Tarantulas

We’re going to take a look at 20 questions you may not have thought about when it comes to tarantulas.

What are tarantulas?

Tarantulas are large spiders that are primarily found in tropical regions. The word “tarantula” is derived from the name of the town of Taranto in Southern Italy, where the spiders were first observed.

Where is the tarantula found?

  • Tropical and subtropical forests, moist savannas, rocky hillsides from sea level to mountains.
  • Deserts or dry scrublands. The tarantula can be found on open ground as well as forest floors under logs and stones. In more hostile areas such as deserts, they can burrow into the ground.
  • Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands. The tarantula is usually found in or around fallen logs and dead trees because that’s where its prey collects.
  • They are also found on tree trunks near riverbanks which makes them vulnerable to flooding.
  • Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests. The tarantula can survive in these habitats because they spend most of their time hiding underground or on the bark of trees where it is cooler and moister than the forest floor, which helps regulate its body temperature and provides a suitable microhabitat for moulting.

Tarantulas

How many species of tarantula are there?

There are at least 1,100 species.

Do tarantulas bite humans often?

No, but if provoked, they will defend themselves with their fangs and claws.

They have many natural defences, including urticating hairs on their abdomen that can irritate any predator. Additionally, tarantulas can release strong-smelling chemicals if provoked for protection.

Other defences include shooting web at the aggressor or causing tumbling falls with their hind legs. Still, they are unlikely to directly harm humans unless the person is predisposed to an allergic reaction upon contact with some parts of the big spiders body – only about 15% of the population is estimated as being sensitive enough for this potential reaction to having serious consequences.

Tarantulas

Tarantulas are usually solitary creatures that prefer to be left alone, so bites are very uncommon. While they have fangs and venom, these features aren’t used in hunting or capturing prey – they’re only for defence against larger animals like coyotes, who might consider it a meal…

Are tarantulas harmful to humans?

Some people have reported being bitten by the spider and having no reaction to it whatsoever. In contrast, others report mild irritation or pain at the bite site for anywhere from several hours up to a couple of weeks.

There have been no known cases of a bite causing any long term health problems in humans. Even in the worst-case scenario, symptoms are likely to be minimal. Still, it’s essential to keep in mind that you should never try to touch or handle any wild animal unless you know 100% for sure that they aren’t venomous.

Tarantulas

Are tarantulas friendly?

Some species will exhibit defensive behaviours, but others are more docile and can be handled with relative ease. The vast majority of the spiders found in the pet trade fall into this category. They have been bred in captivity for long enough that generations after generation has resulted in a largely tame and unaggressive species.

What is the calmest tarantula?

The answer will vary from person to person. Still, a few species seem to be more docile than others – namely Grammostola rosea (Chilean Rose Hair) and Brachypelma albopilosum (Curly Hair).

Chilean rose haired tarantula
Chilean rose-haired tarantula

What is a good first-time tarantula?

Reaching this decision will likely come down to personal preference. Still, some species seem like they’d be more appealing than others, such as Grammostola rosea (Chilean Rose Hair) and Brachypelma albopilosum (Curly Hair).

Honduran curly hair tarantula at stratford butterfly farm
Honduran curly hair tarantula at stratford butterfly farm. Image credit: https://www. Flickr. Com/photos/wwarby/16615144438/in/photolist-rjdxzy-rjdwt5-5kc8ei-qzvpzb

How do you handle a tarantula?

Make sure to use tools like tongs when handling them – they are fragile creatures, and it would be all too easy for one of their legs or fangs to get broken off in the process if you were using your bare hands. Also, try to avoid touching their abdomen, as this area contains glandular sacs.

It can be challenging to clean themselves. If you need to touch the abdomen to move the spider from one place to another, gently wipe your hand across its back so that any hairs or debris fall off into your hand instead of sticking around on its abdomen.

What do you feed a tarantula?

A good rule of thumb is to try and mimic what they would eat in the wild as much as possible – so fruit flies, crickets, earthworms, etc., are all perfectly fine for them to munch on. It doesn’t hurt to supplement their diet with some high-quality tarantula food once in a while, but it’s definitely not required.

Tarantulas

Tarantulas eat crickets, mealworms, wax worms, small roaches, and large roaches. You can buy live food from your local pet store or online, so it arrives fresh and ready to feed your pet! Make sure to gut load the insects with nutritious foods before feeding.

Can tarantulas swim?

If they accidentally fall into the water, you most likely won’t need to worry about them drowning unless the container is too deep for them to climb out of – otherwise, all that will happen is they’ll climb back out and go on their merry way.

How can you tell if a tarantula is male or female?

The easiest way to determine the sex of your pet is by looking at its abdomen – males have two bulbous projections (the epygium) where he will store sperm while females lack these structures. Females also have what looks like a small flange/plate beneath their abdomen where the epygium attaches.

Are Tarantulas Related to the spider?

Tarantulas are arachnids, which means that they’re closely related to spiders and scorpions.

If you’re thinking of getting this spider as a pet, please do your research before making any purchases and think very carefully about whether or not this might end up being an appropriate choice for your household – it’s essential to keep in mind that these creatures require specialized care and housing which might not be compatible with ‘typical’ family life.

Tarantulas

Are tarantulas venomous?

Yes, tarantulas are venomous, and yes, they can definitely pose a threat to humans – but only if you provoke them or otherwise handle them in an unsafe way/without caution. If you’re careful about how you go about handling your pet, there is no reason to be concerned.

Can I keep a tarantula as a pet?

Yes, you can. To make sure that your pet spider has a happy and healthy life, make sure to research the species and the best way to take care of it before getting one. There are many different species of tarantulas that have additional requirements for their tanks or enclosures.

Some of these large spiders live in burrows in the ground, while others do not. When keeping a tarantula as a pet, it is essential to keep them away from children because they may be frightened by the appearance of a spider.

Tarantulas

What should I keep a pet tarantula in

A tarantula can be kept in a tank, enclosure, or terrarium. Be sure to add a place for the tarantula to hide and climb. These spiders need a humid environment with a substrate that is safe for them to walk on. The substrate should be at least an inch deep and not contain pebbles or other rough materials on which they could injure themselves.

The proper enclosure for a pet arachnid is secure and has plenty of room. You want to make sure there are no sharp or rough surfaces in the enclosure, and the substrate should stay damp but not wet. The idea is to create a naturalistic environment so your tarantula can feel comfortable and at home.

Where can I buy a pet tarantula?

Finding pet tarantulas at an exotic pet store, online or even in some large chain stores is possible. However, you want to be careful when it comes to purchasing one. There are several different species of tarantula, and they come with different needs. If you’re unsure what kind to get, the best idea is to go into an exotic pet store and talk to an employee about which type would best suit your needs.

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What are the best types of tarantulas for pets?

There are many types of tarantulas for pets. There are also many different breeds within the species. Each variety has its own differences based on habitat, size, colouration, and other factors.

The best kind of tarantula to get would be the one that you like best. If you are looking for a tarantula that is easy to care for, then the Chilean Rose Hair Tarantulas would be great. They have minimal hair on their bodies, so they don’t require as much maintenance. Some of these tarantulas can live up to 20 years if given proper care!

Tarantulas

Does this mean I should just get a bunch of tarantulas and keep them as pets?

No, that is not a good idea. You should only get one pet tarantula, and you need to take very good care of it. If you are looking for some variety or just want more than one tarantula, other species would be better for you. Some of these include the Mexican Redknee and Brazilian Black tarantulas!

What are some tarantula predators?

Some tarantula predators are human beings, racoons, birds, large fish, and other tarantulas.

Further reading

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