Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts

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

First, we'll discuss some listener comments. Then, how would you like a spider that produced fluorescent red silk? Scientists have made it happen! Finally, we'll discuss some amazing spider mothers and their incredible behaviors. The peat moss that I use:

5/11/25 • 49:20

In this episode, we'll discuss what it takes to create a good setup for a moisture dependent tarantula. 

5/4/25 • 54:52

To kick this one off, I discuss the final meeting of the Arachnid Appreciation Club, read some listener comments, and explore an article about the spider that makes the world's largest web.Then, for our main topic, I offer some tips on how to explain to non-hobbyists why we have such large collections. 

4/27/25 • 64:39

With all that's going on in the world, why do politicians keep trying to pass laws banning exotic pet keeping? In this episode, we'll talk about some recent laws proposed to curb the keeping of exotics and discuss how, as a hobby, we can do better when it comes to how we present the tarantula hobby to the public. 

4/13/25 • 66:46

First, we'll discuss what to do if you think that you were sent the wrong tarantula species.Then, I have had a LOT of folks ask for me to do an update on my Aphonopelma species, so here goes! When last we checked in on these slow-growers, it was 2023. In this episode, I'll discuss their growth and appearances. 

4/6/25 • 56:05

Often, when I post videos of spiders other than tarantulas, I get comments like, "They're pretty, but they don't live long" or "That's nice, but I don't keep true spiders." In some instances, the animal that I'm showing off is a) very long lived and b) not a tarantula OR a true spider. Many are not aware of the difference or what to expect from both of these groups.In this episode, I attempt to break down the differences between spiders in the infraorders Mygalomorphae and Araneomporphae and share my experiences keeping species from both. I will also touch upon the suborder Mesothelae. NOTE: This list is NOT comprehensive and is only meant to be a quick crash course on this topic! 

3/30/25 • 57:39

First, we'll hear some listener feedback.Then, we held our second Arachnid Appreciation Club meeting at my school, and it went great. I'll talk a bit about what we did and my plans for the future.Finally, (28:00) in this new feature, I'll talk about a species of tarantula that I think gets unfairly ignored. In our first episode of "Worth a Second Look," we'll be discussing the Hysterocrates gigas or "Cameroon Red Baboon."  

3/16/25 • 56:15

When making my rehousing videos, I often talk about what behaviors I expect from the spiders as they settle in. However, I often forget to follow up and update folks on how they are getting on. In this episode, we'll take a look at some recently rehoused spiders as I discuss their behaviors in their new enclosures. 

3/9/25 • 52:44

It's season 8! And to kick it off, we'll discuss a new paper that examines the symptoms of a Poecilotheria species bite.Then, I'm often asked what the "best starter arboreal" spider is. Although the popular answer is usually an Avicularia or Caribena species, folks still seem to struggle with their care. This got me to thinking...how do the other popular arboreal genera compare when you look at ease of care, temperament, and behaviors? In this episode, we'll take a look!

3/2/25 • 64:55

First off, we'll read an article that discusses the successful reintroduction of a previously endangered spider species in Europe. Next, we'll hear some listener feedback.Then...feeding is one of the most entertaining and rewarding aspects of the hobby. In this episode, I'll discuss the 8 spiders that I enjoy feeding the most. 

2/17/25 • 66:19

So, I recently posted a video on YouTube discussing the tarantula species I've found to be the most defensive. Although I tried to think of an Old World species that gave me a difficult time, I didn't have a single one on the list. I knew that this was going to be shocking for some, but I wasn't expecting to be called "biased" when it came to how I present Old World behaviors. In this episode, I will discuss how and why my opinions on Old Worlds have changed over the years, and do some soul searching as I consider the message I am putting out. Check out the video here! 

2/9/25 • 56:11

First, we had our first Arachnid Appreciation Club at my school, and I'll share a bit about my preparation for it.Then, I have people message me to ask which "giant" tarantula species they should start with. In this episode, I'll compare the genera with the most massive spiders: Lasiodora, Phormictopus, Pamphobeteus, Xenesthis, and Theraphosa.

