really interesting, my 7yr old daughter saw me looking at the pics and insisted that i read it all out to her.
As others have said, what a great thread - anything but boring (and such a refreshing change from all the usual rubbish on here - this is what makes the STW forum great, not the freedom to swear!)
Fossorial - I had to look that up.
"A fossorial organism is one that is adapted to digging and life underground"
great thread again Roper.
Roper. I have been reading a few of your old threads in equal measure of awe and fear. I notice you talk about old world and new world spiders and also real/pure spiders any chance on a lesson between the differences as I have no idea.
TIA
Hello I_Ache, I'll try and explain but the scientific category of Araneae or arachnid is quite a complex muddle especially as there are scientific names and common names used.
There are thousands of different types of spiders and so groups which share certain characterises are classed together, and them sub families of these until we get each description.
Tarantulas are Theraphosidae. There are a little over 900 species of Theraphosidae known but it has been estimated there could be 2000 or more over all.
There are a few basic categories used to identify some variants of Theraphosidae such as new world, old word, fossorial, terrestrial or arboreal.
New World tarantulas all have a few defence characteristics in common. If threatened they will run or hide. If that doesn't work they can flick urticating hairs at the attacker. If that doesn't work they can bite.* Urticating hairs are most commonly found on the bum (opisthosoma) of the spider and they flick the hairs with their back legs. (Though some sp have urticating hairs near their fangs too).
Old world tarantulas don't have urticating hairs so either run or hide,make a hissing sound, if threatened, or bite.
Fossorial-mainly live underground
Terrestrial mainly live on the ground
Arboreal Mainly live in trees.
*It has recently been discovered that some Theraphosidae shoot poo or release a obnoctiouse odour, possible for defence.
In the whole family of Araneae there are Mygalomorphae, of which Theraphosidae are part of. All Mygalomorphae have their own characteristics which separate them from other Araneae. The most common being vertical chelicerae (chelicerae are the fangs or mouth parts) and four book lungs (lungs) under their bum (opithosoma). Most spiders are Araneomorphae (sometimes called true spiders) and they have horizontal chelicerae.
Unfortunately there are variations of the families and sub families. Names change and new things are learnt which means a spider can easily get shifted about within the groups or a new group started.
Im even more interested now.
Although the close up pics scare the life out of me.
lol, they are amazing creatures. Watching them moult is rather special.
They are also very easy and cheap to look after. Clean, don't smell,don't make a noise, you hardly ever have to clean them. They eat once or twice a week at the most. They like to live in a small tank so don't take up much room (unless you have loads)and are fascinating.
If you are temped to see more there are clubs, and meetings throughout the UK.
I can also give you a list of begging friendly Ts and the basic kit you might need and a few breeders too.
I'm sorry I missed your post Pete and very good reading it was too, very impressed indeed but also sad to read of your loss too. I'm dreading my first casualty and it appears I've lots of nice males so it'll be one of those fellas I guess.
My metallica's doing really well and would like to move her so I can take some decent pictures for you but as it's thriving I'm reluctant to move her so I'll try spy my chance take some pictures for you. The chromatus is always out and about now and was shwoing some impressive fangs when it was feeding time the other day so again I'll try get the kids help me out with some pictures.
This topic has been closed to new replies.
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