Have you ever heard of a creature that’s furry, a little scary, and has eight legs? No, I’m not talking about your Auntie Susan! I’m talking about the amazing tarantula, a large and hairy spider. Tarantulas are part of a group called arachnids.
Tarantulas can be found in many places around the world. They live mostly in the Southern United States, Central and South America. You can also find them in Africa, Asia, and Australia. There are about 900 different types of tarantulas!
Mommy tarantulas are excellent hunters. Unlike some other spiders, they don’t use webs to catch their food. Instead, they use their legs to grab their prey. Then, they bite with their fangs and use special juices to turn their food into liquid. After that, they suck it all up like a straw! Isn’t that amazing?
Even though tarantulas can bite, they are mostly harmless to humans. So, there’s no need to be too scared of them. Some tarantulas can live to be 30 years old!
Tarantulas have lots of eyes, which might make them really good at staring competitions. Imagine having a staring contest with a tarantula!
So, the next time you hear about tarantulas, remember that they are one amazing animal!
Spider Safari: Go on a “Spider Safari” in your backyard or local park. Take a notebook and draw any spiders you find. How many legs do they have? Do they look like a tarantula? Remember to observe from a safe distance and not to touch them. Discuss with your friends or family how these spiders are similar or different from tarantulas.
Create a Tarantula Habitat: Using a shoebox, create a model of a tarantula’s habitat. Use materials like sand, leaves, and small twigs to mimic the environment where tarantulas live. Think about what a tarantula needs to survive and include those elements in your habitat. Share your creation with your class and explain why you included each item.
Imagine and Draw: Imagine you are a tarantula for a day. What would you do? Where would you go? Draw a picture of your day as a tarantula and write a short story about your adventures. Share your story with your classmates and see what different adventures everyone came up with!
