Spoodcast - Jumping Spiders, Tarantulas and Other Cool Bugs

9 - Tarantulas, scorpions and other exotic pets with Victor of Vexotic Me

In this captivating episode of Spoodcast, join your hosts Lauren and Laena with special guest Victor, an exotic pet proprietor and respected expositor. Victor shares his intriguing journey from a dinosaur admirer to becoming a specialist in tarantula breeding and management, while also revealing his broad experiences from attending various expos worldwide.

Engaging and knowledgeable, Victor dispels common misconceptions about Old World tarantulas and provides insightful comparisons between New World and Old World tarantula species. He also shares insightful, often humorous anecdotes from his experiences handling peculiar creatures, offering a in-depth look into the exotic pet trade.

Born and raised in Brazil, Victor discusses his life's journey – from interacting with local fauna, moving to the United States, and establishing a successful business in the exotic pet industry. He also discusses the contrasts between American and Brazilian fauna and shines a light on their respective pet industry regulations.

This immersive discussion digs into unexpected venomous potential of certain animals, debunks popular myths about spiders, and is filled to the brim with intriguing animal facts and captivating anecdotes. From scorpion threats to a painful encounter with an octopus, Victor offers listeners a candid, riveting peek into his life and career.

Exemplifying both passion and dedication, Victor provides honest insights into the challenging, yet rewarding world of tarantula breeding while shedding light on the overlooked aspects of the pet trade industry. With invaluable tips and tricks on handling tarantula emergencies, managing egg sacs, and feeding slings, the episode is a treasure trove of arachnid knowledge.

8 - Tarantula talk with Amy Keeps Arachnids

This week we are joined by Amy (@amykeepsarachnids) who explains how she transformed her fear of spiders into a passion for jumping spiders and tarantulas. Amy schools us on basic tarantula care as well as the differences between old world and new world tarantulas. This is a pretty silly episode and we hope you enjoy! :)

7 - Guest: Melissa/Loki the Spooderclops

This week on Spoodcast, Laena and Lauren are joined by Melissa from @loki_the_spooderclops. Melissa recounts her experiences with Loki, her visually impaired jumping spider. This insightful segment not only delves into Melissa's unique challenges and heartwarming moments with Loki but also provides an educative discourse on peculiar spider traits.

This episode also defines regularly used terminology in the jumping spider community (slings? instars?) and discusses stinky spiders, mites, and spoods' ability to dream.

There's also a surprise visit when Urbosa, Lauren's missing Otiosus jumping spider suddenly appears on the ceiling. Will Lauren catch her and bring her home at last? (...YES!) :)

 

6 - Jumping spider enclosure talk

In this episode, we talk about the importance of giving your spider friends awesome enclosures - and NOT TOO BIG! We discuss the surprising issues that can arise if spiders feel insecure or aren't able to hunt efficiently. We also touch on hydration and providing physically and mentally stimulating environments for our arachnid pals.

5 - Spoodcast goes off topic & our favorite parts of keeping pet spiders

In this tangential (heh!) episode of the Spoodcast we discuss the best parts of keeping pet jumping spiders and tarantulas. Topics also include the important things in life, such as battling depression in grad school, boogers, head lice, and komodo dragons. 

 

4 - Beginner talk part 2 (and other silly stories)

Join hosts Lauren and Laena on Spoodcast as they delve into the captivating world of spiders, offering insights into spider care and potential pitfalls. Hear about Lauren's spider party experiences and Laena's advice on spider enclosures. Discover Laena's unique feeding approach and their adventures with mealworm colonies. Gain advice on watering spiders and the joys and challenges of spider caregiving. Learn about the risks of outdoor materials for enclosures and the process of raising spiderlings. Tune in for unexpected friendships, disguised spider shipments, and fascinating facts about spiders. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or newcomer, Spoodcast has something for you!

3 - Beginner jumping spider keeping part 1 - what we wish we knew before we started!

In this episode, the Spoodcast hosts Lauren and Laena discuss their personal journeys and insights about owning jumping spiders as pets. 

Lauren and Laena share critical advice on purchasing spiders online, emphasizing transparency about the spider's age and origins. They also provide vital recommendations on sourcing reliable information and joining supportive online communities. They discuss a range of topics from handling techniques, the crucial 'butt thread', dealing with premolt periods, feeding dangers, and personal triumphs over arachnophobia. Listeners are even treated to a peek into custom-built spider enclosures available at Spider Stuff and an upcoming spider party!

 

2 - Weird spider mating rituals, Lauren's test of Tiktok's viral spider-attracting lotion & other silly stories

This week, we discuss the enigmatic pheromones that male spiders use to track down females ready for mating. We also learn about the courtship strategies by orb-weavers and wolf spiders, known for their gazelle-like drumming patterns and wave-like rhythm during courtship. We also discuss Lauren's test of Tiktok's viral spider-attracting lotion on her female wolf spider.

One hilarious strategy is that of the male nursery web spider, who bring presents to females to enhance their chances at mating. From prey handily wrapped in silk (or stones!), discover how these sneaky beings employ distraction techniques and pheromones in their mating rituals.

The episode also reserves a section for a lively discourse about 'Spood Bachelor' - our unusual spider matchmaking session, where we delve into fascinating inquiries about spider maturity and predictions about this year's potential bachelorettes.

Join us in this special Valentine's Day episode of Spoodcast :D Cited is the book "All You Need to Know About Spiders" by W. Nentwig.