The Tarantula Keepers' Guide, Third Edition Table of Contents

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Tarantula Keepers' Guide, Third Edition Table of Contents THE TARANTULA KEEPERS' GUIDE, THIRD EDITION TABLE OF CONTENTS (EXPANDED VERSION) Preface. .....................................................................vii Introduction................................................................... 1 The Mythical, Mystical Tarantula............................................ 1 Will the Real Tarantula Please Stand Up?..................................... 6 PART I: JUMP START................................................................. 7 1: Read Me First - The Game Plan................................................. 9 As We Begin. .......................................................... 9 Welcome Home!. ....................................................... 9 For the Record.......................................................... 9 Sorting It All Out........................................................ 1 0 The Generic Cage...................................................... 1 0 Putting It All Together.................................................... 1 2 One Last Issue......................................................... 1 3 What Kind Is It, Really?.................................................. 1 3 Mug Shots...................................................... 1 3 The Name of the Game. .......................................... 1 4 Look in the Index........................................... 1 4 'Net Search............................................... 1 5 If You Still Can't Figure Out What It Is.. 1 6 Finally, Coming Up To Speed. ............................................ 1 6 Additional Considerations................................................. 1 6 Please note that these page numbers may differ slightly from those in the published version of the Tarantula Keeper's Guide, Third Edition, because of minor formatting changes between the manuscript version and the published version, because some minor headings may have been elevated to higher levels, or because some minor headings may have been disregarded entirely. If you cannot locate the item you seek, look on the next previous page or next following page. Page 1. New Kids on the Block. ........................................... 1 6 Keeping It Simple. ............................................... 1 7 PART II: THE SCIENTIFIC TARANTULA. ................................................ 1 9 2: The Physical Tarantula....................................................... 2 1 Anatomy and Physiology. ................................................ 2 1 External Features................................................ 2 1 Exoskeleton............................................... 2 1 The Body................................................. 2 3 Appendages.. ............................................ 2 4 Bristles................................................... 2 8 Ecdysis/Molting............................................ 3 2 The Exuvium.............................................. 3 8 Instars, Embryology, and Development.. 3 8 Implications of Ecdysis...................................... 4 0 Loss of Limb.............................................. 4 2 Regeneration.............................................. 4 3 Internal Structure................................................. 4 4 Endoskeleton.. ........................................... 4 4 Nervous System........................................... 4 5 Circulatory System.. ....................................... 4 6 Respiratory System......................................... 4 8 Digestive System........................................... 4 9 Excretory System.. ........................................ 5 2 Reproductive System.. ..................................... 5 3 Musculature and Movement.................................. 5 4 Silk...................................................... 5 6 Metabolism and Thermoregulation.. 5 7 The Exuvium, Revisited. .......................................... 5 9 3: The Name of the Tarantula.................................................... 6 1 The Big Picture......................................................... 6 1 The Vernacular Tarantula. ............................................... 6 1 The Authoritative Tarantula............................................... 6 3 The Gospel According to Linné...................................... 6 3 The Gospel According to Darwin. ................................... 6 4 The Teeming Hordes. ............................................ 6 5 One Big Mess................................................... 6 5 The Gospel According to the ICZN................................... 6 8 The Gospel According to Phylocode.................................. 6 8 And Behind Door Number Five...................................... 6 9 Taxonomy and Classification.............................................. 6 9 The Family Tree. ................................................ 6 9 Nondefinition of a Species.. ................................. 7 5 A Little History in a Classical Vein... 7 6 The Name of the Game. .......................................... 7 7 Identification........................................................... 7 8 Three Cases of Whiplash................................................. 7 9 Brachypelma.................................................... 8 0 Aphonopelma. .................................................. 8 0 Grammostola.................................................... 8 0 The Light at the End of the Tunnel.......................................... 8 0 Please note that these page numbers may differ slightly from those in the published version of the Tarantula Keeper's Guide, Third Edition, because of minor formatting changes between the manuscript version and the published version, because some minor headings may have been elevated to higher levels, or because some minor headings may have been disregarded entirely. If you cannot locate the item you seek, look on the next previous page or next following page. Page 2. 4: Natural History.............................................................. 8 2 Distribution............................................................ 8 2 Lifestyle. ............................................................. 8 3 Habitat......................................................... 8 3 Terra Firma............................................... 8 3 Life as a Nomad.. ......................................... 8 4 Up On The Roof.. ......................................... 