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Facts and Knowledge:
The huge, furry tarantula is among the largest and longest living of all land invertebrates. Despite its reputation for being vicious, it is aggressive only when provoked. True tarantula spiders come only from southern Europe and rarely exceed an inch in length. But the name tarantula is more generally applied to any large, hairy spider and , in particular , to the furry bird spiders of south America.
Habitat: Tarantulas have adhesive brush like hairs on the tips of their legs which allow them to walk on the slick surface of leaves. Of the 40 types of tarantula that are found in the United States, most occur in the warm deserts o the Southwest, where they live on the ground.
Breeding: Mating among tarantulas takes place at various times according to species. After a rainstorm in the southwestern desserts of the United States and in Mexico, vast numbers of males may be seen wandering in search of females. After mating, the eggs develop inside the females body. After they are born, the young do not mature for some times. American desert species can take up to 0 years to fully mature; tropical forest species take only 3 to 4 years. As in all spiders, the tarantula's growth proceeds through a series of molts whereby it sheds it skin. Only after the final molt has accurs can the spiders sex be determined.
Food & Feeding: Tarantulas feed on small lizards, young snakes and amphibians, tree frogs, and small mammals such as rodents. The smaller of the forest dwelling tarantulas and most of the desert species prey mainly on grasshoppers and beetles, as well as on other types of spiders. The tarantulas spears it prey with its long fangs and kills it with its poison. the spider then crushes its prey with its powerful mouth parts. The tarantula produces a special fluid which reduces the prey to a pulpy liquid which the spider can absorb.
Defenses: Tarantulas have a wide spread range of defenses. Some species ward off their attackers y leaning back on their haunches, raising their head and legs, and exposing their long fangs. Other species turn their back on their attacker and squirt an unpleasant substance into the adversary's face. Or, the spider may use its legs to scrape the very fine hairs from the top of its abdomen into the air. Each hair is covered with sharp points and, if they come into contact with either eyes or skin, they cause pain and even temporary blindness.
Key Facts: Sizes, Weight, breeding, lifestyle, related Species
Leg span: Up to 10 in.
Length: 3 in.
Weight: Average 3 oz.
Breeding:
Sexual Maturity: 3 - 10 years
Mating: Varies according to species
Gestation: 2 to 3 weeks
No of eggs: Up to 3000
Lifestyle:
Habit: Solitary
Diet: Grasshoppers, beetles, moths, wood
lice millipedes, other spiders. Larger species eat lizards, snakes, frogs,
toads, mice, and nesting birds.
Coloration: Usually varies shades of brown
mixed with black. Some species display striking coloration.
Life span: 30 years or more
Related Species: Approximately 300 species
worldwide.
Distribution: Throughout the warmer
parts of the world, but mainly in the American Tropics.
Conservation: Some species threatened
by over collecting as pets. The Peruvian Pamphobetus antinous is decreasing
because it is collected in huge numbers for sale to tourists. Species
that live in tropical rain forest face loss of habitat.
Features of the Tarantula:
The bright colored legs of the Mexican red kneed
tarantula Brachypelma smithi provide a striking contrast to the more usual
drab colors species.
Eight time eyes are capable of little more than
distinguishing light from dark.
Jaw more in and up and down movement, Instead
of the more common side to side motion found in other spiders.
Hairs which cover the body of the tarantula are
extremely sensitive to vibrations.
Did you know:
Despite their reputation for being aggressive
toward humans, tarantulas are fairly placid and will only attack if provoked.
Tarantulas eat young poisonous snakes,
The largest tarantula Theraphosa leblondi, has
a body length of 3 inches and leg span of 10 inches.
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