Before I got my tiny new pet, I did tons of research in order to be a responsible and well-educated owner. Here are a few fun facts I've learned in the process:
-There are currently about 900 different known species of tarantulas, and they are as different from each other as different breeds of dogs are, having different sizes, colors, patterns, temperaments, and behavioral tendencies.
-It's a woman's world! Most male tarantulas mature after approximately 5 years, die shortly afterwards, and are only a fraction of the size of a female. Females are larger, and often live well over 20 years. The oldest recorded female lived to the age of 49.
-Tarantulas are fragile. Despite their intimidating look, tarantulas are quite delicate. Their blood (haemolymph) cannot clot, so any internal or external injury can result in the tarantula bleeding to death. A six-inch fall onto a hard surface can be fatal.
-Just like cats, tarantulas have retractable claws on the ends of their toes. Since falls are life-threatening, they need to be able to securely grip any object they climb onto.
-New World (North and South America) tarantulas are especially fuzzy. The hairs on their abdomen can be kicked into the air with the back legs to ward off predators. These itchy hairs are the main ingredient in the novelty item Itching Powder.
-The name 'tarantula' derives from the town of Taranto in Southern Italy. Ironically, the specimen initially labelled 'tarantula' was actually a wolf spider, which is a different type of spider not found in the family Theraphosidae.
-Tarantulas are nearly blind. Their eight poorly developed eyes allow them to discern day from night, but little more than that. Their primary sense is touch, which is what they use to navigate. The hairs on their legs allow them to detect tiny vibrations and fluctuations in air pressure in order to hunt insects and other small prey.
-Shedding old skin (molting) is not as simple and safe as it is for reptiles. It generally involves a long period of the tarantula lying on its back helpless, and then a week of hiding while its new exoskeleton hardens. During this time, a tarantula has no defense against predators.
-Although the venom of most tarantulas is weak (comparable to a bee sting) it contains certain proteins and peptides that may be useful to us. It shows promise as a therapy for conditions as disparate as muscular dystrophy, cardiac arrhythmias and urinary incontinence. There is also research being done on a next-generation painkiller based on the venom.
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