Terrarium hobbyists and arachnid lovers will rejoice at this comprehensive guide on tarantulas! The Tarantula Keeper's Guide provides in-depth information on their biology and advice on housing and caring for pet tarantulas. Tarantulas are small and easy-to-maintain exotic pets that are fun and captivating to watch. The Tarantula Keeper's Guide includes detailed information on the natural history and biology of these fascinating creatures. This spider book is filled with color photos, scientifically accurate line art, and detailed care instructions. It's no wonder that The Tarantula Keeper's Guide is considered the "Bible of Arachnoculture" by hobbyists and arachnid enthusiast!

The Theraphosidae are the most famous and diverse mygalomorph spiders, and include some of the largest arachnids on earth. Their unique defense mechanisms, predatory tactics, reproductive strategies and ecological adaptations are displayed by a wide range of terrestrial, burrowing and arboreal species. These arachnids are familiar to the general public thanks to horror movies and a growing interest in tarantulas as pets; however, scientific information on the group is scattered throughout the literature and not easily available. This book reviews all major aspects of New World Theraphosid tarantulas and provides in-depth information on their evolution, taxonomy, behavior, physiology, ecology, reproduction, conservation and biogeography. As a comprehensive guide to the biology of tarantulas, it will appeal to researchers, students and terrarium hobbyists alike.

Learn all about the world of spiders in this complete and comprehensive guide, filled with stunning facts, beautiful photography and diagrams to help you understand everything you ever needed to know about arachnids! Bark spiders spin webs ten times stronger than Kevlar. Jumping spiders are capable of learning, recognizing, and remembering colours. Recluse spiders can tolerate six months of extreme drought and have a toxin-laden bite that can necessitate skin grafts. These are just some of the many amazing facts which you will discover in Spiders of the World, the perfect guide to one of natures most fascinating and varied creatures. This title explores the huge diversity of spider species and their fascinating traits. An introduction outlining the spider’s natural history is followed by 117 illustrated profiles spanning the taxonomic spider families. Beautiful close-up photographs of species from each family are shown, along with population distribution maps, tables of essential information, and commentaries revealing notable characteristics. The family profiles are also organized phylogenetically, and the commentaries in each account reflect different aspects of a spider’s biology.

With over 40,000 described species, spiders have adapted to nearly every terrestrial environment across the globe. Over half of the world’s spider families live within the three contiguous Pacific Coast states—not surprising considering the wide variety of habitats, from mountain meadows and desert dunes to redwood forests and massive urban centers. This beautifully illustrated, accessible guide covers all of the families and many of the genera found along the Pacific Coast, including introduced species and common garden spiders. The author provides readers with tools for identifying many of the region’s spiders to family, and when possible, genus and species. He discusses taxonomy, distribution, and natural history as well as what is known of the habits of the spiders, the characters of families, and references to taxonomic revisions of the pertinent genera. Full-color plates for each family bring to life the incredible diversity of this ancient arachnid order.

This handbook for the captive husbandry and breeding of tarantulas is now available in English translation, with updated taxonomy by the author. It includes two sections. The first is an introductory section discussing tarantula anatomy and life history, the relationships of tarantulas to other arthropods, and general information on vivarium setup and special requirements of tarantulas in captivity. Problems arising in captive care such as disease and parasites are discussed, as is the problem of tarantula bites on humans. The second section consists of individual accounts on some 40 of the more commonly kept species from around the world. These are illustrated in the book's 123 colour photographs. Peculiarities of each of these species are discussed, with special attention to their requirements in captivity.

A great beginner's guide to the proper environmental, nutritional and natural needs of this exotic and often misunderstood spider. Chapters on housing, feeding, purchasing, and general care. Replaces RE124, Tarantulas and Scorpions.

(back cover) Authors Stanley and Marguerite Schultz tell exotic pet hobbyists and life science students everything they need to know about keeping a tarantula in captivity. They present detailed information on the natural history and biology of these fascinating creatures, supplementing their text with a wealth of photos and illustrations. The detailed chapter on the care of tarantulas has been revised and updated, making it more comprehensive than ever. Since this book's initial publication, hobbyists have come to consider The Tarantula Keeper's Guide the "Bible of Arachnoculture."