Tarantula spider - description, where it lives, what it looks like, how long it lives, is it dangerous?

More and more people are choosing exotic animals as pets. Interest in such an unusual pet as the tarantula is rapidly increasing. Before going to a pet store, you should familiarize yourself with the characteristics of such animals and the rules of keeping.

Keeping a tarantula spider at home

These arthropods are extremely unpretentious and can be bred in captivity without problems, so they have long become popular pets. The tarantula spider should be kept at home by adhering to the following rules:

1. The temperature in his home should not fall below +25ºС. To do this, use a heater or thermal mat.
2. Some species that live naturally in the tropics require a humidity level of 85%. You can maintain the required level using a bowl of water.
3. It is prohibited to keep two same-sex individuals in the same terrarium. In such a situation, the strong representative will eat the weak one.
4. Coconut fiber, tree bark substrate, or sphagnum moss can be used as bedding.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=85-zeCNQ-I0%250D

Terrarium for a tarantula spider

Plastic or glass containers of various shapes are suitable as housing. A prerequisite is a tightly closing lid so that the pet cannot escape. Tarantula spiders will not be a problem for beginners; depending on the type, choose the following:

1. Tree representatives need housing sizes up to 35 cm in height.
2. A long terrarium is suitable for a terrestrial species. With a thick layer of substrate at the bottom.
3. Burrow spiders need something like a mink. It could be an upside down mug with a broken edge or half a coconut shell.

Proper ventilation is considered an important parameter in a terrarium. Coconut substrate, drinking water, shelter and heating are vital for these spiders; everything else does not affect their life in any way. Arthropods do not need plants and decorations; they are used to decorate space, nothing more. To prevent parasites from appearing in your home, it is recommended to use artificial elements.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=pDzjoTi1yv8%250D

How to care for a tarantula spider?

Keeping such pets does not have any special procedures, but it does have its own peculiarities.

1. When a domestic tarantula molts, it is strictly forbidden to help it; one awkward movement can harm your health and even lead to the death of the “baby.”
2. The terrarium must be freed from food residues and waste products. This is done with tweezers so as not to frighten the pet or cause aggression in it. It is recommended to carry out such cleaning every seven days.
3. The main accessories for care include: long tweezers, a thermometer, a hygrometer and a lamp for illumination and heating of the air.

What does a tarantula spider eat?

These arthropods are omnivores, the main thing is that the size of the food is smaller than the body of the pets. Adult representatives are fed up to two times a week. The amount of serving is determined by the size of the abdomen, which increases in relation to the cephalothorax by 1.5-2 times. The following can be given as food:

• cockroaches;
• fruit flies;
• crickets;
• bloodworms;
• locusts;
• mealworms.

A poisonous spider prefers its food to be alive; its instincts require it. It attacks its prey, injecting poison to paralyze it. Afterwards it breaks it apart with powerful chelicerae and covers it with gastric juice for digestion. A well-fed spider can starve for a week, and sometimes even a month. After finishing the “meal”, the remaining food must be removed to avoid rotting.

Danger to humans

Before keeping such an unpretentious pet at home, you should find out how poisonous it is. It is important to remember that although this type of spider can bite humans, these bites are not dangerous.

The animal may bite if it feels its life is threatened, but it may first stand on its hind legs and make a threatening hissing sound.

The tarantula spider bites with chelicerae, at the end of which there are fangs, the length of which is about 2 cm. During the bite, it injects poison.

The bite site becomes inflamed, followed by swelling and swelling. All this is accompanied by pain. After about a week, the negative effects of the bite disappear.

This is especially true for people prone to allergies, as well as those with weakened immune systems. After being bitten, these people feel worse and become very weak, with nausea, diarrhea, dizziness and headaches.

Spiders are not amenable to any kind of training, so humans need to study their behavior.

If the spider has poisonous hair, it is better to handle it while wearing gloves, otherwise skin irritation may occur.

There is a category of people suffering from arachnophobia: fear of spiders. If such a person accidentally and unexpectedly encounters a tarantula spider, he may die of fear.

In this regard, it is necessary to make sure that the animal cannot leave the terrarium and start traveling around the person’s house and, even worse, the neighbors.

Description and features

Let's look at what an unusual tarantula spider looks like. It is distinguished by long limbs covered with shaggy hairs and a rich color, the intensity of which increases after each molt. Most often the animals are gray or brown in color, but there are individuals of black and bright blue.

The body structure of the tarantula spider is represented by a cephalothorax and abdomen, connected by a small bridge

The chitin exoskeleton prevents mechanical damage and reduces moisture loss, which is especially important in arid regions. The cephalothorax is covered with a solid carapace, on the front of which there are 4 pairs of eyes.