8 4 Humble Abode................................................... 8 5 Life in the Colonies............................................... 8 6 LIFE IN THE COMMUNE.............................................. 8 7 The Roomies.................................................... 8 8 Foods and Feeding............................................... 8 8 The Menu.. .............................................. 8 8 Boom and Bust............................................ 8 9 Feeding Waltz............................................. 9 0 Diurnal Cycles. ........................................................ 9 1 Annual Cycles.......................................................... 9 1 Life Cycle............................................................. 9 3 Maturation...................................................... 9 4 Sex Life........................................................ 9 5 Loading His Guns.......................................... 9 5 Skirt Chaser.. ............................................ 9 6 Baiting the Tiger.. ......................................... 9 6 Pheromones.............................................. 9 7 Secret Password........................................... 9 7 Copulation................................................ 9 8 "I'm Outta Here!". ......................................... 9 9 Motherhood. ......................................................... 100 Timing........................................................ 100 Duds......................................................... 101 Double Clutching................................................ 101 Brooding. ..................................................... 102 The Grand Debut. .............................................. 102 Wild Kids. ........................................................... 102 The Size of Things. ............................................. 102 Ants in Your Pants!.............................................. 103 Surviving in the 'Hood............................................ 103 Failure to Launch................................................ 104 Longevity. ........................................................... 105 Males......................................................... 105 In The Wild.............................................. 105 In Captivity............................................... 105 Females. ..................................................... 106 In The Wild.............................................. 106 In Captivity............................................... 106 General Considerations........................................... 107 Size................................................................. 107 Infamy............................................................... 108 Behavior............................................................. 109 Sound. ....................................................... 109 Please note that these page numbers may differ slightly from those in the published version of the Tarantula Keeper's Guide, Third Edition, because of minor formatting
Recommended publications
  • Chilean Rose-Haired Tarantula Native Range Map
    Chilean Rose-haired Tarantula Native Range Map Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Subphylum: Chelicerata Class: Arachnida Order: Araneae Family: Theraphosidae Genus : Grammostola Species : gala Photo courtesy of Karen Marzynski Habitat • In the Wild: This species of tarantula can be found in Chile, in dry grassland regions at the edge of the desert. • Exhibit Location: Zoo to You Collection Characteristics • Adults grow to be 4.5 – 5.5 inches in diameter. • There are 2 different color schemes, depending on where in Chile they are from. Many are brownish, while others are more reddish or pink in color. • This tarantula has a hard external skeleton (exoskeleton) and 8 jointed legs. The exterior of the body is covered by long, bristle-like hairs. There is a smaller pair of sensory appendages called pedipalps. They have 8 eyes, 2 fangs, and are venomous (poisonous). They have a cephalothorax (composed of the head and thorax) to which all appendages except the spinnerets (tubular structures from which web silk are produced) are attached. The spinnerets are found on the abdomen. • Individual hairs may be sensitive to motion, heat, cold, and other environmental triggers. Hairs near the mouth are capable of sensing chemicals that give the spider a basic type of sense of smell and taste. • Lifespan: In the Wild males 3-10 years, females 15-20 years; In Captivity males less than 2 years, females 20 or more years (average is 12 years) Behaviors • The Chilean rose-haired tarantula is a nocturnal (nighttime) hunter and finds a shelter to web itself into at dawn. • Their digestive system is designed to deal with liquid food only.
    [Show full text]
  • TARANTULA Araneae Family: Theraphosidae Genus: 113 Genera
    TARANTULA Araneae Family: Theraphosidae Genus: 113 genera Range: World wide Habitat tropical and desert regions; greatest concentration S America Niche: Terrestrial or arboreal, carnivorous, mainly nocturnal predators Wild diet: as grasshoppers, crickets and beetles but some of the larger species may also eat mice, lizards and frogs or even small birds Zoo diet: Life Span: (Wild) varies with species and sexes, females tend to live long lives (Captivity) Sexual dimorphism: Location in SF Zoo: Children’s Zoo - Insect Zoo APPEARANCE & PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS: Tarantulas are large, long-legged, long-living spiders, whose entire body is covered with short hairs, which are sensitive to vibration. They have eight simple eyes arranged in two distinct rows but rely on their hairs to send messages of local movement. These spiders do not spin a web but catch their prey by pursuit, killing them by injecting venom through their fangs. The injected venom liquefies their prey, allowing them to suck out the innards and leave the empty exoskeleton. The chelicerae are vertical and point downward making it necessary to raise its front end to strike forward and down onto its prey. Tarantulas have two pair of book lungs, which are situated on the underside of the abdomen. (Most spiders have only one pair). All tarantulas produce silk through the two or four spinnerets at the end of their abdomen (A typical spiders averages six). New World Tarantulas vs. Old World Tarantulas: New World species have urticating hairs that causes the potential predator to itch and be distracted so the tarantula can get away. They are less aggressive than Old World Tarantulas who lack urticating hairs and their venom is less potent.
