Tarantulas Spiders Profile (With Facts and Pictures)


Tarantula spiders

Tarantulas are a species of big, hairy spiders in the Theraphosidae species (actually, spiders have setae, not real hairs. There are now about 1,010 species recognised.   

Even though several other species of the same infraorder are often called “tarantulas” or “false tarantulas,” the word “tarantula” is typically reserved for members of the family Theraphosidae.

Tarantulas Spiders Appearance and Characteristics

The Tarantula spider is an arthropod species belonging to the spider species that is characterized by its enormous size and ability to live in both natural and artificial environments.

 Owning tarantulas at home has become incredibly common among exotic animal enthusiasts as a result of this. 

This species can be found on every continent in the world. The sole exception will be Antarctica, where only a few types of creatures can endure the harsh climatic conditions. 

tarantula spider picture
Image of a Tarantula spider on a rock.

In many regions of Europe, spiders are quite scarce. It can, however, live and reproduce even in arid environments.

The animal possesses villi that look like woolen covers on each pair of legs. Its diameter ranges between 8 and 30 cm. Single bodies can reach a diameter of up to 15 cm. Adults spiders may hunt frogs, and some are huge.

Tarantulas can be dark brown, blue, purple, as well as black in color, depending on the species. The sort of animal affects activity and the environment as well. 

The majority of their time is spent in the tops or trunks of trees. Burrowing spiders, often known as earthen spiders, burrow into the soil. If the Tarantula is starving, it will show signs of activity.

Even a hungry spider moves quickly and abruptly, whereas a well-fed spider is almost immobile and may not leave its nest for months. Female tarantulas are more likely to have this characteristic.

A variety of variables determines the lifespan of a spider. Females typically live for 25 to 30 years. Males generally die after the first mating, although they can live for two to five years in certain circumstances.

Although the Tarantula does not represent a life-threatening threat to people, its bite is toxic. When bitten, any spider of this species releases poison, which can induce itching, extreme discomfort, swelling, and skin hyperemia in those who are sensitive to spiders. A person may suffer cramps in the limbs or throughout the body in some situations.

Housing the Tarantula

It is important to provide the spider with a proper living habitat. To do so, you’ll need a specific container, such as in aquariums or a terrarium. Smaller Tarantulas will benefit from the first and second selections.

 It is preferable to maintain a huge spider in a terrarium so that it does not escape due to a lack of room.

A pet store can sell you custom-made aquariums or boxes. Some of the components will aid in filling the aquarium and creating a welcoming atmosphere for the pet. A big terrarium is not advised because live insects that are used to feed the Tarantula would hide, and leave the Tarantula hungry.

When purchasing, it is vital to understand which type of species the spider is a part of to populate the terrarium with the things needed. 

A natural tree limb should be placed in the aquarium if the species is woody or semi-woody. Packing the terrarium with soil, sand, and sawdust would be ideal if the container was to be buried or burrowed.

All Tarantulas should have access to a particular ornamental shelter where they may hide and relax. It’s available at a pet store.

It is critical to secure the box with a pre-drilled lid at all times. If this isn’t done, the pet will rapidly flee the environment, making it very hard to locate it.

 To prevent the animal from dying, the container must be kept at the proper temperature and humidity. During wintertime, the pet’s home must be heated with special lights to maintain a temperature of at least +25 ° C. A humidity level of 70-90 percent is good. 

It may be kept clean by spraying the container with water from a spray bottle on a regular basis.

Tarantulas Spiders Care and Food

You may offer personalised water tanks or crates in a pet store. Many of the parts help the aquarium to be filled and the pet’s environment to be welcoming. 

A large terrarium is not recommended since live insects used to feed the Tarantula are hiding and starving the Tarantula.

When buying, it is important to understand which kind the spider is a member of, and which will be necessary for the aquarium. If the species of the spider is woody or semi-woody, the limb of a true tree must be set in the tank. 

Feed your pet at least twice a week. Efforts to feed a pet can go horribly wrong. Because Tarantulas are predators, they must only eat live prey. 

