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CHAT TRANSCRIPT WITH RICK
C WEST ON HIS
David: hello Rick Mike: Evening Rick PeteKirk: Hi Rick - nice to see you here. Kate: hello all Oldin: Hi Rick tescos: Hello Rick Leon: evening everyone will: hi all Spud: Hey Rick Rick_C_West: okay PeteKirk: Spider Divination - haven't seen the article yet. What's the basis of it? Is it similar to water divination? Oldin: So Rick, what did your future foretell? Rick_C_West: Now, now wait for 8pm :-) btswebmaster: Yes Pete, lets get a few more in for now. Let’s have some off topic banter for now OK. :-) tescos: I have visions of people dousing for water with tarantulas! David: lol Kate: oh bum... i wanted red Rick_C_West: seriously, a 'licensed' tribal sorcerer consults the spider to foretell quests by his clients Spud: ok Rick before the start of the official chat id just like to say I saw you’re "the real spiderman" doc today. What was that cave actually like Spud: oh and it rocked David: you can change it leon btswebmaster: Leon you can change all the options using the options button Kate: do we actually get any of these amazing docs in the UK?? I've never seen one! Rick_C_West: the cave was eerie and had a colony of vampire bats in it Leon: ah thanks everyone, that’s much better PeteKirk: Rick's documentary was on a number of months ago on UK TV. Yes, it was really interesting. Rick_C_West: the smell of the tar-like digested blood bat stool was ripe!! David: I missed it :( Spud: oh sorry to keep on but were there that many B.vagans on that river bank Kate: months ago :( damn Rick_C_West: be gentle, I type with just two fingers :-) Oldin: Yes I saw Rick’s documentary Leon: rick: lucky you have an hour instead of a few minutes then! Rick_C_West: exactly tescos: I sometimes hate living in Germany Kate: no sky OR cable, I am but a lowly student. Oh well I’ll have to see if someone will record it next time it's on PeteKirk: Germany has some great T documentaries too I understand! David: Rick do you have a full crew or just a cameraman/woman? Rick_C_West: there were Brachypelma vagans every few feet! Rick_C_West: This is in reference to B. vagans introduced and establishing along citrus grove canals in Florida tescos: Pete: not as many as I would like Rick_C_West: we had a full crew Oldin: So Rick, aside from what we are to be chatting about what’s new with you? Spud: yes wow how many did u get in total Kate: are they considered pests, or a welcome addition to the wildlife? Leon: ah yes, didn't the authorities try to exterminate the population of b vagans there? David: bit early for bed isn't it? Kate: lightweight Rick_C_West: I have the Amer. tarantula Soc. Conference in mid-June ... two PowerPoint presentations there, and 'maybe' one or two tarantula documentaries in S. Amer. and East Asia Oldin: Cool, are you looking for anything specific? Rick_C_West: The authorities were told to knock off the use of pesticides in the citrus groves ... besides, the citrus grove owners now know they're not harmful and like them Rick_C_West: I can't divulge the doc. ideas.... sorry. Oldin: Oh go on! Not even to a fan? RCG: Hi all Rick_C_West: How's that ... Pete and I will stand out more btswebmaster: hi Rich ! Leon: my eyes! btswebmaster: excellent! ----END OF OFF TOPIC BANTER--- btswebmaster: Welcome everyone to tonight’s guest chat session with Rick C West. The BTS thanks you all for taking part Rick_C_West: good evening all PeteKirk: Like we don't "stand out" already Rick! Rick_C_West: truly spoken 'oh humble one' neil: hi rich PeteKirk: So Rick, can you tell us the background to this? Where did you hear about it? Rich: Hi all Rick_C_West: The idea started when I read Gebauer's 1964 account of 'spider divination' in Cameroon ... where live Hysterocrates or Phoneyusa are used to foretell someone's fortune or fate ... I wanted to see it tescos: on a whole how do the local people view tarantulas? Rick_C_West: Locally, most fear the tarantulas for it's poisonous bite and because it symbolizes truth and an attachment to spirits will: Rick - do they think you will have bad luck etc. if you kill one PeteKirk: Do they actually use Hysterocrates & Phoneyusa for the divination? btswebmaster: Ok everyone lets leave out the welcomes for now Oldin: do the locals refer to the spiders as baboon spiders steve: Rick, was the trip smooth sailing, it's a fairly dangerous area, no? Mike: Rick, how does the divination actually work? Rick_C_West: We were the only 'white people' we saw in cameroon ... it is not a very pleasant country ... especially