Private breeder of Tarantulas, Scorpions, 4 types of Roaches and Superorms. Resides in sunny S. Ca. This blog is all about my collection of various critters. You'll find care sheets, tutorials and various information on my Reptiles & Inverts.
WARNING: Tarantulas are unpredictable and can change there disposition at anytime and may bite. So handling is never advised unless you’re experienced. Old World species tend to be more venomous (stronger venom) than New World species who have urticating hairs. Take all precautions, do some research on the species you plan to own, etc…before handling these wonderful creatures.
Thought I would do a tarantula handling video for a client who had asked me how to safely handle her new B. smithi as it grows. While doing another breeding attempt with my G. rosea’s, I had the male in my hands and thought “handling video”. He cooperated really well.
Before attempting to hold your tarantula, test to make sure it is safe. You should never just reach in and grab your tarantula. You risk getting bit. If your tarantula is hungry, it could easily mistake your finger for a giant roach. Take a paint brush, or a pair of tongs or similar nd gently nudge the tarantulas back end. If it flicks urticating hairs, or worse yet, turns around rapidly and bites whatever your using to probe, then its not a good time to handle.
If however your tarantula scrolls up the side after nudging, then gently hold your hand at the edge for it to crawl onto. When handling your tarantula, never hold hi above the floor. Tarantulas bodies are very delicate. If it should fall from a couple of feet or more, it could severally injure or be fatal. So always take precautions and handle over a table, counter, bed or on the floor.
When handling your tarantula, they generally will walk forward in your hands. As your tarantula moves forward, move your free hand under and forward of your other hand so the tarantula has a consistant path to walk. While handling, never breathe or blow directly the tarantula. Doing so could startle it and cause it to become nervous and run off your hands.
Always place your hand in front when attempting to pickup. Only advanced keepers should attempt grabbing from above or behind. When done handling, just place your hand palm up inside the tarantulas enclosure and let it walk off gradually. Now you can safely handle your tarantula without to many concerns.
Valid comments on/about/experience are all welcome. Spam, hate, offensive, etc… will be ignored/deleted. Your welcome to share videos as long as it is doesn’t violate any terms. Thanks for reading, Greg Hagedorn.
Coming up later today, footage and pics of one of my many Brachypelma smithi (Mexican Red Knee) molting. I hope to sex it out as well. It is just finishing the molt now and should be flipping anytime soon. It was a good 2″ before it started. I’ll get a new size in awhile. Update will follow later today after I get pics and video footage uploaded.
Valid comments on/about/experience are all welcome. Spam, hate, offensive, etc… will be ignored/deleted. Thanks for reading, Greg Hagedorn.
This is a video update of my Superworms (Zophobas Morio) tutorial I did a couple months ago. You can view the original tutorial here.
Showing the progress of their growth. They went from about ¼” – 1½”, and they are plump. Haven’t determined how many I have, but there’ a few 100 I’m sure. I feed these to my adult Bearded dragons and larger Tarantulas, they love them. And being that I raised them my self, I know what there getting nutrition wise.
For more videos of my collection of reptiles and inverts, visit my YouTube channel here! SUBSCRIBE to my channel and keep up to date on future video projects, I’ll return the favor. Please rate and comment on videos you watch. All friend requests honored as well.
All comments to this post are welcome. If you have a question pertaining to this post, please post your question below in a comment. I’ll answer in a timely fashion. Thanks for viewing and reading, Greg Hagedorn.
This video tutorial illistrates the way I keep, raise and breed my B. lateralis roaches. This species make a great feeder for Tarantula slings to average adults and baby to medium sized Scorpions. There about the size of an adult cricket, much more active and smell less, can’t climb smooth surfaces, don’t jump or make noise. No crickets here.
B. lateralis are a tropical species roach meaning they don’t survive well in cooler climates below 60°F. In turn won’t infest your home if you live in the USA, excluding Florida. B. lateralis are prolific breeders. The ootheca (egg case) the females (wingless/black) drop all through the bin hatch anyway from 3-20 weeks depending on temps and humidity levels. I have personally found that the ⅛” nymphs are a good alternative to pinhead crickets. My slings and baby scorpions eat them up. There is little to no oder depending on size of colony.
Comments always welcome. Thanks for reading, Greg Hagedorn.
