Sweet and Spicy Spoods

11/23/2025

11/21/2025

Today, about halfway through the day, i whispered to myself "I really want to be at home with my spiders right now."

That's the real moment I realized im losing my mind. 🤣🤷‍♀️🕷🕸♥️

11/21/2025

I try REALLY hard to be understanding of newbies in this hobby. We were all new to this at one point, but its bad enough that these large chain stores are selling jumpers, but then to buy a gravid female and not know how to take care of them is INFURIATING. Please PLEASE for the love of God do your research BEFORE you bring them home.

11/18/2025

By far one of the most stunning tarantula species. Raising them is so rewarding and entertaining.

Carabena versicolor

11/18/2025

I can tell already that this little guy (or girl) is going to be a fun adventure. Upon removing him from his shipping vial, he refused to go into his enclosure and promptly ran up my arm. It took quite a bit of effort to coerce him into settling down.

Brazlian blue-Lasiocyano sazimai

11/16/2025

A Desperate Plea to Petco, PetSmart, and Pet Supplies Plus

Reptile rescues are drowning.
Many, including BeWild, now have waitlists of over 100 animals — some who have been waiting for help for more than a year.

When they finally reach us, they’re often emaciated, sick, or suffering from severe neglect.
They often come to us too late to help, and we’re the ones who sit with them in their final moments.

An animal you sell for $30 can cost us over $1,000 in veterinary care.
You’re not consistently asking buyers the right questions.
You’re not consistently giving them accurate care information.
And in the end, we’re left to clean up the mess.

It isn’t fair — to your customers, to the animals, or to the rescues trying to save them.

In 2025 alone, BeWild has received nearly 500 surrender forms.
Our forms ask where each animal came from, and the majority list a chain pet store.

We’re just one rescue. There are three 501(c)(3) reptile rescues in North Carolina, and we all have waitlists. Some states have none at all. Where do you think those animals are ending up?

We believe you are creating a crisis too large for anyone to fix.
Nonprofit rescues across the country now exist almost entirely to try to stem the flood of animals your stores unleash into unprepared homes.

Many of these animals come from mass breeders and importers. Some are even taken out of the wild only to suffer in subpar captive conditions.

You don’t sell dogs and cats in your stores.
Why don’t reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and small mammals deserve the same compassion and consideration?

There are far fewer organizations able to help these animals, yet their lives are just as valuable.
Unfortunately, the few groups that do specialize in these species receive far less support.
Fundraising for a sick snake is a lot harder than fundraising for a sick puppy.

Pet stores don’t need to sell live animals to stay in business. Imagine how many animal lovers would flock to the first major chain to make that change. Many of us already buy pet food online specifically to avoid supporting stores that sell live animals.

People who truly want to keep reptiles can and will seek out rescues and responsible, ethical breeders.

If you want to see chain pet stores stop selling live animals:

- Share this post.
- Comment on their pages.
- Email and call their corporate offices.
- And above all, do not buy animals from chain pet stores.

This cycle of suffering will never end until we stop paying them to continue it.

11/16/2025

11/15/2025

Avicularia Pucallpa "Mardi Gras" sling. Ohhh, how i love the avic species. 😍🥰

11/14/2025

10 months or so ago, I picked up 3 curly hair tarantula slings so ridiculously cheap, I couldn't pass it up. Watching them grow this past year has been amazing. They each have their own preferences, quirks, and personality. I could hardly distinguish them as curly hairs as slings, and now we are full of floof.

11/13/2025

A rare sighting of my C. Elegans. It hides out in its tunnels most of the time. I scared the poor thing by trying to take pictures