near larger towns and cities PeteKirk: Shall we give Rick a bit of time to answer each question...? Rick_C_West: The person with a problem goes to see the 'licensed' sorcerer who takes about 360 leaf cards (made from the African plum tree) and heads off to find a tarantula burrow Rick_C_West: Once the burrow is found to be occupied, they put a 20" bottomless pot over the burrow, surround the hole with these leaf cards, chant and ask' the question' cover the pot with leaves to simulate night, the tarantula emerges, scatters the leaves and voila ... the sorcerer can read the leaves ... like tea leaf reading PeteKirk: What do the leaf cards do for the sorcerer? RCG: What's the local charge for this service? 2 goats sound very steep! Rick_C_West: There were areas we were glad to have had our guard along heteroscodra: Hi Rick_C_West: A goat is about $5 ... cheap :-) Leon: what a bizarre ritual will: if the tarantula bites them is it seen as a sign PeteKirk: It's a sign they're being careless! Rick_C_West: Each leaf card is cut and notched in such a manner that it represents an answer or thing steve: so the tarantulas are "respected"? PeteKirk: Like Tarot cards made out of leaves I guess? Kate: surely the tarantula doesn't always emerge though... will they wait and wait until it finally emerges, or give up after a while? Oldin: what did your cards foretell??? Rick_C_West: at one time, to harm a tarantulas was certain death to that person ... now it is merely respected and 'collecting' is generally not done in their presence Oldin: Did you manage to get any back PeteKirk: Was it the sorcerers who announced the death penalty -do they have that much power there? Rick_C_West: I asked if my married daughter (pregnant at the time I left) and no one was told the sex of the baby from ultrasound, if she would have a baby boy or a baby girl (a 50/50 question) ... he predicted a baby boy and three weeks later .... A baby boy ... I was there to help deliver 'Josh' heteroscodra: Did you find a lot ? tescos: is this only practiced in cameroon Rick_C_West: We had to get permits but, yes, we brought back H. crassipes and H. gigas. Stromatopelma batesi eluded us as did Euprhictus, etc. heteroscodra: So no Stromatopelminae :(:(:( steve: many congrats Rick, are only "large" adults used, or juveniles as well? Rick_C_West: The sorcerer works in conjunction with the chief for tribal community control and power heteroscodra: But from what I heard you didn't find hysterocrates ONLY on the ground floor...I saw pictures at Thomas' place where everything was flooded Rick_C_West: no Stromatopelmiinae ... they were high in the palms and the palm climbers fear them most for some reason ... and, they said it was the wrong season? For them Oldin: Where the permits difficult collect and weren’t the shaman offended - after all you’re taking away their livelihood PeteKirk: One resumes you don't remove them from under their noses! A little discression is called for, no doubt! Rick_C_West: Permits cost $40.00 and we NEVER collected in or near villages for obvious reasons heteroscodra: Yes, they come down a bit in the "dry" season? Rick_C_West: That's what they said ... the dry season is best for them heteroscodra: It's good to know that ;) Rick_C_West: We found two distinct habitat preferences for H. gigas ... fossorial and arboreal ... 40' up in palms Leon: 40'! PeteKirk: Had the Hysterocrates adapted or just opportunistic? heteroscodra: That's quite interesting...cause there was a thought one time that Eumenophorinae and Stromatopelminae were very closely related right? Mike: Strange, isn't H. gigas usually recognised as fossorial? btswebmaster: Rick that’s interesting a split between arboreal and terrestrial Rick_C_West: In both habitats, we found at least two distinct egg sac instars still co-habiting with the female, both in the palms and in the ground ... some young instars were 3" in leg span ... we never observed them communally eating though Rick_C_West: I learned a long time ago ... never assume anything with tarantulas ... it'll come back to bite you or prove you wrong heteroscodra: Just 2 ? I expected more with the female, as they do not scatter around in captivity too... steve: were the colonies/clusters plentiful? RCG: Did you discover any males living with the arboreal females? Captive male Hysterocrates do. Rick_C_West: I 'believe' this arboreal habitat preference is opportunistic as the insect populations are higher around the palm flowers and fruits heteroscodra: Do you have arboreal Hysterocrates Richard? Kate: that certainly