How to Pick up a Tarantula
Dress appropriately., Be gentle., Use forceps and a capture cup., Move the tarantula on a flat surface if at all possible., Don’t play around., Determine your pet’s species., Keep away from a tarantula’s jaws., Avoid touching the tarantula’s...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Dress appropriately.
Most species of tarantulas kept as pets are not highly dangerous.
However, their fangs can be quite long, and they may have special hairs that can irritate humans.
To avoid a bite or other injury, wear gloves, long sleeves, and long pants tucked into your socks any time you have to handle your tarantula.You may also want to wear a face mask.
Of course, you can always attempt to pick up a tarantula without protective clothing.
Keep in mind, however, that your risk of getting bit or otherwise injured will be higher. -
Step 2: Be gentle.
Though impressive in appearance, tarantulas are fragile.
If dropped or squeezed, they can be mortally wounded.
Always be very careful when picking up or moving your tarantula., The best way to pick up a tarantula is to use tools that can protect it, rather than your bare hands.
A pair of soft foam-tipped forceps can be used to pick up your tarantula, but be sure not to squeeze it.
You can also place a capture cup or bowl over the spider, then slide a stiff card underneath, so that you can safely move it.
Just be sure not to accidently clamp the capture cup down on your pet., It is much easier to handle a tarantula when it is at a safe level free from obstructions.
Work on a broad, flat surface, preferably the floor or the bottom of a bathtub, whenever you need to pick up your tarantula.
This will also make it easier to safely use a capture cup., When picking up or moving your tarantula, keep it away from your face and other exposed skin.
If a tarantula is on you or someone else and seems about to attack, flick it away rather than trying to crush it or pick it up.
Squeezing or smooshing a tarantula can trigger its bite reflex, making the situation worse.Acting calmly and speaking quietly around a tarantula is the best way to be safe and avoid bites.
Noise may make it feel threatened and trigger its attack reflex.
Don’t poke your tarantula, or put or pour anything on it.
Aggravating a tarantula may make it become aggressive.
Never wave a tarantula at someone else, even as a joke.
Know the signs of an impending attack: when a tarantula is threatened, it may raise its rear end and lift its front legs. , Many tarantulas are relatively safe pets.
However, some are very dangerous and should not be handled at all.
Some species are more aggressive than others, so learn more about the variety that you have so that you can know what kind of behavior to expect., All tarantulas have fangs and can bite.
Many species have fangs up to
0.75 inches long.
The puppy-sized Goliath tarantula may have fangs up to an inch long.
When picking up a tarantula, avoid getting near its jaws (located at the front of its head).Clean the wound if you are bitten.
Normally, an oral painkiller such as acetaminophen will be enough to ease discomfort.
Elevating the wound site can also help relieve pain.
If you see signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus, etc.) at the bite site, you should contact a physician for an examination.
You may be more likely to encounter pain or other problems if you are bitten in a sensitive area, such as your face.
If you have a known allergy to tarantula bites, you should be extremely cautious when picking up a tarantula.
Seek medical attention immediately if you have an allergy and are bitten, or if you experience signs of an allergic reaction, such as extreme swelling or difficulty breathing. , Some species of tarantula have special “urticating” hairs with chemical irritants on their abdomens.
They will shed these when touched, and can even shed clouds of thousands of them at a time.
These can be painful to the touch, cause redness and swelling of the skin, and irritate the eyes and nose.
In some cases, they will need to be surgically removed.
If you see a tarantula rearing up, get away.
Always wash your hands after handling a tarantula.
Wearing a face mask and gloves can help protect you from urticating hairs.If urticating hairs do get on your skin, peel them of with tape and take an antihistamine, like Benadryl., If you get urticating hairs in your eyes, are bitten by a tarantula in a sensitive area (such as your eye), or have a bite wound that may be infected, call a doctor.
Medical attention may be necessary to treat these complications., Even if they are relatively safe to humans, tarantulas can be lethal to other pets, such as dogs.
Always keep your tarantula in a safe, secure enclosure.
Keeping your tarantula and other pets separated from each other will help keep everyone safe. -
Step 3: Use forceps and a capture cup.
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Step 4: Move the tarantula on a flat surface if at all possible.
