Eighth Leg

The Reality of Pet Tarantulas

2011-05-05T09:02:00.001-07:00

Many pets are rumored to be low-maintenance, but tarantulas truly are a low maintenance pet. Still, they may not be the perfect pet for you. Let's take a close look at their requirements and some other important information you need to know before choosing these spiders as your next pet.

First, do not expect to be able to carry around your pet or to let it rest on your shoulder. Tarantulas can die from a short fall if their abdomen ruptures, so great care must be taken when handling one. It is NOT a good idea to hold a tarantula on a regular basis, and you should definitely not carry it around on your body.

Habitat. Tarantulas spend most of their time in small enclosed spaces, so small habitats are actually best. A good rule is to use a habitat 3 to 4 times the size of the spider when its legs are extended. A large habitat will actually cause unneeded stress to the tarantula. Include structures for the spider go climb over and hide in, and a secure water dish and It will be a happy spider. Also, make sure the lid is secure, as tarantulas can be quite strong.

Care & Feeding. Tarantulas require very little care. Keep the habitat humid (specific humidity percentages vary with species, but is usually 40-60% for desert species and more than 70% for tropical species). Food needs to be offered once per week, and yes, tarantulas eat live food. The majority of their diet will need to be insects (crickets, mealworms, etc.) Rodents like mice can be fed to tarantulas, but should not be the bulk of its diet.

Lifespan. Female tarantulas can live up to 20 years! Make sure this is a pet you really want to keep for a long time. Tarantulas are long-term commitments.

Research. It is always wise to research your particular pet (and species) so you'll take care to keep it healthy and safe. As one example, female tarantulas molt about once per year. When they do this, they will flip onto their side or onto their back. The spider isn't dying (a dying tarantula will often curl its legs under itself), and it should not be touched while on its back. After the spider molts, which can take a few hours, it is extremely fragile and should not be handled for at least a week.

Variety. There are several species of tarantulas, some more aggressive than others and some requiring more care than others. It's always best to research the type you're interested in. Be sure it's the right one for you.

Many people fear spiders and tarantulas, but in all honestly, you're more of a danger to the animal than it is to you! If you're interested in a pet that's very low maintenance, one that will require little if any physical contact, but is great fun to watch, then a tarantula might just be the right pet for you.

This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pets.

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Large and Ugly Spider - A Tarantula Can Be Interesting Pet

2011-05-02T08:21:00.000-07:00

Many people keep exotic animals as pets, and the tarantula is one such pet. This is a hairy large spider which looks menacing, but is quite gentle in nature.
Before rushing out to buy a tarantula as a pet, it would be advisable to find out how to take care of it. There are some basic care requirements that you should fulfill if you want to have a healthy and happy spider.

First of all, there are many different kinds of tarantulas, but they are primarily ground dwelling or arboreal. The ground dwelling ones live in burrows and are perfect for people who are beginners. These spiders are slow to move. Also, opt for a female spider as it has a longer lifespan compared to a male. As a beginner, you can get Chilean rose tarantula, Mexican blonde, Mexican redleg, or a Costa Rican zebra.

Make sure that you house your tarantula in a glass container. Even a plastic one is alright provided you can close it securely and it get sufficient ventilation. The tank should be a minimum of 3 times the leg span of the tarantula, so a 2.5 to 5 gallon tank would be ideal. If you get a bigger tank, the tarantula will not be able to spot its prey easily.

Once you have the tank, line with a substrate like coconut fiber, peat, vermiculite or potting soil. The substrate should be about 2 to 4 inches in thickness and should be able to keep back moisture. If you intend getting a tree dwelling tarantula, then make sure that the tank is tall and there are ample branches, logs and twigs for the spider to climb on. For a tree dwelling tarantula, you should use a 10-gallon tank.

Tarantulas are carnivores and they can be fed insect such as locusts and crickets. You can even feed them aphids, moths, earthworms, mealworms, caterpillar and roaches. But, remember that their main staple is cricket. An adult tarantula can also eat small mice and lizards. Any live insect that the spider does not eat should be removed from the tank. In addition, keep a shallow dish of water for the spider which should be changed everyday.

The temperature of the tank should be maintained between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not use bright lights to get the tank temperature up. Also, the area surrounding the tank should be darker than the tank. Check out what is the required humidity level for your spider and maintain it accordingly. If the spider has to be kept in high humidity, then keep a tray of water in the tank and mist the tank around three times in a week. If the humidity requirement is low, then just the tray of water should suffice.