makes sense Rick_C_West: strange you should ask, we did find two females with males in their burrows Mike: It just goes to show how adaptable these creatures can be Rick_C_West: the aggregations of H. gigas were abundant in certain areas while H. crassipes is more difficult to find : at what month of the year were you there? Rick_C_West: if I miss questions, please re-ask Rick_C_West: early October heteroscodra: very rainy... heteroscodra: and mature males were in her burrow. interesting PeteKirk: Did you manage to photograph the ceremony itself? Does it take place at might? Rick_C_West: Yes, very rainy, especially at night Oldin: Communal behaviour in terrestrial genus-pretty unusual? Rick_C_West: Yes, I videotapes and photographed the ceremony Rick_C_West: communal behavior is not too common in theraphosids steve: will the footage be used in a documentary? PeteKirk: Yes - and I only thought it was the Pokes;-) heteroscodra: I have read that heteroscodra is found in colonies in the wild, but they are very cannibalistic in captivity RCG: Did the locals mention what the spiders ate? Vertebrates? tescos: is there one of these priests in every village? Rick_C_West: Spider divination' only takes place by day, never at night as evil spirits have an influence ... they believe Rick_C_West: the footage was my on private video. Rick_C_West: 'Spider diviner's are now licensed but dying out Rick_C_West: they are very difficult to find ... we found ours after days of searching Rick_C_West: The locals say the spiders eat 'insects' ... no mention of vertebrates PeteKirk: Did your spider diviner have an heir apparent? steve: because the tradition itself is fading? heteroscodra: We had the same troubles in South-Africa Rick_C_West: I was too busy munching on emerging termites with the kids to care steve: or through lack of "qualified" diviners? Rick_C_West: The sorcerer's son is not interested in carrying on the tradition ... he only wanted us to 'give' him a cellular phone!! tescos: How far are people willing to travel to see one of these spider diviners? PeteKirk: Emerging termites - beats vegetable curry every day for two weeks!! Kate: that's a shame Rick_C_West: These areas are being impacted by modernisation and Christianity ... sadly steve: taste like peanut butter, right? Rick_C_West: Hey, and a lot cleaner on the fingers as well! steve: lol Rick_C_West: a little 'nutty' flavoured ... they needed a little salt heteroscodra: And a few leeches to clean everything up then ;-) RCG: Can you tell us more about the wooden carvings and metalwork? Rick_C_West: We will return but in the dry season 2003steve: don't all insects? Rick_C_West: The carving and bronze work is breath taking btswebmaster: Richard, good question but most / all have not been privy to the pictures like us heteroscodra: LoL! Rick_C_West: However, they sting you at the airport as Customs scams you to pay $25US to get things out ... you're exporting heritage artefacts ... they claim heteroscodra: Carvings of spiders? steve: did any of the artwork depict the divination? Rick_C_West: Yes, many carvings of the 'Earth spider' or tarantulas in stools, pipes, beds posts, doors, masks, vases, etc. Rick_C_West: No, the carvings do not depict the actual ceremony Rick_C_West: In Foumban, the 'tarantula' or 'earth spider' adorns the palace gates and the Royal bronze symbol of the Bamoun tribe tescos: how long do they spend learning the art of spider divination? PeteKirk: So the tarantulas are an important part of their lives and folklore generally? Rick_C_West: Extremely important still to this day in the NW region of Cameroon. steve: were there significantly bad omens, such as the spider taking a leaf into it's burrow, or something along those lines? heteroscodra: I remember from Andrews lecture that there are Indian statues with spiders in it right Pete? Leon: better that they are feared or respected than exterminated Rick_C_West: The art of 'spider divination' is a handed down teaching ... it takes a very long time and as it manipulates people, the government 'licenses' these diviners. Rick_C_West: sorry, that's licences steve: government regulation, amazing! RCG: Do the diviners take an exam before they get their licence or is it just money? PeteKirk: I would imagine that spiders appear in folklore from many countries all over the world. But yes, there are "spider temples" in India. Rick_C_West: At one time, if a certain leaf card fell on to the 'male baton' or was taken into the tarantulas's burrow, it indicated someone close to you might die Oldin: As Cameroon