    [Show full text]
  • Araneae (Spider) Photos
    Araneae (Spider) Photos Araneae (Spiders) About Information on: Spider Photos of Links to WWW Spiders Spiders of North America Relationships Spider Groups Spider Resources -- An Identification Manual About Spiders As in the other arachnid orders, appendage specialization is very important in the evolution of spiders. In spiders the five pairs of appendages of the prosoma (one of the two main body sections) that follow the chelicerae are the pedipalps followed by four pairs of walking legs. The pedipalps are modified to serve as mating organs by mature male spiders. These modifications are often very complicated and differences in their structure are important characteristics used by araneologists in the classification of spiders. Pedipalps in female spiders are structurally much simpler and are used for sensing, manipulating food and sometimes in locomotion. It is relatively easy to tell mature or nearly mature males from female spiders (at least in most groups) by looking at the pedipalps -- in females they look like functional but small legs while in males the ends tend to be enlarged, often greatly so. In young spiders these differences are not evident. There are also appendages on the opisthosoma (the rear body section, the one with no walking legs) the best known being the spinnerets. In the first spiders there were four pairs of spinnerets. Living spiders may have four e.g., (liphistiomorph spiders) or three pairs (e.g., mygalomorph and ecribellate araneomorphs) or three paris of spinnerets and a silk spinning plate called a cribellum (the earliest and many extant araneomorph spiders). Spinnerets' history as appendages is suggested in part by their being projections away from the opisthosoma and the fact that they may retain muscles for movement Much of the success of spiders traces directly to their extensive use of silk and poison.
    [Show full text]
  • Sexual Selection and Alternative Reproductive Tactics in the Nursery-Web Spider Pisaura Mirabilis
    Sexual selection and alternative reproductive tactics in the nursery-web spider Pisaura mirabilis Paolo Giovanni Ghislandi PhD Thesis Sexual selection and alternative reproductive tactics in the nursery-web spider Pisaura mirabilis Paolo Giovanni Ghislandi SpiderLab Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Department of Bioscience Faculty of Science and Technology Aarhus University November 2017 SUPERVISORS: Prof. Trine Bilde Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Denmark Dr. Cristina Tuni Department Biologie II, Ludwig-Maximilians University München, Germany CREDITS: Photos: Paolo Ghislandi SpiderLab Logo: Lena Grinsted CITE AS: Ghislandi P.G. (2017). Sexual selection and alternative reproductive tactics in the nursery- web spider Pisaura mirabilis. Ph.D. dissertation. Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Denmark NUMBER OF PAGES: 103 PRINTED BY: Fællestrykkeriet – SUN, Aarhus University Table of Contents Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………………….........1 Summary…………………………………………………………………………………………….3 Resumé………………………………………………………………………………………….........5 State of the ART……………………………………………………………………………………7 Reproductive tactics in the nursery-web spider Pisaura mirabilis……………………...………11 Types of ARTs: fixed or plastic traits?...........................................................................................15 Which ecological drivers influence the expression and maintenance of ARTs?........................20 References………………………………………………………………………………………….23 Chapter I - Behavioural plasticity and
    [Show full text]
  • ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - Stocklist January 2016
    ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - Stocklist January 2016 Status at 01.01.2016 male female unknown ZSL WHIPSNADE ZOO Invertebrata Partula rosea Partula snail 0 0 102 Partula suturalis vexillum Partula snail 0 0 67 Achatina sp. Giant snail 0 0 4 Pandinus imperator Common emperor scorpion 11 7 51 Brachypelma smithi Red-kneed tarantula 0 0 1 Grammostola rosea Chilean rose tarantula 0 1 0 Lasiodora parahybana Brazilian salmon tarantula 0 1 0 Gromphadorhina portentosa Madagascar hissing cockroach 1 2 0 Sphodromantis sp. Mantis 0 3 7 Gryllus bimaculatus Black field cricket 0 0 12 Phaeophilacris bredoides Cricket 0 0 92 Schistocerca gregaria Desert locust 0 0 40 Peruphasma schultei Black Beauty stick insect 0 0 25 Carausius morosus Walkingstick 0 0 8 Eurycantha sp. Giant stick insect 3 3 0 Extatosoma tiaratum Giant prickly stick insect 0 0 29 Platymeris biguttata Two-spotted assassin bug 0 0 20 Dynastes hercules Western hercules beetle 1 8 30 Pachnoda sinuata Garden fruit chafer 0 0 25 Polposipus herculeanus Fregate Island giant beetle 0 0 248 Pachliopta kotzebuea Pink rose butterfly 0 0 35 Papilio demoleus Checkered lime swallowtail 0 0 9 Papilio lowi Great yellow mormon swallowtail 0 0 34 Papilio polytes Common mormon swallowtail 0 0 21 Parides arcas Cattleheart butterfly 0 0 27 Hebomoia glaucippe Great orange tip 0 0 1 Greta oto Costa Rica clearwing butterfly 0 0 5 Danaus chrysippus Lesser wanderer butterfly 0 0 6 Euploea core Oleander butterfly 0 0 13 Idea leuconoe Chinese kite butterfly 0 0 22 Caligo eurilochus Owl butterfly 0 0 54 Morpho peleides Morpho butterfly 0 0 43 Dryadula phaetusa Halloween longwing 0 0 9 Dryas iulia Julia butterfly 0 0 23 Heliconius charithonia Zebrawing butterfly 0 0 18 Heliconius hecale Golden helicon butterfly 0 0 16 Heliconius melpomene Postman butterfly 0 0 63 Cethosia biblis Ruby-red butterfly 0 0 4 Hypolimnas bolina Great egg fly butterfly 0 0 37 Kallima paralekta Indian leaf butterfly 0 0 27 Parthenos sylvia Brown clipper 0 0 19 Siproeta stelenes Malachite butterfly 0 0 28 Argema mimosae African moon moth 0 0 2 1.
    [Show full text]
  • `Degraded' RNA Profiles in Arthropoda and Beyond
    ‘Degraded’ RNA profiles in Arthropoda and beyond Sean D. McCarthy, Michel M. Dugon and Anne Marie Power School of Natural Sciences, Ryan Institute for Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland ABSTRACT The requirement for high quality/non-degraded RNA is essential for an array of molecular biology analyses. When analysing the integrity of rRNA from the barnacle Lepas anatifera (Phylum Arthropoda, Subphylum Crustacea), atypical or sub- optimal rRNA profiles that were apparently degraded were observed on a bioanalyser electropherogram. It was subsequently discovered that the rRNA was not degraded, but arose due to a ‘gap deletion’ (also referred to as ‘hidden break’) in the 28S rRNA. An apparent excision at this site caused the 28S rRNA to fragment under heat- denaturing conditions and migrate along with the 18S rRNA, superficially presenting a ‘degraded’ appearance. Examination of the literature showed similar observations in a small number of older studies in insects; however, reading across multiple disciplines suggests that this is a wider issue that occurs across the Animalia and beyond. The current study shows that the 28S rRNA anomaly goes far beyond insects within the Arthropoda and is widespread within this phylum. We confirm that the anomaly is associated with thermal conversion because gap-deletion patterns were observed in heat-denatured samples but not in gels with formaldehyde-denaturing. Subjects Aquaculture, Fisheries and Fish Science, Genomics, Marine Biology, Taxonomy, Zoology Keywords Hidden break, Denaturing, Taxonomy, Gap deletion, Degraded rNA, Bioanalyser Submitted 4 July 2015 Accepted 4 November 2015 INTRODUCTION Published 1 December 2015 Anomalies in the gel migration of the 28S subunit rRNA in denatured samples have Corresponding author mostly appeared in the older literature (Applebaum, Ebstein& Wyatt, 1966 ; Ishikawa& Anne Marie Power, [email protected] Newburgh, 1972; Fujiwara& Ishikawa, 1986 ).
