Random Things Most People Don't Know About Tarantulas (11 items)

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  (#10) A Tarantula’s Exoskeleton Can Crack From Even Small Falls

  Unlike their smaller relatives, tarantulas cannot escape a significant fall without risking catastrophic injury. Their tough exoskeleton cracks if hit with a big enough impact, causing hemolymph to leak from the body and kill the tarantula. Since they are so susceptible to being injured from a fall, tarantulas must always be secure when climbing. To that end, tarantulas sport retractable claws at the base of their legs that they embed in objects they climb.
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  (#8) Their Diet Is Made Up of All Kinds Of Creatures

  Despite the size of tarantulas and their reputation for eating birds, the vast majority of species depend on small insects for their diet. However, that doesn’t mean that they are averse to eating other prey if they have access though. Certain species have been known to eat larger creatures, including snakes, frogs, lizards, mice, and even rats. As ambush predators, they surprise their victims and inject them with enough venom to kill them as quickly as possible.
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  (#3) Tarantulas Are Almost Never Aggressive

  Unlike the reputation built up around tarantulas as being fearsome monsters, they rarely present any danger to humans. If fact, they generally try their best to avoid any potential danger and can sense when people are near. "Most spiders can sense the heat from our bodies and will avoid us," says Dave Clarke, head of invertebrates at London Zoo. "They are not naturally very aggressive.” Even when they are forced into defending themselves, a tarantula will often only inject a tiny amount of venom or even none at all.
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  (#5) Webs Are Spun For Reproduction Rather Than Catching Food

  Everyone knows that dogs dig holes, chameleons change color, and spiders spin webs. But whereas smaller traditional spiders use their silk to capture insects, tarantulas utilize webs for a very different purpose. Males actually use their webs to attract females and let them know they are ready to mate. When they reach their reproductive stage, they spin a web and deposit sperm onto the silk. The male then rubs the sperm on his pedipalps (leg-like appendages located near the mouth), and uses them to copulate with his prospective mate. Who knew arachnids were so kinky?
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  (#6) They Fire Off Tiny Barbed Hairs In Defense

  Although most people know that tarantulas have venom, it is not the toxin that should frighten people. Instead, you should be more worried about urticating hairs. These tiny little bristles are a common defense mechanism amongst plants and caterpillars but almost all tarantulas sport them in their arsenal. Known to cause irritation and inflammation, each hair possesses tiny barbs that can burrow into skin and even into eyes. If left untreated they could cause significant scarring and even blindness.
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  (#11) There’s A Tarantula Named After Johnny Cash

  Most people will not be aware that there is a newly discovered tarantula named after Johnny Cash. Named Aphonopelma johnnycashi after the famous country singer, the tarantula features several characteristics that led researchers to give it "the Man in Black"'s monikor. Its furry black coat reminded the discoverers of Cash's signature black wardrobe. Furthermore, it lives near the Folsom State Prison in California, the location that inspired one of Cash's hit songs.

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