If your tarantula is molting, then do not handle it or even feed it. The molting period usually lasts for 2 weeks.

With these care tips, you should be able to look after the basic needs of your pet tarantula.

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Tarantula Spiders - More Terrific Than Terrifying!

2011-03-01T08:47:00.000-08:00

Tarantulas have been a relatively popular pet now for several years. They are unique, quiet, and need little space, and keeping tarantulas as pets can make a fascinating hobby. In fact, tarantulas are one of the most low maintenance yet exotic pets you will find. In addition, tarantulas are gentle and can be trained quite well as pets.

Tarantulas are a member of the spider family. Like other spiders, they have 8 legs, and 8 eyes close together. Beyond that, there are some very interesting and distinguishing characteristics that set them apart from other spiders. They have very hairy bodies and legs, and can live about 30 years. They spin no webs but catch prey by pursuit and fighting. Many tarantulas also "speak" by produce a hissing sound by rubbing their jaws or front legs against each other.

There are over 800 species of tarantula. They are native to many areas and climates in the wild. They are roughly divided into two groups: "old world" (from the eastern hemisphere) and "new world" (from the western hemisphere). In terms of pet care, they are further divided into desert or tropical species, and ground-dwelling or aboreal (tree-dwelling).

Tarantulas range in size from only an inch or so to relative giants measuring nearly a foot across. The Goliath Tarantula, which inhabits South America, reaches a body length of 5 inches with a leg span of up to 12 inches. Even the small tarantulas reach a relatively large body length of 1.5 inches. However, the vast majority of species stay small enough to be safely and comfortably housed in a standard 5 to 10 gallon terrarium or aquarium tank (a cover should be provided to prevent escape).

The majority of tarantulas are black (most males) or brown (most females), but some species exhibit striking colors. The Mexican Red-Legged Tarantula has bright red leg markings and Cobalt Blue Tarantula has legs colored deep blue. The degree of coloring varies with the species and geographical location. Even "plain" brown spiders vary greatly in shade from a soft tan, through reddish brown to dark brown.

As an example of the pet tarantula, a great and popular choice for the beginning spider owner is the pink rose or the Chilean Rose tarantula. It grows to a manageable size of 3 to 4 inches and has a relatively mild temperament. They are naturally docile and slow moving animals that can be easily handled by the novice keeper with some care. It is also a ground dwelling spider, meaning that it lives in a burrow during the day and feeds usually at night. The ground dweller is a much easier habitat to replicate to make your spider feel at home and be comfortable.

Yet another fascinating phenomenon displayed by the tarantula is molting. Tarantulas have exoskeletons and do not have internal skeletons. Exoskeletons do not allow for growth so in order for the tarantula to grow it has to molt out of its old exoskeleton. The old exoskeleton splits and the spider works its way out. Adult tarantulas molt once or twice a year, and baby tarantulas molt more often since they are growing so quickly.

Observing the molting of tarantulas is surely one of the most exciting experiences in keeping them. If you notice your tarantula on its back, it is probably molting. Most tarantulas will fast for about a week before the molting starts and they definitely will not eat during the molting. Do not put live crickets or other food in the cage during the molting. It takes several days for the new exoskeleton to harden. Molting is stressful on a spider, and it is also completely vulnerable at that time, so do not handle or disturb it at all at this time, but observe with fascination!

As we said at the beginning, tarantulas are one of the most low maintenance pets you will find. A 5 to 10 gallon terrarium or aquarium tank (with a cover to prevent escape) will do great. And once a habitat is initially set up, the only essential things left to do is a weekly or twice-a-week feeding, and regular misting of the habitat with some room-temperature bottled water to maintain proper humidity.

For food, live crickets or some other similar insects can be bought at your local pet shop, but you should not capture and feed to your tarantula insects from the wild because of the possibility of pesticides and other contaminants. One or two crickets per feeding is usually good, depending on the size of your tarantula. Water should be always available for your tarantula to drink, and should be offered in a dish that is large enough for the tarantula to fit its body in but not too deep so that it will not accidentally drown.

You should try to keep the tarantula's enclosure clean. Insects that you feed your spider can be a bit messy when the spider is done consuming it so clean the remains up. The spider's excrement can be easily cleaned up with a tissue or paper towel. With regular light housekeeping, the caging material and cage itself need not be cleaned out more than a once or twice a year.