    [Show full text]
  • SPIDER PROGRAM (Kindergarten to Grade 5)
    SPIDER PROGRAM (kindergarten to grade 5) The Swan Lake Spider Program is a one-hour presentation that can be delivered in your classroom or at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. For classroom presentations please provide the following: *Large easy-to-read student nametags *Place to display charts *A list of student questions (optional) *3 centres: desks clustered or tables (one could be on the floor) Swan Lake nature programs strive to support Teachers in the classroom: Big Ideas: - Plants and animals have observable features (K) - Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment (gr.1) - All living things have a life cycle (gr.2) - Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems (gr.3) - All living things and their environment are interdependent (gr.4) Content: - Behavioural adaptations of animals in the local environment (gr.1) - The ways organisms in ecosystems sense and respond to their environment (gr.4) - Digestive, excretory, respiratory and circulatory systems (gr.5) GOALS The goals of this program are for students to: a) Appreciate and respect spiders and the important role they play in the environment b) Understand more about spiders: their anatomy, how they catch food and eat, the uses of silk and the spider’s life cycle c) Observe living spiders, local and exotic d) Compare some of the different kinds of spiders on Vancouver Island PRESENTATION The presentation will involve elements of the following with a focus on the importance of spiders as food for other animals and as predators of insects. A student will be dressed-up as a spider to help cover the following general topics: a) Body of the spider: external and internal parts b) Exoskeleton, movement and shedding c) Breathing and Circulation d) Senses e) Silk and its uses f) Digestive system: what and how the spider eats g) How to tell male from female spiders There will also be an exploration of the following: 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Tarantulas Defensive Hairs Off the Top of the Abdomen
    Basic Information on Several species can kick Tarantulas defensive hairs off the top of the abdomen. Some people are sensitive to There are approximately 35,000 known species of spiders the hairs and may itch. and about 800 are true tarantulas. Tarantulas are mostly Rinse your hands and heavy-bodied and have eight eyes on a small “bump” at the arms after holding your front of the body. All tarantulas are venomous and all can pet. bite. For most people the tarantula bite causes the same reaction as a bee sting. Molting Tarantulas molt their Female tarantulas can live 20 years or more. Males usually exoskeleton. They will die within a year and a half after reaching adulthood. Males stop feeding for a week or are usually more slender and adult males have a distinct so before their molt. They will turn over on their back, the old hook on the bottom of the third segment of each front exoskeleton will split and they will work it off and flip upright. walking leg. It will be several days before the new exoskeleton hardens. Do not feed or handle the tarantula at this time. Housing Any type of escape proof container can house your tarantula. We carry a variety of small plastic containers as Common species of Tarantula Grammostola spatulata well as small glass tanks. An aboreal (tree dwelling) species Chilean Rose Tarantula - will prefer a tall enclosure and burrowing species will prefer Found mostly in deserts and scrubland of Bolivia, more ground space. What ever you choose make sure it is North Chile, and Argentina O O size - 4.5 to 5.5 inches escape proof! Most tarantulas do well at 70 - 80 F.
    [Show full text]
  • Unrestricted Species
    UNRESTRICTED SPECIES Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fishes) Atheriniformes (Silversides) Scientific Name Common Name Bedotia geayi Madagascar Rainbowfish Melanotaenia boesemani Boeseman's Rainbowfish Melanotaenia maylandi Maryland's Rainbowfish Melanotaenia splendida Eastern Rainbow Fish Beloniformes (Needlefishes) Scientific Name Common Name Dermogenys pusilla Wrestling Halfbeak Characiformes (Piranhas, Leporins, Piranhas) Scientific Name Common Name Abramites hypselonotus Highbacked Headstander Acestrorhynchus falcatus Red Tail Freshwater Barracuda Acestrorhynchus falcirostris Yellow Tail Freshwater Barracuda Anostomus anostomus Striped Headstander Anostomus spiloclistron False Three Spotted Anostomus Anostomus ternetzi Ternetz's Anostomus Anostomus varius Checkerboard Anostomus Astyanax mexicanus Blind Cave Tetra Boulengerella maculata Spotted Pike Characin Carnegiella strigata Marbled Hatchetfish Chalceus macrolepidotus Pink-Tailed Chalceus Charax condei Small-scaled Glass Tetra Charax gibbosus Glass Headstander Chilodus punctatus Spotted Headstander Distichodus notospilus Red-finned Distichodus Distichodus sexfasciatus Six-banded Distichodus Exodon paradoxus Bucktoothed Tetra Gasteropelecus sternicla Common Hatchetfish Gymnocorymbus ternetzi Black Skirt Tetra Hasemania nana Silver-tipped Tetra Hemigrammus erythrozonus Glowlight Tetra Hemigrammus ocellifer Head and Tail Light Tetra Hemigrammus pulcher Pretty Tetra Hemigrammus rhodostomus Rummy Nose Tetra *Except if listed on: IUCN Red List (Endangered, Critically Endangered, or Extinct
