We need a name for our new pet! (Arachnophobes look away now!)

[AintNobodyHereButUsChickens]

I warned you!

This is our new Caribena Versicolor Tarantula, a juvenile at only 6-8cm. And as it's still only small, we don't know the sex yet. None of us can think up a name! Apart from 3yr old DS, he wants to name it Cute

The C.Versi is one of the most colourful types of Tarantula. As spiderlings (or slings, for short) they are Smurf blue (as seen in the attached screenshot), then at some point during their juvenile stage they moult into their adult colours of red, blue, purple and green, which, for a spider, is really pretty!

Genuine question as I’m curious - why did you get him as a pet? What’s the appeal of a tarantula? I can’t even imagine! Enlighten me please.

She looks like a Lola

@lemons44 I think Ribena too

Patootie

What are they like as pets? I'm so curious! Do they crawl all over you and just... hang out? Is there a connection with you as 'owner' or 'food provider'? Do they come looking for you for food or comfort? Do you talk to them?
I am totally clueless and totally curious now.

Curtis - definitely looks like a Curtis

Sweetchunks

Mainly because I've mostly listening to them (Sweetchunks Band) but also because it's cute for a chonky foot little beauty! They're gorgeous.

I second Octavia, Tavia for short

Karma
Steve
Skittles
Peacock
Muffet

In my house all spiders were called George, being short for Georgina if they were lady spiders. I have no idea why though, looking back.

What about Ursula (like the sea witch octopus)?

@TheVanguardSix

What are they like as pets? I'm so curious! Do they crawl all over you and just... hang out? Is there a connection with you as 'owner' or 'food provider'? Do they come looking for you for food or comfort? Do you talk to them? I am totally clueless and totally curious now.

Well so far, it's quite boring It just sits there! You can handle them, but it's not really recommended as their hair can irritate your skin and it can also stress them out. Lots of people do handle them of course. And apparently the C.Versi can be a curious little critter and will wander out for a little walk when you open the door, although ours is quite shy so far. So sometimes they don't give you a choice on whether you handle them or not! I talk to it like I talk to my dog, I'm not sure if it pays attention though. I don't think they really form bonds with their owners, although it would be cool if they did!

Some tarantulas are not handleable at all, like the OBT - the Orange Baboon Tarantula (or, as T owners like to call them, Orange Bitey Things). They are aggressive and will try and attack you.

@mjf981

Genuine question as I’m curious - why did you get him as a pet? What’s the appeal of a tarantula? I can’t even imagine! Enlighten me please.

It's fascinating and a bit different from a hamster! I just like this one cos it has really pretty colours and is nice to look at. They're also REALLY low maintenance. Feed them a couple of times a week, clean them out once a year! General maintenance is simply making sure it's humid enough, occasionally misting the tank, changing its water bowl and removing leftover food and its old skin when it has a moult.

What does the dog think of it?

I sometimes wonder if I should get a pet for my pets - I imagine my two cats would love to watch a fish tank or a spider

Itsy-Bitsy
Fang

Boris also immediately sprang to mind for me but I am a long time Who fan genius.com/The-who-boris-the-spider-lyrics

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

What does the dog think of it?

I sometimes wonder if I should get a pet for my pets - I imagine my two cats would love to watch a fish tank or a spider

I don't think she's aware of it tbh. She's too lazy to be bothered by spiders anyway

Elsie

Going off on a tangent because the only names I can think of for a spider are Dracula, Boris, Igor and the like, as a lifetime spider phobic, what is the chance of irresponsible people letting them wander off accidentally and them breeding all over the countryside?
When I lived in Bedfordshire they had the bihhest monster house spiders I've even seen in this country and I often wondered if they were cross breeds

@Shehasadiamondinthesky I'm not saying it's not possible, as I don't know for sure. But I do think it's unlikely. Tarantulas come from countries much hotter and more humid than the UK and I don't think they would survive a winter.

My absolute favourite thing about this thread is that both of my grandmothers names have been suggested.

They'd both be horrified!

If female, Penelope after the one in the Trojan wars who worked a loom and unpicked it each night (because when finished she would have to choose a suitor) as her husband was missing assumed dead.

Forgot to see - it is from The Odyssey.!