Archive-name: arachnids/alt-faq/welcome Posting-Frequency: Fortnightly URL: http://arachnophiliac.com/burrow/home.htm Maintainer: Martin Overton *** Welcome to the alt.pets.arachnids newsgroup! *** Version 1.05, Last Updated: 11th December 2000. alt.pets.arachnids Tarantulas & Scorpions, chat and info exchange. Administrivia ============= Maintenance of this FAQ is done by the following: Martin Overton Contributors: Diane Blackman diane@dog-play.com http://www.dog-play.com Anyone may choose to suggest edits, additions and subtractions to/from the FAQ(s). They can send it to the above, and it will be used subject to it being useful or clarifying a point raised here. For the present, the authoritative version of the FAQ remains the one at http://arachnophiliac.com/burrow/home.htm Disclaimer ========== This document is primarily concerned with explaining what this newsgroup is for and answering some simple but common questions. Other FAQs posted, will attempt to address many of the issues which are frequently discussed on alt.pets.arachnids, but these do not claim to represent all shades of opinion among the users of a.p.a. - in particular, it does not include information which, in my estimation, is likely to be of more help to those interested in the spreading of malicious information than to those who wish to be protected from it. This document is an honest attempt to help, it can *not* be regarded as being in any sense authoritative, and has no legal standing. The author accept no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for any ill effects resulting from the use of any information contained in this document. Not all the views expressed in this document are mine, and those views which *are* mine are not necessarily shared by my employer. -- Martin Overton Copyright Notice ================ Copyright on all contributions to this FAQ remains with the authors and all rights are reserved. It may, however, be freely distributed and quoted - accurately, and with due credit. It may not be reproduced for profit or distributed in part or as a whole with any product for which a charge is made, except with the prior permission of the copyright holders. To obtain such permission, please contact the author of the FAQ. Availability ============ The latest version of this document is available from: 1. http://arachnophiliac.com/burrow/home.htm (this is the primary source) If there's any interest in non-English versions, perhaps people would let me know and I'll see what I can do. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Charter: ======= This newsgroup is dedicated to discussion of Arachnids (Tarantulas, Scorpions, etc.), their needs, information, education and help for new and existing tarantula and scorpion keepers and enthusiasts. Whether it be scientific data, questions, or anything else to do with arachnids, all questions and arachnid related discussions are welcome. This newsgroup will also be used to dispel the myths and half-truths about these wonderful and mis-understood creatures. alt.pets.arachnids is an un-moderated group, no censorship will be levied or tolerated. alt.pets.arachnids is open to all levels of keepers and enthusiasts, whether you are: pet keepers, amateur or professional researchers, or academic researchers, or just curious, or doing a school project on mini-beasts. A number of FAQs will be posted at regular intervals (This is one of them). These will also be available at the following web site: http://arachnophiliac.com/burrow/home.htm Accessing This Newsgroup: ======================== If you are reading this, you either already have access to this group via usenet or are reading a copy of this FAQ stored on a web site. To gain access to this newsgroup: From your browser enter the following into the address box: news:alt.pets.arachnids If this does not work then your service provider does not carry this group. You can request for it to be added to their news server, or if you want immediate access then enter the following in your browsers address box: http://search.dejanews.com/bg.xp?level=alt.pets.arachnids You can both read and post from DejaNews. Posting Guidelines: ================== Feel free to ask any questions, convey findings, odd occurrences or any other information or chat regarding arachnids. If you are asking questions about a specific arachnid, then please include both common and scientific names (where known) a brief description of the arachnid might also be of use. The question can be as detailed as you feel is required. Please don't ask for a reply by e-mail only as this is considered bad manners (the reply may be of use to other too!). What are arachnids? =================== Arachnids are a group of creatures that include: Tarantulas and other spiders, Scorpions, Mites, Whipscorpions, Vinegaroons and Solifugids. There are around 75,000 described (known) species of arachnids (half of then mites). More new species are frequently being found. But aren't they insects? ======================== No. The main differences between arachnids and insects are: 1. Arachnids lack antennae and have four pairs of legs rather than the three pairs found in insects. 