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Hands-On Educator
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Jen Smith (JennHen)
![Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 19 W: 0 N: 111]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-g.gif) (429) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2005-01 |
| Categories: Spiders |
| Camera: Canon powershot S45 |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2005-01-18 11:59 |
| Viewed: 2059 |
| Favorites: 1 [view] |
| Points: 8 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
"Do Tarantulas bite?" was one of MY first questions, before I took my turn allowing Rosie to crawl into my hands.
Rosie is one of the hands-on educators at the Creep-um Museum at the Denver Butterfly Pavilion.
I was told that Tarantula bites are rare, and that I would have to squeeze Rosie to elicit a bite from her... and even if she did, it would feel no worse than a mosquito's bite.
The handler also had a very large Bird-Eating Tarantula resting on his thigh. I was told that a bite from this fella might result in flu-like symptoms for a couple days... I let him rest where he was...
I got to feel Rosie's soft, hairy legs crawl across my skin... and was given a "I held Rosie" sticker when I was done with my hands-on encounter.
I learned that the tarantula is a nocturnal hunter. It does not spin a web to capture its prey, but catches food by its speed. It will take virtually anything of the right size that moves within range, but feeds primarily on small insects like grasshoppers, beetles, sow bugs, other small spiders and sometimes small lizards.
The tarantula strikes with its fangs, injecting venom and grasping the prey with its palps, arm like appendages between the mouth and legs. Then the Tarantula grinds its victim into a ball, secretes digestive juices onto it, and sucks up the liquefied prey. It may also wrap the ball in silk for a later meal.
For more info, visit:
http://www.desertusa.com/july96/du_taran.html |
Luc, JeanMichel has marked this note useful
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This brings back lovely memories Jennifer. I had one just like this many years ago. I was still in school. When I say just like this; it was the same colour size and species. They grow up to be 25 years old. The bite however is a bit more painfull than a mosquito, sort of like a wasp sting. No side effects. They hate it when wind blows over them as well.
Thanks so much for rekindling the memories.
They are very difficult to rear as a pet and I would like to discourage any one from attempting to do so. Animals like this belongs free in nature.
- japie
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(5187) - [2005-01-23 1:52]
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This is a great post and I really enjoyed your note. The image is sharp and the details on the tarantula is good.
Very well done and thanks for posting.
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- Luc
(14729)
- [2005-02-10 14:22]
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Critique:
Personal assessment of the photo: good
Good visual impact.
Aptness of the photo for the site: great
Personal assessment of the note: educational
Comment:
I concur with Gerhard: Animals like this belongs free in nature. They are doing their job there.
Thanks Jennifer.
Your note is very instructive, Jennifer, as how to consider these scary (for many people) spiders as part or the world's environment and avoid killing them just because they are scary. A good lesson, illustrated as it should be. Thanks for posting.
