Is a tarantula a reptile or insect?
No, they are not insects. Tarantulas are spiders in the family Theraphosidae, of which spiders fall under the order Arachnida. Like all other Arthropoda, including insects, this category is under the kingdom Animalia, making tarantulas animals.
Why are spiders arthropods?
Spiders are arthropods, so their skeletal system of their body is the outermost layer. The hard exoskeleton helps the spider maintain moisture and not dry out. The bristles are not hair, but actually part of their exoskeleton. These enzymes break down the body, which allows the spider suck up the liquid prey.
What kind of blood does a Tarantula have?
Circulatory system. A tarantula’s blood is unique (not only by appearance); an oxygen-transporting protein is present (the copper-based hemocyanin), but not enclosed in blood cells such as the erythrocytes of mammals. A tarantula’s blood is not true blood, but rather a liquid called haemolymph, or hemolymph.
Which is the largest species of tarantula in the world?
Overview. Some of the largest species of tarantula may weigh over 85 g (3 oz); the largest of all, the goliath birdeater ( Theraphosa blondi) from Venezuela and Brazil, has been reported to attain a weight of 170 g (6.0 oz) and a leg-span up to 30 cm (12 in), males being longer and females greater in girth.
Where is the mouth of a tarantula located?
The tarantula’s mouth is located under its chelicerae on the lower front part of its prosoma. The mouth is a short, straw-shaped opening that can only suck, meaning that anything taken into it must be in liquid form.
What kind of stomach does a Tarantula have?
The tarantula’s digestive organ (stomach) is a tube that runs the length of its body. In the prosoma, this tube is wider and forms the sucking stomach.
What makes a tarantula different from other arthropods?
One of the most distinctive traits of many tarantulas is the presence of bristly hairs on their bodies, including their legs. Although this looks like hair and is commonly described as such, spiders and other arthropods do not have true hair like mammals do.
How many species of tarantulas are there in the world?
Nearly 1,000 Species Are Known to Science True tarantulas belong to a large spider family called Theraphosidae. There are 987 species across 147 genera, most of which inhabit the tropics, subtropics, or deserts.
How long does a male tarantula spider live?
Tarantulas are long-lived spiders, although their life spans vary by sex as well as species. Male tarantulas may live for as long as 10 years, but once they successfully mate, they usually die
Circulatory system. A tarantula’s blood is unique (not only by appearance); an oxygen-transporting protein is present (the copper-based hemocyanin), but not enclosed in blood cells such as the erythrocytes of mammals. A tarantula’s blood is not true blood, but rather a liquid called haemolymph, or hemolymph.
