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Tarantula

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Tarantulas are a group of large arachnids belong to the Theraphosidae family of spiders

There are around 900 different recognised species of tarantula in the world.

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct

Here at Hertfordshire Zoo we have a Salmon Pink tarantula.

All tarantulas are covered in fine hairs, which they can use as a defence mechanism. They loosen those hairs, by rubbing their hind legs against their abdomen and then flick them backwards. If hairs get on the body, they cause irritation and if flicked in eyes can even cause temporary blindness.

No tarantula bites are deadly to humans unless they have an allergic reaction. If held on a flat hand, they are not able to bite as their fangs point backwards! Tarantulas do not make webs like our garden spiders but tend to lay webbing along the floor.

Family:

Theraphosidae

Diet:

Depending on size their diet consists of small bugs up to small reptiles & rodents

Life Span:

10 to 25 years

Habitat:

Most of the world's tropical, subtropical, and arid regions

Did you know?

Female Tarantulas will regularly eat males after mating with them, however females may sacrifice themselves as food for their babies if no food is available for them!

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