#tarantulasoftumblr

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So for some reason tumblr won’t let me answer this the normal way! But there are tons of little facts that make tarantulas less scary, and I think the cute ones are the best.

In the hobby, we call baby spiders “spiderlings”, or “slings” for short

Mature male tarantulas woo their sweethearts by playing drum solos! This is a simplified explanation, but males will use their foremost legs and pedipalps to tap against the ground to draw the attention of females interested in mating. Different species have shown some variation in tapping method!

Sometimes a tarantula will spin slowly in place after grabbing its prey. We like to call it a “happy dance”, although in reality the tarantula is merely laying down webbing, potentially to save some of the meal for later.

Tarantulas will use their legs, pedipalps, chelicerae, and fangs to carry wads of dirt out of their burrows when digging, which looks super silly. They can also throw objects out of the way (and quite a distance!) using the same body parts.

When frightened or stressed, tarantulas will scrunch their legs around themselves, and look like they’re covering their faces!

[casuallynoisymoon]

[sinisterrageproductions]

Ursula eats again and Introducing Ula the Venzeuelan Sun Tiger

[casuallynoisymoon]

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Acanthoscurria theraphosoides (formerly A. brocklehursti?) (unsexed juvenile, 2″)

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Euathlus truculentus | Chilean Beauty (adult female, 4.5″)

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Avicularia avicularia | Pinktoe (unsexed juvenile)

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Rani | Poecilotheria regalis | Indian Ornamental (juvenile female)

The collection expanded by 9 tarantulas today and I’ll have photos of them all shortly, but for the time being here’s one of my favorite acquisitions. Kept my fingers in the photo for size reference-- she’s about 6″ already.

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Brachypelma emilia | Mexican Red Leg (spiderling, .5″)

Definitely a Brachy I’ve always wanted! Glad to finally get ahold of one. B. auratum is next on my wishlist.

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Grammostola pulchripes | Chaco Golden Knee (juvenile female, 2″)

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Agua | Chromatopelma cyanopubescens | Green Bottle Blue (unsexed juvenile)

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Nhandu chromatus | Brazilian Red and White (juvenile female, 2.5″)

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Ornithoctonus aureotibialis | Tailand Golden Fringe (unsexed juvenile, 2″)

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Hysterocrates gigas | Cameroon Red Baboon (spiderling, 1″)

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Valentine | Brachypelma vagans | Mexican Red Rump (unsexed juvenile, 2″)

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A nice in-tact molt from my juvenile Psalmopoeus irminia and a small girly hand that doesn’t actually hint at how big the molt is. It’s 4 inches.