Apulian tarantula: description. Breeding at home

More than 220 different species of spiders belong to the genus of tarantulas. The most common is the Apulian tarantula. The family is called wolf spiders.

Where are the

Habitat - Southern Europe with a temperate tropical climate. Some species can be found in Russia. Spiders live in burrows. In cold weather, the entrance to it is filled up with dry, glued cobweb leaves. Tarantulas are predators, they usually go out for prey in the evening or at night. During the hunt behave very carefully, to the future victim approach slowly with frequent stops and then quickly, suddenly jump and bite. Until the poison has acted, continue to pursue it. Very carefully guard their territory near the hole from the strangers. Leave it only during the mating season.

Description

Apulian tarantula (photo below) In length it grows to 7 cm. The trunk of a brown-gray color, covered with white fluffy hairs. The entire body is as though spread out by transverse and longitudinal strips of light and dark shades. The swing of the paws reaches 30 cm. The tarantula has the ability to regenerate limbs. During molting, a new one grows in return for the torn off paw, which grows in size with each molt and acquires the desired size. On the head of the spider are very interesting and unusual three rows of brilliant eyes. Four small balls are located in the lowest row, on top of which there are two large eyes and on each side is another pair. Thanks to the developed organs of vision, the tarantula closely follows what is happening around it. Distinguishes silhouettes of insects, as well as shadow, light. Spiders have excellent hearing. Female tarantulas are larger than males, their weight can reach 90 g.

Food

Spider Tarantula Apulian In food uses:

• Frogs of small size;
• Crickets;
• Flies;
• Beetles;
• Cockroaches;
• Caterpillars;
• Zhukov;
• Mosquitoes;
• Spiders of other species.

Reproduction

Females live about 4 years, males - up to 2. In the spring, female individuals leave the burrows and bask in the sun. In search of a pair, they can travel long distances. They take care of the cat they like not for long. Mating at the end of summer once in a lifetime, male individuals die right away, as the female bites her lover after fertilization. Eggs lay in the hole. The females wear them on themselves in a spider's cocoon, caring carefully for the future offspring. After maturing, young spiders crawl out of the cocoon and live for a time on the belly of the female. Growing up, spiders become independent and move away from it. Sometimes the mother provokes the younger generation to an earlier exit into adulthood. She comes out of the mink and, spinning, drops the spider from her body. Young people are looking for a new home and digging a hole for themselves, the size of which will increase as the spider grows.

Tarantula bite

Without reason, the Apulian tarantula does not attack a person. If it is disturbed, it takes a menacing pose: it rises to its hind legs, and the front picks up and further attacks and bites, releasing a toxin. A bitten place can be burned with a match or a cigarette to avoid decomposition of the poison. In order to prevent the use of anti-allergic drugs. Strangely enough, the best antidote is the blood of the tarantula. After killing a spider, the affected area is smeared with its blood, thereby neutralizing the action of the toxin. The poison of the tarantula is low-toxic, at the site of the bite edema is formed, which is very painful, and it is also possible that the body temperature rises.

Breeding tarantula at home

These insects are kept in apartments, despite their painful bites and quick reaction. Therefore, when the content of spiders should be careful, to be collected, accurate and attentive. Only one tarantula settles in the terrarium, because when they live together with their brethren they constantly fight to the victorious end, clarifying the relationship, who is stronger. The area of the dwelling should be spacious. The bottom of the terrarium is covered with a substrate, the composition of which is moist:

• peat;
• Chernozem;
• humus;
• Earth;
• clay;
• sand.

The insect is given the opportunity to dig a hole, so the thickness of the soil is at least 20-30 cm. The terrarium should always be kept closed so that the tarantula can not get out. House cleaning is done at least once in 40-45 days. To the temperature regime, the Apulian tarantula is not particularly whimsical and feels good at a temperature of 18-30 degrees. To keep the humidity on the bottom of the terrarium, you can put a container with water.

Feed spiders buy in specialized stores, they prefer:

• Crickets;
• Cockroaches of marble, Argentine, Turkmen;
• Flour worm;
• Larvae of the Zofobas;
• Slices of defatted beef.

At least once a month, vitamins and calcium gluconate are added to the food.

In captivity, the spider tarantula Apulian (description and content Which is presented above) lives twice as long. The duration of his life depends on the number of lines and food. The better the tarantula eats, the more it fades and, consequently, less lives. For the longevity of a spider, you must keep it half-starved.

Interesting Facts

In the XV century there was a belief that the bite of the Apulian tarantula is dangerous and is the cause of an especially dangerous disease. He was considered the culprit of epidemics, which were common at that time in the vicinity of Taranto in Italy. Treated bites in a very unusual way. The bitten was forced to dance until unconscious. After such dances the person instantly fell asleep, and woke up absolutely healthy.

Tarantulas do not weave cobwebs, but only use nets to strengthen their home.