2. Arachnids only have two body divisions (cephalothorax and abdomen). Insects have three divisions (head, thorax and abdomen). 3. The legs of arachnids are attached to the cephalothorax. 4. The 'head' of arachnids may contain up to 12 simple eyes. 5. Arachnids may also have two other sets of appendages; fangs (chelicarae) and the other look like a pair of small legs (pedipalps). 6. Size: From tiny mites to tarantulas with a 12 inch legspan. Aren't Tarantulas Poisonous? =========================== No, tarantulas are not poisonous, they are venomous, as are bees, wasps and snakes (amongst others). Aren't Tarantulas Bites Deadly? =============================== No, there bites are not considered to be anymore dangerous than bee or wasp stings. They *may* be more painful. The few people I know that have been bitten are still here to tell the tale, indeed one person has been bitten more than 20 times by a variety of tarantulas. He has handled thousands of tarantulas and admits that these bites in the vast majority of cases were caused by mis-handling. Most tarantulas would rather beat a hasty retreat than have a go. There have been no substantiated deaths caused by the bite of tarantulas. Indeed more people have died from bee stings and snake bites than by any type of spider. Arachnaphobia, How can I control it? ==================================== Well, if you are trying to get your arachniphobia under control you are walking down the right path. If just reading about spiders makes your heart pound, then that is the right place to start. When your heart is ready try looking at pictures - start with one that are so close up that all you can see are the beautiful body patterns, but not the whole spider - or so far away that it feels safe - a small spider on a big web. Have you gotten that far - get some plastic spiders. Don't push yourself - keep them in their bag for a while, take them out when you are ready. Next step is to be in a building where you know there are live spiders. When that feels comfortable be in the same room with them, when that feels comfortable go and see the real thing. Does the thought of that make your heart pound? If it does the focus in on it and think of being calm and at ease. Learn what if feels like to relax and untense yourself - then you can work on knowing that you are in control of - not your fears - but how you react to those fears. You have started working on your fears just be recognising that they are for "no particular reason." Almost all of us have such fears - but most of us are lucky enough that whatever it is we are afraid of we don't have to face very often. Where can I find out more? ========================== Read the other FAQ(s) posted to this newsgroup at regular intervals. These currently include: - The Tarantula FAQ Can be found at: http://arachnophiliac.com/burrow/apa_tarantula_faq.txt There is now a Norwegian version of this FAQ (Thanks to Dan). This can be found at: http://arachnophiliac.com/burrow/tfaq_norwegian.txt This FAQ is a small subset of the Searchable Tarantula FAQ at: http://arachnophiliac.com/burrow/faq_search.htm - The Scorpion FAQ (Coming Soon) There are many good books available, so try your local library. Here, ask a question in this newsgroup. Join one of the many recognised arachnological societies, such as: The British Tarantula Society Mrs. Ann Webb, 81 Phillimore Place, Radlett, HERTFORDSHIRE WD7 8NJ UNITED KINGDOM Membership Rates: UK/EUROPE 10 UK Pounds per year. Elsewhere 16 UK Pounds per year. The American Tarantula Society Robert Gale Breene III, PO Box 1617 Artesia, NM 88211-1617 USA Membership Rates: US $15 per year, Canada $20. Elsewhere $35. What *is* anonymous ftp? What does "http" mean? ============================================== If you are new to Usenet and are not familiar with the terminology, you might want to read the general introductory articles found in the newsgroup news.announce.newusers. Doing so will make your life on the net much easier, and will probably save you from making silly beginner's mistakes. If you think that right now you are reading an echo, a conference, or a bboard, I'd also strongly suggest a trip over to news.announce.newusers. (It is true that some of you may indeed be receiving this group as an echo, or conference, or what have you, but that just means somebody set up a gateway. Generally, it will be wise not to forget that most of the articles in this newsgroup originate (and end up!) on Usenet.) *** END OF DOCUMENT ***