has such a huge problem with corrupt officials and the bushmeat trade did you find that the licensing was a bit dodgy heteroscodra: cool Rick_C_West: I would assume, but don't know, that the sorcerer's-to-be are judged by peers steve: how old is this ritual? Rick_C_West: Licensing is not dodgy ... getting permits to take spiders out of the country was PeteKirk: Do the sorcerers have wives, children, etc. or is this the price you pay for being sorcerer? Rick_C_West: Like anywhere else, you write direct and you're told 'no' for permits. Go through a Cameroonian and it's $40. and there in your hand the next day! Spud: lol typical Rick_C_West: The old sorcerer had two wives and many children. Sadly the old guy may be dead now as his health was very bad when we found him ... many in the village didn't even know he did spider diving ... very sad Rick_C_West: that's spider divining PeteKirk: Yeah - once it's gone, it's gone for good. Hang onto the video footage! Leon: you would think within the village that everyone knew of his skill? heteroscodra: So there is no-one else to follow him up in that particular village? steve: sounds like a good thing you could document it while it's still around PeteKirk: I'm really surprised his sons didn't carry on the tradition. Was this his "main job" or was he a sorcerer on the side? heteroscodra (timeout) Rick_C_West: I thought about a film project but when you go to a village you are swarmed ... there is no control, not even by the chief ... if you are 'white' you are very rich and everyone swarms you for free things.... and money btswebmaster: yes I have read the article and its excellent. I am told the journal is out this week - sadly not before the show Kate: it's a shame how these small villages are being influenced by our modern cultures and losing their own in the process Rick_C_West: The sorcerer is mainly what we might call the medicine man heteroscodra (timeout) RCG: Did he feed his spider? Or just hope it stayed put in the burrow at the rear of his house? buea_boy: . Rick_C_West: We were told there are 'several' more spider diviners in the interior ... a four freakin' hour hike to get to them. Who knows how safe that would be? I felt very uncomfortable as everyone 'presses' in on you all staring and not smirking Spud: Still Here tescos: Did he use the same spider all the time? heteroscodra: There were a few medicine-man in South-Africa too, but we didn't visit him because there was a story in the news paper that these people were killing "the white farmers" around. will: still here Kim: and me Rick_C_West: the sorcerer spits water down the burrow and blows on the burrow before covering the pot ... I assume the spider emerges to check out what's up steve: sounds erie Azrael: Still here heteroscodra: There were 80 white farmers killed in 3 months time in the area where we stayed...:-S PeteKirk: I can imagine how oppressive that felt Rick - I have to confess that there are other "safer" places I'd rather work. Leon: i cant imagine it emerges in the best of spirits :D Rick_C_West: This sorcerer collected the tarantula, brought it back and established it outside his door stoop for convenience ... he was no dummy heteroscodra: I guess India and Sri-lnaka aren't the easiest places to work either are they Pete? Rick_C_West: The scorcerer only uses the spider sparingly ... maybe a question posed to it once every few months PeteKirk: Easier than Cameroon I'd say, once you overcome the typical beaurocracy. It is generally what I would consider very safe. steve: It was a H.gigas? Rick_C_West: Honestly, in the rural areas, India was a cakewalk Kate: sounds like a cushy job for the tarantula, having to go to work only once a month heteroscodra: LoL! Oldin: If youy now had one question to ask what would it be? Rick_C_West: The spider the sorcerer used was H. gigas tescos: so they get just one question answered and not an entire fortune? Rick_C_West: My apologies to anyone's question I missed ... I'm a slow typist heteroscodra: fast enough Rick_C_West: Oh yeah, the little pygmies in the south were a hoot ... Hey, Pete, you'd be a giant there :-) PeteKirk: So the sorcerer never had the numbers for the Cameroon lottery! ;-) Rick_C_West: Even if he won, he'd be robbed trying to collect it. heteroscodra: Is it really that bad? PeteKirk: Pygmies - people I can speak to without getting neck ache! Rick_C_West: I also visited a medicine man who made and sold venomous snake bite potions ... his hut was full of mambas, cobras and vipers heteroscodra: That'd be worth a visit!! : nice