Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts

After a short, sweet article about a chance encounter with a tarantula, as well as some listener comments, we'll talk about my experience moving a large tarantula collection and some things to consider should you have to move yours. 

6/7/26 • 48:12

First, we take some listener comments and discuss a science fair project involving tarantula venom.Then, I've been asked what the most important quality a good tarantula keeper needs. In this episode, I break it down. 

5/17/26 • 57:14

First, we'll discuss an article about Poecilotheria metallica conservation efforts. Then, we'll hear from some listeners about the last episode.For our main topic, I will discuss care and observations on one of my favorite all-time tarantula species, Selenobrachys philippinus, or the "Philippine Tangerine." 

5/3/26 • 61:22

First, we'll take some listener feedback and discuss an article about a 500-year-old fossil that rewrites chelicerate history.Then, they've been one of the most popular pet tarantulas for years, yet many still struggle with them. Why? In this episode, I'll discuss care for the Caribena versiclor (Martinique pinktoe), as well as some of the mistakes I see people making with them. 

4/12/26 • 71:42

First, I have an update on the Phormictopus that went to the vet. Then, I share some frustrations that I've had with correspondence lately before discussing a recent catastrophic molt with my Grammostola iheringi.Finally, we move on to the main topic. In this episode, I share some of the more common myths and misconceptions that I've been hearing from keepers lately, and why I think that these ideas are so problematic.

3/22/26 • 82:42

First, we have an update for last week's episode where we discussed a tarantula going to a vet.Then...have you ever wondered which tarantula species were the first to be kept as pets in the hobby? In this episode, we'll break down when some common species first made their appearance as pets.

3/1/26 • 70:54

First, we'll read some listener comments. Then, we'll discuss an article about a veterinarian treating Kristen the tarantula.For our main topic this week, I will discuss the care for the amazing Theraphosa apophysis!

2/15/26 • 56:09

Welcome to season 9! In this episode, we start by discussing some listener comments from last week's episode about T. vagans.Then..."Can a tarantula bite kill you?" Despite being told that one can't die from a tarantula bite, many stories have circulated over the years that appear to contradict that widely held belief. In this episode, we will investigate the validity of six cases of death by tarantula envenomation.

2/8/26 • 62:31

Happy New Year! First, we'll discuss a listener question about whether or not tarantulas can "learn" to accept handling.Then, this species has been described as "aggressive", "nasty", and even "evil," which is laughable. In this episode, I will break down care and my experience with the wonderful and unfairly maligned T. vagans or "Mexican Redrump." 

1/11/26 • 72:50

 First off, we'll take listener comments about last week's episode on feeding.Then, we discuss the article,  "Environmentalists Seek Protections for Malaysian Tarantula Targeted by Illegal Pet Trade" and how it applies to the tarantula hobby.And finally, it's onto our main topic. Is tarantula hoarding really a thing? We'll break down why the word "hoarding" is often tossed around and how this question, especially when it comes to pet influencers, is a bit more complicated to answer. 

12/21/25 • 72:52

First, we discuss an amazing genus of orbweaver that uses an incredible form of defensive mimicry. Then, over the years, I've made a lot of changes to my feeding schedules and what I feed my spiders. In this episode, I'll break down how my feeding regiment has evolved, as well as discuss some dos and don'ts when it comes to feeding.

12/14/25 • 68:44

First, we'll take some listener comments and talk a bit about shipping spiders in the winter.Then, I revisit care for the hobby staple (and the original blue tarantula!) Cyriopagopus lividus or the "Cobalt Blue Tarantula."Please check out Luis Roque's paper "Reevaluating Spider Nutrition: The Essential Role of Arachidonic Acid in Captivity." 

11/30/25 • 66:31

I'm back! First off, we'll discuss why I haven't been as consistent with the podcast.Then, we'll take a look at an article about a shocking spider discovery in a cave on the Greece-Albanian border.Finally, in our main topic, we'll discuss what to tell people who say that we're "abusing" our tarantulas by keeping them in smaller enclosures. 

11/23/25 • 55:08

First, we discuss a rather ridiculous care sheet that someone sent me, which was posted by a pet store.Then, we discuss a new trapdoor spider species identified in California.For our main topic, I'm going to share care and behavior notes on one of the most unjustly villainized spiders in the hobby...the Heteroscodra maculata or "Togo Starburst Baboon." 

