Everything You Should Know About Tarantulas

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Tarantulas are fascinating creatures that bring a sense of curiosity to most people. Well, if you can be intrigued, then this guide will teach you everything you should know about Tarantulas, which will help you understand them better. Let us take a look.

What are Tarantulas?

Tarantulas are the biggest spiders in the world. They originate from a variety of regions, including Africa, South America, and Europe. They are known by different names in different parts of the world- baboon spiders in Africa and hairy spiders in South America.

Tarantulas

Pet tarantulas are a great option for those who are interested in arachnids! A few types of tarantulas are Mexican Tarantulas, Pumpkin Patch Tarantulas, Mexican Red Knee Tarantulas, curly hair tarantulas, hair tarantulas, skeleton tarantulas, etc.

However, don’t let the myths about these creatures deceive you! The vast majority of tarantulas are quite docile and would much rather mind their own business than attack humans. In fact, if you don’t bother them, they’re likely not to bother you either.

Everything you should know about Tarantulas

Tarantulas are fascinating creatures that one should learn all about before deciding whether to bring them home as pets or not. So certain mandatory things you should know about Tarantulas are –

Appearance

Tarantulas are hairy, big spiders with eight legs. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, which is part of what makes them so popular as exotic pets.

Some people are also fascinated by their strong exoskeletons, which are easier to see on tarantulas than on other types of spiders.

Tarantulas have eight legs (no hands, obviously) and a very strong exoskeleton that is easier to see than on smaller spiders.

Habitat

These creatures are burrowers that live underground. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including deserts, rain forests, and even suburban yards.

Feeding

When feeding tarantulas, it is important to remember that they are not like most other pets. For one, they eat live prey- usually crickets or mealworms. Second, they have a unique way of eating their food.

Tarantulas will slowly rotate their bodies until the prey is within reach of their jaws or chelicerae. They will then lunge at the prey and hold it within their jaws or chelicerae while slowly dissolving the food.

Once the tarantula has digested every part that is edible, they will leave behind indigestible parts of food (food bolus).

In order to feed their tarantulas, many owners will offer crawling insects like crickets or mealworms. The insects are placed on a small plate and rotated around so that the tarantula can crawl over them and eat them. Some owners will also place the insects directly on the tarantula’s body.

Care

Gooty Sapphire Ornamental Tarantula

When it comes to tarantulas, handling them is not recommended. Tarantulas can bite, and their venom can be dangerous, so it is best to leave handling them to the experts. If you are interested in owning a tarantula as a pet, there are a few things you should know first.

When caring for tarantulas, it is important to be aware of their habits and needs. Tarantulas may bite or run and fall, causing serious injury. They may also stop eating for up to two weeks before a molt.

Tankmates

Tarantulas should not be housed with other invertebrate species as they may prey on them.

Tarantulas can live in groups if the habitat is large enough and all are well fed.

It is important to provide a lot of space for them to roam around in and make sure there are plenty of food options available.

Molting

Molting is a process that all tarantulas go through in order to grow. In the process, they also replace internal organs, such as female genitalia and stomach lining, and even regrow lost appendages. Molting is a very dangerous time for tarantulas as they are vulnerable to predators and infection.

Hunting

Tarantulas are slow and deliberate movers, using their appendages to capture prey. Once they have immobilized their prey with venom, they dispatch them with their fangs.

Tarantulas are predatory animals that primarily hunt insects. They inject paralyzing venom and dispatch their victims with their fangs. After a large meal, the tarantula may not need to eat for a month.

Natural Threats

Tarantulas have relatively few natural enemies, as they are venomous and can bite predators. The main predators of tarantulas are snakes, birds of prey, and other spiders.

Reproduction

The male tarantula begins its mating ritual by spinning a web and depositing sperm on its surface. He copulates with his pedipalps (short, leglike appendages near the mouth) and then flees if he can—females are known to consume their partners.

When 500 to 1,000 tarantulas hatch, females encapsulate both eggs and sperm in a cocoon and defend it for six to nine weeks.

Common Health Problems

There are certain common health issues that tarantulas face when kept in captivity. The oral nematode is a parasitic infection that captive tarantulas can acquire. It is caused by a small worm that lives in the mouth and throat of the tarantula.

Symptoms include weight loss, lethargy, and difficulty eating. There is no cure for oral nematodes, but they can be treated with medication.

Molting is a process that all tarantulas go through in order to grow. It can be stressful for the spiders, so they should not be handled during this time and should not be fed.