flatmates! Spud: his stuff must have worked then! RCG: Not to sleep in! Rick_C_West: Yes, 100%. My advice is NEVER travel around alone. Hire and take bodyguards along in the cities and on the trip heteroscodra: I was thinking about Ghana...would it be any safer in your opinion? Leon: i thought ghana was just as bad if not worse? David: how did you make sure your bodyguards were reputable? Rick_C_West: This medicine man reached in a giant pot and pulled out and held big cobras ... some spitting ones ... but he had no fear.... Just me! Rick_C_West: I found a company in advance to going and had recommendations from Consulate people there heteroscodra: The problem is that there are no "safe" countries where Heteroscodra's live in the wild :( btswebmaster: David a good question it would be a real bummer to get robbed by your own body guards steve: I envy you Rick, what an experience! btswebmaster (timeout) Rick_C_West: At least I lived to tell about it :-) steve: lol Rick_C_West: Oh yeah, picture taking and cameras were not easy either RCG: Rick, do you have any more trips planned? PeteKirk: Did you climb 40' up the trees to locate the Hysterocrates, or did someone else "volunteer"? Rick_C_West: There were many places I wanted images but people ran at and started stoning you or your vehicle ... it made casual strolling and looking for tarantulas/chameleons very difficult! Kate: oh my god, just because you were white? steve: you got stoned? Seriously? Rick_C_West: Me, climb a palm tree ... I'd get part way up and my 260lb 'trim' body would bow it over heteroscodra: So you didn't take along your digital cam? Or just held on to it really really well? btswebmaster: I would like to thank Rick for taking the time to host this chat, this chat has been fully logged and once edited will be online on the BTS site for all to read. Should anyone wish to stay online for an open chat you are welcome to do so. Leon: rick, that could be a new way of collecting....climb half way up and let it bow over :D tescos: I found that in Kenya people don’t like having their photos taken either steve: Thanks Rick :) Rick_C_West: no, they start coming at you, rocks in hand and shouting, so you leave Rick_C_West: I shot the footage in Hi8 steve: scary stuff! Rick_C_West: I will stay a little longer for those I missed a question, etc. Oldin: Would you ever go back to Cameroon? heteroscodra: Enough for you...most valuable is the data that you collect ;) will: i agree heteroscodra: I wouldn't mind ....;-) Rick_C_West: Yes, I will go back now that I have established an infrastructure and know the ropes better tescos: me too heteroscodra: stuck in the mudd right? Rick_C_West: It's early day for me, so you guys say 'git' okay? btswebmaster: OK then its carry on and we can take open questions too, on tarantula related subjects steve: Are you planning on looking for S.satanus in the foreseeable future? Rick_C_West: The roads are giant mud lakes in places Rick_C_West: Yes, if I go back ... Stromatopelma spp. are high on the list dandare500: hello buea_boy: . will: hello steve: excellent! RCG: . Rick_C_West: Pete, do you have any trips planned? Spud: hellllooooooo heteroscodra: hello Rick_C_West: Is Andy off to N. Africa to do his own thing or doing it for a film company? steve: I'm dying to see a pic of this beast dandare500: hello PeteKirk: Rick - nothing planned in the near future. Lack of funds preventing it at present. I think Andy's trip to North Africa is just a holiday with Liz. Rick_C_West: Ah RCG: I'm sure it's Andy's R&R / writing holiday. ] heteroscodra: I am dying to see pics/specimens of "new" stromatopelma ssp. !! Rick_C_West: Usually he did that on Crete Rick_C_West: Pete, have you seen the black Poke ... or just heard about it? Rick_C_West: There is a very dark polymorph of P. formosa I've heard ] Spud: Pete you talking jet black like G.Pulchra I understand there is a blue Poke around? PeteKirk: Yes, he likes Crete, but has fond memories of North Africa too. Only heard the rumours about the black Poke - still asking around though. Rick_C_West: You are welcome, Mark. Thank you for inviting me to share my experiences in Cameroon with the other members, it was a pleasure. Oldin: Not that I like to poke around heteroscodra: I mated my P. subfusca :-D heteroscodra: black enough for me ;-) heteroscodra: thanx a lot Rick btswebmaster: Rick it has been our pleasure, but hay I have beer in hand so lets carry on Rick_C_West: subfusca can be difficult ... good luck with their eggsacs Leon: does anyone have any information on what the situation