Other Tarantula, not sure what to do.

standuprookie · Feb 12, 2007

This happened a couple months ago, just never posted about it, (because he wasn't mine)
O.k. so my uncle gave a Tarantula to my step-grandpa, he said the original owner (somebody he used to work with) no longer wanted him. (I was 300 miles away when it happened) so my step-grandpa put him in a 10 gallon tank, when I got home he said I have a spider, I asked a little bit about the setup then went to bed.

Now fast forward to yesterday, Me and my step-dad went in his room and saw the spider, then he started talking to my step-dad, (both of them view animals has "just animals") and he said he didn't really want it, and talked about *letting it go* then my step-dad said that was a bad I idea because then it could hurt someone, at first I thought he finally had some sense then they talked about killing it!:yuck: (because it's *just a spider*) I got fed up with that non-sense, (not sure if they would actually do it) so I graped the tank with the spider, and her I am.
The only option I see is keeping him, my mother said it's fine with her, and today we bought a new bigger tank for him.
It's more of a rant than a question.

standuprookie · Feb 12, 2007

I have no idea what type of Tarantula he is, he is very small is body is only 2 inches at the most,
Here he is, if anyone knows any thing about them please post,

and I think he might be staying in the 10 gallon for the time being.

standuprookie · Feb 13, 2007

OK now I really don't know what to do, I asked my uncle about it today, and I guess my step grandpa mis-understood my uncle, because my uncle said when he was working two crawled up to job site and his co-worker stepped on one so my uncle scooped the other one up and brought it to my step grandpa, To save him.
Whats should I do, can release him back unto he wild?(way out in the middle of no-where)

HowietheGreat · Feb 13, 2007

Eek...I would contact a specialist. Do you have any wild life preserves in your area?

PurplePoe · Feb 14, 2007

Well, it's too poor of a picture for me to tell you what kind it is. Seeing how you're in Texas it might be native, but please do not release it until you are 100% sure that it's native to your area. Releasing exotic (those not native to the area) animals into the wild is a problem nationwide and has disastrous consequences. I would contact either an exotic's vet or even your local pest control for identification (not for extermination). If it turns out to be a non-native species then you've got yourself a pet and I might be able to help.

Poe

VoodooJoint · Feb 14, 2007

Rookie, I wish I could help but I haven't had arantulas since I was 22 and I'm certain that improvements have been made as far as proper care and keeping.

I do not think that rerelease is a good idea. First try contacting your local department of wildlife. They may know and your spider may even be protected. They would most likely know what to do and may want to take it into their care. If that doesn't work then see if there is an arachnid rescue in your area.

VoodooJoint · Feb 14, 2007

I found this on the Pets R Us adoption/rescue page on Petfinder (broken link removed)

CHAD---REPTILES, SPIDERS, SCORPIONS====EMAIL [email protected]===832-298-8000

I think he's probably near Houston but perhaps a train could be set-up. At the very least they could probably give you good care info and tell you what the species is.

Pets R Us also seems like they rescue a lot of exotic animals as they have lizards and snakes listed on their adoption page. Perhaps they can help you.

standuprookie · Feb 14, 2007

Thanks everyone,
Here are some better pictures, (I'm pretty sure he is a Texas Tan)

I have a friend that already has one tarantula and said he would take in mine. (Different tanks of course)
I looked on the Texas wildlife department's site and they didn't have anything for reptiles or arachnids.

PurplePoe · Feb 14, 2007

That does indeed look like a Texas Tan. If that is the case call your local pest control for identification (they do more than just kill bugs and are familiar with local species and status). If they say it's okay then let it go. I know that may be difficult since it has been kept as a pet, but wild animals should be left in their natural habitat (no matter how insignificant they may seem). Every time a person takes a wild animal out of its habitat to make it a pet, that animal's native gene pool and diversity shrinks a little more.

Poe

katiecavyNC · Feb 14, 2007

Yep - if a native species I vote for letting it go in the appropriate environment.

VoodooJoint · Feb 14, 2007

Keep in mind people that once a wild animal has been taken into captivity that wild rerelease is not always a good idea.

Turtles, even ones native to their area, that have been released once they were no longer were wanted as pets have introduced disease into the ecosystem that destroyed large portions of the reptile and amphibian base. The same can happen with insects and arachnids.

I had my entire tarantula "collection" destroyed by some diseased crickets I bought them. Imagine if that tarantula is harboring something similar to what killed mine. It would introduce it into the wild population and results could be disatrous.

I am a firm believer that wild animals belong in the wild. They are not pets and should not be messed with unless absolutely necessary buy one cannot go about rereleasing wild animals lightly.

standuprookie · Feb 14, 2007

I am a firm believer that wild animals belong in the wild.

So am I, and *I* would never take one out of the wild.
And the only reason I didn't release him back as soon as I found out he actually came from the wild is because I had heard about those story's with the turtles.

PurplePoe · Feb 14, 2007

Hm, never heard of an entire tarantula colony being wiped out by diseased crickets, contaminated crickets yes, but not diseased ones (I'm not trying to be silly, I worked with "professor tarantula" at our university). I guess anything is possible though.

In the case of contaminated prey items, the same rules apply to wild and captive animals.... blasted pesticides.

I am aware of exotic diseases being introduced into the ecosystem which is why I've written before that the most responsible thing would be to contact pest control or an entomological organization. If THEY (not any of us) say it is okay, release it; if not, keep it. If it is a male tarantula it will be very short lived and spend every day of its very short life looking for a mate. If it is a female, it'll live forever unless it dies from owner error (which happens to even the best tarantula keepers).

Poe

VoodooJoint · Feb 14, 2007

PurplePoe said:
Hm, never heard of an entire tarantula colony being wiped out by diseased crickets, contaminated crickets yes, but not diseased ones

They could have been contaminated. I didn't have any tests done to find out the whats and whys.

I do know that when I went to the store to tell them what happened all the crickets in the tank were dead as well.

VoodooJoint · Feb 14, 2007

standuprookie said:
So am I, and *I* would never take one out of the wild.
And the only reason I didn't release him back as soon as I found out he actually came from the wild is because I had heard about those story's with the turtles.

I know SR. Not pointing fingers.

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Other Tarantula, not sure what to do.

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