First off, we'll read an article that discusses the successful reintroduction of a previously endangered spider species in Europe. Next, we'll hear some listener feedback.

Then...feeding is one of the most entertaining and rewarding aspects of the hobby. In this episode, I'll discuss the 8 spiders that I enjoy feeding the most.

So, I recently posted a video on YouTube discussing the tarantula species I've found to be the most defensive. Although I tried to think of an Old World species that gave me a difficult time, I didn't have a single one on the list. I knew that this was going to be shocking for some, but I wasn't expecting to be called "biased" when it came to how I present Old World behaviors. In this episode, I will discuss how and why my opinions on Old Worlds have changed over the years, and do some soul searching as I consider the message I am putting out.

Check out the video here!

First, we had our first Arachnid Appreciation Club at my school, and I'll share a bit about my preparation for it.

Then, I have people message me to ask which "giant" tarantula species they should start with. In this episode, I'll compare the genera with the most massive spiders: Lasiodora, Phormictopus, Pamphobeteus, Xenesthis, and Theraphosa.

First, we discuss some feedback from last week's episode (and the fact that I had JUST covered this topic in September!).

Then, I get asked all the time which species are the most visible out of the ones that I keep. Now that it's been several years since I last covered this topic, I have some new ones to add.

Crazy bolting. Hair kicking. Threat postures. Slapping at the ground. In this episode, I'll discuss the five most defensive (notice that I didnt' say "aggressive") tarantula species I have raised...plus a couple alternates. In each case, this time I will discuss how, in many instances, I was at fault for the behaviors.

Happy New Year! First, we have a few species name changes to discuss. Then, we'll talk about four new tarantula species identified found in India's Western Ghat Mountains. After that, we have some listener comments from last week's episode.

Finally…

"How am I supposed to get experience with old world tarantula speed if I'm being told not to keep them?" The question of "experience" comes up quite a bit in hobby discussions. Can folks successfully keep tarantulas without having much first hand experience? Sure. But is first-hand experience vital to a tarantula keeper? Absolutely. In this video, we'll discuss the type of experience and why, in the end, hands-on experience is so important for the developing keeper.

First, we'll discuss an article in Forbes about the four tarantulas that are traded on the illegal pet market.

Then, it's the Tarantula Test Part IV...sort of. In this episode, we'll discuss ten common scenarios in which we try to determine what mistake the keeper might have made.

Happy New Year, all!

First, we discuss some comments from last week's episode.

Then, we'll take a look at the most asked tarantula questions in 2024. Happy Holidays, All!