast is mostly responding to some emails about the last episode. Then, we get into some of those pesky hobby myths that seem to never go away. 

For years, tarantulas designated as "terrestrial" were given a couple inches of substrate and a hide for a setup. Now, although this isn't necessarily wrong, I've found that many of my so-called "terrestrial" species will continue to burrow right on through adulthood if given the substrate depth to do so. In this episode, I'll discuss how I'm changing how I keep many of my terrestrial species and list off some of the ones that currently burrow as adults. 

What if we were all able to come up with some basic rules that we wanted all tarantula hobbyists to live by? What would our "10 Commandments" of keeping be? In this episode, I offer up my list of 10 rules that I think all serious tarantula hobbyists should abide by. 

First, we talk about a few comments I got after last week's episode about tarantula stress. Then, we revisit the topic of tarantula temperament and why these eight-legged wonders are seemingly so inconsitent from specimen to specimen when it comes to their overall mood. 

We often throw the word around when discussing husbandry practices and setups, but what does it really mean? How much stress can our spiders take? In this episode, we break down the types of stress our tarantulas can and can't feel. 

First, Billie and I ventured out to the Show Me Reptiles Expo in West Warwick Rhode Island this weekend, and I talk a bit about the experience. Then, my mention of semi-arboreal setups (and their controversial nature) drew an excellent email about the topic as it pertains to the C. cyaneopubescens.  In this episode, I will discuss the idea of setting GBBs up in "semi arboreal" enclosures and what I mean by that designation.

For more info on the dealers mentioned in this podcast, check out the links below!

KFInverts
Wicked Webz

In this episode, we address the most popular tarantula-focused topics and concepts hobbyists love to argue over on forums and social media groups. 

As the first Tarantula Exam was quite a hit, I decided that it would be fun to return to the classroom to try a part two. This time around, the questions are a little more difficult and feature 15 short scenarios that ask listeners to determine what the keeper is doing wrong. Again, this is all just for fun and an entertaining way to discuss some common missteps in the hobby. Enjoy and good luck! 

I get asked this question a couple times a week, and I have a quick goto list of vendors that I've used over the years. In this episode, I go over the folks that I have had great experiences with in hopes of spreading the word. 

Four years ago, I did an early podcast on the state of the hobby in the United States. In this episode, we'll revisit the topic. In many ways, it's a great time to be a tarantula hobbyist, with more species and dealers around than ever. However, with increased exposure bringing negative attention to our little pasttime, could we be in for a much darker future? 

First, we revisit last week's episode. Then, I give an update on my Poecilotheria formosa, who was recovering from a bad molt. Finally, I just rehoused my sub-adult Xenesthis sp. blue and thought that it would be a good time to update my care notes on that species. 

In this episode, I talk about 5 tarantula species that I would like to see more readily-available (and inexpensive!) in the hobby. 

In this episode, we break away from talking about spiders for a bit and instead discuss the care for T. stigmurus. This amazing little scorpion can produce asexually and can be kept communally.  I started with only one specimen back in October of 2016, and have kept dozens since! 

Well, the US Government is at it again. A new bill titled America Competes Act of 2022 has amendments added that could decimate the exotic animals hobbies.  In this episode, we discuss what this means and what can be done.

PLEASE CHECK OUT USARK and be sure to write your local senators!

In this episode, we take a look at some of the signs that point to a hobbyist not being as informed and knowledgeable as he or she should be. 

In this episode, we discuss three recent news articles featuring tarantulas. 

It's one of the touchiest subjects in the hobby. In this episode, I break down why tarantula hybridization is so frowned upon. 

First, I talk a bit about last week's episode on handling. Then, I review some of the Tarantula Crib sling enclosures I just received before segueing into our main topic, "Enclosure Snobbery." . 

With a lot of beginners contacting me lately for my opinion of the best tarantulas to get for handling, I thought that it was time to revisit this controversial topic from a new angle. 

To kick this episode off, I share an amazing story about an M. balfouri communal that a subscriber shared with me. Then, there are apparently folks out there keeping all of their slings dry? We talk a bit about why that is a pretty dangerous practice. 

Now that I've been keeping more true spiders and trap doors, I've had some folks asking me about the differences between these types eight-legged predators. In this episode, I discuss some of my early findings and thoughts. 

Okay, to make up for no podcast last week, we now have a 75 minute episode about the most common mistakes hobbyists make! 

First, I vent for about 15 minutes about some issues with my theme music. At about the 16 minute mark, we start the main topic...namely, are lists that rank tarantulas as "best beginner" or "best starter old worlds" really useful? 

First, we discuss some listener feedback from last episode.

Then, I've had a bunch of folks ask me to cover this over the years, and I honestly thought that I had already done so! In this episode, I go over a dozen species of spiders I keep that love blanketing their enclosures in webbing.

Happy Mother's Day to all!

With the cold weather upon us, here are some things to think about as we get ready for winter. 

In this episode, we discuss three of the worst and most misguided reasons folks get into the hobby for. 

In this episode, we discuss what happens when your attempts to lure others into the hobby attracts the wrong type of people. 

In this episode, we discuss some of the tarantulas that sport those festive orange tones. Happy Halloween! 

I've had several requests for updated Pamphobeteus care lately, so I decided to focus a podcast on it. As I was recording it, I got the sneaking suspicion that I had talked about this topic before, but I was on a roll, so I kept going. Well, I DID cover it this year as it turns out...oh well! Here are my updated notes on Pampho care (next week, I'll make sure that it's a totally fresh topic!). 

Anyone who has listened to me for any length of time knows how much I HATE when folks use their social media platforms to feed into the idea that spiders are dangerous and aggressive creatures. The way I see it, they are already feared and even loathed by so many that we shouldn't be helping to fuel that hatred. Now that I've moved into keeping some true spiders, I'm noticing that some of the ignorant hyperboly has intensified, and I'm being asked more often why I have such a "dangerous" hobby. In today's episode, we have a fun conversation about how truly blown out of proportion the idea of spiders being particularly dangerous creatures truly is. 

To kick it off, I talk a bit about my recent huntsman spider buying spree. Then, we tackle a topic I get asked about all of the time; what do you do if you HAVE to heat your spiders? In this episode, we'll talk about what "too cold" is and discuss the best ways to provide extra heat should it be warranted. 

After being asked how one ends up with 220 tarantulas, I sat down to give some thought as to why this hobby is so addictive. 

Looking to buy your tarantulas online? In this podcast, we'll discuss some advice for spider shopping as well as some as tips on what to expect. 

First, we talk a bit about the perception that C. versicolor is a fragile spider. Then, we discuss why tarantula prices are so high in the United States. 

First off, we discuss last week's episode and some of the feedback I received (a HUGE thank you to all who took the time to comment!).

Then, it's the battle of the orangey/black dwarfs as Davus pentaloris "The Tiger Rump" takes on Hapalopus formosus "The Pumpkin Patch"! 

In this episode, we discuss whether or not children should have tarantulas as pets and whether or not these amazing arachnids pose any threat to the little ones in your home. 

In this episode, we talk about hazards in our home that could prove dangerous or lethal to our spiders. 

Well, I'm back to school and prepping for my new classes, which has me in full teacher mode. While taking a break, I thought that it would be fun to design an assessment for all the tarantula hobbyists listening. In this episode, I present The Tarantula Care 101 Exam, a test with 33 tarantula care specific questions. Can you get an A?