Detailed description and characteristics of the tarantula spider

Tarantula spiders are increasingly winning the hearts of people and are overtaking fish in popularity as pets. In total, there are more than seven hundred species and this list is updated every year, but there are species that have gained the most popularity in keeping. Such spiders have beautiful colors, interesting behavior and great fertility, and as a result have become widespread among those who like to keep exotic animals at home. So, let's start our top:

Tarantula spider - description, characteristics, structure

The tarantula spider has an exotic appearance: long, hairy limbs and a striking, rich color, more intense after each new moult. The body of all tarantula spiders consists of a cephalothorax and abdomen connected by a small bridge, covered with a dense exoskeleton made of chitin. This shell reliably protects the spider from various mechanical damage and also reduces moisture loss, which is very important for species living in arid regions. The cephalothorax is covered with a solid carapace, on the front of which there are 4 pairs of eyes.

Photo by: NTO

The digestive and reproductive organs are located in the abdomen, at the end of which there are arachnoid appendages, represented by 2-6 pairs.

The tarantula spider has 6 pairs of limbs, four of which are legs, one pair each of chelicerae, used for digging holes, protection, hunting or dragging caught prey, and pedipalps - they perform a tactile function. The chelicerae, which have small venom glands, are directed forward.

Photo by: Austin S.

Tarantula spiders, like most representatives of the order, distinguish sounds and smells with the help of the finest sensitive hairs located on their legs.

The size of tarantula spiders depends on the species and usually varies from 2.5-3 cm to 10 cm. But the overall size of individuals is usually determined taking into account the span of the legs, which can reach 28 centimeters. Some spiders weigh 65-85 grams, and large representatives of species living in Brazil and Venezuela often weigh 150 grams or more, for example, a male goliath tarantula (Theraphosa blondi) weighs 170 grams.

Photo by: Azarus

Defense Mechanisms

The spider has three lines of self-defense. When it rubs its paws on its stomach, a cloud of tiny jagged hairs appears on them, which enter the eyes and mucous membranes of the victim and cause severe pain and itching that does not stop for several days. The spider also has long fangs that are strong enough to pierce the skull of a mouse. It can also “hiss.” This sound occurs when he rubs his paws together, and is similar to the sound of Velcro that you try to pull apart.

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Poisonous tarantula spider can be dangerous to humans

All tarantula spiders are poisonous to some extent. Although tarantula venom is not fatal to adults, it can be fatal to small animals such as cats. The tarantula can also be deadly to children and people who are allergic to spider venom.

Spiders do not use venom every time; “dry” bites without injection of venom are often observed. With a poisonous bite of a tarantula, acute pain occurs, body temperature rises, and convulsive and delirious states are possible.

Photo by: Mr Kiss

The body of tarantulas is strewn with poisonous hairs, which spiders weave around the web to protect the nest, and also comb from the abdomen in case of stress or for self-defense.

A bald spot where the hairs of a tarantula spider were combed from the abdomen. Photo by: Jim Bell

With tactile contact with poisonous hairs, as well as with their accidental inhalation, an allergic reaction may develop, which is expressed in severe burning, suffocation and weakness.

Should you be afraid of tarantulas?

The bite of this large spider is fatal to small rodents. There are cases where domestic cats have died from a tarantula bite. It is logical to assume that they can cause significant damage to the child’s health.

Females are especially aggressive in the active phase of motherhood. But sometimes it is also impossible to predict the spider’s reaction to completely harmless and familiar actions. Therefore, it is not recommended to take it with your hands. Before a tarantula , you need to buy not only a terrarium, but also long tweezers for various manipulations with the spider.

The toxicity of tarantula venom depends on its variety. For an adult, a tarantula bite is no more dangerous than a wasp sting. The same burning pain and slight swelling. But in particularly difficult cases, the consequences of toxic poisoning can manifest themselves in the form of loss of consciousness, fever, vomiting and even delirium.