Flies, worms, and crickets are excellent sources of food for the animal. It has to be the same size as it is. If the person is little, the food must be small as well. Large insects are best for adults.

A small amount of raw fish or meat, according to some zoologists, should be fed to the animal. However, such a diet is not suggested all of the time. 

Other food trials are also discouraged since they might harm the spider’s health and eventually lead to death.

It’s critical to keep the terrarium clean. This should be done using specialized tweezers and equipment available at a pet store. To prevent the spider from becoming aggressive, do not enter its personal space with your hands. 

Cleaning regularity should be established on an individual basis, considering the level of contamination of the aquarium or terrarium with waste products and food debris.

Tarantulas Spiders Reproduction

In artificial settings the arthropod generally reproduces successfully. A man is connected to the female for reproduction and suitable circumstances are produced for maturing. 

To accelerate the breeding process, the terrarium must be moist and heated. 

The male must be taken from it after fertilisation of the female. In artificial circumstances, the mother itself can kill the spiders, because many individuals cannot survive in an insufficient area. 

That’s why you must never try to breed Tarantulas alone.

Because of their huge, hairy body and legs, tarantulas give some individuals a creep. 

However, these spiders (save a painful bite) are safe to people and their gentle poison is lesser than a normal bite. 

These spiders are becoming famous animals among arachnid aficionados. These spiders are becoming famous animals among arachnid aficionados. 

Tarantulas Spiders Molting

 

Molting Tarantulas regularly release its exterior skeletons. In the act, internal organs, including female genitals and stomach linings, are replaced, and even missing appendages regenerate.

Tarantulas Spiders Habitat

Dozens and dozens of tarantula species can be found in most tropics and subtropics, as well as arid parts of the world. 

They differ in color and behavior depending on their surroundings. Tarantulas, on the other hand, are burrowers who dwell in the earth.

Tarantulas Spiders Hunting Traits

Tarantulas move slowly and deliberately, yet they are skilled nocturnal hunters. Their primary food is insects, although they sometimes feed on larger animals such as frogs, toads, and mice. 

The South American bird-eating spider may even feed on tiny birds, as its name indicates.

A Tarantula does not use a spun web trap to snare or catch food. These spiders capture their prey with their legs, inject a poison that paralyzes them, and then kill them with their teeth. 

They also release enzymes to liquefy the corpses of their prey so that they may suck them up via their straw-like mouth holes. The Tarantula may go for a month without eating after a heavy meal.

Tarantulas Spiders Natural Threats

There are very few natural adversaries for tarantulas; however, parasitic Pepsis wasps are a dangerous exception. With its bite, this wasp will immobilize a Tarantula and place its eggs on the body of the Tarantula. This Wasp larvae feast aggressively on the still-living spider after the eggs hatch.

Purchasing Your Tarantula

Only in major cities and specialist pet stores can you purchase a pet. When making a decision, there are a few things to consider. This will assist you in avoiding unneeded waste and frustration. The spider should fulfil the following requirements:

When handled, the spider should be alert. If the spider is motionless and does not react to sound or touch, it is most probably suffering from a disease. 

Request that the vendor raise the Tarantula’s belly. It should be wrinkle-free, with no scrapes, microcracks, or open sores. Such flaws frequently signify a person’s sickness or impending death. 

The hairs on the spider’s body and paws and the characteristics of their development will be another essential factor. A different spider should be selected if the covering is uneven.

It’s also crucial to pick a tiny spider. Adults are very indistinguishable from one another, making determining their age nearly difficult. 

They can sell an adult spider that will not survive long under the pretext of a baby Tarantula. Because males live a short time, it is preferable to pick just the female.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Before you begin keeping such a pet at home, you must learn about all of its benefits and drawbacks. Despite popular perception, there are numerous advantages to having a spider at home:

  •  The arthropod does not need a large tank; a modest aquarium 30 cm length would suffice. The Tarantula will be an excellent choice for anyone who lives in a small house or apartment yet needs a pet.
  • The animal has a low level of activity and does not produce any noise. It is the most suitable option for individuals who want serenity for their well-being.
  • Spider maintenance is decreased to 1-2 weekly feedings and cleaning the living area as required. Allow 10-15 minutes to neat and organize everything.
  •  Food will not be expensive for the owners because the spider refuses to eat for a long time during the molting season.
  • There is no need to exercise a pet each day, which is an undeniable benefit for individuals who spend the majority of their time at work.