The organs of the reproductive and digestive systems are located on the abdomen. Here you can see 2 – 6 pairs of spider appendages. Spiders have 12 limbs:

• 8 are paws;
• 2 – chelicerae, used for hunting, digging burrows, defense, and moving caught prey. They also contain poisonous glands;
• 2 – pedipalps, perform a tactile function.

The size of tarantulas varies depending on the species. Taking into account the legs, the animal’s body reaches 25–28 cm, with females noticeably larger than males. On average, the weight of spiders is 60–85 g; large species living in Venezuela and Brazil sometimes weigh up to 150 g or more. Thus, the mass of a male goliath tarantula is 170 g.

Spiders digest food orally

Some spiders chew their prey, coating it with enzymes secreted by the digestive tract, while others bite the victim and pump it full of digestive enzymes before sucking up the liquefied internal tissues.

The spider's mouth leads into a narrow passage, the pharynx, which leads to the sucking stomach, which is part of the midgut. The midgut has a variable number (usually four pairs) of blind extensions, or caecum trunks, which extend to the first segments of the legs (coxa). Additional blind trunks and a branched digestive gland are located in the anterior part of the abdomen. At the end of the intestine, the cecum (stercoral pouch or cloaca) connects to the hindgut.

Video

Spiders are long-lived

Common house spider

The lifespan of house spiders is usually 8-12 months. They die after breeding, from lack of food, by human hands.

Only 10 species of spiders out of 42 thousand can live in houses and apartments. The most common species is Tegenaria domestica. This is a small (12 mm in diameter including legs) spider of a yellowish-brown color.

It weaves a flat triangular web, not just one, but several at once, and connects them with threads for movement. Under favorable conditions it can live up to 5 years. It is harmless and non-aggressive, but can bite a person if pressed down.

In private homes, a cross is often found. It is distinguished by a white cross on the back and a patterned circular web. The life span of the cross is short: males can live from 4 to 6 months, females - 2-3 months.

Sometimes you come across a haymaker (“long-legged”) - a small oblong body from 2 to 10 mm long on long, fragile legs. The web is woven chaotically and has no clear shape. This spider lives at home for about 2 years.

Exotic animals

Large poisonous spiders have long gained popularity as exotic animals suitable for home keeping. Even at home, it is quite possible to create favorable conditions for their existence and reproduction.

Tarantulas or tarantulas are usually kept in the apartment. There are many varieties, differing in color, behavior, hairiness and body structure. They can live for a long time, so some people become attached to such pets in the same way as to cats or dogs.

Popular types of tarantulas:

• curly-haired (Brachypelma Albopilosum) – black, covered with pinkish hairs. The most unpretentious look. The bite is noticeable, painful, but not dangerous to human health. Males live 3 to 4 years, females can live more than 20 years;
• woody (Avicularia Versicolor) – covering of young growth is blue with white hairs. The adult individual is colored in blue, red, green shades with a metallic tint. One of its features is that it moves very quickly. The poison is safe for humans. Males live from 1.5 to 2 years, females can live up to 8 years;
• The Horse Spider (Lasiodora Parahybana) is one of the largest tarantulas. The color is gray with black or brown. Actively digs the substrate and easily chews through fragile parts of the terrarium. Females can live 15-25 years, males - from 2 to 3 years.

For terrarium maintenance, 5 types are usually used:

• Apulian is one of the largest (body length up to 7 cm long). Females are red in color and their lifespan ranges from 3 to 4 years. Males are light gray and can live no more than 2-3 years.
• South Russian (also called “mizgir”). Body length 3.5 cm. Color varies from brownish to brown. Can live up to 5 years.
• Spanish. The male is dark gray. Lives for about 2 years, participates in fertilization only once in its life. Females are red in color with a striped belly. They can live more than 5 years.
• Mexican. Fluffy, abdomen length up to 14 cm, black-gray color, the folds of the legs are red (the second name of the spider is “red-knee tarantula”). They are distinguished by their slow growth and maturation: males are capable of fertilization at the age of 4 years, rarely live longer than 10, females can give birth to offspring at 6-7 years, and live up to 20-30 years. In captivity, maturation occurs faster, which reduces life expectancy.
• Brazilian black. The abdomen is 7 cm long, the body is black and shiny. Relatively calm view. They mature at the age of 6-7 years, females can live 20 years. Males rarely reach 10.

To increase the lifespan of a spider, it needs to be fed less (the rule does not apply to juveniles). The abundance of food provokes growth and change of the exoskeleton.

The more often this animal sheds, the shorter it will live. Tarantulas can refuse to eat for about 2 years for no apparent reason. They are considered the longest-livers among their relatives.