    [Show full text]
  • Chilean Rose Tarantula Grammostola Rosea
    Chilean Rose Tarantula Grammostola rosea Class: Arachnida Order: Artanae Family: Theraphosidae Characteristics: Body -1.5 in or longer; leg span up to 5.75 in. Males are longer and slimmer than females with smaller abdomens; females larger and heavier. Neither spins webs strong enough to hold their own weight. Good vision. Burrowing species functioning by smell, touch and vibration. Hair covers entire body and serves as sensory input. Some hairs contain temperature or smell receptors. Others detect airborne vibration or act as itchy irritants to potential predators. Hairs are barbed and work their way into skin causing itching, irritation and eye damage. Range & Habitat: Behavior: Nocturnal. Considered an invaluable aid in destroying harmful, Chili, South America in burrows or crop-eating insects. Would rather retreat than bite so poses little threat for trees. humans or pets. Bee sting-like bite with mild to moderate pain, redness and swelling at site. Allergic reactions, not uncommon, can be fatal. Molting process: Stops eating, sheds and produces new exoskeleton in several hours. Occurs only every 1-2 years lying on back. Injury and stress levels are high and humidity levels critical until new skeleton hardens in a few days. Male matures and darkens in color after molting for final time. Reproduction: Mating can occur throughout the year, but depends on the subspecies and environmental conditions. Females lays 100-500 eggs in silk egg capsule. Some leave eggs in the burrow while others carry them Lifespan: Captivity- males 3.5, with them. Spiderlings hatch 6 wks later are precocial and abandoned females plus 20.
    [Show full text]
  • The Proper Care of Tarantulas a Beginners Guide to Keeping and Breeding Tarantulas By
    The Proper Care of Tarantulas A beginners guide to keeping and breeding tarantulas by Doug Anderson All you need to know about keeping and breeding tarantulas: housing, feeding, determining sex, breeding, raising spiderlings and much more. The Proper Care of Tarantulas Scientific Classification: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Arachnida Order: Araneae Suborder: Mygalomorphae Superfamily: Theraphosoidea Family: Theraphosidae Subfamilies: There are 13 subfamilies of tarantula Genera: There are 113 genera of tarantula Species: There are 897 species of tarantula Tarantulas are found in North and South America, Europe, Australia, Africa and Southern Asia. In Africa, tarantulas are described as Baboon Spiders. A tarantula’s habitat ranges from tropical rainforests to the desert. Some species live in silk lined burrow in the ground while others make aerial silk nests in trees. Tarantula in silk lined burrow Tarantula in silk lined burrow Tarantulas vary is size with body lengths between 2.5cm and 10cm (1-4in) and leg spans of between 8 and 30cm (3-12in). All tarantulas are venomous however only a few species are considered harmful to humans. The bite of a tarantula however can be VERY painful – so don’t get bitten. There are nearly 900 species of Tarantulas described. Many species of tarantula have been bred in captivity and are available in the pet trade around the world. Some countries do not allow importation of exotic tarantulas as well as not allow the trade of their indigenous tarantulas – it is your responsibility to know the law in your country. Versicolor Tarantula (Antilles Pinktoe tarantula) sitting on aerial silk nest.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Conference
    PROCEEDINGS 2017 49th AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO VETERINARIANS Annual Conference Frisco, Texas USA September 23-29, 2017 CHARLOTTE KIRK BAER PROCEEDINGS EDITOR CONTINUING EDUCATION Continuing education sponsored by the American College of Zoological Medicine. DISCLAIMER The information appearing in this publication comes exclusively from the authors and contributors identified in each manuscript. The techniques and procedures presented reflect the individual knowledge, experience, and personal views of the authors and contributors. The information presented does not incorporate all known techniques and procedures and is not exclusive. Other procedures, techniques, and technology might also be available. Any questions or requests for additional information concerning any of the manuscripts should be addressed directly to the authors. The sponsoring associations of this conference and resulting publication have not undertaken direct research or formal review to verify the information contained in this publication. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host associations. The associations are not responsible for errors or for opinions expressed in this publication. The host associations expressly disclaim any warranties or guarantees, expressed or implied, and shall not be liable for damages of any kind in connection with the material, information, techniques, or procedures set forth in this publication. AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO VETERINARIANS “Dedicated to wildlife health and conservation” 581705 White Oak Road Yulee, Florida, 32097 904-225-3275 Fax 904-225-3289 Howdy!.... …and welcome to the Wild West! Everything is bigger in Texas and the 49th AAZV Annual Conference in Frisco will be no exception.
    [Show full text]