Are Tarantulas Good Pets?

brazilian mexican eat best

There are a variety of tarantulas that make good pets for beginners. These animals are generally easy to care for, and most can be handled without any problems. However, it is important to do your research before you decide to buy a tarantula, as some species can be quite aggressive.

On the other hand, Tarantulas make good pets for a variety of reasons. They are cheap to buy and do not require a large tank. Additionally, males live for about four years, while females can live for over 20 years if well taken care of.

Though tarantulas have a bit of a stigma attached to them, they can still make great pets. They’re docile, low-maintenance, and interesting to watch. As long as you’re comfortable with their appearance and you do your research on the specific species you’re considering, there’s no reason not to add a tarantula to your family!

Advantages of Tarantula as a Pet

So, here are some evident advantages of keeping tarantulas as pets:

A Very Budget Friendly Diet

Tarantulas do not require expensive food to survive. In fact, they can survive for weeks or months without food. This makes them a very budget-friendly pet option. They will eat a variety of things, including insects, small lizards, and rodents.

Tarantulas are a unique and fascinating type of spider. They have a slow metabolism and are rarely hungry, so you don’t need to worry about feeding them often. You can feed them house insects, protein-filled Roaches, or any small insect you find in your backyard.

Require Very Low Maintenance

Pet tarantula is a great idea for those who are looking for low-maintenance pets. They don’t require a lot of attention and can be left alone for extended periods of time without any issues.

Furthermore, tarantulas are low-maintenance pets that eat insects, helping to control pests. They can be kept in a variety of habitats and climates, making them a popular choice for pet owners.

Disadvantages of Tarantula as a Pet

There are, however, a few cons to having a tarantula as a pet. Some of them are:

Not Such A Bonding Relationship

Tarantulas are not a developed species and do not bond well with people. They often have a bad reputation for being aggressive and dangerous, but in reality, they are quite docile and make great pets for the right person.

However, it is necessary to remember that they require a lot of care and attention, so this may not be the right pet for everyone.

Risk Of Being Poisoned

Tarantulas are predators and have poison in their fangs. This means that they can inflict a painful bite if threatened or mishandled. While the poison is not typically deadly to humans, it can still be quite unpleasant and cause significant discomfort.

Tarantulas are generally docile creatures and don’t pose a huge threat to humans. However, if you agitate them or invade their space, they will lash out at you and might poison you with their venom. It is important to be aware of this risk before considering owning a tarantula as a pet.

Even though they are not venomous and pose no real danger to humans, some people might have an allergic reaction to their hair, which can cause skin irritation or even asthma attacks.

How Can I Tell a Female Tarantula Apart From a Male?

spiders eating desert

Females and men have a number of distinctions. The most evident distinction is that females are often bigger and have a larger abdomen than males. Males also have substantially longer legs and smaller bodies than females.

Before becoming sexually mature, a sexually immature tarantula will go through multiple molts.

Unique Characteristics of the Male Tarantula’s Legs

Male tarantulas have unique characteristics that differentiate them from females. One of these is their pedipalps, which are the appendages of an arachnid right in front of the first pair of legs.

At the very end of their pedipalps are large round bulb-like structures. These structures are used for mating and can be quite intimidating to other creatures.

They have two little claws or spurs on each front leg. These spurs are used specifically for mating. The male will hook them onto the female’s front pair of legs and use them for balance during the process.

Do Tarantulas bite?

cooter turtles unexpected

Tarantulas are generally docile and non-aggressive, but they can bite if threatened. It is important to remember that all tarantulas have venom, so even a small bite could potentially be harmful.

Some people are scared of tarantulas because they think that they might bite. The fact is, however, that only a small percentage of people are allergic to their venom and might have more serious reactions. For the majority of people, tarantulas are docile creatures and make great pets.

Summary

There are a number of pros to keeping a tarantula as a pet. They are generally low-maintenance, easy to care for, and don’t require a lot of space. Additionally, they can be quite fascinating creatures to watch and can provide hours of entertainment.

While tarantulas make interesting pets, there are a few things to consider before taking one on. First, tarantulas can be aggressive and bite when they feel threatened. Second, they require a lot of space; an aquarium is not large enough to house a tarantula. Finally, they live for a very long time- up to 25 years!

Hopefully, this expert guide will help you make an informed choice.

About the author

A biotechnologist by profession and a passionate pest researcher. I have been one of those people who used to run away from cockroaches and rats due to their pesky features, but then we all get that turn in life when we have to face something.