For humidity, desert species can be sprayed lightly about once per week, and rain forest dwellers as much as once per day. Desert tarantulas prefer a humidity of 30% to 50% range. Tropical species require higher humidity from 75% to 100%. Most tarantulas can be maintained comfortably in a temperature range of 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and this means little or no supplemental heating is required to maintain these animals. Having a humidity gauge and a thermometer is a good idea just to make sure your spider's conditions are about right. Do keep the cage or tank out of direct sunlight. Glass containers especially can get very hot which can kill your tarantula. Also, added lighting is not needed and can be harmful.

For maximum enjoyment for both you the pet owner and your pet, you can decorate your tarantula's habitat a little bit. It is not difficult to design a simple, yet aesthetically pleasing and naturally beautiful enclosure. Simple experimentation will reveal what works for you and for your pet. In fact, decorating and designing your pet's habitat can be one of the most fun and creative experiences in keeping a tarantula! It is a good idea to research the origins, behaviors, and needs of the species that interests you before you buy it or begin filling and decorating a habitat.

As mentioned, some species come from harsh deserts, and these tarantulas tend to be ground-dwelling burrowers. Others live high in the rainforest canopies of Asia and South America. Obviously keeping a tropical tree spider in a dry setup with no vertical height for climbing would result in a stressed and short-lived animal. Tropical, tree-dwelling species can be kept in taller encloses with slightly less floor space than previously recommended. Likewise, deeper enclosures can be utilized for burrowing desert species. Given some time in their home, most tarantulas will begin to create their own hide-outs, some even moving around cage furnishings. This is good, let them do it. Your tarantula knows better than you do what it likes.

You should keep in mind of some bare minimums common to all tarantula habitats. There should be a simple hiding structure or shelter such as a half-log or coconut hut, or perhaps some pieces of stone or driftwood. However you choose to do it, remember the basic idea of making your tarantula feel secure at home. Do not overdo the decorating, you should probably leave about 1/3 to 1/2 of the habitat floor bare and in the open for your tarantula to explore. Some substrate (cage bedding) will be needed, the best being pure orchid bark, coconut husk peat bedding, pure vermiculite, or relatively clean potting soil, or even a mixture of these.

The most difficult thing for most people is getting close enough to a tarantula for the first time to see them for what they really are. Not scary beasts out to bite you, but instead, incredibly agile and interesting creatures. Tarantulas are delicate animals, and when handling them be very careful that they do not fall, as they can be skittish and a short fall can injure them severely or even kill them.

It is true that tarantulas are not the best choice as a pet that you will be able to handle very much, but this is largely due to stress and danger to the spider rather than danger to the handler. For the tarantula owner, the chances of being bitten by a tarantula are extremely rare and even if through carelessness a bite should occur, the venom when injected into a person usually causes only slight swelling, with some numbness and itching which disappears in a short time. If it occurs, clean the bite site with soap and water and protect against infection.

Although they are not the cuddly variety, tarantulas are fascinating creatures that can be wonderful, gentle pets. The key to successfully owning any exotic animal is to know as much as you can about the species itself and the care of it.

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Need a Low-Maintenance Pet? Try a Tarantula!

2011-02-15T12:29:00.000-08:00

If you’re like me, then you don’t really have the luxury of keeping a high-maintenance pet such as a dog. Even a less demanding pet such as a cat might be beyond your time constraints. Fish tanks can be difficult too, since it’s easy to under-estimate the time and effort involved in keeping them clean. So what options do you have?

Well, you could try a snake or one of the hardier lizard varieties. My personal favorites, however, are tarantulas. That’s right—those big, hairy, eight-legged freaks.

Contrary to popular belief, tarantulas are really not deadly; in fact, there are no known instances of anyone dying from a tarantula bite. In addition, most of the pet store specimens that you’ll encounter are exceedingly docile, and will generally not bite unless they are severely provoked.

The most common variety available is the Chilean rose hair tarantula (Grammastola rosea), which is notoriously gentle and easy to handle. It is also known to have fairly mild venom, and almost never bites. Other docile and readily available species include the Honduran curly hair tarantula (Brachypelma albopilosum) and the Guyana pinktoe tarantula (Avicularia avicularia).

Unlike a dog or a cat, these animals do not require much care. They can go for weeks without food or water, although regular care is still recommended. They do not generate much waste either, and so cleaning their cages is easy as well. Some species do have rather specific humidity requirements, but the most common pet store varieties are not so demanding. They also require very little space, and most of them can be kept in plastic shoebox-sized containers. Make sure that their lids fit tightly though, since these animals can be quite good at escaping.

