Silk Spinners

Welcome to Silk Spinners, a site by Michelle Howarth dedicated to tarantulas. Here you can explore my spider collection and learn the basics about starting your own.

N.B. silk spinners is currently being updated over the next few weeks the format will change. Some things may appear incomplete, but wil be all up and running shortly.

About me

I currently have a 100 specimen plus hoard of tarantulas that began with a single pink toe sp. picked up quite unexpectedly.

I have to admit at the time I didn't know much about spiders at all, and was in fact rather frightened of them. However getting my first spider really opened my eyes to what fascinating creatures these seldom understood animals truly are. Ever since then I've been hooked, and am now digging deep into the tarantula hobby.

If you're just starting out in this field you'll find a pet market loaded with hundreds of species to choose from. A tarantula collection can be vast and varied, containing species from all around the world. From the mean spirited, short haired spiders of Africa and Asia to the gentle, hairy giants of Chile and Mexico, these creatures provide both fascination and beauty, and if kept properly make a great alternative pet choice.

Why own a tarantula?

Well, they do have their advantages. They are soundless, don't take up much space, require very little maintainence, and are easy to care for once you know the basics.

They can be kept in a variety of containers and some make excellent display specimens. Care duties include occasional misting of enclosure (depending on species) and feeding once to twice weekly.

There are cons as well though, which could include the fact they need to be fed on live invertebrates (mainly crickets) and that they make skittish, sometimes aggressive pets that may bite or flick irritant hairs at you if provoked. Because of this it is probably best not to handle these creatures unless you both know the spider well and feel confident to do so. Also holding a tarantula could easily result in the animal suffering a fatal fall. Many tarantula experts recommend not handling tarantulas unless you absolutely have to.

Aside from this, tarantulas are very beautiful, interesting animals that are a real joy to keep and nurture. Kept properly they have the potential to be with you for many years - some species living upwards of 20 years.

If you feel you would like to own a tarantula, the best thing you can do is research. Invest in a couple of good reputable books, speak to experts on the many tarantula forums online, and be sure to choose a species which will suit you. For example some spiders are great display animals and spend plenty of time out in the open, where as some species will dig a deep burrow and will seldom be seen. Having a pet hole with certain species such as the beautiful but aggressive Cobalt Blue is not uncommon.

Which brings us back to Silk Spinners and its purpose. Here you will find a page of basic tarantula care information for beginners and a guide to many of the species available, from the starter species to the experience demanding ones. 

You'll also be able to enjoy my own collection beautiful spiders, which are documented within the following pages as adults, juveniles, and spiderlings.

Also, don't forget to check the blog!

Enjoy.

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If you have any spider related questions/comments about this site, or are a fellow hobbiest with tips and pictures to share, feel free to drop me an email.

All photos ©2010 silkspinners.co.uk