In addition to bites, the fibers that cover the spider’s body pose a potential threat. With its paws, a stressed tarantula , clearly demonstrating how this happens. When toxins come into contact with the skin, they can cause burns and allergic reactions. Contact of the villi with the eyes causes an active burning sensation that does not go away for several hours and sometimes days.

Sometimes this even caused vision impairment forever. If a potential threat to health does not frighten the future owner, and the exotic appearance of the tarantula does not alarm, then you can safely get such a pet.

Where do tarantula spiders live in nature?

Tarantula spiders are distributed throughout the globe, with the exception of Antarctica. They live in African countries, South America, Australia, Oceania, and are also found in Europe, but rarely. The European habitat is limited to southern Italy, Spain and Portugal.

In the wild, some tarantulas live in trees and bushes, others prefer shelters at ground level, and others are burrowing animals. Moreover, during development, the lifestyle can change radically: larvae living in burrows spend most of their time on the ground as they age. Some tarantulas prefer tropical and equatorial forests; drought-resistant species live in semi-deserts.

Burrowing tarantulas live in self-dug underground burrows, strengthening their shelters with cobwebs. Arboreal tarantulas construct special tubes from webs.

Regardless of their lifestyle, all these spiders are rather sedentary and make body movements only in cases of urgent need. Well-fed female tarantulas may not crawl out of their hiding places for several months.

Reviews from tarantula owners

The tarantula spider cannot be raised, trained or tamed in the sense of such words that are familiar to owners of exotics . Even a very calm tarantula may well bite its owner if it suddenly senses danger.

This is interesting! Experienced spider keepers recommend performing all manipulations related to maintaining the terrarium using special, fairly long tweezers.

As the owners note, tarantulas, which were surrounded by attention in childhood and were often picked up, are most relaxed about their surroundings and their owner.

What does a tarantula spider eat?

Tarantulas do not build trapping nets, but watch for prey from a hiding place. Despite their name, these spiders are not able to regularly digest meat or poultry, so their diet consists largely of insects: small spiders, cockroaches, flies, crickets, locusts, and bell mosquitoes. The adult tarantula eats chicks, frogs, toads, small rodents (mice), small snakes and fish.

Photo by: Tony Wilson

Description

In many countries, tarantula spiders are gaining popularity every day. There are a number of reasons for this.

1. All spiders of this species have a beautiful color.
2. Keeping a tarantula spider at home is not too expensive and quite simple.
3. The tarantula spider looks very extravagant as a pet. And if traditional pets have become commonplace, then the spider will certainly arouse the interest of your guests.

The tarantula spider is a predator, but in nature these arthropods do not hunt large prey. Basically, these spiders feed on small insects, smaller spiders, as well as small rodents, small birds, fish, and maggots. The difference between this type of animal and others is that tarantula spiders do not use web traps for their prey; they wait and attack their prey from ambush and at a short distance.

Tarantula spiders, types, photos and names

Currently, the family of tarantula spiders is divided into 13 subfamilies, including many species. Descriptions of some tarantula spiders are given below:

• Brazilian black and white tarantula spider (Acanthoscurria brocklehursti)

It has a rather aggressive, unpredictable character, bright coloring and intensive growth. The body size is from 7 to 9 cm. The spider's leg span is from 18 to 23 cm. The black and white tarantula lives in Brazil, hides between the roots of trees or between stones, and can also dig holes, although it can often be seen outside of any shelter. The lifespan of females is 15 years. A comfortable temperature for keeping this spider is from 25 to 27 degrees Celsius, air humidity is 70-80%.

• Smith's brachypelma , also known as the Mexican red-knee tarantula spider (Brachypelma smithi)

a species of spider native to Mexico and the southern United States. These are large spiders with a body length of up to 7-8 cm and a leg span of up to 17 cm. The main color of the body of a tarantula spider is dark brown or almost black, individual areas on the legs are covered with orange and red spots, sometimes with a white or yellow border. The body is densely covered with light pink (sometimes brown) hairs. Representatives of the species are especially calm and non-aggressive, and have low toxicity of poison. Females live up to 25-30 years, the life expectancy of males is about 4 years. The diet of spiders includes various insects, lizards and rodents. The ideal temperature for keeping a tarantula spider is 24-28 degrees with an air humidity of 70%.