I do recommend reading up on tarantula care, so as to learn the proper care requirements for the specimen that you choose. Be aware that some species can be quite aggressive, and are not recommended for beginners. These species are less commonly available though, and are generally obtained via mail order. If in doubt, start with a Chilean rose hair, as this is an excellent beginner species.

Owners should be aware that even within docile species, there can be some individuals that are more aggressive than others. In addition, there is always the possibility of an allergic reaction if you are bitten. In theory, this could result in a potentially fatal anaphylactic shock, although I am not aware of any circumstances in which this has actually happened. For these reasons, new owners should learn how to read a tarantula’s body language, and should stay away from species that have a reputation for biting without provocation.

Also, do remember that you never have to actually hold the tarantulas—just as you never have to actually hold your aquarium fish. I recommend reading up on handling techniques, so that you can move the animals around without having to touch them. This can be helpful for those who are squeamish, or who simply wish to be cautious. When in doubt, err on the side of safety.

If you’re not intimidated by the prospect of keeping one of these wondrous creatures, then I recommend them highly. They can be quite addictive, and they never fail to entertain.

Source: http://www.articlecity.com

The Fear of Spiders

2011-02-07T10:18:00.000-08:00

As amusing as it may sound to many people, Arachnophobia--the fear of spiders, is a traumatizing reality for millions of Americans and people worldwide.

If you or someone you know personally has this phobia, then it should be brewing in your mind to find the answers that bring freedom from this evil web of fear.

Even though to the phobic it may seem impossible at first, the fear of spiders, like most fears, can most certainly be overcome.

There are a variety of treatments, exercises, and therapies that can help and the World Wide Web...oops...sorry...offers a vast array of resources and material that can be of assistance.

Most phobias are established to have developed from a traumatizing childhood experience that grew with the phobic so that it eventually becomes a part of him. At times when traumatizing childhood experiences cannot be established, psychologists were known to venture into the realm of reincarnation and past life regression.

Phobia is not the same as "fear". A "fear" is a sense of impending danger or evil established by inherent logics and reasoning or by gut instinct. A "phobia" on the other hand is an inflated and disproportionate perception of reality.

Some researchers theorized that spiders were once a threat to the human race somewhere in evolutionary history and that panic attacks resulting from phobias were a defense mechanism that could save the life of persons. Such theories, however, have no solid foundations.

Is the fear of spiders rational? Almost everyone would agree that the answer to that question is a resounding "no". It is in fact, somewhat "mystical". An arachnophobe would be dreadfully afraid of a spider that is really harmless, and poisonous spiders are not really a threat if seen.

Experts agree that knowing more about your phobia helps you overcome it since most phobias grow out of fear of the unknown. Following are some "fun" facts about spiders.

The fear of spiders actually has its roots deep in Greek mythology. "Arachnophobia" comes from the Greek words, "arachne", meaning "spider", and "phobos", meaning "a fear". Arachne was a beautiful Greek maiden. She studied weaving under Athena, and had extraordinary skill. When her skills were later recognized, she denied any training given by Athena. Athena turned herself into a bitter, old lady. She approached Arachne, and tricked her into a weaving contest. Arachne wove portraits of the gods performing evil deeds. Athena and Arachne finished their weaving in an extremely short amount of time, but Arachne's work was much finer than Athena's. Athena was furious that a mere mortal had beaten her in a weaving contest and had portrayed the gods in a disrespectful way. Overcome with rage, she beat Arachne to the ground. Arachne was so upset, she hanged herself. Athena realized what she had done, regretted her actions, and sprinkled a magic liquid onto Arachne, turning her into a spider, so she could keep her weaving skills.

The feared tarantula isn't poisonous. A tarantula's bite can be painful, but it isn't any more dangerous than a bee sting.

Under a spider's abdomen, near the rear, are tiny stubs called spinnerets. The spider uses its legs to pull liquid silk made in its abdomen from the spinnerets. The silk hardens as it stretches. Since silk is made out of protein, a spider eats the used silk of an old web before spinning a new one.

On an American one-dollar bill, there is an owl in the upper left-hand corner of the "1" encased in the "shield" and a spider hidden in the front upper right-hand corner.

Most spiders belong to the orb weaver spider family, Family Aranidae. This is pronounced "A Rainy Day."

