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Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
1.Antenna- none 6.Cephalothorax TARANTULA 1.Antenna- none 6.Cephalothorax TARANTULA
2.Eyes- 8 (close together) 7.Petiole- none 2.Eyes- 8 (close together) 7.Petiole- none
3.Prosoma 8.Abdomen- large & hairy 3.Prosoma 8.Abdomen- large & hairy
4.Legs- 8 9.Color- brownish to blackish 4 4.Legs- 8 9.Color- brownish to blackish 4
5.Wings-none 10.Other- largest native spider 3 5.Wings-none 10.Other- largest native spider 3
Life Cycle Life Cycle
Mating occurs during the summer and fall months inside a burrow Mating occurs during the summer and fall months inside a burrow
in the ground. It takes 10 years for a tarantula to reach maturity. in the ground. It takes 10 years for a tarantula to reach maturity.
Unlike the male, females molt after reaching maturity. Tarantulas 6 8 Unlike the male, females molt after reaching maturity. Tarantulas 6 8
can have a long lifespan, with some females living up to 25 years. can have a long lifespan, with some females living up to 25 years.
Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
TARANTULAS Actual size 2 1/2” body TARANTULAS Actual size 2 1/2” body
There are several spiders that are known as “Tarantulas”—the word actually just means “big There are several spiders that are known as “Tarantulas”—the word actually just means “big
hairy spider.” In Arizona, some people mistake crab spiders, wolf spiders, and trapdoor spi- hairy spider.” In Arizona, some people mistake crab spiders, wolf spiders, and trapdoor spi-
ders for tarantulas. In some sense, because they can be “big hairy spiders”, they are a form ders for tarantulas. In some sense, because they can be “big hairy spiders”, they are a form
of tarantula. There is a type that is most associated as such, shown in these pictures. of tarantula. There is a type that is most associated as such, shown in these pictures.
Tarantulas have become fairly rare due to urbanization of their natural habitat. When they Tarantulas have become fairly rare due to urbanization of their natural habitat. When they
are found, they are usually in colonies or groups of several Tarantulas. Tarantulas live in are found, they are usually in colonies or groups of several Tarantulas. Tarantulas live in
burrows or gaps under rocks. They will often utilize an abandoned rodent hole, which they burrows or gaps under rocks. They will often utilize an abandoned rodent hole, which they
will at least partially line with silk to make it into a comfortable home. They use their fangs will at least partially line with silk to make it into a comfortable home. They use their fangs
and legs to move soil around to “remodel” their new habitat. and legs to move soil around to “remodel” their new habitat.
Tarantulas can be quite large—the body can be 2 ½ inches long, and the legs can have a Tarantulas can be quite large—the body can be 2 ½ inches long, and the legs can have a
span of up to seven inches. Their food supply includes crickets, beetles, sow and pillbugs, span of up to seven inches. Their food supply includes crickets, beetles, sow and pillbugs,
and other spiders. They will sit and wait for their next meal to walk by, pounce on them, and other spiders. They will sit and wait for their next meal to walk by, pounce on them,
and sink in their fangs, injecting a poison. While the bite can be deadly to their usual prey, and sink in their fangs, injecting a poison. While the bite can be deadly to their usual prey,
Tarantulas are really not very poisonous, and the bite is only mildly painful to humans. It Tarantulas are really not very poisonous, and the bite is only mildly painful to humans. It
can cause a little swelling, but Tarantulas usually have to be severely provoked to get them can cause a little swelling, but Tarantulas usually have to be severely provoked to get them
to bite. to bite.
Many children like to have Tarantulas as pets, and pet stores usually sell a species imported Many children like to have Tarantulas as pets, and pet stores usually sell a species imported
from Mexico. The desire to keep them as pets has also cut down on the local population. from Mexico. The desire to keep them as pets has also cut down on the local population.
They only need to eat about one cricket per week, and have a little water to survive. Taran- They only need to eat about one cricket per week, and have a little water to survive. Taran-
tulas can have a long lifespan, with some females living up to twenty years. tulas can have a long lifespan, with some females living up to twenty years.
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