Tarantulas, those big, hairy spiders from the Theraphosidae family, are quite a sight. They’re found all over the world in places like jungles and deserts. With over 900 species, these creatures come in different colors and sizes.
Don’t be scared though; despite their fearsome look, they usually don’t harm humans. These spiders do some pretty interesting things like making webs to catch food and keeping themselves clean with great care.
This article talks about many kinds of tarantulas – from ones that live on land to those that burrow underground or even live in trees! We’ll look at what makes each type special, from their homes to what they eat and how they live.
Get ready to learn lots about tarantulas and why they matter for nature. Keep reading to find out more!
Overview of Tarantula Types
In the world of tarantulas, two main groups stand out: Old World and New World spiders. Each group shines with unique traits and behaviors, setting the stage for an epic overview of these fascinating creatures.
Old World Tarantulas
Old World Tarantulas live in Africa, Asia, and Europe. They are known for their speed and aggression. These tarantulas don’t have urticating hairs. Instead, they rely on venom to defend themselves.
Their colors range from blue to brown.
Old World Tarantulas command respect due to their potent venom and swift reactions.
New World Tarantulas
New World Tarantulas live in the Americas. They have urticating bristles. These hairs can hurt predators or humans. Many of these tarantulas are less aggressive than Old World species.
Examples include the Mexican red-knee tarantula and the Pink Zebra Beauty.
These spiders make good pets because they are calmer. People who keep them need to know how to care for their special needs, like humidity levels and temperature in their enclosures.
Their colors range from bright blues to earthy browns, making them striking to look at.
Terrestrial Tarantulas
Terrestrial tarantulas live on the ground. They have strong bodies and legs that help them hunt their food, like insects and small creatures, on solid surfaces.
Characteristics
Land tarantulas have strong bodies and eight legs that help them run fast on the ground. They live in dry places like deserts and forests. Their homes are holes or under rocks where they can hide and catch bugs to eat.
These spiders have hairy bodies which keep them warm and help sense danger around them.
Their colors can be brown, gray, or a mix, helping them blend in with the dirt and leaves. This makes it hard for birds and bigger animals to see them. Land tarantulas lay many eggs in safe spots.
The young spiders, called spiderlings, grow up by shedding their skin many times before they become adults.
Common Species
Tarantulas captivate many with their large, hairy bodies and diverse behaviors. Among the 900 identified species, several stand out for their popularity in captivity and distinct characteristics.
- Grammostola Rosea – Known as the Chilean rose tarantula, this species is famous for its calm nature and beautiful coloration. They thrive in dry conditions and need minimal water.
- Brachypelma Smithi – The Mexican red-knee tarantula stands out with its striking orange and black legs. It’s one of the most well-known tarantulas, recognized for being docile and living up to 30 years.
- Theraphosa Blondi – The Goliath birdeater is the largest spider by mass. It prefers a humid environment and can eat small birds, though insects are its main diet.
- Avicularia Avicularia – This species, known as the pinktoe tarantula, lives in trees. Its agile movements and ability to jump make it fascinating but challenging to keep as a pet.
- Grammostola Pulchripes – The Chaco golden knee has striking golden stripes on its legs. It grows large and is known for being gentle, making it a good choice for beginners.
- Lasiodora Parahybana – Another giant, the Brazilian salmon pink birdeater has a fast growth rate and an impressive size reaching over 10 inches in leg span.
- Aphonopelma Seemanni – The Costa Rican zebra tarantula sports distinctive stripes on its legs. It burrows in nature and prefers a mix of dry and moist substrate in captivity.
- Cyriopagopus Lividus – Commonly known as the cobalt blue tarantula, it showcases vibrant blue legs against a darker body. This arboreal spider requires careful handling due to its skittishness.
- Haplopelma Lividum – Similar to Cyriopagopus Lividus but primarily found underground, this fossorial tarantula makes extensive burrows where it spends most of its time hidden.