It’s not worth doing such experiments on them at home, but if he doesn’t want to eat for 1-2 weeks, then there’s no need to persistently feed him. Such a hunger strike will not affect the quality of life. This usually happens before molting.

Mice, lizards and frogs should not be given. This means an increased risk of injury to the spider and an unpleasant odor in the house. The best option is marble cockroaches.

At cool temperatures, the metabolic processes of the spider's body slow down, which also helps to increase its lifespan. In the wild, hibernating spiders will live longer than indoor spiders.

To prolong the life of a male spider during the mating process, it is important to monitor the behavior of the female. It is necessary to intervene in time with the help of special forceps or a shield, since spiders usually eat their partner after fertilization. At the end of the process, the couple is separated

Once the process is complete, the couple is separated.

Spiders prefer tropical climates

Spiders are found on all continents (except Antarctica, although spider fragments have been reported there) and at altitudes of up to 5,000 meters (in the Himalayas). There are many more species found in the tropics than in temperate regions. Although most spiders are terrestrial creatures, one Eurasian species lives in slow-moving fresh water. There are several species that live along the shores or on the surface of fresh or salt water.

Photo: Cosmos Magazine

Small spiders and the young of many larger species spin long silken threads that are picked up by the wind, carrying the spiders long distances. This behavior occurs in many families and accelerates their spread.

Breeding tarantula spiders

Breeding tarantula spiders is just as difficult and exciting as breeding other species of spiders. You will need to select a female and a male, provide them with a mating terrarium, and ensure that the aggressive female does not eat the male spider, either before or after mating.

After mating, after 4-8 weeks, the female tarantula spider should make a cocoon for her little spiderlings. For several weeks, she will protect this cocoon and protect it from prying eyes, and then, when she considers it necessary (and the cocoon itself has matured), she will open it and release dozens of small tarantulas into our world. However, the maternal instinct will very quickly abandon the female, therefore, you should not count on her continuing to take care of the small tarantulas. Place the babies quickly in separate containers. And, on day 2-3, start feeding them with fruit flies or small cockroaches.

Females produce up to a thousand eggs

Female spiders produce either a single egg sac containing tens to a thousand eggs, or multiple egg sacs containing fewer eggs. The females of many species die after producing their last egg sac. Others provide care for the young for a period of time; these females live one or at most two years. Female mygalomorph spiders can live up to 25 years, and female primitive haplogine spiders can live up to 10 years.

Although some spiders bind their eggs with several strands of silk, most construct complex sacs from many layers of thick silk. The eggs, which often have the appearance of a drop of liquid, are laid on a silken cushion and then wrapped and covered so that the finished egg sac is spherical or disc-shaped. Females of many species place the egg sac on a stalk, attach it to a stone, or cover it with smooth silk. Other females guard the eggs or carry them either in their jaws or attached to the spinneret.

Photo: www.eco-armor.com

Peculiarities

Female golden-eyed jumping spider

Histological section of tissue from the epigastric region of a golden-eyed jumping spider.

The female golden-eyed jumping spider has an average body length of 7.1 to 9.7 mm, while the male has an average body length of 5.4 to 9.5 mm. There have also been described examples of both sexes with a body length of 12 mm, which is PHILAEUS Chrysops after the giant Hockling ( Attulus longipes

) on the second largest in Central Europe occurs the spring spider ( family Salticidae ) may be.
Otherwise, their structure is identical to that of other species of golden-eyed

jumping
spider (genus
Philaeus
). However, very small males with a body length of only five millimeters have also been recorded.

Like other jumping spiders, the golden-eyed jumping spider has very pronounced optical sexual dimorphism (difference between the sexes). The cephalothorax (front bodies) of the male is deep black. On the (posterior plate of the prosoma) several white stripes of hair can be seen near the eyes. The legs of the male, like the female, also have a black base color. The pedipalps (transformed limbs in the head area) and the two rear pairs of legs have whitish hair, while the two front pairs of legs, one of the tibia (pins) and the patella (the connection between the thighs or thighs and tibia), have orange-red hair. hair. The male (belly) is bright red. Dorsally (at the top) there is an elongated black stripe that ends in a point and has a white border. This strip itself is wedge-shaped and runs along the entire opisthosoma from the stalk (the dividing link between the prosoma and the opisthosoma) to the spinning nodes.

