The common name "tarantula" is actually a misnomer derived from the
scientific name of a European wolf spider, Lycosa tarentula. Neither the
wolf spider nor the tarantula are significantly poisonous to
humans. However, a tarantula's bite is painful and there is
always the chance of an allergic reaction or infection.
These spiders are ground dwellers and hunt their
food rather than using a web to capture prey. Both females and
males, however, spin silk. The female wraps her eggs in a silk
pouch (usually in spring or summer). Female tarantulas live up to
20 years and molt after maturity; males are relatively short-lived
(usually less than 8 years) and do not molt after maturity. The
males only a few months to a year after reaching sexual maturity.
Sexually mature males are identified by the enlarged and hooked palps
used to transfer sperm to the female. (A palp resembles a leg and
is located near the mouth).
Availability: *Due to the high
price of these spiders we cannot provide one to you. But if you
want to buy a tarantula on your own, we can let you know of good
suppliers to go through. Here are some rearing tips for you.
Housing: Because tarantulas
are cannibalistic, each spider must be housed separately in a
screen-covered container. A glass, wire, or plastic cage with
about 2 inches of soil in the bottom is recommended. Place a
dish in the container and keep it full at all times. Tarantulas
are susceptible to overheating and may crawl into the water dish to
Food: Tarantulas eat
almost any insect they can capture (e.g., beetles, mealworms,
grasshoppers, crickets). In the desert they hunt at night mainly
by touch, as they are nearsighted and cannot see prey at a
distance. Although tarantulas may eat practically nothing from
late fall to early spring in their natural habitat, in captivity they
eat year-round if supplied with food.