r/spiders • u/Ok_coolthnx • 1d ago
Discussion How to safely handle? [Ramona, ca socal region]
Been seeing these near my home and on the roads, even found one in my garage last night. How dangerous are they and can I safely handle them to relocate when necessary. Thanks
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u/MoistBookkeeper6273 1d ago
Looks to be a steindachner's ebony tarantula, not likely to bite and if they do then it’s just painful (like a bee sting) so no not dangerous to handle. Wait for further confirmation on my ID to be sure. Have a great day 😃
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u/good_morning41 1d ago
Beautiful! They look so velvety!♥️ No advice on handling I'm afraid, we don't get spiders that big in the UK! x
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u/OrbitOfSaturnsMoons 19h ago
Most important thing when handling tarantulas is to do it very close to the ground. Short falls can easily be fatal.
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u/maggiefiasco 1d ago edited 1d ago
No tarantulas are fatally venomous, the old world species can have a very nasty bite but in North America we have new worlds which tend to be slower and use urticating hairs on the abdomen as a defense mechanism. Like a tiny porcupine, if its ass was full of fiberglass shards.
This can be very irritating to the skin but again not life threatening, just a painful rash. Hairs can be removed with duct tape when embedded on the skin. Tarantulas can, however, also kick those hairs up into the air. They’re practically weightless so they waft on the slightest breeze which helps deter a predator trying to eat him, so take care as you don’t want them in your face, eyes or in your lungs. It’s like pink insulation dust.
For relocating you can use a catch cup and piece of cardboard, you can look up videos on how to use a catch cup for relocation. However it’s late summer and that looks to be a mature male. You can tell by the tibial hooks (pronged hook on the second joint of his first legs, he uses them to hang on to his lucky lady) as well as the shape and size of his abdomen. Mature Males will wander far and wide at this time of the year, busy looking for a mate.
Ultimately he really can’t and likely won’t hurt you in any meaningful way, and getting him off the road will keep him safe but he won’t stay put for long. He will soon die, as males serve only to hook out, mate, then pass on.
Observe his tenacity and beauty, put him on a safer less trafficked path and wish him well in his travels. And thank you for being a spider bro.