The female has a less contrasting color scheme than the male. Its prosoma is black-brown in color, and the female's carapace often has two or three light stripes of hair in the eye area. Opisthosoma can be light, dark brown or black. The female wears a black median stripe on her back, which tapers towards the rear. This stripe is framed by two oblong white spots, which can also be made in the form of lines running parallel to each other. Sometimes yellowish-red setae (chitinized hairs) are found on the opisthosoma. Juveniles of both sexes resemble the adult female and have the same coloration as this one.

variability

The golden-eyed jumping spider exhibits a wide variety of coloration, which varies particularly among individuals of the species in the Mediterranean region. These include males with an extensive whitish pattern or females with a light yellow opisthosoma. In particular, in representatives of the latter sex the color of the opisthosoma may be different. In addition to white spots or stripes, this also applies to the width and length of the middle stripe. At least in Europe, all these color variations are considered to be the same species.

Morphological features of the genital organs

Male with easily recognizable pedipalps, front view

The male golden-eyed jumping spider has long and narrow pedipalps and their attached (male genital organs). Each pedipalp has an oblique and sharp apophysis (chitinized process) in the region of the tibia (splint). The single and highly chitinized ball has a laterobasal (laterally descending) process from which a very long and thin embolus (third sclerite or hard part of the globe) arises. The cymbium (first sclerite of the globe) is cut off at the top.

The epigyne (female genital organ) of the species is trapezoidal in shape and larger than it is wide. The hole is closed by a chitinized plate with a reddish border. In the vulva area there are wide straight and vertical copulation canals with an anterior (preceding) entrance. The (seed pockets) are chitinized in the shape of an arc and are located in the center of the city.

The venom of some spiders is dangerous to humans

Photo: SCOTT CAMAZINE

The protein components of the venom have a strong effect on mammals and insects. Black widows display warning coloration in the form of a red, hourglass-shaped mark on the underside of their bellies; some have a red stripe. As the black widow hangs upside down in her web, the hourglass mark stands out. Its venom contains a nerve toxin that causes severe pain in humans, especially in the abdominal area, although the bite is not usually fatal. Black widows are found in most parts of the world except Central Europe and Northern Eurasia. There are several species of black widows, although they are all similar in appearance, each species has its own unique habits.

In south-eastern Australia, funnel-web spiders pose a danger to people. Tarantulas are also poisonous, although their poison is weak; In humans, the pain from their sting is often described as being similar to a bee or mosquito sting. A brown recluse spider bite results in localized tissue death (necrotization) that heals slowly. More serious damage is caused by the bites of the northern leucopachine spider, yellow-sac spider, Australian redback and Brazilian wandering spider. Karakurt is one of the most deadly spiders found on Russian territory.

Buying a tarantula spider, price

The average cost of any arthropod, including the tarantula spider, directly depends on age, gender and species rarity. In the absence of experience in keeping such an exotic animal, it is advisable to purchase a grown-up individual. Tiny young spiders will require much more complex care from the owner than fully grown spiders.

It is also necessary to remember that the lifespan of a male tarantula is much shorter than that of females. In addition, males are noticeably smaller in size than females and extremely rarely represent any collectible value. Existing species in which the males have a beautiful and bright appearance are rare, so many connoisseurs of exotic arthropods keep a female tarantula spider as a pet.

Average cost in metropolitan pet stores and private breeders of exotic arthropods:

• tarantula Brachyrelma albumilosum – from 300 rubles;
• tarantula Seratogyrus marshalli – 300-350 rubles;
• tarantula Lasiodora parahybana – from 200 rubles;
• tarantula Chilobraсhys dyscolus “blue” – 500-550 rubles;
• tarantula Nolothele incei – 450-500 rubles;
• tarantula Brachyrelma vagans – 300-350 rubles;
• tarantula Pterinochilus murinus and Nhandu chromatus – 500 rubles;
• tarantula Heterothele villosella and Cyriocosmus perezmilesi – 400 rubles.

It will be quite expensive to purchase the tarantula Psalmoroeus cambridgei and Chromatorelma cyaneorubescens, the cost of which is 1500 and 1000 rubles, respectively.

How to distinguish adult leopard geckos by gender

Adult leopard geckos are quite easy to distinguish by gender. First of all, we look at the undertail. On the abdomen near the fold of the cloaca in males one can see a row of scales in the form of a triangle, with open pores (preanal pores), and below the fold of the cloaca, at the level of the base of the tail, there are protruding tubercles (the male reproductive organ of leopard geckos, the hemipenis, is located there).

In females, a triangle in the lower abdomen can also be detected, but it is less pronounced and there are no visible open pores there. The undertail is much flatter and shorter.

External sexual differences in leopard geckos

Among the additional characteristics, we can highlight the shape of the base of the tail, if we look from above - in males this place is smoother and wider, and in females the tail has a “waist” - narrowing at the base and then widening of the fluffy tail. Of course, all this applies to healthy, well-nourished leopard geckos. If an individual was kept in unsuitable conditions and was poorly fed, or is sick and emaciated, and has a thin tail, there is no point in looking at the shape of the base of the tail.