Each species brings a unique aspect to the hobby of keeping tarantulas, from the serene Grammostola rosea to the imposing Theraphosa blondi. Their care needs vary widely based on natural habitats ranging from desert to tropical rainforests.
Fossorial Tarantulas
Fossorial tarantulas love to dig. They have special parts, like strong legs and bodies, made for living underground.
Adaptations for Burrowing
Tarantulas that dig holes have special traits. Their bodies are strong and shaped for digging. They use their front legs like shovels to move dirt. These spiders make homes underground to stay safe from predators and extreme weather.
Their silk lines the burrow, keeping it stable.
Some tarantulas also change color to blend with the earth, hiding them from enemies and prey. They feel vibrations through the ground to know when danger or food is near. Next, we’ll look at examples of these digging tarantulas.
Examples of Fossorial Species
Fossorial tarantulas have unique adaptations for living underground. They are experts in digging and creating burrows.
- Cyclosternum fasciatum, often called the Costa Rican tiger tarantula, spends most of its life beneath the surface. It digs deep tunnels in the forest floor.
- Grammostola pulchripes, known as the Chaco golden knee, constructs elaborate burrows with silk linings in South American grasslands.
- Theraphosa blondi, the Goliath birdeater, creates large underground lairs in the Amazon rainforest. It’s one of the biggest spiders in the world.
- Eupalaestrus campestratus, or pink zebra beauty, prefers to stay hidden in its silk-lined burrow awaiting prey near its entrance.
- Aphonopelma hentzi, the Oklahoma brown tarantula, makes simple burrows in various North American habitats, from grasslands to deserts.
Each species crafts a home that keeps it safe and ready to ambush insects and small animals passing by their hideouts.
Now let’s explore tree-dwelling tarantulas next.
Arboreal Tarantulas
Arboreal tarantulas live in trees. They have special legs that help them climb.
Tree-Dwelling Features
Tree-dwelling tarantulas have special features to live high up. Their bodies are built for climbing. They have strong, hook-like claws at the end of their legs. These help them grip tree bark and plants tightly.
Their homes are in silk nests spun among tree branches. This keeps them safe from predators on the ground.
They hunt by jumping on flying insects or grabbing them from their webs. Popular ones like the Gooty Sapphire are known for beautiful colors and patterns which blend into trees well.
Next, let’s look at some well-liked tree-living species.
To thrive in the treetops, nature gifts tarantulas with remarkable tools.
Popular Arboreal Species
Arboreal tarantulas live in trees. They have special features to climb and stay high off the ground. Here are some examples:
- Pink Toe Tarantula (Avicularia avicularia) – These spiders have a dark body with striking pink tips on their legs. They’re calm, making them good pets.
- Green Bottle Blue Tarantula (Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens) – Known for their vibrant blue legs, green carapace, and orange abdomen. They create large webs in trees.
- Red Slate Ornamental Tarantula (Poecilotheria rufilata) – This species shows off red patterns on a black background. They’re fast and need vertical space to thrive.
- Caribbean Versicolor Tarantula (Antilles Pink Toe) – Young ones show blue colors, but adults develop into beautiful shades of green and purple with pink toes.
- Indian Ornamental Tree Spider (Poecilotheria regalis) – With a stunning pattern of white and black against a yellowish background, they’re one of the more visually striking arboreal types.
- Gooty Sapphire Ornamental (Poecilotheria metallica) – Rare and beautiful, they display metallic blue coloring with a geometric pattern on the abdomen.
Next up is understanding how these fascinating creatures interact with their environment beyond just living in trees.
Conclusion
Exploring different tarantula types opens up a fascinating world. These spiders, part of the Theraphosidae family, show incredible diversity. From terrestrial to arboreal varieties, each has unique traits and habitats.
We covered over 900 species, highlighting their diet, life history, and care for pet enthusiasts. This guide sheds light on these misunderstood creatures, showing they are more intriguing than scary.
Understanding them better can spark interest in their conservation and care as pets.
