What is the difference between tarantula and spider

They can be found in the most diverse places and although there are those who love having them as pets, the fact is that in general people consider them ugly, dangerous and even evil. Although these animals share certain qualities and are similar in some respects, there are some characteristics that make them different; that is, tarantulas and spiders are not exactly the same thing.

If you have doubts about it or want a little more information, continue reading, because then we explain to you what is the difference between spiders and tarantulas. The spiders belong to the order Aranae and Arachnida class among the group of arthropods.

There are more than 40, species of spiders in the world. The body of the same is divided in two parts, one that includes the head and the thorax and the other that is constituted by the abdomen. Some spiders are hairy and some not, but one of the characteristics that has always differentiated them from tarantulas is the silk or spider web with which they make nets to catch their prey; although some cases of tarantulas capable of producing silk from their feet have been mentioned.

All spiders are predatory and usually solitary. Where other spiders have six spinnerets, tarantulas only have two, and one is barely visible. But to make up for having less of these silk-exuding tubes, some tarantulas have silk-producing glands in their feet.

Tarantulas and true spiders have two claws at the tip of each leg — except in the case of Orb Weaver members, they have three and use one as a type of thumb. Spiders use these claws to grip surfaces and to climb their web — but tarantulas have an advantage; they have densely hairy feet that give them extra grip, something they badly need considering their size.

If you look at a tarantula foot under an electron microscope, you will see a footpad with bristles covered in hundreds of thousands of small hairs called setules. If that is not cool enough, to scale up slippery surfaces, tarantulas will retract their claws, just like a cat, and use only these hairy feet to ascent.

Tarantulas have strong jaws and fangs. Their fangs are parallel and face downward — think of Dracula — meaning they can only bite top down. When not in use, tarantulas tuck their fangs under their bodies. True spiders, on the other hand, have fangs that face each other and will swing to the side and open up when they are ready to strike. Spiders only have one book lung; tarantulas have two lungs. Tarantulas are meat-eaters through and through, but some spiders prefer a plant-based diet.

Shocking, I know. While most true spiders are harmless, some do have deadly bites. There are 30 spiders of the non-tarantula variety that are deadly to humans. Their venom is a cocktail of peptides, proteins, sugars, and other substances and maybe a neurotoxic or cytotoxic. A spider bite arachnidism that is neurotoxic affects the nervous system of prey animals and humans; cytotoxin is used to liquefy their meals, but in humans, it may cause blisters and lesions.

Tarantulas are harmless when it comes to venom; the bite of a new world tarantula has been said to be similar to a bee sting. Old world tarantulas, however, do pack more punch, and their bites can involve swelling, pain, and even nausea. True spiders usually have eight eyes, some can have six or less, and others may be completely blind!

Tarantulas always have eight eyes, and studies have shown that arboreal tarantulas have better vision than terrestrial or fossorial tarantulas. Of all spiders, jumping spiders have remarkable vision and are said to be able to see the craters on the moon?

Say what? How is that even possible? Well, the two large eyes in the center of their forehead pick up details and color, and thanks to specific filters, these spiders can see more colors than we can.

The second pair of eyes perceive motion, and this indicates to the spider where it should look, and the function of the third pair is yet unknown! Tarantulas are hairy bodied, which makes them look dreadful, and the barbs on the abdomen are instrumental in warding-off of their predators by a special way.

They can send those barbs in a blink of an eye towards their predator. Some tarantula species are capable of producing silk from their feet Gorb et al, , which helps in climbing smooth surfaces and this is a unique character for them.

There are either two or four spinnerets in the abdomen of tarantulas, and males have specialized spinnerets around the genital opening to exude silk for the sperm web. No tarantula is known to be herbivorous. They are very popular as pets and extensively bred in captivity for the pet trade.

The lifespan of a tarantula could go up to 25 years. What is the difference between Spider and Tarantula? He has more than ten years of diverse experience as a Zoologist and Environmental Biologist.

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