Photo by: George Chernilevsky

• Avicularia purpurea tarantula spider

a species of South American tarantulas, widespread in Ecuador. The body length of the tarantula is about 5-6 cm. The span of the legs is no more than 14 cm. At a quick glance, the spider looks black, but when exposed to sunlight, it is clear that the cephalothorax, legs and chelicerae are cast in an intense purple-blue color, the bristles on the legs have brick color, and the hairs near the mouth are orange-red. The favorite habitat of this spider is pastures, tree hollows, as well as gaps under the roof and cracks in the walls of habitable premises. Representatives of the species are non-aggressive, rather fast and timid, unpretentious in care and food, so they are often kept at home. The ideal temperature for keeping a tarantula spider varies between 25-28 degrees with air humidity of at least 80-85%.

• Avicularia versicolor tarantula spider

a species of tarantula, common in Guadeloupe and the island of Martinique. Representatives of the species grow up to 5-6 cm in length and have a limb span of up to 17 cm. Young specimens are distinguished by a bright blue body with white stripes on the belly. After 8-9 molts, the entire body of the tarantula spider is covered with thin, bright hairs, and the color may appear in red and green tones with a metallic sheen. Tarantula spiders of this species are quite peaceful, they bite only when squeezed into a corner. Unlike most of their relatives, they do not scratch off poisonous hairs, therefore they are a favorite terrarium species and a source of pride for collectors. At home, they eat crickets and cockroaches; for an adult, one frog or mouse per month is enough. The lifespan of females is 8 years, males - no more than 3 years.

Photo by: versiphil

• Tarantula spider Aphonopelma seemanni

a typical representative of the fauna of Central America, distributed from Costa Rica and Nicaragua to Panama and Honduras. Usually lives in burrows. The inhabitants of Costa Rica are distinguished by their black color with white stripes on their legs; the spiders of the Nicaraguan population are dark brown with beige stripes on their legs. The body size of a mature spider is 6 cm, the leg span is about 15 cm. These spiders are not aggressive towards people, do not have toxic poison (except for scalding hairs), and are characterized by weak growth rates and longevity (females live up to 30 years). Therefore, this type of tarantula is very popular among spider lovers. Comfortable temperature for Aphonopelma seemanni is 24-27 degrees with air humidity at 70-80%.

Photo by: Cerre

• Tarantula Brachypelma boehmei

lives in Mexico, preferring to live in burrows. The body length of adult specimens with a leg span reaches 15-18 cm, the length excluding legs is 7 cm. In addition to their large size, spiders are distinguished by their exceptionally bright black and orange color. These tarantulas are calm and unpretentious; in captivity they feed on locusts, cockroaches and worms. The lifespan of males is 3-4 years, females live much longer - more than 20 years. The optimal temperature for keeping these tarantulas is 25-27 degrees with a humidity of 70-75%. Due to unauthorized capture and trade, the tarantula Brachypelma boehmei is listed as endangered in Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).

Photo by: Viki

• Tarantula Brachypelma klaasi

a Mexican species of tarantula spiders, whose representatives are distinguished by a massive body and short powerful legs with a span of 14-16 cm. This type of spider has a black and orange color, like Brachypelma boehmei, but is distinguished by the presence of thick orange-red hairs covering the stomach and legs. Tarantula spiders of this species live in Mexican semi-deserts and high mountain forests. They are distinguished by an even, calm character. Female tarantula spiders live up to 20-25 years. Comfortable air humidity for these spiders should be 60-70%, air temperature – from 26 to 28 degrees. The tarantula Brachypelma klaasi is endangered and is therefore listed under CITES.

