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Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts

Education Podcasts

A podcast devoted to the proper care and upkeep of tarantulas and other inverts. After keeping a G. porteri for over 16 years, I decided that I wanted to add another tarantula to my collection. Several years later, I now keep over 100 specimens and 90+ different species. It’s safe to say that I am now completely addicted to the hobby.I’m NOT an expert, and I’m currently still learning about keeping these fascinating creatures. In fact, there are so many species, that I suspect that I’ll still be learning years from now. This blog is a bit of a journal to track my interest in the hobby and to share some of the information I’ve learned. A teacher by trade, I enjoy passing along what I’ve information and techniques I’ve discovered and helping others in their successful pursuit of this hobby. I enjoy hearing from folks, whether through comments on the blog or email.I have done and continue to do a lot of research, and I will only be discussing animals I personally keep, so the information I present should be current and accurate. I also regularly update older posts with current photos, observations, and information. However, this is an ever-evolving hobby, so I implore anyone interested in keeping these animals to use whatever they find here as a springboard for further research on techniques or species-specific care.

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Location:

United States

Description:

A podcast devoted to the proper care and upkeep of tarantulas and other inverts. After keeping a G. porteri for over 16 years, I decided that I wanted to add another tarantula to my collection. Several years later, I now keep over 100 specimens and 90+ different species. It’s safe to say that I am now completely addicted to the hobby.I’m NOT an expert, and I’m currently still learning about keeping these fascinating creatures. In fact, there are so many species, that I suspect that I’ll still be learning years from now. This blog is a bit of a journal to track my interest in the hobby and to share some of the information I’ve learned. A teacher by trade, I enjoy passing along what I’ve information and techniques I’ve discovered and helping others in their successful pursuit of this hobby. I enjoy hearing from folks, whether through comments on the blog or email.I have done and continue to do a lot of research, and I will only be discussing animals I personally keep, so the information I present should be current and accurate. I also regularly update older posts with current photos, observations, and information. However, this is an ever-evolving hobby, so I implore anyone interested in keeping these animals to use whatever they find here as a springboard for further research on techniques or species-specific care.

Language:

English

Contact:

8603892245

Episodes

The Tarantula Hobby Exam Part 3

3/26/2023
The third part of the Tarantula exam series is here! This time around, we have some scenarios about tarantula care as well as some involving other aspects of the tarantula hobby. Enjoy!

Duration:01:17:42

Why You Need a Curtain-Web Spider - Husbandry Notes on Dipluridae

3/19/2023
Okay, so I'm not really going to try to sell folks on keeping curtain-web spiders, but I do think that many tarantula keepers would find a lot to love about these huge, heavily-webbing spiders. In this episode, I discuss their care, setup, and temperament and explain why I think that they make awesome spiders to keep. Dipluridae feeding compilation

Duration:00:53:56

The Truth About Old World Tarantulas

3/12/2023
Old World tarantulas - they're "aggressive", they're "dangerous", and they're "deadly"...right? WRONG. In this episode, we'll discuss Old World tarantulas and their bad reputation. I will share my experiences with keeping Old Worlds as well as some tips for minimizing any risk when working with this misunderstood an unfairly villianized group of spiders.

Duration:01:08:57

Brachypelma Genus Review!

3/5/2023
In this episode, we talk about care for the genus Brachypelma and I share my observations on the species that I currrently keep.

Duration:00:57:23

A Conversation with Veterinarian Dr. Andy Anderson about Tarantula Health Pt. 2

2/26/2023
Part two of my discussion with veterinarian Dr. Andy Anderson. In this episode, he discusses: Injuries that he's treatedThe "Tarantula ICU"Tarantula Euthanasia The state of veterinary medicine in the USHow to find a vet for your spider

Duration:01:11:51

A Conversation with Veterinarian Dr. Andy Anderson about Tarantula Health Pt. 1

2/18/2023
Well, it has FINALLY happened. Dr. Andy Anderson and I were finally able to connect to chat about tarantula care, and man it was well worth the wait. In this episode, Dr. Anderson talks about tarantula medical topics like: DKS symptoms and causesDehydration Impaction Molt issuesNematodesIn part 2 next week, Dr. Anderson will discuss injuries he's treated and their causes, tarantula ICUs, and the state of invert veterinary medicine in the US. You can find Dr. Andy Anderson at Shiloh...

Duration:01:03:09

What's Changed in My Tarantula Care - And WHY?