Adult female and male leopard geckos. On the left is a female, on the right is a male.

Another additional feature is the shape of the head and neck of the adult. Males usually have a larger head and a wide, powerful neck, and stronger bones. Females are often more graceful. But here everything is more individual, and of course, when determining the sex of adolescent leopard geckos, we will not pay attention to this sign; they have not yet reached their full weight and size.

In terms of behavior, males and females are completely different, both calm, melancholic females and smart, sociable males, and vice versa. During the breeding season, adult males mark territory - when changing napkins on the floor of the terrarium, the first thing my males do is wipe the entire territory, crawl low on their paws along the entire perimeter, pressing their butts, or rather, preanal pores, to the surface. I have not noticed such behavior in adolescent males or adult males outside the breeding season.

Interesting facts about tarantula spiders

• Tarantula spiders lack a sense of affection, therefore, it is too bold to think that the spider knows you as its owner and loves you. It is you who know and love him.
• It is impossible to accustom and train a tarantula spider, and also to be absolutely sure of its safety and non-aggressiveness. Even the calmest spiders sometimes bite their owners.
• Female tarantulas are always more expensive than male tarantulas.
• You should not buy a large spider, since you will not be able to be sure that it is not an old individual, but simply a large one. And, it is likely that such a large spider will turn out to be a decrepit old man and will die after its next molt.
• If you want to buy a cheaper spider, take babies that have survived 1-2 molts, however, in this case, it will be impossible to guess their gender in advance.
• The terrarium with the spider should be closed with a tight-fitting lid. If you have a child in the house, lock the terrarium to avoid an accident.
• Spiders are long-living creatures with proper care, so you must understand that this pet is in your home for more than just one day. Are you ready for such a responsibility that will last for even a year?
• Spiders are representatives of a separate class of spiders, and calling them insects is not very correct. Insects have 6 legs, and spiders have 8.
• Spiders do not have ear-shaped hearing organs, but they use tiny hairs on their legs to pinpoint the source of sound.
• If insects have 2 eyes, then tarantulas can have from 2 to 12. Although, in Nature there are absolutely blind spiders that live in caves, and species of spiders that see the world the same way as you and I.
• Spiders detect odors using special hairs on their legs.

Video about tarantula spiders:

Today we talked about tarantula spiders. We were able to learn about the peculiarities of their character and behavior, as well as how and what to feed them, what conditions they need to create in a terrarium for comfortable living, how to breed spiders, and what diseases of your tarantula you may encounter in practice. We hope that our publication will help you decide on the type of spider to choose, and if you have already made your choice in favor of a tarantula spider, you will be able to care for it, taking into account the recommendations of this article.

If you have a tarantula spider living in your house, we will be grateful if you share with us photographs of it and a description of the features of caring for it. Or perhaps you even have some interesting story about your spider? Leave your comments and join our VKontakte group...

Examination of the exoskeleton

Forums for exotic animal lovers often discuss how to determine the sex of a tarantula if they are aggressive and release highly toxic venom. You won’t be able to pick them up and examine their abdomen for a long time. To determine the sex of the spider, the exoskeleton is examined.

Adults molt once a year. In young animals, molting occurs once every 2 weeks. Spiders shed their exoskeleton, and after this their body increases in size by 1.5 times. Tarantulas exhibit intensive growth. Experts recommend immediately removing the animal’s shell from the terrarium.

Very often, tarantulas eat it to saturate the body with minerals. Spiders need them in order for the formation of a new skeleton to proceed normally. Robert Gale Brine III was the first to suggest examining the exoskeleton of tarantulas.

He analyzed the shell of arthropods of the genera Afonopelma and Brachypelma. This technique began to be used to determine the sex of tarantula spiders of other genera.

1. The tarantula spider's shell is carefully straightened and inspected.
2. There are 4 holes on it, which are located on the abdomen. The holes are covered with white film. Animals have lungs in these places; 2 on top and 2 on bottom.
3. A groove is defined between the upper and lower openings. In females it has a deviation from the center in the form of an arc. In male tarantula spiders the line is almost straight.
4. Above the furrow are the genital organs of animals. The female individual has a different convex area; In this area, spiders have an ovary. When the female is ready for fertilization, her cavity opens. In males, the surface of the abdomen is smooth.
5. The distance between the holes where the lungs were located is taken into account. In male packs, the holes are closer to the center. In females they are slightly removed from the middle of the abdomen.