Photo by: George Chernilevsky

• Tarantula spider Cyclosternum fasciatum

one of the smallest tarantula spiders, the maximum leg span of which is only 12 cm. But, nevertheless, in terms of body size it is in no way inferior to its relatives: females grow up to 5 cm in length with a leg span of 10-12 cm, the length of males is 3.5 cm with a paw span of up to 9.5 cm. The body of spiders is painted in dark tones with a reddish tint: the cephalothorax is red or brown, the belly is black with red stripes, the legs can be gray, black or brown. The favorite natural habitat of these tarantulas is the tropical forests of Costa Rica and Guatemala. At home, the tarantula spider can be quite nervous and aggressive. The comfortable temperature for keeping the tarantula Cyclosternum fasciatum is 26-28 degrees with an air humidity of 75-80%.

Photo by: ing. David Rimeš

• Chilean rose tarantula (Grammostola rosea)

a very beautiful tarantula spider, one of the record holders for the number of sales among representatives of its family. The total size of an adult spider, including its legs, is 15-16 cm. The color of the body is various variations of brown: brown, chestnut and sometimes pink. The body and paws are densely strewn with light hairs. The species' range covers the southwestern United States and Chile, including the Atacama Desert. Comfortable daytime temperature for this type of tarantula is 25 degrees during the day and 18-20 degrees at night, with an air humidity of 60-70%. The spider is non-aggressive and scratches its hairs very rarely. The lifespan of females is 15-20 years.

Photo by: Viki

• Theraphosa blondi , aka goliath tarantula (Theraphosa blondi)

the largest spider in the world. The Guinness Book of Records included a specimen whose leg span was 28 cm. The body dimensions of a female goliath tarantula reach 10 cm, for males - 8.5 cm, and the weight of an adult spider can be 170 g. Despite their impressive size, goliath tarantulas have modest in disposition, brown in color, and the legs of the spiders are densely strewn with red-brown hairs. Goliath tarantulas inhabit the tropics in the territories of Suriname, Venezuela, Guyana and northern Brazil, where they hunt mice, small snakes, toads, lizards and frogs. Thanks to the ban on the export of animals from their habitats, goliath tarantulas are a huge rarity not only for terrarium enthusiasts, but also for collectors. The comfortable temperature for keeping the goliath tarantula is 22-24 degrees with an air humidity of 75-80%. The spider is quite aggressive and can bite its offender.

Nutrition

Tarantulas by nature are omnivorous predators; they eat everything that moves and is smaller than them. This includes insects, small reptiles and rodents, and, of course, birds.

• In the summer you can catch grasshoppers, caterpillars and flies for your predator. It is important that they are free of pesticides.
• The spider will enjoy hunting “naked” baby mice or adult mice.
• At the poultry market, locusts, frogs, crickets, mealworms, zofobus, and small lizards are sold as food.
• You can start breeding marbled cockroaches and feed them to the tarantula. Even if these insects accidentally scatter around the house, they will not live long, since apartment conditions are not suitable for them.
• The water in the drinking bowl must be changed as it gets dirty. And the remains of the eaten “prey” - the web mixed with the shell of the victim - must be removed immediately, since ticks can grow there. They are not dangerous for a healthy tarantula, but during molting they can cause irreparable harm to it.

Interesting! A spider can go without food for two years. At the same time, he will behave actively; such fasting is something normal for him.

Before and after molting, for about 1 to 3 months, the tarantula may refuse to eat and be lethargic. Do not give him “food” at this time, since in this case the victim may become a tarantula weakened by molting. Photos on the Internet will help determine the condition of your pet. In any case, uneaten “food” should not be left in the cage, even if the spider is in normal condition.

After a ritual dance, indicating to the partners that they belong to the same species, mating occurs. During this process, the male transfers seminal fluid into the female, which he previously placed on a specially woven web, where the act of love takes place

Reproduction of tarantula spiders

Male tarantulas reach reproductive age much faster than females. In mature males, a cymbium forms on the pedipalps, a special reservoir for seminal fluid, and tibal hooks grow on the front legs, designed to hold the female during mating. Before breeding begins, the male tarantula weaves a web, covers it with seminal fluid, and then fills his cymbium with it. When a male and a female meet, they perform a special ritual that demonstrates their belonging to a common species. The mating process can last a few seconds or drag on for many hours. The male uses his tibial hooks to restrain his partner's chelicerae, and uses his pedipalps to transfer seminal fluid inside her body. During or after mating, a hungry female tarantula often eats the male, so after a successful act the male tends to run away.

