A few considerations when having a pet spider include the space available for the pet. The terrarium selected for the spider should be much larger than the spider. There are arboreal and terrestrial spiders, so when going for a cage it is necessary that twigs and logs are provided for arboreal and mud beds are made for terrestrial species. Research for the toxicity of the venom of the spider is one of the most important factors. A few like the black widow spider are absolutely not suitable as pets as their venom is highly toxic.

Healthy spiders and generally the females are advised as better pets as they have longer lifespan. The Latin name of the species is another factor which is required as care sheets and food regulations depend on the species.

TARANTULAS AS PETS

Most commonly reared spiders are the Tarantulas. They are numerable species available for pets but a few most attractive are the Pinktoe tarantulas, Chilean rose hair, desert blonde, Honduran curly hair, Chaco golden knee, Red knee, Red leg and Red rump. All these species are very gentle, attractive and less messy for food and water. A few like the Pinktoes are suggested to the highly experienced masters and Red knee and Red rump go well with the novice owners. A few display exciting emotional attitudes like shooting hair when frightened.<7p>

FOOD, LIGHTING AND SECURITY FOR PET SPIDERS

Spider can get along with the normal day light and unlike arachnids that need bright light. So, keeping the terrarium in a corner where the sunlight is optimum. Another important consideration is that spiders need a warm climate; this keeps them cosy and comfortable. A heat pad which can sustain a temperature of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit is advisable.

CARE FOR THE PET

Spiders are highly cannibalistic. This makes it necessary to have different terrariums for each spider. They are all chances that they eat their mates. The size of the terrarium should be considerably larger than the spider. They are not messy and excrete a fast drying fluid which does not create a foul odour. The cage can be cleaned for every three to four months. A few species are good burrowers. Such cages should have layers of bedding to keep them comfortable in their habitat. Sterilizing pot soil, eco earth and bed a beast are all the substrates which keep spiders happy.

REPRODUCTION IN TARANTULA

The reproduction of Tarantulas is quite contrasting compared to other species of spiders. When the male spider attains maturity it weaves a web on which it dissipates semen and on its pedipalps it would thrust this semen. It would then look for a female tarantula which is ready for mating. Upon identifying its partner, the male would interpose its pedipalps into the female’s opisthosoma around the abdomen region and transfers the semen. Once it transposes the semen the male would try not to confront the female as they tend to be very aggressive after mating. Tarantulas would generally produce from 50 to 2000 eggs.

The hair which tarantulas possess is used by them for protection from their predators. These are also consumed in some parts of the world such as Cambodia. The hair they have is generally harmless though in some cases it was reported to causes eye loss.

CONSEQUENCES OF SPIDER BITES

One of the prime concerns with spider bites is their venom. They inject the venom through the skin, but not all spiders can penetrate through human skin. Most of the spider bites are not serious for humans but sometimes the infections caused by them might be. When spiders eat their prey there is a possibility of bacterial attack which percolates to the humans when bitten. The amount of venom they transfer also depends on their species and the encounter. Spider bites are either neurotoxic which means it would effect the nervous system or necrotic which attacks the tissues surrounding the bite and in some cases they might affect the vital organs.

A majority of spider bites are harmless and may not need any treatment. In some cases their effect is observed much later than the actual bite and may be a cause for concern if not observed at the right moment. For a normal spider bite washing with soap and water would be enough. Applying ice is another option, but for severe bites antibiotics are needed for further precautions.

ANATOMY OF SCORPIONS

Scorpion’s body has three main parts cephalothorax, mesosoma and metasoma. Cephalothorax which is also called as prosoma is the head of the scorpion. The head mainly constitutes of the eyes, mouth, legs and the claws. They have two eyes at the top of the head and around two to five pairs of eyes whose position depends on the soil they spend there lives. They have four pairs of walking legs. Mesosoma is the abdominal area of the scorpion with seven segments. Metasoma is the scorpion’s tail which has five segments. There are some two tailed scorpions; these are due to genetics disorder but not a different type of species.

In some parts of the world especially China scorpions are used in production of medicine. Apart from that Chinese also have fried scorpions as a traditional dish. Scorpions also form an integral part of culture in the form of zodiac sign Scorpio. In ancient Egypt, the goddess Serket was often portrayed as a scorpion. Some species of scorpions are very aggressive and need no or little stimulus to attack.