2/2/25 • 65:55

First, we discuss some feedback from last week's episode (and the fact that I had JUST covered this topic in September!).Then, I get asked all the time which species are the most visible out of the ones that I keep. Now that it's been several years since I last covered this topic, I have some new ones to add.

1/19/25 • 58:59

Crazy bolting. Hair kicking. Threat postures. Slapping at the ground. In this episode, I'll discuss the five most defensive (notice that I didnt' say "aggressive") tarantula species I have raised...plus a couple alternates. In each case, this time I will discuss how, in many instances, I was at fault for the behaviors. 

1/12/25 • 54:38

Happy New Year! First, we have a few species name changes to discuss. Then, we'll talk about four new tarantula species identified found in India's Western Ghat Mountains. After that, we have some listener comments from last week's episode.Finally…"How am I supposed to get experience with old world tarantula speed if I'm being told not to keep them?" The question of "experience" comes up quite a bit in hobby discussions. Can folks successfully keep tarantulas without having much first hand experience? Sure. But is first-hand experience vital to a tarantula keeper? Absolutely. In this video, we'll discuss the type of experience and why, in the end, hands-on experience is so important for the developing keeper. 

1/5/25 • 66:22

First, we'll discuss an article in Forbes about the four tarantulas that are traded on the illegal pet market.Then, it's the Tarantula Test Part IV...sort of. In this episode, we'll discuss ten common scenarios in which we try to determine what mistake the keeper might have made.Happy New Year, all! 

12/30/24 • 63:53

First, we discuss some comments from last week's episode.Then, we'll take a look at the most asked tarantula questions in 2024. Happy Holidays, All! 

12/22/24 • 57:25

I have to be honest; if someone told me years ago that we'd still be arguing over the best temperatures for tarantulas in 2024, I would have been shocked. However, after posting my winter episode, some folks made some negative comments about keeping tarantulas in the lower range, indicating that this debate is still very much alive. In this episode, we will discuss why having temps dip a bit in the winter is not bad for your spiders, and examine why keepers fail to recognize that many of the species we keep experience MUCH lower temps in the wild. 

12/15/24 • 65:51

First, we discuss some comments I received about handling tarantulas.Then, winter is upon us! Now that the temps are getting cooler and the heat is pumping, we may need to consider making some changes for the frigid winter months. In this episode, we'll discuss some tips for keeping your tarantulas safe during the winter.Below are links to some of the heating products mentions in this podcast. These are ONLY suggestions. Be sure to do research to see what works best for you!  DeLonghi Radiator HeaterLifesmart Infrared HeaterHumidifier (evaporative)Ultratherm Heat Pads

12/1/24 • 55:33

After years of tarantula handling falling out of vogue, it seems that more and more folks are now holding their eight-legged wards. Why the change? In this episode, we'll break down why there is a resurgence in this practice and discuss the pros and cons of handling vs. not handling. 

11/24/24 • 57:58

First, we discuss the recent tarantula smuggling incident in Peru.Then, I'll share some tips on how to fix up tarantula enclosures without having to rehouse the spider.  Has your substrate settled and is now too shallow? Does your spider need more coverage? Did the cork bark hide collapse? Here are some things that you can do. 

11/17/24 • 56:13

When did you first start keeping Old World tarantulas? For the first half of this podcast, we'll hear some listener responses to last week's episode.Then, I've been answering questions about tarantulas for over a decade, and I often get the same questions over and over...and that's okay. I've had folks ask me if I ever get annoyed by that. Truth be told, there are only a handful of questions that I find a bit frustrating. In these cases, it's usually because there is no quick answer. In this episode, I discuss the five questions that tend to vex me a bit. 

11/10/24 • 56:51

First, we discuss a recent article that questions whether spiders can sleep and even dream.Then, why do many keepers feel so anxious about possibly keeping Old World tarantulas? We'll discuss how keeper attitudes about Old World species have change from the '80s and '90s to now. 

11/3/24 • 50:42

The Tliltocatl albopilosus is one of the most established, popular, and widely-kept species in the hobby. However, ask ten different keepers about their experiences with the growth rate, behavior, and temperament of this species, and you're likely to get ten different responses. In this episode, we'll discuss this awesome species and why there seems to be so much variation in its care and husbandry. 

10/20/24 • 50:22