regarding C thorelli is? Apparently all pet trade C thorelli are actually C "schiodeti" and no thorellis have been seen since the original specimens collected in the early 1900's? PeteKirk: I don't know much about the black Poke - just people who say they know people who have seen them. Yes, I believe there is a blue variety in existence! :-) Oldin: Thanks a lot Rick tescos: cheers Rick Rick_C_West: The honest truth is that some of us strongly suspect 'C. thorelli' is a Phormingochilus sp. ... which one will remain unknown until the paper :-) heteroscodra: I agree Leon...but you should ask Volker von Wirth ( Germany ) it's his job... Leon: either way, all are stunning tarantulas Rick_C_West: Ah, you thought you had seen the last of me ... I'll stay a bit more btswebmaster: volker told me he could not find any differences in the two heteroscodra: with was described first? Rick_C_West: Andrew has investigated all the types and will publish something in the near future tescos: maybe just a colour morph then tescos: morph btswebmaster: I believe there are a few distinct species out there in Malaysia and many colour morphs I have seen so many of them. Rick_C_West: Don't quote me, you will have to wait for the paper, sorry. RCG: Rick, I seem to remember you studied Cyriopagopus in Malaysia a few years ago. Did you find anything good? Oldin: when are you publishing? steve: Cyriopagopus 1887, Phormingochilus 1895? Rick_C_West: Mark and I both know full well the pet trade has not even seen half of the giant arboreal/fossorial theraphosids found there Spud: Ok I Think It’s A Question on A Lot of Peoples Minds but When (If At All) Are We Gonna See P. Mettalica. I for One Love the Poceies Rick_C_West: Yes, I have found new things as have others ... thee are still research secrets though btswebmaster: Rick - true! There be monsters Rick_C_West: Both Poecilotheria miranda and P. metallica spiderlings are on the market ... metallica only in Europe at this time RCG: Go on - humour us with some details? Kate: newbie questions - which is the best journal in which to find all these theraphosidae papers? I've searched the university archives but am having touble finding things steve: Volker has a 'Cyriopagous' specimen wih a 30cm legspan. RCG: RE the Malaysian! Rick_C_West: The Cyriopagopus schioedtei types is housed in the Copenhagen museum ... Andrew has checked it out steve: carapace the size of a T.blondi's Rich: The Cyriopagopus schiodtei /thorelli is a hot topic at the moment as many hobbyist have varied opinions on the issue ] Rick_C_West: I have no idea when Andrew 'might' publish this paper tescos: I saw P.miranda spiderlings out here going for 100€ a shot Kim Oldin: Good night all, see you next Sunday!;-) RCG: Kate - most papers can be traced on Platnick's website. Take the details and go to your universities inter-library loans section and ask. btswebmaster: I have seen a male in KL that was 11 inches in old money, a female that made me look twice that was blondi size bodied, legs as thick as you little finger heteroscodra: I have seen pictures of adult females Poecilotheria metallica...they are even better then the juvenile on Rick's site...( no offence rick, the picture is GREAT ! ) steve: Andrew will want the material for his new book, no? Oldin Rick_C_West: Yes, I have Frederic Cleton's images as well ... they are truly stunning Kate: thanks RCG steve: Awesome Mark! heteroscodra: I seen the ones from Jean Michel Verdez Spud: 100 euros thats a lil steep aint it, but then again id kill for a poci mettalica Azrael: Kate try to find Robert Samms' Systematik Teil 1. Most papers are listed and then join the British Libary. You can access most papers from them. Rick_C_West: Either way, they are stunning ... the most stunning of any know theraphosid ... at this time :-) Leon: no spider is worth that much surely btswebmaster: Yes steve awesome indeed, I was told it lost a leg in the struggle to get it out of the hole in the tree. PeteKirk: Spiders are always worth whatever people are prepared to pay for them! heteroscodra: Very True rick! steve: Scary concept, an arboreal that size PeteKirk: Webmaster - the spider lost a leg, or the collector?? Rick_C_West: Human nature dictates that if you want it, you'll pay or do whatever it takes to get it!! heteroscodra: AND that temperament! steve: true PeteKirk (timeout) Azrael (timeout) btswebmaster: Pete pretty sure both, judging by the the abdomen size it looked like it ate an Orang Alsi for tea heteroscodra: There will be P. miranda spiderlings for sale at the show next