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12 Differences Between Spiders And Tarantulas

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To some, the differences and similarities between spiders and tarantulas are of little consequence. The only bit of information they cling to is the fear they feel when they see either. But as an avid tarantula lover and owner of four, I needed to know more. So, what is the difference between a spider and a tarantula? All tarantulas are spiders, but not all spiders are tarantulas. Tarantulas are usually large, always covered in hairs, and they are hunters that pounce on their prey, unlike spiders that spin webs. Being the largest spider in the world, the Goliath birdeater tarantula is the leader of the family and is only beaten for the record by the giant Huntsman spider due to its elongated legs. If I imagine a fight between these two colossal spiders, my money would be on the Goliath birdeater as it has a weight advantage, weighing in at 170g. Another fascinating defense mechanism tarantulas have is flicking the sharp hairs on their abdomen or legs at their enemy. Ouch! If you wa
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8 Awesome Tarantulas That Can Be Handled

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Owners playing with their tarantulas are all over the internet, but is it safe to handle your spider? To handle your spider or not is up to you, there are vocal components to each party. Some say that no spider should be held at all while others will tell you that their tarantula grew used to the practice. Whether you should or not depends entirely up to you and the type of spider you purchase. Some species of tarantulas, typically beginner types, are docile enough to be held. Then there are the species where any friendly advances will be meet with outright aggression. Read further for the type of tarantulas that adapt to handling, how to protect yourself, and how to handle your spider. Can tarantulas be handled? No spider is overly fond of being picked up at first. Think about how that must feel for them to be safe on the ground for so long and then just scooped up. They feel like they are being taken up by a large predator. Tarantulas are very individualistic. Though we can pr
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The Ultimate Tarantula Humidity Guide

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A quick Google search about tarantula care and you will see that humidity plays a vital role in keeping your T healthy. Of course, as with most things, there is some disagreement regarding the importance of humidity, and some hobbyists will say it’s unnecessary. Is humidity important to tarantulas? Yes. Dehydration is the foremost killer of tarantulas, but by keeping the enclosure they live in humid, it will contribute to their overall hydration levels. Humidity also makes the process of molting easier for tarantulas. Getting the humidity just right sometimes be a difficult task; your Ts enclosure either stays too dry or turns into a soggy mess. To help you find a balance, read on for some tips and tricks. Why is Humidity Important? As briefly mentioned above, dehydration is a killer, and we as T owners must do what we can to keep our pets hydrated. Tarantulas lose water in the following ways: Through their leg joints where the epicuticle is thin. Through the inner surface of t
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Do Tarantulas Need Water? How To Hydrate Your T Correctly

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If you’ve done research about setting up the perfect enclosure for your new tarantula, you’ll know that the topic of a T’s water needs is a hotly debated one. As with much in life, there’s not really a consensus; you have to gather information yourself and make up your own mind. Do tarantulas need water? Yes, tarantulas, like other living things, need water to survive. Some desert species can go their entire lives without actually drinking water from a dish, but rather get their moisture from their food. However, most pet tarantulas will need a dish with fresh water in their enclosures. If you’re like me, you’ve probably had a few mini heart attacks when you spot an uninvited guest in your sink or bathtub – even though I own tarantulas! Spiders will make a quick pitstop in areas that contain water because they need it for their survival. Actually, some tarantulas can go for two years without food as long as there is water available! That being said, a lot of hobbyists believe that
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5 Signs That Your Tarantula Is Stressed And How To Help

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Since tarantulas can’t talk or make sounds like other animals, figuring out if your T is stressed may seem like an impossible task. Luckily, the signs of a stressed tarantula are pretty specific and once you know them, you’ll be able to see when your T is upset and immediately fix the possible causes. What are the signs that your tarantula is stressed? Tarantula takes up a threatening pose Bald spot on the abdomen due to flicking of hairs Tarantula is hiding behind its legs Excessive climbing, especially if you own a terrestrial T Abnormally high activity levels If you see any of the above behaviors in your T you should know you’re dealing with a pretty unhappy tarantula; and if you see your spider display all of the above, your T is close to a panic attack. Read on to find out how to destress your pet tarantula – the big, hairy babies of the spider world who can have a full-blown anxiety attack every few seconds! 5 Signs Your Tarantula Is Stressed Although tarantulas don’t
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Do Tarantulas Sleep? Not Really!

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You might have seen your tarantula in the same position for hours if not days and wondered if it is hurt, cold, unhappy or maybe sleeping? Well, one thing we know is that tarantulas don’t roll onto their sides or backs to take a quick nap, but they do rest. Do tarantulas sleep? Tarantulas don’t sleep the same way that mammals do but they do have cycles of movement and respite. Tarantulas reduce their activity level, lowering their metabolic rate in order to conserve energy. We really don’t know much about spiders and their sleeping patterns and there is still much for us to learn about arthropods in general, but spiders definitely go into some or other rest mode. Considering that tarantulas don’t have eyelids and thus can’t close their eyes, it must actually be quite difficult for them to catch some z’s! Or is it? Tarantula’s Mimic Sleep Sleep, as we humans understand it, is not the same type of forty winks tarantulas will catch. Ts will reduce their activity level and this will l
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Do Tarantulas Eat Their Molt? Is That Okay?

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You wake up one morning to find there are TWO tarantulas in your T’s enclosure and freak out a little before realising it’s just an old exoskeleton! What now? Should you leave it for your T to enjoy as a snack or remove it? Do tarantulas eat their molt? Most tarantulas do not eat their molt, however, some may end up consuming parts of it, especially the stomach and book lungs. It comes down to the individual tarantula as well as the suitability of the enclosure for the species of tarantula you own. Tarantulas are still somewhat of a mystery as not a lot of research has been done on what makes them the fantastically creepy creatures they are. Luckily, hobbyists who’ve spent years observing their pet tarantulas are eager to share their experience and knowledge with the interwebs. Read on for some anecdotal evidence, much speculation and a sprinkle of science about tarantulas eating or not eating their molt. Why Would A Tarantula Want To Eat Its Old Skin? The two main reasons why you
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