When it comes to guides on tarantulas, I am always looking for new ones to add to my library. Unfortunately, there are a lot of AI-produced titles on Amazon, most of which are not worth the paper they are printed on. “Tarantula Spiders as Pets: The Ultimate Owner’s Guide” by Lolly Brown is one such book.

Thankfully, I did not buy this book. I inherited a copy of this book when I adopted a tarantula from someone who couldn’t keep it any longer. I will say that getting a book for free was exciting, but based on the cover alone, I knew it was going to be disappointing.

The first indication that this book was “written” by a non-tarantula keeper is the constant use of words like “dangerous” and “deadly.” This stereotype, often based on what people see in horror movies, is an unhealthy and inaccurate description of tarantulas. Sure, some may be more aggressive than others, but if you know what you’re doing, they are no more “dangerous” than keeping a cat or dog.

Lolly Brown has obviously never kept a tarantula, as they also recommend the use of light fixtures and bulbs, something that benefits the tarantula in no way at all. Also, if you search the author’s name on Amazon, you will find they have at least 14 pet guides, varying from cats to macaws to barking spiders. Could someone honestly be so knowledgeable on so many types of exotic animals? Possibly. This book indicates otherwise.

Next up are the pictures throughout the book. They are all credited, but none are taken by her. They come from places like Wikipedia and Pixabay. I’m surprised she didn’t use Google Images as well! Cited references for the book are twelve pages, listing again, Wikipedia, as well as many other sources, just as AI would list sources for any article it writes.

Unfortunately, these books prey on the beginner tarantula keeper. The worst part is that a newbie will read this, thinking the information is tried and true and 100% accurate. This could lead to the death of your new pet, something that nobody wants.

My recommendation is this. When researching tarantula guides, read the reviews. These AI-generated books often start with a handful of 5-star reviews, often without saying “Verified Purchase.” Because I have published books before, I know that you can pay for positive reviews for your books, and it’s not expensive. Pay attention to the 1-star reviews. Those are usually the ones that have been verified, and they are often by people who have had some experience and know garbage when they see it. Why waste your money when there are actually good books to be found?