So who else has a tarantula?

[Frangible]

That's a representative picture of mine. Kind of boring really-- never moves. Didn't even respond to a cricket crawling on it.

[Merusault]

1. A beautifully complex creature

Is it mean?

[Frangible]

4. It's unbelievably docile

Tarantulas have amazing defensive adaptations -- utricating hairs, tiny barbed hairs coated in a chemical irritant they can "shoot" at an attacker, that are vaguely like pepper spray (only more of an itch), and fangs with poison ducts to paralyze prey.

However, despite this, the tarantula is still amazingly tame. I can pick it up-- it doesn't even move. I can poke it. Won't move.

Some of the old world spiders are different, and WILL bite you if you try to handle them like that. However, all of the tarantulas native to the Americas, as a rule, are quite mellow.

[Gman]

2. This guy was trying to get into the house a couple of weeks ago

before a storm came a few hours later...



He wasn't as big as he looks, probably about 3.5 - 4 inches stretched out at most.

[RebelOne]

3. Nope, not into spiders, but I have had pet boa constrictors.

They just got too expensive to feed.

[flamingyouth]

5. I have always loved them and wanted one

I had a friend who had several while I was growing up. I think they're beatiful.

[rbnyc]

6. I had one when I was in High School.

I also had a couple of frogs, and millions of crickets.

My tarantula was a Haitian. They are fast and mean.

;-)