@dez8195: Iris, my pink toed girl. DISCLAIMER 🕷️ This is my tarantula, and this short video is not the entirety of my knowledge, experience, or husbandry practices. I have kept tarantulas for nearly 20 years. I understand that tarantulas are fragile, that falls can be dangerous or fatal, that handling is not necessary for their wellbeing, and that New World species have urticating hairs that can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. I am aware of these risks when I choose to handle one of my animals. I do not recommend that inexperienced keepers handle their tarantulas, and I am not claiming that handling is beneficial or necessary. Tarantulas are generally display animals, and individual temperament and behavior vary. If a tarantula is showing defensive or stress-related behavior, it should be left alone. You are completely welcome to have a personal husbandry philosophy of “never handle your Avicularia Avicularia.” That is a valid and very cautious approach. What I am asking is that you not mistake a 10-second TikTok for the entirety of my knowledge, husbandry experience, or relationship with an animal I have cared for extensively. Iris repeatedly chooses to climb into my hair. She will actively move toward it, climb into it, and settle there. Call that “preference,” “behavior,” or whatever terminology makes you happiest. I know my spider, and I know what she repeatedly chooses to do. And yes, handling can be stressful for a tarantula, particularly if they are being restrained, chased, repeatedly picked up, or displaying defensive behavior. That is exactly why I pay attention to the individual animal in front of me rather than assuming every interaction is appropriate. Please enjoy the spider. You do not need to replicate what you see on my page. 🕷️❤️

Dez

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Region: US

Thursday 03 September 2026 22:43:35 GMT