Rose Hair Tarantula?

Hello! Today I got my first tarantula. A rose hair tarantula. I was wondering about handeling. How often can you handle? And once out, how long can he be out for? Also what is the proper way to pick him up from his terrarium? Are there certain times you should not pick him up? ie) feeding, molting etc... Is there certain body movements you can notice that would be aggressive? Any tips?

Rose Hair Tarantula?
You can handle it as often and as long as you want. However if it starts flicking hair with it's hind legs, then it's stressed and time to leave it alone for a while. Also, if it does start hair flicking, wash hands after holding. The hairs can cause itching, sneezing, and irritation of the eyes....only temporary though.

To pick her up, put your hand flat in front of her and coax her on to it with your other hand.

You should not try to handle her while she's eating, and you should not handle her while she's molting, or for the rest of the day after molting. Molting is very stressful for tarantulas, they are totally vulnerable at the time.Also their new skin needs time to toughen up. Which reminds me, do not offer food while it is molting.

Their aggressive posture is raising their front legs and moving them in an up and down motion. Rose hairs are not very aggressive. You'd see this warning more from something like a cobalt blue or a baboon spider.
Reply:Hello first off its never recomended that you don't hold any trarantula for yours and there safty as they can still bite if startled and fall as they can jump and even though a bite won't kill you you can have a nasty alergic reaction to th venom.

However if you do want to handle your tarantula herar are som good tips.

1- use a soft paint brush to coax your tarantula out of the enclosure never put you hand inside have you hand laying flat and move the tarantula onto your hand.

2- if the tarantula goes into the threat posture leave it alone.

3- If it acts agitated moves away or strikes leave it alone.

4 - You can have him out as long as you want there isnt a time guide however i would at first keep it to 10-15mins 2x a week just to allow your self and the tarantula to get used to being handled and build up your confidence.

5- keep your tarantla low down in case it jumps or falls this will reduce the risk of injury.

6- If it runs see where it has gone use the paint brush to move it out if it turns defensive use a half cut bottle (large coke bottle) and move him into the bottle and put him back into the enclosure.

7- if he escapes use a heat sorce he should go to it as they go to warm spots. Mine escaped once and we couldent find him i put he microwave on to cook some food and when i went back he was sat on top of the microwave.



The tarantula will rear up on to its back legs if its going into a defence mode and will strike. When it molts a good sign is boldness on the abdomen it will go its food and may become agitated and hide away. It will flip onto its back so don't touch it its not dead. make sure there is no food inside the enclosure the moltng can take up to 48hrs make sure you do not feed it up to a week to allow the new body to harden.



If you need any more info please ask me i have lots of experience.
Reply:Hi. I've had my Rosie for about a month now and He doesn't eat very often. I've tried alot of things and he's bored with crickets; hes only ate a few.

He actually likes drinking the fluid out of fruits so I put a slice of apple or orange he likes that.



I handle my Rosie frequently; hes accustomed to me. He loves to crawl all over my body.

I usually put him on my bed and he crawls from my legs up to my chest. I think I spoiled him.

To handle him: I reach in the cage tap him gently and maneuver my hand to where he can walk onto it. He will stop forw a few seconds at the new territory and see if its stable then he will climb aboard. I think he loves being handled more than anything.

I have him trained so that he doesnt leave the bed. If he tries to leave I put my hand to block him and he scurries to the other side. He loves to explore. I know its a "he" cuz on his legs he has a "hook" and I read that only males have that.

My babie is definately not lazy as I expected.

Its very active, agile and fast.

He's get depressed in his cage (10 gallon aquarium) which is big enough for a T but he doesn't like going back in there and he curls up and tries to retreat when im putting him back in.

Then he'll go crazy and walk around the cage and try to climb out (awww)

So I want a pinktoe next. And I have to get a bigger aquarium for my rosie.



Have phun and good luck.



P.S watch your T alot they can do some pretty amazing things if you sit and watch for awhile
Reply:Here is a good guide, complete with pictures about handling. It can be done but must be done carefully!*



http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthre...



Good care and other tips, http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthre...



*Rose hairs are among the most docile and even-tempered of all tarantula species. However, as with any tarantula, it should be remembered that rose hairs are venomous, even if only slightly so. Most humans suffer no systemic effects from a rose hair bite, instead experiencing localized pain, itching, and burning. Unfortunately, every person will react differently, and you will not know if you have a problem until after the fact.





Nonetheless, many people do handle their rose hair tarantulas, and as long as it is done carefully, respectfully, and infrequently, no harm will come to the animal. Just remember that you are doing so at your own risk.