Photo by: PavelSI

A few months later, the female tarantula spider makes a nest from the web, where she lays from 50 to 2000 eggs. Their number depends on the type of tarantula spider. Then, from this nest, the female forms a cocoon, which is often spherical in shape and contains bristles from the spider’s abdomen: they serve as additional protection for the eggs. During the incubation period lasting from 20 to 106 days (which also depends on the type of spider), the female protects the future offspring, “broods” and periodically turns the cocoon. At this time she becomes especially aggressive.

If there is a shortage of food, the female may well eat her own cocoon with eggs.

The female tarantula spider carries a cocoon with eggs. Photo by: Jetlagvoyage

Tarantula spider cocoon

After a certain period of time, newborn nymph spiders emerge from the eggs, which at first do not feed at all, so they live together without the threat of cannibalism. After 2 molts, the nymph becomes a larva, which is similar to a fully formed spider, but, unlike it, still has a supply of nutrients in its abdomen.

After some time, the larva molts and turns into a young tarantula spider.

Nymphs of the tarantula Acanthoscurria geniculata. Photo credit: Exoskeleton Invertebrates

Reproduction and offspring

Basic, pronounced sexual differences appear only as tarantulas mature . As a rule, all males have a small abdomen and tibial hooks located on the front legs compared to the female. Also, males necessarily have swollen last segments on the pedipalps, which perform sexual functions. It is possible to easily distinguish a female from a male after the arthropod has undergone several molts.

Sexually mature and ready to mate individuals differ in their behavior. After the process of fertilization occurs inside the uterus, oviposition occurs and the eggs are protected by a specially woven cocoon. The female tarantula spider carefully monitors the cocoon, moving and protecting it as necessary.

The full development cycle, from the moment of oviposition to the birth of spiders, rarely takes more than three weeks. After the juvenile tarantula leaves the cocoon, the female ceases to actively care for her offspring, so the little spiders are forced to independently take care of the choice of housing, full protection from enemies and regular food.

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Molting of a tarantula spider

Molting is a particularly important moment in the life cycle of spiders. After each exoskeleton shed, the spider grows 1.5 times and even changes color. A young tarantula molts monthly, while an adult tarantula molts once a year. Spiders molt lying on their backs, and in the long process of stretching the chelicerae and pedipalps from the old exoskeleton, some limbs may be lost, but they will be restored over the next 3-4 molts. The age of a spider is determined by the number of molts.

Molting of a tarantula spider (Brachypelma albopilosum species)

Some spiders refuse to eat some time before molting: in small spiderlings this can happen a week before molting, in adults - 1-3 months.

Signs of the upcoming molting of a tarantula spider can be a darkening of the spider's abdomen or a darkening of the overall color of the tarantula.

Photo by: robertcarst

The exoskeleton of the tarantula Brachypelma smithi shed during molting

Reproduction

Female tarantula spiders differ from males both in external characteristics and in body structure. Distinctive characteristics appear in arachnids during puberty. In males it occurs at 1.5 years. Females mature later.

• Males have thinner and more graceful limbs than females.
• They are smaller in size.
• The chelicerae are straight and have the same shape along their entire length. In females, the chelicerae are large and barrel-shaped.
• If you examine the spider's abdomen, you can see the epigastric glands in the upper part. In the male they are covered with hairs of different lengths and form an arch. Females do not have an arch, instead there is a straight line. All hairs are the same length.

The adult male tarantula has special containers, cymbiums, on its pedipalps. They contain seminal fluid. The genital organs are located in the 2nd segment of the abdomen. The spider weaves a web, saturating it with sperm. It looks like a pyramid.

Then, it saturates the containers on the pedipalps with it. After this, he wanders in search of a female. He follows her trail: the female leaves a web covered with endorphins along her path.

