Tarantulas (Mygalomorphs) are the largest spider species in the world. While many people consider tarantulas to be hairy and terrifying, it might surprise you to learn that some love them so much that they keep them as pets, and others eat them for dinner as well. This article explains how to identify the common tarantula (Theraphosidae) found in many parts of the world; it is the species that people keep most often as a pet.
Steps
Step 1. Learn to recognize a tarantula
Here are some basic features.
- Physical characteristics: big and hairy
- Poisonous: Yes. But most are not medically relevant, i.e. in the worst case, mild symptoms, such as a bee sting, are likely to occur. However, in exceptionally rare cases, a stronger reaction can occur.
- Where does he live: a variety of habitats, from arid scrub to rainforest and jungle - South America, Central America, the southern states of North America, but also much of Africa, Southeast Asia, Australasia, and even in the southern parts of Europe.
- What it eats: a tarantula will jump on any weaker prey. It kills by injecting poison into its prey through poisonous quills (end parts of chelicerae). It hunts in the areas of invertebrates such as grasshoppers and beetles, but also of lizards and rodents. While they can be treats for this insect, even if you spot one of these likely prey, it's hard to actually see a tarantula chasing them.
Part 1 of 3: Identifying a Tarantula
Tarantulas are typically brown and black, but some species are much more colorful. The following characteristics are common to most tarantula species (or spiders in general):
Step 1. Look for a very large, hairy body and hairy legs
However, some adult tarantulas may not reach half an inch!
- The height and length of the body can be up to about 8 cm.
- The extension of the legs can be between 7, 6 and 12, 7 cm.
Step 2. Look for a reddish brown to black color; most tarantulas have no obvious markings
However, the color is quite variable, and many other spiders remotely related to tarantulas have similar colors.
Step 3. Look at the shape
A tarantula, like all spiders, has a frontal segment (cephalothorax or prosoma) connected through a narrow waist to the abdomen (opisthosoma) which is oval.
Step 4. Look for a single small group with eight eyes, usually on the front, which can also be arranged in multiple sections or rows
The animal represented in the image should be a hunter. Others often confused with the tarantula are the spiders of the Ctenidae family, or wandering spiders, where two of the eight eyes are lower down and closer to the mouthparts than the others.
Step 5. Look at the characteristics of the mouth area; there are two claws (chelicerae) pointing backward just below the eyes and 2 pedipalps (leg-like appendages) near the mouth
The direction in which the claws sting is an identifier - if they sting 'backwards' (paraxially), then this reduces the possible confusion with some large groups belonging to the spider families.
Step 6. Note the claws; the claws of the tarantula (and other neighboring families) move up and down (paraxial), while the claws of all the other spiders move horizontally (axial) to sting
Part 2 of 3: Recognizing Tarantula Habitats
Tarantulas don't make cobwebs; most live in underground burrows. They use their claws to dig them. However, it is sometimes possible to spot them also in different places.
Step 1. Look for tarantulas in trees, as well as under tree roots
Step 2. Examine the rock cavities for makeshift tarantula burrows
Part 3 of 3: Treating a Sting
Most tarantulas are not poisonous, and despite this spider's size, its sting is no worse than that of a bee.
Step 1. If a tarantula stings you, wash the area where it stung you and apply antiseptic ointment
Advice
- A tarantula's claws move up and down; the claws of all other spiders move horizontally.
- Female tarantulas typically live up to 20 years and males up to 3. They are prey to weasels, hawks, skunks, snakes, spider wasps and humans.
- Tarantulas, despite their hairiness, are quite adept at climbing smooth surfaces, such as windows.
- Some species of tarantulas make a buzzing or similar sound when rubbing their appendages together.
