Anyone used this in your act before? Are they difficult to keep and how dangerous are they?
I am thinking of loading one into a chick pan or as final load to a cup and ball routine.
Any input will be appreciated.
Finally where can I buy one and how much would they cost?
FM

FM,

I owned a Tarantula for about 13 years. They are not at all difficult to keep. You just have to clean out their cage occasionally and be able to provide a constant supply of live food. (Crickets, grasshoppers, etc.) Mine was a huge Mexican Red-Leg female. After I bought her, I heard that these spiders were put on the endangered list, so they were no longer available to purchase.

Different species have different levels of poison. Most are not deadly, HOWEVER, if you have an allergy, such as bee stings, then they can be deadly! I am allergic to bees and I talked to an expert about it. Also, they have poisonous hairs that they dislodge that can really irritate and cause a rash. They kick these hairs out as a defense mechanism to irritate the eyes or even temporarily blind a potential threat. Also some species are much more aggressive than others. For example, the Honduras Black Velvet is a very ill tempered spider and more likely to bite than a Texas Cinnamon-Leg. Females are larger and brighter colored than males. I do not know the current cost of them but you could check at a pet store.

I would recommend that you buy a book on tarantulas and read it before you buy. Tarantulas are not for everyone, so make sure you can give it the proper care and that it really is what you want.

Hope this helps.

Regan

Thank you Regan. That is really useful information. Will check out some books. Thanks again.
FM

You're welcome FM. I believe I forgot to mention water in the above post. They need fresh water regularly. They also need a warm environment. They don't tolerate colder temperatures well. I had an aquarium heater that I used in the winter months sometimes. They are fascinating creatures.

Regan

I have yet to see someone use a Tarantula, but I would like to some time.

Chris Angel used one in his street magic. Scared the wits out of some of his victims!
FM

Gentleman at the magic store here in Tulsa was speaking of how he used a mirror box and about four or five large tarantulas,,all males. To get them to emerge out of the mirror box after it was shown "empty", he had order female tarantula scent and put it on the outside of the mirror box. When he opened it up they immediately crawled out. This is the same man that bought parana to put in his appearing fish bowl.

I use a tarantula in my presentation of Jim Paces WEB.
I perform the trick with a tarantula crawling in my cleavage. When the trick spider appears the shock is so much greater But...

As stated earlier there is a danger in both in the urticating hairs they use in defense and they do have venom. If bitten it does hurt. Also add that they do require special care in feeding, temperatures, humidity, handling, day/night light cycles and let's not forget some tarantulas do not like being handled at all. They can live over ten years and that’s a lot of care for one trick. You might want to think about how dedicated you will be to this living creature prior to purchase.
Hugs and Hissessss,
Maria

I had a tarantula when I was a teenager. Crawled all over me and made other people's skin crawl. I never had an incident of it biting me or any rash from it crawling on my skin. I got it from a teacher at school. I believe it was a California Desert Tarantula and was easy to deal with. I guess since I lived in Southern California it didn't notice a change of environment. But as with any living creature you add to your act, I agree you should know what you are getting yourself into and make that commitment ahead of time.

Martin

I would have to see that to believe it. For the most part tarantulas are cannibalistic. I would think if you have 4 males together they would attack each other. You do not house male tarantulas together with the exception of maybe “Pink Toes” in a very large vivarium but in such a confined space its doubtful. Also, where would someone get female tarantula scent?
I would love to see this on video someday
Hugs and Hissessss,
Maria

I have a tarantula right now. if you are going to get one, I would recomend a rose haired. they are very common in pet stores. you don't have to worry about keeping the humidity up just keep a full water dish in there at all times. they are very docile and will rarely kick their hairs off. I don't know anyone thet has been bit by one but they have about the same venom as bees.

brendan

He sounds like something produce from a crystal casket.

You could explain that it has been a while since you have done a show and produce him from a change bag!

It would be fuuny too to vanish a liquid and produce the spider.

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

Hi,
I own two tarantulas and use one of them in my shows all the time. I have produced her from a mirror box, from silks (I keep her in a plastic toothbrush holder from Wal-Mart). This has small holes for plenty of air and they are small enough that she can't get out. It also allows the kids to safely look at her up close without being able to touch her-I don't like to hold her myself.

I have two rosehair tarantulas and they are by far some of the calmest of all the tarantulas. One is around 6 yrs old and the other is close to 10. The pink toes are another docile group, but they are pretty small compared to the rosehairs. Overall, they are very easy to care for and I love having them in my show.

Have a great day!

I was told that the more you handle tarantulas...... they get more aggresive....... I had one for many years and only handled him every now and then ....he seemed ok ........ is this true?

I wouldn't know, I never hold mine with my hands. When I put them in their containers I just put the opening near them and they usually walk right in, maybe out of curiosity. If they don't, I just nudge them a little and they will usually go forward. Mine are getting up there in years and are no more aggressive than they were to start with. It all depends on the type of tarantula you've got. Some can be quite aggressive and are always kicking their hairs at you, etc.

That seems like a myth to me. My experience says that they are either aggressive or they are not.

Ya that sounds like a myth to me. I hold mine at least once a week and has never been agressive.

also if you do get any kind of tarantula your best bet is to get a female-they live A LOT longer than males.

brendan_670