Arachnida
California Tarantula
Arachnida Araneae Theraphosidae Aphonopelma sp. www.ojaipost.com
Range Reproduction Special Adaptations
Southwest U.S.; Growth: gradual Interaction with 20-30 species of Egg: placed in a silken egg case by female: 100 or more eggs can Humans: The tarantula in be laid at one time California tarantula is North America Immature: can molt 4 times a year when young a very docile animal. Adult: Reach adulthood when 8-12 years old; mating time is in Tarantulas are not the fall poisonous to humans Habitat Lifespan: Females can live up to 25 years though all spiders have venom that is Warmer effective on small Physical Characteristics climates, arthropods for grasslands, subduing their prey. Adult & Juvenile chaparral. They often develop a bald spot on the back Mouthparts chelicerate; fangs parallel to the body line of their abdomen. : none This is caused by the Niche Wings: 4 pair spider kicking off its Legs: none hairs for defense. the Nocturnal Antennae: predators of hairs have uticating small Egg: laid in a silk sac-like case qualities and irritate arthropods; live Adult: Male & females similar looking until sexually mature; sensitive tissue. in burrows in the females molt once a year throughout their adult life span; males These hairs when ground. mot into adulthood, then die six months or so later. Tarantulas kicked off may be are our largest spiders reaching 5 or more inches used to discourage Color: Black, gray, brown the pursuit of a Diet Burrows: Can be dug or can use abandoned rodent holes; lined predator. Feeding with silk produced by the spinnerets at the rear of the abdomen. behavior: like other Nature: small spiders, they begin arthropods the digestion process Natural Enemies Captivity: one outside the body, cricket per week injecting their prey One of the many predators of tarantulas is the “tarantula hawk” with venom & which is really a large wasp in the genus Pepsis. Female Pepsis enzymes that begins wasps paralyze tarantulas with their sting, and drag it back to breaking it down into Source their burrows. The wasp then lays a single egg on the spider. ingestible fluids. When the egg hatches,, the wasp larva consumes the tarantula. (22) (23) Social Organization
Solitary
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