The furrow determines the sex of the spider at an early age, before the tarantula reaches puberty. Measure the slope angle and line curvature. Arachnologists examine the exoskeleton under a microscope, taking certain measurements. With a more thorough examination of the exoskeleton, the sex of the animals is determined after 3-4 molts.

It is recommended to save the shell of the tarantula spider if the animal is being prepared for sale. The buyer inspects it to make the right purchase.

Arachnologists collect all the shells from their pets, number them, and analyze them to determine their sex. On a terrarium with a spider, not only the type of arthropod is indicated, but also its gender and the number of molts; This number is used to determine the age of the spiders.

In factories for breeding spiders and arthropods, animals are separated by gender in order to properly fertilize females. Semen is collected from males and injected into the epigastric cleft of females.

Fertilization is carried out artificially. This allows tarantulas to be preserved for a long time. Under natural conditions, they die after the first mating. Cocoons are kept separately from females. They can withstand a humid and warm microclimate.

It is important to determine the sex of arthropods in order to properly plant them in containers. Nymphs are in the same terrarium. They feed on the yolk that remains after development in the egg. They can withstand high air humidity.

Nymphs develop into larvae, which actively grow. They are recommended to be seated according to gender. Otherwise, individuals will have competition for territory.

News of attempts to breed B.smithi. + HOW TO DETERMINE THE GENDER OF A SPIDER!!!!

Title: How to determine the sex of a spider/ScientificTop

The only truly possible way to accurately determine the sex of a tarantula from a living specimen. Only males have special arachnoid glands, the appendages of which barely noticeably open with openings in the epiginum, anterior to the epigastric groove. These holes are arranged in 2-4 rows, having a semicircular or triangular shape. The area where they are located can be determined by denser and shorter dark hairs arranged in the form of an “arch” (see figure).

These appendages, similar to the main spinneret (web appendages) of a spider, are called epiandrous fusillae (epiandral glands) and are used by males in weaving sperm - webs. Therefore, if they are found in a tarantula, then this specimen is a male; if they are not present, it is a female. However, mastering this method requires some practice, you need to have a “trained eye”, which comes with experience. It can be especially difficult to determine the sex of species that have a light color on the underside of the abdomen and the special hairs themselves - Aphonopelma seemanni, Nhandu coloratovillosus, Megaphobema robustum. It also requires precision and careful handling of spiders. But this method is unique and effective, since it is based on a scientific approach and is the only one that allows you to reliably determine the sex of a living tarantula spider.

This method allows you to determine the sex even of spiders of early instars, however, this requires good additional lighting and a binocular or microscope.

The next, also absolutely reliable and accurate way to determine sex, is to examine the exuvium (old exoskeleton) of the tarantula remaining after its molt.

To do this, you need to straighten the exuvium as shown in the figures and pay attention to the area between the first pair of white spots, located at the base of the abdomen. These spots determine the location of the tarantula's lungs - the first and second pairs, respectively. The tarantula's genitals are located in this area, and the female's exuvium bears a mark from the spermatheca (spermatheca), which is well defined in adult females. In the exuvium of males this place has a smooth edge.

To determine the sex of small individuals, good lighting and strong magnification are necessary, which is quite difficult due to the usually weak expression of the spermatheca “pocket” in juvenile females. The shape of the spermatheca pouch varies among species.

It is also necessary to take into account that many species, in a short time immediately after molting, manage to “chew” the discarded exuvium, thereby rendering it in a state unsuitable for sex determination. Therefore, to avoid this, it is necessary to remove the exuvium immediately after the tarantula has moulted, without in any way disturbing the spider itself.

Recently, another “comprehensive” method for determining the sex of living spiders has also become widespread, which makes it possible with a high degree of probability to determine whether a specimen is male or female, respectively, by the shape of the epigastric groove, the distance between the anterior pair of lungs and the angle of inclination of the anterior lungs.

Let's consider the figure below: the epigastric groove is indicated in red, the line drawn through the middle of the lung to the conditional middle of the spider's body is indicated in green (we are interested in the angle formed by this line in relation to the horizon line).

The table systematizes the signs and their characteristics for males and females.

The chelicerae of females are more massive, wider and more powerful than those of males. The male chelicerae are less wide and thinner. The female chelicerae have a bulbous shape and are expanded at the base; males are thinner and more uniform along the entire length.

In order to learn to distinguish the sex of tarantulas using this method, it is necessary to view a huge number of specimens. The author of this method, Dr. Robert Gale Brine III, claims that using this method he successfully determined the sex of even immature individuals of the genera Aphonopelma and Brachypelma. At the same time, presumably, it can be applied to the definition of spiders and other genera.

