Curlyhair tarantulas are found in tropical habitats of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. They are venomous and use their venom when hunting prey, though it is generally not toxic to humans.
The life of a curlyhair tarantula
Curlyhair tarantulas grow up to about six inches in leg span and weigh up to three ounces. Males live five to 10 years and females can live 20 years or longer in human care.
Curlyhair tarantulas live in burrows built at the base of large trees. Though they can spin webs they do not use them to catch prey. Instead, they use web material to line and insulate their burrows and protect their eggs. Mating occurs year-round. After mating, females lay 100 to 500 eggs in a silk capsule. They hatch within about six weeks.
Curlyhair tarantulas eat insects like roaches, crickets and waxworms. They hunt at night, hiding in burrows and using their curly hair to detect vibrations as prey approaches. They can flick their hairs at predators, causing irritation or sometimes blindness for their attackers.
Their primary predator is the tarantula hawk wasp, a species of wasp that specifically preys on tarantulas. Other predators include lizards, snakes and a variety of birds.
Curlyhair tarantulas at the zoo
Located in the Insect Zoo
