Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts

Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts

A podcast devoted to the proper care and upkeep of tarantulas and other inverts. After keeping a G. porteri for over 16 years, I decided that I wanted to add another tarantula to my collection. Several years later, I now keep over 100 specimens and 90+ different species. It’s safe to say that I am now completely addicted to the hobby.I’m NOT an expert, and I’m currently still learning about keeping these fascinating creatures. In fact, there are so many species, that I suspect that I’ll still be learning years from now. This blog is a bit of a journal to track my interest in the hobby and to share some of the information I’ve learned. A teacher by trade, I enjoy passing along what I’ve information and techniques I’ve discovered and helping others in their successful pursuit of this hobby. I enjoy hearing from folks, whether through comments on the blog or email.I have done and continue to do a lot of research, and I will only be discussing animals I personally keep, so the information I present should be current and accurate. I also regularly update older posts with current photos, observations, and information. However, this is an ever-evolving hobby, so I implore anyone interested in keeping these animals to use whatever they find here as a springboard for further research on techniques or species-specific care.
A Crash Course in Mygalomorphs vs. Araneomorphs - Different Spider Infraorders

A Crash Course in Mygalomorphs vs. Araneomorphs - Different Spider Infraorders

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...

30 Mar 2025 - 57 دقائق 39 ثانية

 
Worth a Second Look ft. H. gigas (Cameroon Red Baboon)

Worth a Second Look ft. H. gigas (Cameroon Red Baboon)

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."

16 Mar 2025 - 56 دقائق 15 ثانية

 
Updates on Some Recently Rehoused Tarantulas

Updates on Some Recently Rehoused Tarantulas

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.

9 Mar 2025 - 52 دقائق 44 ثانية

 
Arboreal Tarantula Genus Comparison

Arboreal Tarantula Genus Comparison

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!

2 Mar 2025 - 01 دقيقة 04 دقائق 55 ثانية

 
My Favorite Spiders to Feed

My Favorite Spiders to Feed

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.

17 Feb 2025 - 01 دقيقة 06 دقائق 19 ثانية

 
Confronting My Potential Bias When It Comes to Old World Behaviors

Confronting My Potential Bias When It Comes to Old World Behaviors

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 s...

9 Feb 2025 - 56 دقائق 11 ثانية

 
So, You Want a Giant Tarantula: A Species Comparison

So, You Want a Giant Tarantula: A Species Comparison

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 Feb 2025 - 01 دقيقة 05 دقائق 55 ثانية

 
Showcase Spiders! The Most Visibile Tarantulas I've Kept 2025

Showcase Spiders! The Most Visibile Tarantulas I've Kept 2025

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.

19 Jan 2025 - 58 دقائق 59 ثانية

 
The 5 Most Defensive Tarantulas I Have Raised

The 5 Most Defensive Tarantulas I Have Raised

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.

12 Jan 2025 - 54 دقائق 38 ثانية

 
The Importance of Experience in the Tarantula Hobby

The Importance of Experience in the Tarantula Hobby

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 ...

5 Jan 2025 - 01 دقيقة 06 دقائق 22 ثانية