Wild tarantulas are found in a wide range of habitats. terrestrially in dessert, prairies,
and scrub forest, terrestrially and abroreally in moist rain forest. None however are aquatic or marine.
Most terrestrial tarantulas prefer relatively high, dry situations, though not necessarily
dessert. They will almost surely not be found in a swamp or marsh, or in an area that floods frequently. Significant to this
last rule are tarantulas that live in those monsoon and rain or moist forest that are flooded for several months every year.
Terrestrial tarantulas prefer soil that is firm and solid, capable of maintainin a dependable
burrow. They will live in only if it is well pacled and stable. Thus a few are found on sand dunes, or in very loose soil.
Because of thier lengthy generation time and prolonged lifespans, tarantulas will seldom
be found where the earth has been cultivated in recent history. Cultivation kills the former inhabitants and loosens the soil,
preventing construction of acceptable burrows and colonization by any pioneering individuals. agricultural pesticides destroy
the food chain and poison the tarantilas. Once the soil has been disturbes, it must settle and pack well enough for efficient
burrow construction., and any pesticidemust deteriorate to a tolerable level. Depending on circumstances, either of these
process may require years.
Desert species are capable of tolerating very dry conditions better than most tarantulas,
but only with the aud of burrows to protect them from desiccation and extreems of temperature. Predation and disease may be
reduced compared to moister habitats, but so id the food supply.
Plains, prairies, veldts, savannas and scrub brush country represent an intergrade between
extremes. Many specimentshat live in neighbouring desserts areas have akso invaded these habitats and the reverse as well.
Moisture and food are more plentiful, but so are predators.
The rain or moist forest are the other extreemes. To cope with the persistent downpour and
periodic floodings, rain or moist forest species have developed at least three strategies, assumes a vegabond's existance,
ready to retreat to higher grounds at the first hint of deluge, or they build thier burrows in well elevated areas.
The tree dwellers (abroreal) escape terrestrial predators and seasonal flooding. They may
be exposed to a much more varied food supplyand escape from a predator may be as simple as jumping to the next branch or tree.
Because they live in the trees, they are exposed to breeze and therefore may escape some of the stiffling humidity of the
jungle floor, a humidity that promotes growth of mites, parasites and infestations.
Te price that these abroreals have to pay is dear, however thier ability to dig a burrow
wherever convenient, being forced to expoit whatever cover they can find, clefts in tree trunks, bunched leaves, . They must
use silk and build and maintain a bivouac representing a sizeable expenditure in personal resources. High in the trees, they
may be easy prey for most anmals that live there with them, And lastly, they must develop an anatomy and habit patterns that
protects them from falling except under most controlled circumstanes.
Randy C.K. Chin
Founder of MTS