A few spiders like the jumping spider Bagheera, gets its source from the nectars of the plants. According to the latest source these arachnids prefer nectar for the nutrients and it keeps them energetic even under acute starving conditions. Pets are generally fed with crickets. A matured spider can ingest one or two crickets a week and for the very large ones the number can be five to six. They can survive without food for several days and when the abdomen shows signs of shrivelling then care must be taken. Water must be fed to the pets in small shallow half inch depth dishes.

GENERAL FEEDING BEHAVIOUR OF SPIDERS

All spiders which have the set of chelicerae teeth to rip their prey apart and convert it in to a mass called the bolus. If the teeth are absent then the prey is perforated throughout the body to facilitate easy consumption. They catch their prey by various methods like trapping it in webs, mimicking them and following them. They feed only on liquid rather than solid as their guts are too narrow for solid masses. They liquidate their food with digestive enzymes outside the body and then grind them with pedipalps and ingest them.

Sub orders Mygalomorphae have no segmentation on their abdomens. They are distinguished by their heavy built, hairy abdomens and large robust fangs. These include the Goliath Birdeater, Tarantulas, mouse spider and many more. The last of the suborders is the Araneomorphae which includes brown recluse, Tasmanian cave spiders and a number of other species. It is the largest suborder of the order Arachinidae and sum to more than 90% of the spiders. They are called the true spiders.

ENDANGERED AND PET SPIDERS

Some of the species of spiders are wild and dangerous to the humans. This pertains to the venom which they discharge from the glands on biting. Though all spiders have significant amount of venom, very few have toxic levels sufficient to cause infections and at times cause death. Few such species are the Black widow spider. Tarantulas, wolf spiders are few species which are kept as pets for their harmless behaviours and serene methodology of living. They do not mess about the cage and can be easily tamed.

Reproduction in the widow spiders takes place sexually when the male inserts the palpus in to the female spermathecal openings. Out of the hundred eggs not more than thirty survive due to lack of food, shelter or cannibalism. Their venom is highly toxic and is said to cause death on biting. The males of the species being much smaller have less potent venom. And the venom is dangerous to the extent that it causes fatalities even before diagnosis.

POISONOUS SPIDERS

Arachnology describes a large number of species which are fatal to human existence. The bite of spiders causes a wide array of harmful effects from absolutely no problem to deaths. Though all species have a considerable amount of venom, the fatality is attributed to the potent toxicity. A few species include Brown recluse, Black widow, Yellow or Sac gold, Hobo spider, Red legged spider. It is highly recommended that in case of a sting first aid is done with alcohol and ice and a doctor is consulted for further assistance.

SPIDER BEHAVIOR DERIVED FROM THEIR HUNTING

Though spiders are considered predatory, there are some spices of spiders who feed on plants, bananas, milk, egg yolk and sausages. One of the most effective ways used by spiders to hunt their prey is with sticky webs; such spiders have known to have poor vision. Their webs can be of varying sizes and shapes, so they can accommodate to catch different sizes of prey. The behavior of jumping spiders can be considered intelligent as they trap their prey by different means by luring them to their web. Though such spiders are considered to be fast learners, they are also slow thinkers. One of the species of spiders is ant mimics; they have slim abdomens and waists and disguise their bodies to look like ants. These antics are either to protect themselves from their predators such as birds, lizards or to hunt their prey which is generally ants.

Some of the spiders are know to be social spiders. Such a behavior of spiders is arrived at from the need to protect their prey from thieves. They live in large colonies numbering up to 50000 individuals.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF ARANEUS SPIDERS

Two famous genuses of Araneus spiders are European garden spider and the barn spider. The European garden spiders also called the diadem spiders or cross spiders are found mostly in Europe and in north western parts of North America. They are extremely light yellow to very dark grey and those in Europe are characterized with dappled markings across their backs. These spiders wait for their prey to stick to their web and then consume them with in minutes. These spiders use their third pair of legs to weave web and are of little use when on ground. As with most spiders females are larger to males and more powerful comparatively.

FAMOUS ARANEUS SPIDERS

Other famous Araneus spiders are the barn spiders. These are yellow and brown spiders which are active during the night and sleep during the day. Similar to other orb web weaver spiders these spiders too take down their web in the night and weave back in the mornings. These spiders are very aggressive towards each other so generally they are at a distance from one another even though inhabited in the same structure. These spiders are found normally in wooden structures or rafters or on boats near lakes resulting in the name barn spider. These Araneus spiders are observed in north east United States and Canada.