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Comment by imglorp | Hacker News Reader

See also the better known Cobalt Blue and Green Bottle Blue tarantulas, very pretty but not the best beginner pets. They shouldn't be handled and need careful climate.

Other tarantulas are very easy, like Rosehair or Pink Toes. They need little attention, make no noise, are hardy desert climate dwellers, and can be handled. I had a female Rosehair live for 20 years as a beginner.

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You surprised me. I never expected tarantulas to be noisy in the first place.

Then you've never met a well-socialized tarantula; they sing and dance all the time. Usually in 6/8.

(This etymology is hilariously absurd: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarantella )

In 186 BC the tarantella went underground, reappearing under the guise of emergency therapy for bite victims.

What the...

I'm sure the historians are trying their best, but I think the chances of them successfully and accurately contextualizing a 2,000-year-old meme dance is approximately zero.

"Ancient Bacchanalian rites"—sure; why not.

Not sure what the problem is. "Ancient" is a no-brainer, and both "Bacchanalian" and "rites" seem perfectly doable for a trained historian.

When you prohibit something popular, people will make up an excuse for doing it while pretending not to. The excuse will be as stupid and obviously nonsensical as they can get away with.

Turns out this is a millenary tradition.

very bad singers, but decent tap dancers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GalkM3KM4s

As this can last for hours at night in the owner's room, is a factor to consider. Here is a spider singing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6b3-wELoOU

Can't find any good video of tarantulas' song on YouTube. I want to see that!

Real question…when you say “can be handled” is it because they’re defanged or because they are socialized and likely won’t bite?

If just socialized, are they just socialized to their owner or to any human?

Not aggressive and their venom isn't harmful

what does "shouldn't" mean with respect to handling, and similarly "can"?

Like they bite, or they're super fragile?

Their (cobalt blue’s) bite is extremely painful! Causes severe muscle cramps and inflammation. They also happen to be very aggressive if you try to handle them, so you’re likely to get bitten.

Both. Some are fast and skittish, and if they launch, even a short fall would be fatal. Description of the bite is similar to a wasp sting; only dangerous if anaphylaxis.

Their bite is much worse than a wasp sting. Unlikely to cause death or serious injury in an adult with no allergies, but the pain can be excruciating and last for many hours, and lesser symptoms for days. We usually do not prescribe muscle relaxers or opiates for a wasp sting.

They bite, they are super fragile, and some have urticating hairs that release freely if feel threatened and you don't want in your skin or floating around your room.

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