Tarantula

Today’s critter might give you the jitters! BUT, it’s an amazing animal with lots of talents.  

Let’s head to  North America to learn about the largest spider on earth.

Don’t be too worried, these critters are more COOL than SCARY!

LETS GO!

Critter At A Glance

What are their critter talents?  These critters are part of the large spider family called the Theraphosidae family. They look hairy but don’t have actual hair like mammals.  They have something called urticating hairs.  These defensive bristles rub off on a predator. They can even flick them at troublemakers with their legs.

What do they eat?  Tarantulas eat many things like grasshoppers, beetles, and other small spiders.  Some even eat small lizards.  Tarantulas hunt for prey at night and they ambush their food. This means they surprise attack!

What do we know about their habitat?  All terantulas are ground dwellers, which means they make their homes on the ground.  They like well drained soil in desert or grassland areas.

 What can we learn about Tiana? Listen to her story below!

Are you ready for an out of this world fact?  

Almost all tarantulas have urticating hairs to defend themselves.  They have many different types to fend off different types of predators.  They are highly specialized!

Critter Protectors we need you!  Don’t forget to join the Q!

Today your challenge is to CREATE a tarantula out of pipe cleaners!  You know… those bendy wirey crafting supplies?  That’s all you need!  They look like they have tarantula hairs on them already.  I know you’ll make something amazing! 

Don’t forget to share! #heymrjim

McLendon, Russell. “8 Incredible Facts about Tarantulas.” Treehugger, Treehugger, 16 Apr. 2021, https://www.treehugger.com/tarantula-facts-5083886. 

“Tarantula Fact Sheet.” Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/long-fact-sheets/tarantula.php.