-
Step 5: Don’t play around.
-
Step 6: Determine your pet’s species.
-
Step 7: Keep away from a tarantula’s jaws.
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Step 8: Avoid touching the tarantula’s abdomen.
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Step 9: See a doctor if necessary.
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Step 10: Keep them away from other pets.
Detailed Guide
Most species of tarantulas kept as pets are not highly dangerous.
However, their fangs can be quite long, and they may have special hairs that can irritate humans.
To avoid a bite or other injury, wear gloves, long sleeves, and long pants tucked into your socks any time you have to handle your tarantula.You may also want to wear a face mask.
Of course, you can always attempt to pick up a tarantula without protective clothing.
Keep in mind, however, that your risk of getting bit or otherwise injured will be higher.
Though impressive in appearance, tarantulas are fragile.
If dropped or squeezed, they can be mortally wounded.
Always be very careful when picking up or moving your tarantula., The best way to pick up a tarantula is to use tools that can protect it, rather than your bare hands.
A pair of soft foam-tipped forceps can be used to pick up your tarantula, but be sure not to squeeze it.
You can also place a capture cup or bowl over the spider, then slide a stiff card underneath, so that you can safely move it.
Just be sure not to accidently clamp the capture cup down on your pet., It is much easier to handle a tarantula when it is at a safe level free from obstructions.
Work on a broad, flat surface, preferably the floor or the bottom of a bathtub, whenever you need to pick up your tarantula.
This will also make it easier to safely use a capture cup., When picking up or moving your tarantula, keep it away from your face and other exposed skin.
If a tarantula is on you or someone else and seems about to attack, flick it away rather than trying to crush it or pick it up.
Squeezing or smooshing a tarantula can trigger its bite reflex, making the situation worse.Acting calmly and speaking quietly around a tarantula is the best way to be safe and avoid bites.
Noise may make it feel threatened and trigger its attack reflex.
Don’t poke your tarantula, or put or pour anything on it.
Aggravating a tarantula may make it become aggressive.
Never wave a tarantula at someone else, even as a joke.
Know the signs of an impending attack: when a tarantula is threatened, it may raise its rear end and lift its front legs. , Many tarantulas are relatively safe pets.
However, some are very dangerous and should not be handled at all.
Some species are more aggressive than others, so learn more about the variety that you have so that you can know what kind of behavior to expect., All tarantulas have fangs and can bite.
Many species have fangs up to
0.75 inches long.
The puppy-sized Goliath tarantula may have fangs up to an inch long.
When picking up a tarantula, avoid getting near its jaws (located at the front of its head).Clean the wound if you are bitten.
Normally, an oral painkiller such as acetaminophen will be enough to ease discomfort.
Elevating the wound site can also help relieve pain.
If you see signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus, etc.) at the bite site, you should contact a physician for an examination.
You may be more likely to encounter pain or other problems if you are bitten in a sensitive area, such as your face.
If you have a known allergy to tarantula bites, you should be extremely cautious when picking up a tarantula.
Seek medical attention immediately if you have an allergy and are bitten, or if you experience signs of an allergic reaction, such as extreme swelling or difficulty breathing. , Some species of tarantula have special “urticating” hairs with chemical irritants on their abdomens.
They will shed these when touched, and can even shed clouds of thousands of them at a time.
These can be painful to the touch, cause redness and swelling of the skin, and irritate the eyes and nose.
In some cases, they will need to be surgically removed.
If you see a tarantula rearing up, get away.
Always wash your hands after handling a tarantula.
Wearing a face mask and gloves can help protect you from urticating hairs.If urticating hairs do get on your skin, peel them of with tape and take an antihistamine, like Benadryl., If you get urticating hairs in your eyes, are bitten by a tarantula in a sensitive area (such as your eye), or have a bite wound that may be infected, call a doctor.
Medical attention may be necessary to treat these complications., Even if they are relatively safe to humans, tarantulas can be lethal to other pets, such as dogs.
Always keep your tarantula in a safe, secure enclosure.
Keeping your tarantula and other pets separated from each other will help keep everyone safe.
About the Author
Heather Russell
Creates helpful guides on DIY projects to inspire and educate readers.
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