In the 1960s, animal behavior researchers studied the effects of various substances on spiders. When spiders were fed flies that had been injected with caffeine, they spun very "nervous" webs. When spiders ate flies injected with LSD, they spun webs with wild, abstract patterns. Spiders that were given sedatives fell asleep before completing their webs.

Horseshoe crabs and spiders are actually close relatives. The horseshoe crab belongs to the large group of invertebrates (animals without backbones) called Arthropods. This group also includes lobsters, crabs, insects, spiders, and scorpions. Even though it looks crab-like, with a hard shell and claws, the horseshoe crab is more closely related to scorpions and spiders than to crabs.

Many cultures believe that spiders bring good luck. The spider was popular with the Romans, who had a favorite mascot in the shape of a precious stone upon which a spider was engraved. Also they were fond of carrying little spiders of gold or silver, or any of the fortunate metals, to bring good luck in anything to do with trade.

Spider silk can stretch up to 50 percent of its original length. A strand of spider silk the width of a pencil could stop a Boeing 747 in flight.

On average, people fear spiders more than they fear dying. However, statistically, you are more likely to be killed by a champagne cork than by the bite of a poisonous spider.

We'd probably all be dead without spiders. Their sheer number makes spiders vital in maintaining the balance of nature. Because they structure insect communities wherever they occur, spiders play a vital role in the terrestrial food chain. Without all those hungry spiders, insect populations would explode, food crops would be decimated, and ecological balances ravaged. Humans would probably starve within a matter of months--if they hadn't already succumbed to various insect-borne diseases. No spider, incidentally, has been found to transmit disease.

Spider venom can be used to treat certain neurological and mental disorders. A research group in Utah has isolated components from the venom of many species of North American spiders, which may help reduce brain damage following strokes.
By http://www.articlecity.com

What You Need to Know About Having a Pet Tarantula

2011-02-04T10:13:00.000-08:00

Tarantulas, one of the earth's oldest species, are exotic and fascinating. Shy and rather nervous, they prefer being left alone.

Handling causes stress- not for humans eager for closeness, but for the spider. Please think again about owning a tarantula if you have your heart set on lots of one-to-one interaction. If still interested, do look forward to the enjoyment of caring for and observing an intriguing species instead.

Your Tarantula's Home

The large hairy spider's body on average measures 3" or 7.6 cm long with legs extended up to 10" or 25.4 cm across. The environment should be three times the spider's length by two times the spider's width. A 2.5 to 5 gallon aquarium is a good choice. Too large an environment causes stress. You must avoid direct sunlight as well. Most spiders spend 90 percent of daylight hours out of sight, preferring to surface at night. Their home should be quiet, and contain a place to hide.

A tarantula is a loner, preferring a bachelor or bachelorette existence. Forget making a home for two! It is important to know whether your tarantula is a ground dweller or burrower. Is it arboreal? While both require coconut husks, peat moss, potting soil, or pure vermiculite as a 2-4" base at the bottom of the aquarium tank, the burrower's soil base needs misting regularly to keep tunnels from caving in. The arboreal spider wants branches. The spider often redecorates to suit its style, by the way.

The aquarium tank should have a secure lid because your clever tarantula plots its escape the moment it moves in. The top needs to not only be safe, but also have good ventilation.

The 'Bite' FOR the Tarantula

Your hairy little friend eats live prey approximately once a week (or two times a week if growing). Crickets are prime, followed by mealworms and roaches. Small mice or lizards are also on the list, but ensure they are smaller than the spider. Clean the cage a few days after feeding to avoid an unhealthy situation. Water in a shallow water dish is a necessity, near the size of your spider, with pebbles at the bottom for safety.

Tarantula 101

If pondering being a first time owner, a female is the best choice. She lives for more than 20 years while male life expectancy is a little over two years. Buy a captive bred spider from a responsible supplier. Some recommended tarantulas are: Chilean Rose, Costa Rican Zebra, Mexican Redknee, Mexican Redleg, and Desert/Mexican Blonde. The Chilean Rose is more passive and slow moving.

Tarantulas bite, with venom like a bee, a significant piece of information if you or a family member is allergic. They also have barbed hairs on their abdomens. Never rub your eyes after cleaning the cage. The above sentences are very important.

Resources

The British Tarantula Society is one of the oldest associations and a wonderful source of information, as is the American Tarantula Society.

Laura Ginn is the owner of an article writing company called Ink Elves. Her website can be found at http://www.inkelves.com Ink Elves specialise in writing articles, ebooks and pretty much anything that their customers desire. All articles are produced at affordable rates and to the customers set specifications.

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