« on: October 30, 2024, 09:11:38 pm »
'People collect spiders like Pokemon': Why the illegal tarantula trade is boomingBBCAlly Hirschlag11 hours agoThe global arachnid trade is threatening the world's most famous spider species. And it's primarily driven by souvenir collectors.With their eight beady eyes and furry limbs boasting retractable claws, tarantulas are polarising creatures. During Jackie Peeler's more than 40-year career managing creepy crawlies in zoos and museums, she's seen people love and fear them in equal measure. About 25 years ago, she used to run a mobile zoo programme where she would shuttle tarantulas around to places like outdoor festivals and malls. She'd take them out of their carriers and show them off to captivated crowds who'd exclaim over their furry legs and cartoon-like expressions."There is a powerful connection when people can see something they may never see in the wild," says Peeler, now manager of the animal care centre at the Boston Museum of Science. "Invertebrates and insects can be one of those things that people, even when they're terrified, are still fascinated by."Peeler doesn't condone showing off tarantulas in such a way anymore – they should have agency to hide from crowds if they want to – but even when they're not front and centre, these unusual creatures command attention. With that magnetism comes a dark undertow; enthusiasts are driving the illegal trade of tarantulas worldwide."Tarantulas are charismatic organisms," says Chris Hamilton, an assistant professor in the department of entomology, plant pathology and nematology at the University of Idaho. "That's what's great about them because we can use them to educate the public."Hamilton believes the "tarantula hobby" started gathering steam in the 2000s. Today, researchers regularly see enthusiasts boasting collections of more than 100 species in online forums. "[These] forums show that people collect spiders a bit like people collect Pokemon – they want to 'catch 'em all'," says Alice Hughes, associate professor of biology at the University of Hong Kong. It's a spot-on analogy, considering how many different colours and patterns tarantulas can assume.(more)https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20241029-why-the-illegal-trade-of-tarantula-spiders-is-booming
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You cannot "COEXIST" with people who want to kill you.
If they kill their own with no conscience, there is nothing to stop them from killing you.
Rational fear and anger at vicious murderous Islamic terrorists is the same as irrational antisemitism, according to the Leftists