I am often asked how I determine the sex of my spiders. Usually I answer that they need to look under their tail, but this is banter. More precisely, in some way banter. Because spiders don’t have a tail, but you need to look somewhere there.

Let me tell you how this is done.

The first method is the simplest: wait until the spider grows and examine it carefully.

In adult males, the pedipalps (the fifth pair of legs, immediately next to the chelicerae) look like this:

These are bulbs, with their help the male transfers the seed into the female’s body. Females, accordingly, do not have such. How do you know if a spider is an adult? Usually by the thirteenth or fourteenth molt he is already an adult. If the fifteenth day has arrived and there are no bulbs, congratulations, you are having a girl.

Method two, look under the tail.

Females do not have bulbs, but they have a spermatheca. It looks like a pocket between the first pair of lungs. It is much more difficult to notice it than bulbs, but this can be done even before adulthood. This is what it looks like when you examine the freshly peeled skin:

Sometimes you have to use a magnifying glass. If you simply take the spider and turn it over on its back, this is what you should see: Different species have different spermatheca shapes, but the pocket is clearly visible. For males this place is simply flat. The third method, especially tedious: compare two spiders of the same age and species.

If you have several spiders, you can tell which one is which at a very early age. The fact is that sexual dimorphism in spiders is quite pronounced (not in all, but in many). Males differ from females in body shape (from an early age) and color (adolescence and adulthood). Females are massive, males are thin and long-legged. Thus, I can determine with a probability of 80% (we’ll leave twenty to my poor eyesight) that, for example, Gavryusha is a female, and Georges is a male. By the way, Georges solves the problem of too large cockroaches in a very whimsical way - by growing. Let's wish him good luck.

Something like that. And another question: why are spider breeders so happy if they have a female? Why are females more expensive? Elementary: females live longer. Many times longer.

Show this post to your friends who are going to, or have already taken their first spiders, it will be useful for them.

How does mating happen?

The cage of fattened individuals is always carried out on the territory of the female. Experts recommend preparing the terrarium immediately. The drinking bowl and all decorations are removed from it, leaving only an object that serves as a refuge for the spider.

The soil is moistened. Bring the percentage of air humidity to 60%. The terrarium must have good ventilation.

The spider is placed in a terrarium with a female. He begins to explore the territory. It takes him some time to do this. You should not push him with tweezers or direct him towards the female. At this time, the spider may be in its shelter or sitting on the litter; she waits for manifestations of activity from the male. When spiders are ready to mate, they call for a female by tapping their pedipalps on the ground.

The male slowly approaches the spider. If she is ready for fertilization, then there will be no aggression from her. She raises her upper limbs into a vertical stance. At the same time, a gap opens in her epigastric groove in which the ovaries are located. In female tarantulas this is a paired organ.

The spider holds the female in an upright position with its tibial hooks. It touches the slit in the furrow with its pedipalps, releasing seminal fluid from the bulbs. After mating is completed, the tarantula lowers the female and quickly runs away so as not to experience her aggression.

The process of female fertilization does not end there. Another male is placed next to the spider. Sometimes mating of tarantula spiders continues until the female becomes overly emotional.

Spiders reproduce in natural conditions once a year. When keeping at home, you must follow these rules.

Habitat of the yellow sak

The species is found in territories from Central Europe to Central Asia. Due to warming, this spider can be seen more and more often in Russia. It was seen in the Krasnodar Territory, Voronezh Region, Rostov-on-Don, Tolyatti, Altai, etc. The exact habitat of the yellow sak is not currently established, since the features of its distribution have not been studied.

The yellow sac spider is considered one of the most dangerous spiders living in Germany. In 2022 and 2022 it was spotted in Bashkortostan, Tatarstan, Kazakhstan (Karaganda region), as well as in Russia (Chelyabinsk and Orenburg regions). In addition, the spider was found in Ukraine (Kiev region, Dnieper, Zaporozhye).

Family name

origin of name

One of the ancient engravings, the image on which served as the basis for the name - tarantula

The name “tarantula spiders” arose as a result of several engravings drawn by the German researcher and animal painter Maria Sibylla Merian and published based on the results of her stay in Suriname (1699-1701) in the work “Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium” (1705), where she observed like a large tarantula ( Avicularia sp.

) attacked the hummingbird in the nest.

Problems with the translation of the term

In a number of European languages, tarantulas, and sometimes all large spiders, are often called tarantula. In Russian, the word tarantula is used to designate spiders of a slightly different group, in particular including spiders, which are widespread in the south of Russia. In this regard, confusion often arises when texts are translated incorrectly. In modern biological systematics, the taxa “tarantulas” and “tarantulas” do not overlap; Tarantulas are mygalomorphic spiders, and tarantulas are araneomorphic.