The animal also has drawbacks that may prove to be a deterrent to many individuals. The spider is venomous and generally aggressive, which is the primary drawback. As a result, keeping it in a residence with children is not suggested. 

People with arachnophobia, or a pathological fear of spiders, should avoid the Tarantula. However, there have been instances where this kind has been used to treat a mental illness.

A Tarantula spider is not suited for people who want to brush their pets, carry them in their arms, and stroll with them. 

This approach is unlikely to be appreciated by the creature, which will almost certainly result in bites as well as the development of an allergic response. Spiders are harmless for those who aren’t embarrassed by such subtleties.

Amazing Facts about the Tarantula

There are over 900 species of tarantulas in the Theraphosidae group.

The notoriety of the Tarantula is founded on folklore rather than fact, as just a few species have a strong bite. The majority of their venom is not very harmful to humans. 

Tarantulas are really calm and harmless, attacking only if provoked, and their bites are often no more dangerous to people than a bee sting.

Rather than the more frequent side-to-side action seen in other spiders, the jaws of the Tarantula appear to move, up and down. 

They also have eight microscopic eyes that can detect even the tiniest movement, as well as hairs that cover their bodies and are very sensitive to vibrations.

  • Although they are not given the credit, many species can climb up leaves with adhesive ‘hair-brushes’ on their legs. These brushes allow them to go as high and smooth a leaf that any other animal could ever dream of reaching.
  • Tarantulas can smell a mate from a mile away, and will follow the trail to find them. The female leaves behind an irresistible scent that makes males hop on their webs in order to catch her.
  • The silken trails of tarantula females are like breadcrumbs for hungry spiders looking for love: they emit pheromones which make male spiders want to eat every last one until there’s none left!
  • During a rainstorm, it’s common to find male spiders looking for mates. In many species of spider, males do an intricate dance in order to convince the female that they are worth mating with.

Certain species have sticky ‘hair-brushes’ on the tips of their legs. This enables these species to be able to climb even very smooth leaves vertically.  

Though mating occurs at different times of the year, heavy rains in the desert parts of south-western Mexico prompt a large number of male spiders to roam around looking for a prospective partner. 

The male engages in a jerky courting dance to entice the female to open up in certain species.

The female holds her eggs in a silky wrap connected to her body after mating. The transformation of a freshly born spider into an adult spider might take up to 10 years. 

The Tarantula does not weave a web; instead, it bites its prey with large, curved teeth and injects a poison into it, rendering the victim powerless over time. 

It will then smash its prey between its strong teeth while releasing a fluid that will dissolve the tissues of the prey. This transforms the prey into a mushy pulp that may be consumed.

The Tarantula’s most dangerous foe is the “spider-hunting wasp”. While being considerably smaller than that of the Tarantula, it penetrates into the spider’s burrow and uses its sting to immobilize it. 

The spider is then dragged back to its burrow, where it is kept to provide a new source of food for its young.

Tarantulas have a variety of defense mechanisms. In a frightening show, certain species merely lie back on their haunches, elevating their head and legs and showing their curved teeth. 

Some Tarantulas scrape the tiny hairs from the top of their abdomen using their legs. 

Each hair is coated with microscopic points that are both unpleasant and deadly when launched at an adversary, particularly if they come into contact with the skin or the eyes.  

These strategies are employed to protect the Tarantula from a range of predators, including raccoons and skunks. 

Eddie Mcfarren

Eddie Mcfarren is an avid Pet blogger who is passionate about pet welfare and everything to do with animals. His passion for writing does not intend to provide veterinary advice. However, when he writes about pets, he will go to great lengths to help users better understand their dogs. His pet dog Tess helps him in understanding a great deal of care and living with pets at home. On a serious note, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Only competently trained Vets can offer qualified advice about your pet's ailments. Therefore, make sure to seek advice from your local veterinarian officer near you!

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