Quck answer
Tarantulas are often portrayed as terrifying creatures, but in reality they are not as scary as they seem. These spiders are known for their large size and hairy appearance, but they are generally not aggressive towards humans and rarely bite unless provoked. In fact, tarantulas can make interesting and low-maintenance pets for those who are interested in keeping them. While they may not be cuddly or cute, tarantulas are fascinating creatures that have unique behaviors and adaptations that make them well-suited to their environments. So while they may look intimidating, tarantulas are not as scary as they are often made out to be.
Wild Animals
The Mexican red-kneed tarantula (Brachypelma smithi) is a type of land spider found in the deserts, scrublands, and mountains of Mexico. They are one of the largest species of tarantulas and, like most tarantulas, can live for a long time. В©fitopardo.com/Getty Images
In the 1990 horror-comedy film “Arachnophobia,” a lot of spiders are shown, but the main villain is a big, hairy tarantula named The General, which eats birds and has a nest full of babies. The General, sometimes played by a real tarantula wearing prosthetics, sometimes played by an animatronic model, is about the size of a 6-week-old kitten and makes piglet-like sounds. It is also highly venomous and has a dramatic flair like a lead actor in a theater play.
Tarantulas are often portrayed as scary because of their size, but these spiders are not interested in taking over the world, despite having plenty of time to do so.
Do Tarantulas Vary in Size?
While some tarantulas are indeed huge, this ancient group of spiders comes in various sizes — some are as small as a quarter with their legs spread, while others, like the Goliath bird-eating tarantula (which rarely eats birds), can grow up to 4.75 inches (12 centimeters) long with a leg span of up to 11 inches (28 centimeters). Their heavy exoskeletons and respiratory systems limit their size, as the atmosphere today has less oxygen than the one in which their ancestors evolved, according to Dr. Rachael Alfaro, a research associate at the Museum of Southwestern Biology, Arthropods division.
The Goliath bird-eating tarantula (Theraphosa blondi) can grow up to 4.75 inches (12 centimeters) with a leg span of up to 11 inches (28 centimeters).
Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
“During the Carboniferous period over 300 million years ago, when tarantulas evolved, arthropods, especially insects and arachnids, were getting larger,” Dr. Alfaro adds. “I think the current large size of tarantulas is the result of their ancestral condition of being a larger-bodied arachnid at a time when their prey was also larger.”
Nowadays, tarantulas can be found on every continent except Antarctica — some species are even found at high altitudes in the Andes, in deep caves, and in harsh deserts or rainforests. They come in stunning colors and patterns and are ecologically important, serving as top arthropod predators in many ecosystems.
How Are Tarantulas Different from Other Spiders?
There are about 1,000 known tarantula species, and they are a type of mygalomorph spider, which also includes trapdoor spiders and the highly toxic Australian funnel-web spiders. Unlike other spiders, which have one set of book lungs for respiration, mygalomorphs have two sets but lack respiratory tracheae that most other spiders have.
“A tarantula’s fangs are positioned differently from those of most spiders — they are mostly downward-pointing and mostly parallel to each other. In other spiders, the fangs are more ‘pincer-like,’” explains Dr. Brent Hendrixson, a biology professor at Millsaps College.
New World tarantulas, found in either North or South America, have specialized urticating hairs on their abdomen that can cause serious irritation when released into the flesh of a predator. On the other hand, Old World tarantulas, found on other continents, are typically more aggressive and tend to bite first. Tarantulas are extremely long-lived, with females living up to 30 years while males live only about 7 years. They eat a variety of small animals, including frogs, lizards, mice, and occasionally even birds. Some tarantulas live in trees while others are great diggers and build their own burrows. While the venom of tarantulas has low toxicity to humans, the irritating hairs of New World species can cause inflammation and skin rashes. Due to the pet trade, most tarantula species are on the IUCN Red List of protected species.
FAQ
1. Are tarantulas dangerous?
Tarantulas are not considered dangerous to humans. Although they have venom, it is not strong enough to pose a threat to humans. Tarantulas are more likely to run away or hide than to attack if they feel threatened.
2. How big can tarantulas get?
Some species of tarantulas can get quite large, with a leg span of up to 10 inches. However, most tarantulas kept as pets are smaller, with a leg span of around 4-6 inches.
3. What do tarantulas eat?
Tarantulas are carnivorous and typically eat insects, such as crickets and mealworms. Some larger species of tarantulas may also eat small rodents or lizards.
4. Where do tarantulas live?
Tarantulas can be found in various habitats, including deserts, forests, and grasslands. They typically live in burrows or other sheltered areas.
5. Do tarantulas make good pets?
Many people keep tarantulas as pets, as they are relatively easy to care for and can be fascinating to observe. However, they are not recommended for everyone, as some people may find them intimidating or frightening.
6. How do tarantulas defend themselves?
Tarantulas have a few methods of defending themselves if they feel threatened. They may flick urticating hairs from their abdomen, which can irritate the skin and eyes of an attacker. They may also bite, although this is rare and usually only happens if the tarantula feels cornered or in danger.
7. Are tarantulas endangered?
While some species of tarantulas are considered endangered, many are not. In fact, tarantulas are often abundant in their natural habitats and are not typically threatened by human activities.
Leave a Reply