I'm going to have to split hairs on this one... aggressive and defensive have completely different meanings. And in this case, it DOES make a difference. Aggressive: Inclined toward hostile behavior. Defensive: Intended or appropriate for defending; protective. While it can be said that some species of tarantula exhibit hostile behavior, this behavior is only exhibited to defend. Whether defending self, burrow, or egg sac, a tarantula WILL stand it's ground.

Once out of its habitat, most New World species (from the Americas; South, Central, North, etc.) are calm and gentle creatures, content to gently explore whatever surface they are set upon. If startled, they may rear up in a threat posture, run, or flick urticating hairs. I've even been "slapped", a warning delivered by a tarantula standing in threat posture slapping the front two legs on my skin.

Old World species (from Asia, Africa, India, etc.) are generally much more defensive. Their initial response to a threat is to retreat, but if cornered, will bite readily if the threat remains.

As a rule, tarantulas will give you plenty of warning before they actually bite. It's best to learn these warnings and heed them!

This is one of my favorites! The urban legend varies from place to place but here is the gist:
A couple go on vacation in Mexico. They purchase a beautiful cactus and take it home with them. Several weeks after returning from their trip, the cactus starts vibrating. They call the local nursery who tells them to vacate the premises immediately and call the fire department. The cactus then explodes, spewing huge tarantulas throughout their house.

This is impossible on so many levels that we tarantula hobbyists find it hilarious. First of all, tarantulas do not lay their eggs in cacti, or any other plant matter. They retreat to their deep burrow where they spin a silken bowl-shaped mat to deposit their eggs in. They then wrap it up in a nice little ball. The egg sac is usually about the size of a golf ball and there can be 50-2500 eggs in one sac. Around 6-8 weeks later, the darling little tarantulas make their way out of the sac and disperse. Newborn tarantulas are tiny, 1/8" for most species. They are light pink, almost transparent, and are very fragile. The hatching of an egg sac can in no way be described as an "explosion" and the babies certainly don't spew out.

This legend originated in Scandinavia in the 1970s, and has grown and mutated ever since. Since most folks aren't aware of a tarantula's reproductive habits, it can seem plausible. Rest assured though, it has never happened and you are perfectly safe purchasing cacti or any other live plant, for your home.

I'm happy to announce the birth of my three new Columbian red tail boas! The mother, Delilah is 7' and dad, Stanley, is 6'. After mating in the fall, the female stops eating. Gestation lasts for 4 to 10 months, depending on temperature and humidity. Unlike many other snakes, Columbian red tail boas give birth to live young, usually 10-60 babies. Newborns are 12"-18" long, and will increase in size by up to 300% in their first year, reaching 5-8 feet. This species is particularly friendly and, if handled often, makes a great pet.

Thanks for stopping by! Whether you are a dedicated tarantula hobbyist or simply curious, I hope this blog will be entertaining as well as educational. Tarantulas have not been studied as extensively as other creatures and as a result, there are many myths about them. Add to that the fierce reputation that books and movies have created, and you have a terrifying, deadly monster that has been feared for centuries. In my blog, I'll debunk one myth about tarantulas each week. I welcome comments and questions and hope you'll return often to learn about these amazing creatures!

There are over 850 known species of tarantulas with more being discovered as we continue to explore the remote regions of Earth. None are deadly. In fact, there has never been a recorded case of a human being dying from a tarantula bite.

New World species (from the Americas; South, Central, North, etc.) have very mild venom. The effect is comparable to a bee sting, however the chemical makeup is much different. If you are allergic to bee venom, you aren't necessarily allergic to tarantula venom. Having been bitten by New World species, I can say that the effect on me was much less painful than a bee sting. I experienced only local redness and a mild stinging sensation that lasted barely 5 minutes.

Old World species (from Asia, Africa, India, etc.) have stronger venom. The effects have been reported to cause intense pain, muscular cramping, profuse sweating, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, fever, chills and shortness of breath. The effects differ drastically between victims. From firsthand experience, I can say that a bite from an African species is extremely painful and sent me straight to urgent care for pain management! I also experienced "Charlie horse" type leg cramps for several months.

All species possess fangs that can look quite intimidating. Due to their needle-like sharpness, the actual wound from the fangs piercing your skin is almost nonexistent.

Probably due to their weaker venom, New World species have itchy urticating hairs on their abdomen. Old world species lack these hairs. When threatened, a New World species will use their back legs to kick these hairs into the air around the attacker. To humans, the hairs are usually just an itchy nuisance, although some people suffer allergic reactions. To a gecko or other small creature, these hairs can cause severe respiratory irritation and even blindness.