Tarantulas

• • D’Eschambeault says that only one percent of insects around the world are actually considered dangerous for humans. “Out of about 1,500 species of tarantula, only four or so have venom powerful enough to affect humans,” she says. That said, they can bite if cornered, and they can release hairs that could cause allergic reactions if inhaled.
• • To catch their prey in the wild, tarantulas take night walks and use the hair on their legs to detect vibrations, alerting them to the presence of tasty bugs in the area.
• • Female tarantulas can live up to 20 years or more, while males only live one or two years.
• • Tarantulas have exoskeletons and their blood doesn’t clot, so even a very small fall—even a few inches—can cause serious injury.

Did you know?
Insects have six legs. Arachnids have eight. And myriapods have up to 600 legs! All of these are considered arthropods, the scientific term for bugs in general. (Crustaceans are also a type of arthropod).

Charlotte the Tarantula