11/2/25 • 54:47

First, we have an update on the Joro spider in the news.Then, are you currently keeping tarantulas and looking to branch out into "True Spiders" or Mygalomorphs? Or, have you never kept any spider before and are looking for a good one to start with? In this episode, I'll discuss 10 popular spiders in the pet trade and what they have to offer. 

10/19/25 • 61:59

First, we'll discuss an article about a new species of spider discovered in Thailand that was also bilaterally gynandromorphic. Then, these are the topics that are sure to whip both sides of the argument into a frenzy. We'll discuss nine topics that remain controversial in the tarantula hobby. 

10/5/25 • 69:20

First, we'll discuss a study on the brains of communal huntsman spiders.Then, we'll break down the issue with wild caught tarantulas in the hobby, and why this will always remain an ethical stain on the tarantula pet trade. 

9/21/25 • 63:28

First, we'll hear listener comments and discuss the article, "Mystery of dancing spiders' DNA could explain how they develop into new species". Then, I'll share the 10 spiders I keep that have proven to be the most shy and elusive.  

9/14/25 • 50:36

First, we'll discuss some listener comments on our last episode about using AI for researching tarantula care.Then, I've been asked many times to make a list of green tarantulas. The problem? There just aren't that many. In this episode, we'll discuss some species to search for if you are looking for some green on your eight-legged pets. 

9/1/25 • 61:17

With AI growing by leaps and bounds, it was inevitable that some folks would start using it as a tool for tarantula research. However, how accurate is the information? Where does it come from? And how can it best be used by new keepers? In this episode, we will search up some spider care, compare the results, and discuss the results. 

8/18/25 • 72:13

It can happen to the best of us. Suddenly, your beloved tarantula collection has become a source of stress. How did you get to this point? In this episode, we'll discuss "hobby burnout," how to prevent it, and how to come back from it. 

8/11/25 • 52:18

First, we'll discuss comments from last week's podcast.Then, we'll discuss the care of one of the most beloved species of tarantulas in the hobby, the Monocentropus balfouri or "Socrata Island Blue Baboon." I've been keeping this species since 2013, and have had five females in a communal setup for over nine years. In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss the care for solitary specimens as well as for communal setups. 

8/4/25 • 67:38

First, we'll disuss the current seizure of smuggled tarantulas at an airport.Then, I'll discuss tips and care notes for one of the hobby's most popular species, the C. cyaneopubescens or GBB!

7/21/25 • 51:54

When making their wish lists, many hobbyists identify spiders like Old World tarantulas and giant tropicals that they'd like to keep one day, but don't currently feel ready to do so. Although some folks can just jump right into the deep end with an "advanced" species, others want to take their time to gain experience with other spiders before making the jump. In this episode, I'll share some of the tarantulas that I think make good stepping-stones to keeping the more advanced species.  

7/14/25 • 57:36

In this episode, we'll discuss the growth rates and current legspans of the largest tarantulas in my collection. 

7/7/25 • 53:22

After I injured my shoulder, I had to have my son, Roane, help me with basic feeding and maintenance. It got me thinking about how important it is for hobbyists to plan for an event that leaves them unable to care for their animals. In this episode, we'll discuss what such planning might look like.

6/29/25 • 42:35

NOTE: In the podcast, I refer to Pamphobeteus sp. Duran as Phormictopus sp. Duran. This was an error on my part! Also, it's lion CUBS, not kittens.This was supposed to be up for Father's Day, but I blew out my shoulder!First, we discuss the last podcast. Then, we hear about a woman who got envenomated by a black widow through her EYE. Finally, for our main topic, we'll discuss tarantula males.

6/22/25 • 53:53

I'm not going to lie; I've avoided this "challenge" for years because just the thought of it causes me stress. That said, in this episode, I'm going to try to choose the tarantulas I would keep if I could only have 5. 

6/8/25 • 49:37

First off, we'll share some listener comments. Then, we'll share some spider news. Our main topic for today (14:30) is the care of one of the most popular tarantulas in the hobby - the Poecilotheria metallica or "Gooty Sapphire Ornamental."

6/1/25 • 67:18

Molting can be the most exciting yet simultaneously stressful part of keeping tarantulas. In this episode, we'll discuss the entire process -- from premolt to the first feeding -- and what to expect. 

5/25/25 • 65:00