Being a marvelous creature and in addition to its excellent preying mechanism tarantula has many other features as well. One includes Tarantulas can swim. Yes, you got me right. It may be a nightmare for many but it’s also an interesting fact that has led these creatures to survive in almost all areas of the world.

On the other hand, this is not a preferred way of traveling and you may not see a tarantula swimming frequently. That’s practically a myth that tarantulas don’t swim they actually do. After all, they have eight legs man! Moreover, a recent video of tarantula walking on water went viral too which confirms it as well.

What should you know about tarantulas?

There are several factors that you should be aware of about tarantulas, these factors will burst some 

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The fact is there are a variety of tarantula species and they all look versatile. Mostly, tarantulas are found in regions of California and in the jungles of North and South America. The easiest identification of a tarantula is that they are quite big and are covered with hair.

They have a wide range of color spectrum but mostly they are in colors black and brown. As far as their size is concerned they are 7-10 centimeters in length. The measurement varies up to the world’s largest and biggest spider that Goliath bird eater spider which is 30 cm in length.

There is pattern specification in the case of tarantulas. They come in a variety of patterns and colors. Some of the tarantulas that are famous around the world are Red Rump, Red knee and cobalt blue tarantulas. Their extreme variety in colors and patterns have them an attraction for pet owners.

Anatomy:

Similar to other spiders tarantulas also have a very hard exoskeleton that is more convenient to see than in small spiders. Like all other spiders, they also have eight eyes in the form of pairs. Majorly, there are two big eyes in the center and these are surrounded by three more eyes on each side. Their bodies are divided into two sections:

• Prosoma
• The abdomen also referred to as opisthosoma

The above-mentioned body parts are connected through what they say in easy words as the waist which is known as a “pedicle”.

The point through which they release their venom is known as “Pedipalps” or “Fangs” as they are quite large and are very easily visible to the human eye.

Favorite places:

Tarantulas are excellent in camouflaging and hiding. During most of their life, they remain underground and burrowed and often come out during their mating season. When they are not hiding in their holes they will hide at any place that will save them from their predators.

Tarantulas are night animals which means they hunt, eat and get outside in the dark. It is also essential for them to do this at night as it saves them from predators and also as they do not produce any kind of web to capture their prey.

Do tarantulas bite? Is that a myth?

The simplest answer to the question without any hanky panky is “yes”, they do bite. That’s their natural process to capture their prey. They bite so that they can inject venom into their prey and then they release such kind of enzymes that helps them in the digestion of their prey so they can easily consume them.

As far as human biting is concerned, the answer is “probably”. The thing is any organism when it gets sacred cope up the situation with their natural capability to protect itself. They may stiff their hair up to warn you so that you should getaway. But if you are constantly teasing a tarantula and there is no option left for it then it will definitely bite.

But in most cases, the bites are dry without any venom just to scare and hurt. The tarantula bite without any venom is similar to the sting bite in terms of pain. But, anyone with a tarantula or spider bite should seek vet immediately to remain on the safer side.

Tarantulas can swim?

Well, it may be an amazing and surprising fact for some and at the same time frightening for some as well. But that’s a totally normal thing for tarantulas. Tarantulas are found to swim in their natural habitat as well. They cannot dive deep and they swim using their front legs. They paddle through their front legs to move forward.

They don’t do so in normal situations. They use the way of swimming only in emergencies. For example, they may accidentally fall into a water body. Some predators may want to prey on the tarantula so they may swim in the water to cope up with these situations. The fact is they don’t like water much. As a result, they don’t prefer to swim in deeper water. However, the tendency to swim has enabled them to survive even in floods as well.

It’s important to know that tarantulas are not such harmful creatures. There is no doubt that they have venom and they bite too but not in normal situations. They bite only when they are severely provoked. They bite when they feel any kind of threat or mistakenly take your finger or another body part as prey. So try to deal with it at a safer distance possible.

Did you know that tarantulas can swim?

You may think it is summers and know you will rock up that pool and will learn or do swimming. You may have thought to go on that cliff or lake to stunt some diving but hang on. Do you know? Tarantulas can swim. As posted by Texas park owners, tarantulas under their custody swim and use their front legs as paddles to move forward. They have also posted pictures and videos of tarantulas swimming. Well, it may frighten some or may provoke some animal lovers to explore more about the tarantula species.

So you may have to look an eagle eye now swimming in that lake or pond. Because yeah bro, first sharks now tarantulas also watch.  

Do tarantula spiders know how to swim?

When we think about tarantulas, swimming is definitely not the first thing that comes into mind. But, these creatures are so well developed that even terrestrial tarantulas also have some limited swimming abilities.

They do so only when they find themselves accidentally fallen into a water body. When they found themselves followed by a predator in the water body. The thing is that nature beautifully has enabled the creature to adapt and to swim in no time. 

The first thing is tarantulas are marvelous detectors and they sense humidity immediately when they are placed in a water body. There are specific receptors present on their legs called “Hygroreceptors” that are found to sense humidity and moisture. The species even with limited swimming capabilities can float or can take a thing that is partially submerged in water.

Also, one thing that tarantulas don’t sink. However, bigger the size of tarantula more likely they are to sink. In these cases, the tarantulas curl up their legs and then they have to be rescued. There is another thing which is worth noting: Tarantulas have a sticky layer of wax on their hair which helps them to float. This coat makes them waterproof and they come out from water safe and sound.

However, as far as actual swimming quality is concerned the tarantula with species Brachypelma vagans flushed through the water at speeds of five to eight centimeters. But it can vary from species to species.

Swimming mechanisms:

 How do they actually survive in water? Do they walk the same as they walk on firm ground? Or they employ some kind of particular mechanism to adapt to the changing environment. As far as their tendency to swim is considered they may employ two possibilities.

Studies have revealed that all arthropods including tarantulas walk most when the movement of both hind and front legs is not at the same time. On the other hand, arthropods that are found to be excellent in swimming move their front legs at phase. 

The next question arises in the mind is that to adapt is an easy talk for tarantula? Or he has to struggle a lot with this kind of leg movement. The researchers have concluded that to adapt is not as hard. Because their swimming patterns have shown that they do not face much difficulty while adapting to a water body. Tarantula basically uses its front three legs to paddle or swim while the hind legs are used to push the water backward. Read the complete article related to tarantulas food.

Swimming in tarantulas

Tarantulas are not excellent swimmers as they are not made for it. But they can adapt to the water body for swimming when they feel any kind of threat and when they are found to be followed by any kind of danger. Also, it is not their natural capability to swim. 

However, they employ changes in their walking mechanism. They use their front legs in phase to move forward. On the other hand, they use their back legs to drag the water backward.

They also have a sticky layer of wax on their body that makes them waterproof.

How far tarantulas can swim?

Tarantulas can swim but they can’t make longer distances like seas and oceans. They may propel themselves in a lake or a pond. And this is also only possible when they have not gone so far so they may come back to the edge. However, swimming quality and movement per second varies from species to species.