Spoodcast - Jumping Spiders, Tarantulas and Other Cool Bugs

In this episode of Spoodcast, Laena (@mfspood) gets to hang out with Izzy Arden (@izzyardennn), a bad ass musician and spider enthusiast. They discuss Izzy's journey into keeping spiders (a jumping spider and a tarantula!) and how they helped her to find solace when dealing with anxiety. The conversation also touches on balancing a music career with spider care, AND the east coast delicacy known as water ice. :) Izzy also lets us know about her upcoming album!

This week, Laena (@mfspood) is joined by Emily (@mini_robomuppets)! It was impossible to edit out the giggles on this one, and it does get a bit silly. Emily and Laena talk about how getting over spider fears can lead to making spoody content for social media. Emily also answers the big questions ("have you been bitten?", "should I breed them?" and "can I keep this wild-caught jumping spider?" are a few)! We also learn about a Spanish-speaking jumping spider and a male spood that fell in love with a toy saxophone. :)

Join Laena (@mfspood) in a silly mini episode with Gert (@distracted_by_spiders), a jumping spider keeper from the Netherlands. We even delve into the world of isopods - okay, maybe just their somewhat tragic name in Dutch. :).

Join Laena (@mfspood) and Liz (@spooderlandliz) on a very belated episode of Spoodcast! We talk about keeping jumping spiders, pairing, and ponder the important things, like if animals can become zombies and where Kansas might be on a map. 

Join Amy (@amykeepsarachnids) and Laena (@mfspood) as we dive into a hot topic: breeding jumping spiders. We've had a lot of questions about it, and while we won't give a step-by-step guide, we're here to share what you need to think about before diving in. Breeding isn't just fun and games; it takes a lot of time, money, and space. Plus, it can be mentally taxing if you're not prepared for the losses that come with it. So, are you ready for the commitment? We also chat about the joys and pains of raising spider babies, from the challenges of feeding hundreds of slings to the pride of watching them grow. If you're still keen on breeding, make sure to reach out to experienced breeders for advice and support.  Thanks for tuning in, and we hope you enjoy this episode. See you next week!

Welcome to Spoodcast, the jumping spider podcast with Amy (@amykeepsarachnids) and Laena (@mfspood)! The episode kicks off with Laena's unexpected discovery of baby spiders hatched on her desk, then transitions into the exciting report on the largest funnel web spider found in Australia. Amy offers a unique perspective on the behavior of young tarantulas and the unpredictable and challenging aspects of spider keeping, offering inspiration and practical advice to listeners. Special guest Zo of Zovariums drops by to tell us about a mating session gone very wrong. On a lighter note, we discuss what makes a male spider attractive and introduce you to the ADORABLE flathead jumper. 

On this episode, Amy from Amy Keeps Arachnids keeps us company! Laena and Amy discuss the world's oldest spider, and Amy's first Old World tarantula. From rehousing anxiety, the bittersweet experience of caring for elderly jumping spiders, and dealing with unwanted grain mites in fruit fly cultures, this episode of Spoodcast is a silly ride for spider lovers and the spi-curious alike!

This week we talk arthropods and felines with our guest, Kenia - a passionate advocate for spiders and a loving foster parent for kittens. Kenia tells us about how she helps individuals overcome their arachnophobia, places sibling spiders into homes, and stories of nurturing kittens from the local Humane Society. We discuss Kenia's childhood filled with diverse wildlife and explore how this has shaped their eclectic zoo-like household. We also touch on the unique challenges and rewards of handcrafting enclosures for spiders and fostering kittens. Kenia also details her hobby of breeding spiders! Find out the difficulties of pairing high-white spiders, and the importance of collaboration and learning within the community. Join us as we break stereotypes, heal hearts, and redefine the perceptions about the smallest critters.

In the latest episode of Spoodcast, Lauren and Laena welcome Juice from Juices Arthropods to delve into the fascinating world of arthropods, particularly roaches. From post-apocalyptic survival to peculiar incidents at the Jersey shore, the episode offers a unique blend of humor, enlightenment, and offbeat imagination. Juice shares his journey as a 'bug nerd,' from reading field guides to breeding Dubia roaches, offering insights into bug behaviors, arthropod breeding, and entrepreneurship. Delve into discussions on mantis species, jumping spiders, tarantulas, and even favorite Taco Bell orders, ensuring an entertaining and educational experience. The episode continues with in-depth discussions on bug behaviors, experiences with tarantulas, and upcoming conservation projects. Unraveling intriguing facts about arachnophobia and challenging fears about spiders, the hosts explore the profound relationships formed with these creatures, from centipedes to bearded dragons. Concluding with a dive into the world of roaches, including tips on terrariums and feeding strategies, this episode promises to redefine understanding and appreciation for these often-underestimated creatures. Whether a seasoned spider lover or a first-time bug enthusiast, tune in for a riveting, entertaining, and enlightening journey into the intriguing world of arthropods.

In this episode of Spoodcast, your hosts Lauren (@spiderstuff.co) and Laena (@mfspood) have a chat with a very special guest, Zo (@zoevariums). A nature lover and wildlife education and conservation specialist, Zo recounts how she transformed her son's fear of spiders into a love for these fascinating creatures through hands-on learning!  Zo's firsthand experience in raising jumping spiders offers practical advice to fellow keepers. The episode sheds light on the complex individuality of spiders, emphasizing their unique quirks, personalities, and even off-days. Tips for understanding a spider's body language, observing their behaviors for insight, and analyzing potential personality changes after molts are provided. Whether you're a spider fanatic, a budding arachnid breeder, or someone who wants to overcome their fear of spiders, you'll uncover valuable insights into handling and nurturing these unique creatures.

Join Laena (@mfspood) and Lauren (@spiderstuff.co), hosts of the Spoodcast, in this episode with guest Emily, @nevermore_gbb! Emily shares their journey from severe arachnophobia to being a spider enthusiast - both tarantulas and jumping spiders! Follow Emily's awesome journey across the country from Denver to Alaska, and learn how a chance encounter with a green bottle-blue tarantula opened a new chapter in their life. Listen to the amusing anecdotes, from giving their first tarantula a name to the heart-pounding experience of pissing off a tarantula in pre-molt. Emily's personal journey extends beyond pet care, touching on their experiences within a spider-loving community on Instagram and educating the world about these unique creatures.

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.

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! :)

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!) :)  

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.

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.   

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!

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!  

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.

Laena and Lauren introduce themselves, discuss behavior of wild-caught versus captive-bred jumping spiders, common misconceptions, reptile expos, bad ideas to get over arachnophobia and other silly things in a rerecording of Spoodcast episode 1!