She may be in a hole, which is the best option for the male. The spider lifts her cephalothorax as she emerges from her hiding place. It touches the epigastric groove several times with the pedipalps, in which the genital opening opens. Fertilization has occurred. The male releases the female and quickly runs away so that she does not eat him.

From this moment on, the spider begins to weave a dense cocoon in which it lays eggs. The number of eggs is from 50 to 2 thousand. The eggs are in the cocoon for 7 weeks.

The female constantly moves and turns the cocoon with her paws so that the eggs do not stick together and the offspring develop normally. Nymphs appear and molt, transforming into larvae. They can be called spiders, but they will become full-fledged animals only after puberty.

The significance of tarantulas in nature and in human life has not been fully studied. Spiders regulate the balance of the animal world in nature. The poison is used in the pharmaceutical industry. Scientists continue to study its characteristics, hoping to find cures for cancer.

Tarantula spider at home

Tarantula spiders are extremely unpretentious and easily bred in captivity, so they have long gained fame as popular pets. To avoid cannibalism, tarantulas should be kept alone.

Terrarium

To keep arboreal species of spiders, it is better to purchase a high terrarium (up to 35 cm in height): it is convenient to place something like a tree in it, for example, to place a fairly large piece of driftwood. At the bottom of the terrarium you need to pour a layer of coconut substrate or soil.

For ground-dwelling and burrowing (burrowing) spiders, you will need an elongated terrarium. Its bottom should be covered with a layer of coconut substrate of at least 7-10 cm. When keeping young spiders, the litter is changed after each molt, for adult spiders - once every 4 months.

For burrowing tarantula spiders, it is advisable to create a semblance of a burrow in the terrarium: for example, place an inverted cup with a broken edge or half a coconut shell with a cut out entrance - they will imitate a burrow for your pet.

Spiders move well on vertical surfaces, so the tarantula terrarium should be equipped with a ventilated lid.

Temperature

Caring for a tarantula spider is quite simple. The temperature in the spider's home should not fall below +25 degrees; for this, an infrared heater or thermal bedding is used. Sudden changes in temperature can be fatal to pet tarantulas.

Air humidity

Tropical species require high air humidity of 80-90%, so regular (every 2-3 days) spraying of the substrate with warm water will be required. For semi-desert species, humidity in the range of 70-80% is sufficient. Before spraying, make sure that the substrate is completely dry. You can spray only 1 corner of the terrarium.

The required level of humidity can also be maintained by evaporating water from a bowl of clean water, which must be kept in the terrarium. You need to change the water in the drinking bowl every day.

Habitat

There is practically no continent where the tarantula does not live. A video of this eight-legged animal shows that it cannot be found except in Antarctica. The population density of these spiders varies from country to country. For example, you don’t see them often in Europe; there they have chosen only Spain, Italy and Portugal.

Tarantulas like to live where it is warm - in Africa, South America, Australia and Oceania. There are species of spiders that prefer to settle in damp places, located in the crowns of trees in equatorial forests. Other hairy octopuses like a drier climate; they choose semi-deserts.

Tarantulas defend themselves by scratching poisonous hairs from the abdomen or by biting. The latter can be dry or release a toxic substance. As for hairs, getting them into the eyes, skin or lungs is not fatal, although it can cause an allergic reaction

What to feed a tarantula spider at home?

Tarantula spiders are omnivores, the main thing is that the size of the food offered is smaller than the spider’s body.

Young tarantulas are fed with small cockroaches, fruit flies, and crickets. You can also add bloodworms or chopped mealworms to the food.

Adult spiders are fed 1-2 times a week. Suitable food for the tarantula spider is live crickets, marbled cockroaches, locusts, mealworms, and bloodworms. Some breeders feed their spiders newborn mice.

The tarantula spider's food must be 2 times smaller than the spider itself and preferably alive. This will attract the tarantula's attention to the food. Usually spiders attack the victim, injecting their poison into it and thus paralyzing the prey. After this, tarantulas tear apart the victim with powerful chelicerae, injecting gastric juice into it so that the food is digested. After consuming food, the tarantula spider can starve for a week, and sometimes for several months. The frequency of feeding the spider should be no more than 1-2 times a week. Leftover food must be removed from the terrarium so that it does not begin to rot.