week Rick_C_West: So, Pete, will we see this new 'Blue' arboreal tarantula in your book that was found in S. India? Spud: how about p.mettalica heteroscodra: Nope...not yet...at least that's what the guy who bred them told me.. Spud: damn!!! Leon: well its been a very interesting session but i have to leave for work now - thanks rick for your time PeteKirk: Ha! Andy says blue - I say slate grey! Seriously, I hope it will be included but of course the book is primarily on the Pokes, so we'll have to see. steve: Spud, you know it's gotta be nice, it's the only tattoo Rick has, and what a choice! tescos: Sjef any luck with the H.albostriatum mating? Rick_C_West: "WHEN" is the book coming out ... I ain't getting any younger :-)? Leon: thanks again - hope to see some of you at the show. bye! btswebmaster: I'll be the there Kate: I am off for a shower and then bed. Hopefully see you all at the show. I've got my train tickets booked ready :) PeteKirk: I know, I know. I'm embarrassed it's taking so long. It's scheduled for publication in April 2004. I'm as fed up up about the delay as everyone else! btswebmaster: Ok Kate, come and say hello Rick_C_West: Pete, I will expect an autographed copy from you :-) RCG: When is the show? I've not heard anything about it in the journal? HoHo!! heteroscodra: LoL! Azrael: Steady RCG. I am still here you know. btswebmaster: RCG I like it, I blame the editor Rick_C_West: If I'm dead by the time it's published, send it to my grandkids ... ha, ha .... I'm a granddad now ... where does the time go? PeteKirk: Goes without saying Rick. Would be a pleasure. tescos: keep me posted Sjef heteroscodra: I will RCG: I'll have strong words with him at the show!! Spud: Rick U have A P.Metallica tattoo that's way cool PeteKirk: Now I'm not the Editor any more, I blame the editor too. Wow, that feels good!! Rick_C_West: I've started imprinting my grandson ... he's wearing tarantula logo t-shirts ... next comes a 'pet' tarantula, next come the trips :-) Azrael: You wont have to RCG I already have. Rick_C_West: I had a mid-life crisis attack and got a 5" Poe. metallica tattoo on my back shoulder PeteKirk: Mark promised me a tarantula print baby grow once.........! heteroscodra: almost a year old and already a pet-tarantula LoL! btswebmaster: Rick he hasn’t worn a tarantula tee until he has worn one from Blackwidwo Clothing plug plug plug lol steve: train 'em young Rick, my boy is already in the field, he's 7 months, caught his first S.crassipes the other day ;) buea_boy (timeout) btswebmaster: Yes I did Peter but hav'nt you grow out of that fetish yet heteroscodra: LoLoLoLoL PeteKirk: You promised you wouldn't tell! Rick_C_West: troublew is at that early age ... they want to stuff them all in their mouth :-( btswebmaster: You know me Pete head like a sieve steve: lol, so true heteroscodra: Not very wise with a T... RCG: I'm off to pair some Ceratogyrus marshalli. Cheers for the great chat session Rick. Hope you come back for more. heteroscodra: I did see one japanese guy do it with a B. smithi... Rick_C_West: nice talking to you, Richard tescos: Rick your the same I´ve seen the photos of you eating tarantulas btswebmaster: RCG when there is more than one and less then three it’s a pair Rick_C_West: how true ... some kids never grow up steve: good call tescos heteroscodra: LoL! tescos: lol RCG: Math isn't my strong point! Deadlines neither!!! Rick_C_West: Hey, Pete. If we ever take another trip ... leave your jewellery at home ... the strip searches and doing and undoing the studs delays our time :-) Azrael: It’s been interesting but I have a show to organise. See you all at the BTS Exhibition next week. btswebmaster: spellings in my case lol steve: now I'm cracking up, do tell Pete btswebmaster: OK Ray Hale sees you Saturday OK. Kim’s says goodbye too, PS what show! PeteKirk: Too right Rick! Those steel rings keep setting off the metal detectors. Will have to replace them with plastic ones! Rick_C_West: Well, I'mm off as well. It was fun to talk to you all. Until next time. Cheers & g'night PeteKirk: The rongs are next to the rings! heteroscodra: I'm off too...got a hundred hungry spiders waiting for me:-S btswebmaster: Yes thanks Rick is been a blast! ---------- END OF CHAT WITH RICK WEST --------------- As usual most of us stayed online to chat, if you have enjoyed reading this chat session why not log in to one yourself. Open chats are on Saturday nights at 9.00pm GMT. A big thank you to Rick West for giving up his valuable time to talk to us and thank you to all those who took part as well. |