Josh's Frogs' Tarantula Photo Thread

[Josh's Frogs]

The Togo Starburst Tarantula is known scientifically as Heteroscodra maculatum and comes from the Togolese Republic in West Africa. They start out their life’s journey as little fuzzy brown spiders. As they grow, they slowly shed the brown for a crisp, high contrast black, white, and gray pattern as adult females. I found this young female, immediately after a molt. I knew, as soon as I saw her, that she had undergone the last molt before achieving her adult color and pattern. I gave her a week before I snapped this picture of her full, adult glory!

 

[Josh's Frogs]

A shy spider?!? Believe it or not, tarantulas are actually very shy creatures. Under normal circumstances, there is not much that would cause a tarantula to stray far from its burrow or nest. They are “sit and wait” predators that prefer patience and safety to the risks of seeking out their food in the dangerous wide world. Most are quick to dive into their hiding places at any sign of danger. Here we have Tofu, a Metallic Pink Toe Tarantula (Avicularia avicularia Morphotype 6), looking kinda shy in this pic. Her body language, hiding her eyes behind her frontmost legs (pedipalps), is very similar to a young child hiding her face behind long hair when she feels shy. I think she looks cute!

 

[Josh's Frogs]

Ceratogyrus marshalli is known as the Straight Horned Baboon. Like a few other closely related species, they have a protrusion extending up from their carapace, where most other tarantulas have a divet, called the fovea. Biologists do not agree on why they have it or what purpose it may serve. Many people are impressed by the bright, flashy colors that can be found on many of the most popular species. However, fans of this species seem to appreciate the tones and patterns that can be found on this tarantula. With dappled spots on their abdomen and radiating striations on its carapace in tones of brown and bronze, it is easy to see why this handsome species has been popular for the last two decades!