External signs

The sex of tarantula spiders can be distinguished by external features. Unfortunately, this technique is used for individuals who are approaching the age of puberty. The hair color of arthropods within the same family may be the same, but the body length, limb span, and weight are different.

• Size. Females are larger than males, but females grow more slowly. If you examine young arthropods, the males will be larger. Before puberty, they are ahead of spiders in growth.
• Color. The hair of females is slightly brighter than that of spiders.
• Limbs. Males have wide limbs. Female tarantulas have slimmer legs and, as arachnologists say, elegant legs. Spiders have spine-shaped outgrowths on their forelimbs. Spiders do not have them.
• Chelicerae. Tarantula spiders are mygalomorphic arthropods. Chelicerae in individuals of both sexes are directed forward. They are located parallel to each other, but in males they are even along the entire length and small in diameter. In spiders, the chelicerae are barrel-shaped. They are widened at the base and narrowed towards the edge.

Tarantulas of the family ceratogyrus, which live in southern Africa, have a keratinized growth on the cephalothorax.

It is located in the center of the dorsal shield. The outgrowth has the shape of a cone, the apex of which is directed upward, forward or towards the abdomen. People call this outgrowth a horn. The horn appears only in females after 5-6 molts. Males do not have such decoration.

To find out the sex of spiders, observe their behavior. Animals are housed in one terrarium. If there are 2 males in the same territory, they will fight for the feeding area, defending the right to ownership.

Tarantulas have developed cannibalism. Both tarantulas will be active. If there are two individuals of different sexes in the same terrarium, then the female will dominate, and the male will retreat and seek shelter.

Spiders are especially aggressive after mating. Spiders hold the females by the chelicerae with spines that are located on their forelimbs. After fertilization, males try to quickly hide in a shelter. Delay is dangerous for the male's life. The spider pounces on him and eats him.

How spiders get into the house

Arthropods appear in an apartment or house by penetrating:

• through windows;
• through doors;
• through the attic;
• through the basement;
• on clothes;
• on flowers or purchased plants brought from the street.

How good is this or, on the contrary, bad for a person and the main thing is whether it is necessary to kill uninvited “guests” if the fate is that spiders actively reproduce, littering the house with cobwebs and traces of vital activity. In fact, a lot depends on the superstitiousness of the home owners.

If they believe in omens, then most likely they consider spiders to be symbols of good luck, income, and success. However, signs associated with spiders are not always positive. Many, not knowing for sure whether spiders in the house are good or bad, believe that they can bring bad luck, illness, and even provoke adultery.

Molting in spiders

The age of tarantulas is measured not in years lived, but in moltings. Molting is different from that of cats and dogs - during the process, the spider completely sheds its old shell and acquires a new one. With each molt, the size of the pet increases. Young spiders molt 1-2 times a month, growing up - 4-6 times a year and less and less over time. The male will molt before puberty, females will shed 1-2 times a year annually.

The tarantula prepares for molting in advance. It becomes lethargic and almost motionless, loses its appetite, and the color of the spider becomes darker. Tarantulas molt while lying on their backs. If you feed your pet enough, he will easily cope with the task. There is no need to help the spider so as not to harm! Offering food or disturbing the animal during this time is also prohibited. Air humidity should be between 80-90%.

After molting, the spider will rest a little and gradually begin to move. His skeleton will harden in a few days. Offer food no earlier than a week later, when the pet is stronger and is able to deal with prey.

Primary sexual characteristics

During puberty, primary sexual characteristics become visible in animals. To find them, you need to examine the abdomen and cephalothorax from the back. This method of determining the sex of a tarantula is used only for arthropods that are not distinguished by their aggressive nature and highly toxic poison.

1. Use your fingers to press on the dorsal shield, pressing the individual to the ground.
2. Take the spider by the sides of the cephalothorax. The animal presses its limbs to its body.
3. The tarantula is turned over with its paws up and examined.
4. Find the epigastric groove. It is located on the upper part of the abdomen, closer to the cephalothorax.
5. Inspect the hair above the furrow.
6. The male tarantula has hairs of varying lengths. The darker bristles form an arched pattern. In this area, spiders have male reproductive glands. Before mating, seminal fluid is released from them.
7. Females have hairs of the same size and shade. No drawings are found.

During puberty, male tarantula spiders weave sperm webs. Bulbs appear on their pedipalps. These are containers into which individuals collect seminal fluid from the threads. Female tarantula spiders do not have such bulbs on their limbs.

The containers are closed when all the liquid from the web has been collected. The male goes in search of the female. He can cover long distances. During the night it moves 5-7 km away from its nest.