What is a Tarantula?
Strictly speaking the term Tarantula should only be used to refer to a relatively small, though large for it's type, Lycosid, or Wolf spider from southern Europe. Though capable of delivering a venomous bite. It is not particularly dangerous to human. However, in northern Italy, in the town of Taranto, it's bite was believed to lead to a form of madness and the only cure then thought to be was a frantic Neapolitan dance called the Tarantella, after the name of the town and hence this spider's name.
As with many words, the term Tarantella, in the U.K., has been hijacked into popular usage to generally refer to the giant spiders of the sub-order Orthognatha (the Myglamorph spiders).
In Africa the term is used to describe Solpadine or Sun spiders, which are often large, but non venomous, possessing huge biting jaws. Africans call their large Myglamorphs baboon spider, because they believe that these spiders hairy legs resemble the velvety pads and hairy fingers of baboons.
In Australia, the term is used to describe several large harmless Laetigrade (running sideways, like a crab) spiders, their best known species of Myglamorph spiders are the notorious funnel web spiders.
Previously, here in the U.K. these large spiders were commonly called the bird eating spiders. This was on account of their large size, frequently tree dwelling habits and also as a direct result of a few early-unsubstantiated observations (from 1705 onwards) of these large spiders feeding on small birds such as humming birds.
This led in turn to one of the first species to be described, being called Avicularia Avicularia, Latin for bird eater, which is entirely inaccurate for this relatively innocuous species. This also led Victorian taxidermists, with access to little or no field data, to frequently mount preserved specimens in the act of catching small birds, whether this was actually accurate for the species in question or not. They thought that so large a spider could not be interested in small insect food, which we now know is largely incorrect. It is however now well documented that a few large and aggressive Tarantulas will take small birds and animals in the wild, as well as, in captivity.
The Spider Family
The Myglamorph (from the Greek word Mygale, field mouse) spiders are currently divided into 15 families. Of these, only one is important to most Tarantula keepers. It is the family Theraphosidae, which has all the largest, hairiest, and therefore, to most enthusiasts, the most interesting species. Specimens are now regularly imported by specialist dealers and the black market from the tropical
and sub tropical Americas, Africa, India and the far and Middle East.
Some enthusiasts also keep member of the family Ctenizidae, the trap door spiders. These are characterized by having a rastellumon, the chelicrae, which assists in the digging and removal of soil from their burrows. They are much less hairy than the Theraphosidae, and being confined to their burrows, have shorter, stouter legs. If given access to facilities to construct their burrows in captivity,
they can thrive, but are rarely seen, and more are therefore not appreciated by most enthusiasts as much as most members of the Theraphosidae family.
The family Dipluridae is the family of Myglamorphs which are known as Funnel Web spiders, on account of the funnel like sheet webs that they weave and live within. This group includes both the notorious Sydney Funnel Web spider, Atrax robustus, and the rare Australian Tree-dwelling Funnel Web, Atrax formidabilis.
Both species venom is particularly dangerous to primates, including humans. Typically, when they rear up to expose their fangs to threat, a drop of venom hangs from each fang. Although all spiders are venomous, only a few are recognized as being dangerous to humans.
The Different Kinds Of Tarantulas
Tarantulas of the family Theraphosidae can be divided into 3 broad groupings, depending on their lifestyle in the wild. These are terrestrial, burrowing, and arboreal. These will also be divided into either Old World, or New World species, depending on where they are from. Spiders from Africa, or the Asian rainforests will usually be considered Old World species. Spiders from the Americas are usually called New World species. All New World species have the ability to flick urticating hair from their abdomen, this can cause uncomfortable itching or rash.
Terrestrial Tarantulas are those that may be called wandering, or free ranging Tarantulas. They make their temporary or semi-permanent homes under rocks, fallen branches, leaf litter or utilize burrows made by another creature, such as a small mammal or a lizard. These tend to be the most popular of the Tarantulas.
Simply because they are easy to keep and make a good display for animals.
Burrowing Tarantulas are the true burrowing Tarantulas. They construct their own burrows themselves, often remaining in the same place all their lives. Except for males, when they finally go out looking for a female. These tend to hide a lot, so they are not the impatient keeper.
Arboreal Tarantulas are tree-dwelling spiders, the climbers. They are usually brightly colored, and often fast and aggressive. These make great display animals, but they are not for the beginner as for their temperament.
Author : Richard Burns
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