Tarantulas are among the most feared of all the world’s animals. But this fear is misplaced; many smaller spider species are far more dangerous. There are over 900 species of tarantulas distributed across the tropical, subtropical and warm temperate areas of the world.  Most tarantula species are mildly venomous - there is not a single case of a tarantula bite causing a human fatality.

Tarantulas come in all shapes, sizes and colours. The very biggest species are up to 30 cm across. Many of the large species of tarantulas can eat not just insects, but even birds. The bird-eating tarantulas of South America detect their avian prey by  sensing vibrations in the ground. When prey is close, the spiders pounce on their victim, injecting it with venom using their two-centimetre-long fangs! In parts of Peru, there are local legends of similar spiders taking chickens!

Like all spiders, tarantulas have eight legs and eight eyes (2 large round eyes close to the animal’s mouth parts, surrounded by 3 eyes on each side). Many species are covered with long hairs, and some tarantula species can flick the hairs at enemies when threatened. Many tarantulas have spinnerets at the base of the abdomen for spinning silk, and some species can also spin silk from the tips of their toes!

Tarantulas make fascinating pets. Watch the video below and take a look at the downloadable caresheet for further details!

 

Download the Caresheet

The following are strongly recommended as ethical suppliers of livestock based in the UK with fantastic ranges of weird and wonderful pets:

 

Martin French

BugzUK

www.bugzuk.com

 

Graham Smith

Metamorphosis

www.metamorphosis.gb.com

 

Peregrine Livefoods

www.peregrine-livefoods.co.uk

 

Reptiles Plus

www.reptilesplus.co.uk

 

Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm

www.butterflyfarm.co.uk

 

ALSO CONSIDER JOINING THE FOLLOWING SOCIETIES:

 

The Amateur Entomologists’ Society and The Bug Club

www.amentsoc.org

 

The Royal Entomological Society

www.royensoc.co.uk

 

Know any other suppliers or societies that we should include here? Please contact the Weird and Wonderful Pets team by emailing sales@redfernnaturalhistory.com 

 

Download the Caresheet