2/12/2023
First, we start off by discussing listener comments from last week's fossorial episode. Then, I go through some of the changes that I've made in my husbandry and setups and explain why I made these changes.

Duration:00:53:50

Fossorial Tarantulas - Tips and Care Notes for The Burrowing Species

2/5/2023
It's a fossorial blow out! Well, not quite...but in this episode, I talk about the care, setup, and maintenance for our beloved "pet holes".

Duration:01:07:58

Tarantula Collection Organization and Management (and How to Prevent Burnout)

1/29/2023
What are some ways to organize and manage the expenses of a growing tarantula collection? How can you ensure that caring for your animals doesn't become a burden? In this episode, suggested by listener EarthsGeomancer, I discuss the following points. Labeling T enclosuresRecord keepingSchedulingBeing time efficient and making time for other hobbiesTracking and inventorying feeders, substrate, containers, and other suppliesAvoiding burnout due to the more repetitive requirements of the...

Duration:01:00:42

The First Annual TBS Spider Awards! 2022 Year in Review

1/22/2023
...or, my creative way of trying to answer a bunch of common questions in an entertaining year-in-review format! Seriously, while trying to figure out a fun way to answer some of the questions I get about my favorite, or largest, or shyest, or WHATEVER tarantulas, I came up with the idea of a fake award show! Hopefully, folks find this entertaining (and not too embarrassing), and it becomes an annual tradition. Awards to be given are: Tiny Diamond Award (Most Gorgeous Slings)The Queen...

Duration:01:01:28

Listener Comments on Last Episode and Ephebopus Update

1/15/2023
First, I read and discuss some comments from listeners about last week's episode. Then, I give some updates on my Ephebopus species.

Duration:00:43:47

5 New Years Wishes for Those Just Getting into the Tarantula Hobby

1/8/2023
To start the New Year, I got to thinking about what aspects of the hobby tend to give new tarantula keepers the most trouble. In this episode, I share five points that would make the hobby easier and less stressful for those just starting it.

Duration:01:04:33

"Dying" Tarantula Mystery and Pseudhapalopus sp. Blue Care

1/1/2023
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope that everyone had a safe holiday season. To begin this episode, I'll talk about the mysterious case of my dying E. murinus juvenile. Then, we'll discuss the care for Pseudhapalopus sp. blue.

Duration:00:47:06

Questions Every Tarantula Keeper Gets Asked

12/18/2022
We've all been there. When people find out that we choose to keep tarantulas as pets, the questions inevitably start flying. Some of them are good questions. Others? Not so much. In this episode, we talk about the questions tarantula keepers are most commonly asked.

Duration:00:59:57

Cleaning Tarantula Enclosures

12/11/2022
One of the reasons tarantulas are such easy pets is because they are relatively clean animals. That said, there are times when a cleaning, either partial or in full, is warranted. In this episode, we'll discuss the when and how to clean our spiders' enclosures when needed. I also share some tips about how to clean up those delicate acrylics without scratching them all up.

Duration:00:46:07

Three Thrixopelma Species

12/4/2022
In this this episode, I share some observations on three species of Thrixopelma, a very underrated genus.

Duration:00:43:26

Bad Tarantula Dealers - How Do They Get Away With It for So Long?

11/27/2022
Well, it was "recently" made public that another once popular tarantula dealer has disappeared after taking a WHOLE lot of money from unsuspecting customers. While some folks seemed to be surprised by the fact that this individual was shady, they shouldn't have been. There was evidence 18 months ago that this dealer was trying to skirt the law by selling so-called "hybrid" Sri Lankan Poecilotheria species, and after I did a podcast about it, even more info came out. In this episode, talk...

Duration:01:18:19

10 Things That Can Stress Out Keepers When the Weather Gets Cold

11/20/2022
Well, it's 34 degrees out and the heat has kicked on, so it's that time of year again! With temperatures dropping, tarantula keepers have a few new things to worry about when it comes to their animals. In this episode, we discuss 10 issues keepers might encounter during wintertime.

Duration:00:48:41

Aphonopelma Genus Discussion

11/13/2022
In this episode, we discuss care for the genus Aphonopelma.

Duration:00:51:14

Raising Tarantula Slings - A Guide

11/6/2022
In this episode, I share all of the info and tips I can think of when it comes to buying and raising tarantula slings.

Duration:01:16:58

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