Since ancient times, people considered tarantulas to be one of the most dangerous and poisonous creatures on Earth. These animals have always been treated with distrust. Until now, the tarantula spider causes fear by its very appearance. But much about him is exaggerated and unfounded. Let's see who tarantulas are and how dangerous they are.
Exotic Threat
The spider tarantula owes its name to the city of Taranto in Italy. It is in its vicinity that Apulian tarantulas live - the largest of all their relatives, reaching a length of 6 centimeters. The name of the famous Italian dance tarantella has the same roots. Since it was previously believed that the bite of a tarantula makes a person insane, in order to be cured, people danced to the frantic rhythm of the tarantella. In general, the tarantula is not a very poisonous spider, in any case, for a person, its bites can end tragically only with the development of a sharp allergic reaction. Thus, for people, he does not pose a mortal danger and never attacks first, but can only bite in order toself defense.
Where does he live?
The habitats of tarantulas are steppes, semi-deserts and deserts. These arachnids are thermophilic, therefore they are found in Italy (Apulia), Spain, Portugal and in the south of the European part of Russia (South Russian tarantula spider, photo below).
Tarantulas living in Russia are called mizgirs. Their color varies depending on their habitat and is intended to serve as a good camouflage for them. That is why the color scheme of the color of mizgirs begins with light brown tones, the color of the soil, and ends with dark shades.
Spider life
On the slopes of the mountains, the tarantula spider tends to dig holes, the depth of which reaches fifty centimeters. There he rests during the daytime, and at night he goes hunting for insects. In winter, the tarantula spider spends in its mink, after warming its entrance with dry plants and cobwebs.
These dangerous arthropods are very beautiful in their own way. No wonder they have so many fans. They fascinate and attract the eye thanks to their long furry legs and bright color. These are practically the largest spiders. Moreover, female tarantulas are much larger than males and reach a length of 4 cm.
Spider weddings
Female tarantulas are very tough. After the act of mating, which traditionally takes place at the end of summer and lasts about ten hours, the male must quickly retire so as not to be eaten. At the end of spring, the female layseggs in a cocoon of cobwebs and closely guards it. As soon as offspring are born, for some time the female carries young spiders on her back. Then they begin to live independently and apart, tearing out a separate mink for themselves, and the circle of life repeats again.
Who are spiders afraid of?
The enemies of tarantulas are wasps of the genus Pompilus, praying mantises, scorpions and centipedes. Of the pets for the tarantula, sheep are dangerous, because they can eat the tarantula without experiencing any discomfort. In addition, spiders often fight each other, sometimes both fighters die.
Thus, the tarantula spider is a prominent representative of the wolf spider family. It lives in a warm climate, is nocturnal, is a poisonous predator.