Please note that it is better to carry out all manipulations in the terrarium of the domestic tarantula spider with long tweezers so as not to be bitten by your pet.

Photo by: brachystola

Captivity

When you first look at a tarantula spider, densely covered with hairs, you get the impression that it is soft and plush. Of course, this is not so, but it still looks cute, which has put the animal on the list of favorites among admirers of exotic domestic animals. The bright coloring of the individuals contributes to this. The most beautiful representative of their family is known all over the world - the blue tarantula spider. But it is better to refrain from keeping it at home, since its poison is very toxic.

The venom of some tarantulas is very dangerous and toxic.

The necessary conditions

Before you get a pet tarantula, you need to decide what species it will be: arboreal, ground or burrowing. Depending on this, you need to purchase a suitable home. For a woody type, the terrarium should have high walls of 35-50 cm. It is advisable to place an impromptu tree inside. The ground dweller needs space to run around. A resident who prefers burrows should choose appropriate shelter.

The bottom of the terrarium should be loose and dry. The temperature must be maintained at 25 degrees Celsius . Air humidity should not fall below 80% , so you need to regularly irrigate different areas of the bottom until it dries completely. All actions in the terrarium should be carried out using long tweezers to avoid being bitten.

You should feed your tarantula a maximum of twice a week. During the molting process, he may not eat anything at all, this should not cause alarm. The food consists mainly of various insects: cockroaches, flies, grasshoppers. Sufficiently old individuals can be given worms and even baby mice.

Risk to humans

A spider bite can be poisonous or, as they call it, dry. Its poison is not lethal for an adult, but is dangerous for pets and children. There have been cases of death of cats and small dogs. The toxicity of the poison depends on the “breed” of the spider, so it is better to choose a less beautiful, but safe pet. In any case, the bite is unpleasant, and there may be consequences in the form of allergic and mental reactions. Everything is individual, you can get by with redness around the bite, but you can also get an inflamed wound. The hairs on the animal's body are stinging and can also injure the skin.

There is a version that the tarantula spider can be trained and does not bite its owner. But there is a more logical explanation for this - the pet is simply accustomed to the person and does not see him as a threat.

Interesting facts about the tarantula spider

• Tarantulas of the genus Avicularia use an original method of defense: they blind the enemy by shooting a stream of excrement in his direction.
• The giant goliath tarantula has one competitor in nature: the Heteropoda maxima spider, discovered in Laos, surpasses the goliath in its leg span of 35 cm, but is significantly inferior in body size, not exceeding 4.6 cm.
• For reasons unknown to science, tarantula spiders can starve for about 2 years. And some species even know how to swim and dive.
• When treating arachnophobia (fear of spiders), in order to successfully overcompensate fear, patients are recommended to own a tarantula spider, and, according to statistics, this method really works.

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Natural enemies

Despite their poisonous nature, tarantula spiders quite often become prey for many other animals. Predatory species of centipedes, including Scolopendra gigantea, are quite capable of coping not only with the largest tarantulas, which include Theraphosa blondi, but even with many species of not very large snakes.

Another dangerous predator for the spider is a representative of the genus Ethmostigmus, which inhabits Australia and is one of the natural enemies of the tarantula.

Natural enemies of tarantulas in the wild include fairly large spiders from the genus Lycosidae and Latrodectus hasselti.

Some vertebrates destroy arthropods, including the largest Australian frog, Litoria infrafrenata, or the white-lipped tree frog and the aga toad Bufo marinus. The body of tarantulas is often parasitized by small dipterous insects belonging to the genus Megaselia and the family Phoridae and hawk wasps. The larvae grow and develop inside the spider, causing its death.

A natural competitor for the giant Goliath tarantula is the spider Heteroroda maxima, found in Laos and superior to the Goliath solely in the span of its legs.