The tarantula, which causes shiver even to those who are not afraid of spiders with its furry body and uncanny appearance, is a creature found in many hot climate countries of the world, including our country. We have explained some of the most interesting features of the tarantula, which we often only see in movies, for those who wonder whether it is poisonous or what kind of animal it is.
‘What does that many bugs do to people!’ The tarantula, which gives goosebumps when even those who think so, live in hot climate countries in many different parts of the world, including our country. Due to its 8-legged and hairy body structure tarantulas, which also find a place in popular culture, Despite this bad perception, it is actually one of the creatures that get along best with humans.
Of course, it is their size that makes tarantulas spiders the most frightening. Because in general, due to the geography we live in, we don’t see big insects around, but the tarantula is a much larger spider than we are used to. Tarantula poisonous, what kind of animal Let’s take a closer look at the interesting features of these creatures and see if they really are a bogeyman as we have been told.
Information about the tarantula:
- Tarantulas can be very, very large.
- It is possible to encounter a tarantula on the street at any time.
- The tarantula is one of the most diverse spiders.
- You don’t have to worry if the tarantula is poisonous.
- He is truly a reckless hunter.
- It is the prey as well as the hunter.
- Their hair is not like the hairs we know.
- Female tarantulas are luckier than males.
- It looks like the tarantula will be with us for many more years.
Tarantulas can be very, very large:
The main colors of tarantulas, which have 8 legs, two arms called pedipalps and two teeth generally black and brown but different colors can be seen on their legs and feathers. The average tarantula is between 7 and 10 cm, but depending on the species, climate and feeding habits, they can sometimes be 30 cm or larger.
It is possible to encounter a tarantula on the street at any time:
We say it metaphorically, of course, because they themselves are generally found in damp areas, shady places, tree hollows, They nest under rocks and similar places. Tarantulas can be found all over the Americas, Africa, most of Asia, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Cyprus and of course Turkey. They like places that are a little dry, a little humid, a little dark, that is, quite calm.
Tarantula is one of the most diverse spiders:
In general, when the tarantula is mentioned, everyone will think of the huge black species that we often see in movies, but it is not the only tarantula. There are 148 genera and 1236 species described to date. Of course, each has its own unique and common features with the others. According to 2012 reviews, there are chaetopelma olivaceum, chaetopelma concolor and chaetopelma altugkadirorum species of the Chaetopelma genus in our country.
You don’t have to worry about the tarantula poisonous:
So if you ask if tarantula is poisonous, yes it is. But if you ask if this poison will harm people, it will never do any harm. No matter how big the tarantula is, its venom is not strong enough to harm a human. In general, after such a bite, the skin becomes red and itchy, which lasts for several hours. No deaths due to tarantula venom have been recorded to date. Of course, the person may be allergic to this creature or to a substance in the poison. For this reason, it is recommended that you go to the nearest hospital and seek help in case of such a bite.
He is truly a reckless hunter:
Like many insects and spiders, tarantulas generally prey on smaller insects suitable for their size. Of course not always. A truly adult and powerful tarantula can even prey on frogs, lizards and small rodents. It has also been seen that a 28 cm tarantula living in South America, known as the Goliath bird eater, hunts a lot of birds. Of course not while flying.
It is the prey as well as the hunter:
The tarantula is one of the most powerful predators known, but there are much stronger predators in its ecosystem. Snakes, lizards, frogs, birds, coati, opossums, mongooses, and even foxes and jackals eat tarantulas. Even more interesting, there is a species of hornet in nature called tarantula hawks. These bees sting the tarantula, paralyze it and lay eggs inside. Thus, it makes a nest for its own offspring inside the living but paralyzed tarantula. It’s creepy to even think about.
Their hair is not like the hairs we know:
From the outside, you might think that the tarantula is almost entirely a spider covered with feathers. but the reality is not exactly like that. In fact, those hair-like projections of the tarantula are made up of chitin and keratin. In other words, it is possible to compare them to our nails in a way.
Some tarantula species have small, hard spines on top of these body hairs. The primary purpose of these spines is to retain prey. Another purpose is to be thrown like a knife. Yes, some species of tarantulas toss these spiny hairs when threatened or hunted. These spines injure the eye and mucous membrane.
Female tarantulas are luckier than males:
Although it varies according to the species and the environment in which it lives, tarantulas have a much longer lifespan than other spiders. The average lifespan of a male tarantula is 10 years, while females can live up to 30 years. This is because the majority of male tarantulas successfully They die a few months after mating. In other words, a female tarantula can give birth to offspring from several different males in her lifetime.
It looks like the tarantula will be with us for many more years to come:
After the male and female tarantula mate, the eggs and sperm are enclosed in a cocoon. It has been observed that the female eats the male after mating, but not always. In the cocoon formed after mating, 500 to 1000 eggs are formed. After a period of 6 to 9 weeks, the fry hatch. Even if we think that 500 cubs come out of each cocoon, it seems obvious that tarantulas will not go extinct easily.
It has more than a thousand species and can be found all over the world. is the tarantula poisonous, what kind of animal We talked about interesting information where you can find answers to frequently asked questions. Tarantula is one of the creatures that is also kept as a pet, but if you have such a thought, it would be better to get an opinion from a specialist veterinarian beforehand.