What the Heck Are These Poecilotheria "Hobby Forms"?

UGH. Hot on the heels of the last podcast about being an informed hobbyist and hobby responsibility, I got sucked into this little discussion. Since recording this, I've been approached by two other keepers asking if I saw it and by one asking me if it was now legal for the Sri Lankan species to be sold across state lines. It sounds like someone has thought of a "clever" way to get around this ban...For folks who want more background to this story, please check out the following article...

Om Podcasten

A podcast devoted to the proper care and upkeep of tarantulas and other inverts. After keeping a G. porteri for over 16 years, I decided that I wanted to add another tarantula to my collection. Several years later, I now keep over 100 specimens and 90+ different species. It’s safe to say that I am now completely addicted to the hobby. I’m NOT an expert, and I’m currently still learning about keeping these fascinating creatures. In fact, there are so many species, that I suspect that I’ll still be learning years from now. A teacher by trade, I enjoy passing along what I’ve information and techniques I’ve discovered and helping others in their successful pursuit of this hobby. I enjoy hearing from folks, whether through comments on the blog or email. I have done and continue to do a lot of research, and I will only be discussing animals I personally keep, so the information I present should be current and accurate.