The Tarantula

The name tarantula is the name commonly referred to the group spiders that are hairy and often very large in size. Tarantulas are among the group of spiders that don't spin webs and prey on the ground. The main of diet of tarantulas are on smaller insects and fellow arthropods, and they normally catch them through stalking and ambushing them. The largest types of tarantulas are capable of capturing animals that are often larger than themselves; animals such as birds, mice, and lizards which are sometimes, twice than their own size. A myth often follows tarantula's presence. Because of their intimidating physical characteristics, people fear their presence thinking that they are harmful to human beings. However, despite their scary outlook, they are absolutely harmless to humans. In even some residences and parts of the world, tarantulas are domesticated or eaten. But recent protocols to protect environmental elements have prohibited such actions towards tarantulas in the world as it may disrupt the natural balance. These fearsome and bulky looking spiders are commonly found in the tropical areas and as well as in the desert areas in the world. As of today, 800 species of tarantula spiders are already identified. All of them are classified under the family of Theraphosidae or also interchangeably called theraphosids.

Name Origin

The name "tarantula" actually originated from a town in Italy called Taranto. The name was formerly used to refer to some unidentified classes of spiders found in the areas of Europe. However, when it came to America, the name was already immediately used to refer to American theraphosids found in naturally in the continent. In Africa tarantulas are sometimes referred to as baboon spiders due to their baboonish appearance (due to considerable hair presence very much like of baboon monkey). There are certain theraphosids in Asia that are called earth tigers or bird spiders. In Australia, they are also referred differently; names such as barking and whistling spiders are their most common names. Also, theraphosids across the world would also have differing names depending on which part of the world they are located.

Habitat

Members of the tarantula spider family are often commonly found in the warm areas of the planet, particularly in deserts and dry lands which are greatly located in the tropical and subtropical regions. Some tarantula families are also found in the rainforests and most of them inhabit the grounds. However, despite their ground inclinations, tarantulas are impeccable climbers and some other types even are arboreal.

Somewhere in the western hemispheres, tarantulas also populate the areas of United States down to Mexico, to Central America and most of South America. These zones are where the straights of desert areas are present. In West Indies as well, tarantulas are found to have inhabited and of course, in Africa, certain parts of Asia, and a few particular regions of Australia.

In United States, there are about 30 species of tarantulas thrive in existence. They are more predominantly found in the arid regions of West to Southwest. These areas are inclusive of Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico, parts of Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. Some species are also found in the far north like Oregon, and also in Missouri, California, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, and Louisiana.

Physical Definition

Tarantulas as spiders are in several ways different to insects; beginning with their body structures. All arachnids have two segmented body parts, the abdomen and the cephalothorax which is the upper part of the arachnid's body, comprising of the head and forelegs. The abdomen part of the arachnids is where the silk producing glands and spinnerets are located. Spiders unlike insects have no antennas.

Tarantulas are actually much more primitive versions of spiders. They are even classified under a suborder Mygalomorphae, a group of arachnids distinctively different what they call now as "true" spiders which are classified under suborder, Areneomorphae. Tarantulas, along with their relative species, the Trapdoor spiders, have two-pairs of gill looking book lungs while species that fall under the true spiders' species only have one. Another distinct characteristic of tarantulas are their jaws called "chelicerae" equipped with humongous fangs the bite downwards. This makes them relatively different to true spiders which have pincer-like fangs that work horizontally. True spiders are also more often dependent to the potency of the venoms they carry to subdue their prey rather than their brute strength which Tarantulas are distinguished with. Tarantulas also have only two spinnerets rather than normally three.

Tarantulas are known to live longer than any other types of spiders on earth. Female tarantulas could virtually live as long as 25 years granted without exterior factors that could cause sudden or indirect death; such a utter dramatic contrast to the lifespan of true spiders which could only last for 1 to 2 years. Male tarantulas however, live a relatively shorter lifespan of 5 to 10 years.

The tarantula species vary considerably in size and reputably includes the largest of spiders in the world. Mature female tarantulas are variably larger and bulkier than male tarantulas. A typical example to this is the North American desert tarantulas which are often found in the western parts US. The female of this species will reach 4 inches of leg span and a 2.8 inch long body. However, the largest species of tarantulas on earth, the goliath bird-eating tarantulas will have females with a leg span of 11 inches could weigh up to 120 g or 4oz. They are by far the largest spiders in the planet.

Humans and Tarantulas

There are certain places in the world wherein people eat tarantulas for food. There are certain tribes in the Amazon that roast live tarantulas and would even consider eating their eggs. Also in Cambodia, there certain species of tarantula that are friend and eaten.

Tarantulas can also be considered as pets. Domesticating Tarantulas had been a trend starting the mid 1980s. A particular species of tarantulas, the Mexican red-kneed tarantulas have become a particular favorite to tarantula owners due to its bright colors and docile nature. But over times, petting tarantulas were banned as it can possibly threaten the wild population to extinction.