ADÉLE Ras’ eight legged pets might give most people the creeps but her tarantula collection is her pride and joy.
Currently she has over 50 exotic spiders in the house, varying in size from tiny spiderlings to females big enough to feature in a horror movie.
She answered a few questions to give readers some insight into her curious hobby.
Of all creatures why tarantulas?
My fiancé’s son had one which I took over when he didn’t want it anymore, and from there my interest in these unique animals just kept on growing.
They are fairly easy to keep because they only need to be fed once a week and don’t need a lot of space.
Are you scared of them?
I used to be scared but my the fear made way for fascination and now, while still a bit weary of the more aggressive ones, I’m not so much scared but rather just careful.
Are tarantulas dangerous?
Some do have venom but it is not deadly to humans.
Nobody has ever died from a tarantula bite and they are definitely not the blood thirsty creatures which Hollywood makes them out to be.
They only bite whenever they feel threatened.
Do you handle your spiders?
There are only two or three in my collection which don’t mind being handled occasionally, and then I must be very careful not to agitate them.
Besides biting they can also flick the hairs on their abdomen into the air which then penetrate skin, causing a terrible itch.
Have you been bitten before?
No, I haven’t.
I test the temperament of a spider when I clean its enclosure by touching it with a soft brush.
The way it reacts shows whether a specific spider will be comfortable with being handled.
Most tarantula keepers get bitten by accident; for instance when cleaning the tank of a hungry spider.
What do you feed your spiders?
I breed meal worms and cockroaches which I feed to my spiders.
The bigger ones will also take a small mouse.
Tarantulas predigest their food by injecting it with venom which liquefies the prey.
They then slowly suck the worm or mouse dry.
Which species are the easiest to keep?
In my experience Curly Hair tarantulas and Chaco Golden Knees are the most docile, thus easier to keep and the most suitable spiders for beginners.
While spiders like the Green Bottle Blue and Venezuelan Suntiger are very beautiful they are also skittish, making tank maintenance a bit of a nervous exercise.
What’s your biggest spider?
My Curly Hair female is currently measuring 15cm but is not mature yet so she will eventually be in the region of 17cm.
I also have a 14cm Brazilian Giant White Knee Bird Eater which will grow to be 28cm one day.
Who, would you recommend, keeps tarantulas?
Tarantulas are very interesting creatures and anybody who can appreciate this will enjoy keeping them.
But if spiders and other creepy crawlies freak you out then tarantulas are definitely not for you.
I also sell spiders and have noticed that most of the people buying from me are women.
It seems males are the more cautious gender.
People interested in keeping tarantulas can visit Adéle’s stand at Richardsbaai Afrikaanse Kultuur Fees on 1 November at the rugby club.
