There is a lot of variety in the tarantula world; almost there are over 900 different species. They have different sizes ranging from your thumbnail to the size of a Frisbee. Other types of tarantulas have beautiful colors, which makes them attractive. But generally, tarantulas can be divided into two different sets:
- Old world tarantula
- New world tarantula
Old World tarantulas are residents of the continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe, and Australia. They are speedy and have fewer hairs on their bodies than their new world family. If someone irritates them, they can also give an excruciating bite. These Old World spiders are far less passive and more likely to try and bite. They have more potent venom than their New World companions; however, the consequence of Old World species venoms is not defined.
Localized pain and swelling, tiredness, moderate to severe muscular cramps, labored breathing, and fever is the symptoms, which might appear days after the bite.
Handling of Old World Tarantula
This species of old-world tarantulas are suitable for experts or experienced keepers only because they are very skittish. A beginner can also keep an old world species, but it considerably raises the chances of the hobbyist or cause getting injured due to a lack of experience with the ancient world species.
Generally, old-world spiders are unpredictable and move like lightning. These tarantulas are very speedy and give a quick bite. So that, stay safe and only keep species that you can handle easily.
Temperament of Old World Spiders
These old-world species are nervous, skittish, defensive, and aggressive. Some spiders can grow up to be passive even when they are known as being devils. They are generally impulsive in comparison to New World tarantulas. Some tarantulas may teleport across the room at breakneck speed, while others will hunker down and wait for the threat to pass. Others will bite and then ask questions, so always be cautious when dealing with old-world creatures.
Wind
These types of tarantulas have truly poor eyesight, and most of them can communicate via the various “hairs” and bristles on their bodies. So, if you blow on a tarantula, it surprises the old-world creatures. According to observations, when an animal comes scratching for food, it inhales, huffs, and puffs for the food around them. Any sudden wind like this will alarm a tarantula to run and hide from danger.
Defense Strategies
Old world species must rely on their speed, attitude, or, as a final resort, a nasty bite. They do not hold urticating hairs as a means of defense or to protect themselves from danger. Generally, many tarantulas do not have good eyesight and can only see differences in black and white. These spiders use their sensory organs to feel other senses, so sudden shadows or light might surprise them.
Some Old World Tarantula species will run away when they feel threatened or sometimes hide in caves. If the threat continues, they may decide to secure before showing any strategy of defense.
Other tarantula species display a threat pose and show that they don’t want you in their area. This usually means they mean defending themselves and will not be uncertain about giving a painful bite to a careless keeper.
The Pelinobus muticus (The King Baboon) bird-eating tarantula is the best Example. They are swift and immediately display the threat pose and naked their huge chelicerae (fangs). In some cases, these tarantulas also possess extra bristles on the insides of their fangs to stridulate and produce sounds like hissing.
Venom of Old World Tarantula
There is no basic scientific information about the tarantula’s venom as to how potent venom is or how the poison might affect humans. But usually, their venom is considered more robust than New World tarantula, with some being considered medically necessary to humans. Some bites of tarantulas reported worldwide often describe bites as more painful and irritating, with added different worst side effects.
For Example, when the initial bites from Pterinochilus Murinus / Baboon Spiders are noted to burn like crazy but then slowly come down.
But after some days, the victims of a bite feel sudden and cruel cramps in different parts of the body. The pain is too severe that the victim groans in pain on the floor and cannot walk or move quickly. The bites from Poecilotheria species like Poecilotheria regalis have been considered to burn. it feels the pain like you dipped your arm in boiling oil. Some edges may irritate skin and eyes. There are still many rumors that if someone gets bitten on the neck, what will happen?
Hospitalization
Many people have reported going to the hospital after a bite of old-world spiders, but in many cases, the hospital staff don’t know what to do and treat the taste like they would for a wasp or bee sting. It is genuinely observed that they can do anything except give you medication to deal with the indications. Some common effects of biting are pain and cramping in the body.
Species of Old World Tarantulas
The Old World Tarantulas are including:
| Species | Species |
| Cyriopagopus | Sri Lanka Ornamental |
| Cobalt Blue | Pelinobius |
| Thailand Zebra Leg | King Baboon |
| Chinese Bird Spider | Hercules Baboon |
| Chinese Earth Tiger | Cameroon Red Baboon |
| Malaysian Earth Tiger | Heteroscodra |
| Poecilotheria | Togo Starburst |
| Gooty Sapphire Ornamental | Pterinochilus |
| Indian Ornamental | Kilimanjaro Mustard Baboon |
| Slate-Red Ornamental Tree Spider | Dodoma Fort Hall Baboon |
| Pederson’s Ornamental Tarantula | Orange Baboon |
| Wessel’s Tiger Ornamental | Zimbabwe Grey Baboon |
| Goliath Birdeater | Namibian Sandy Horned Baboon |
| Greater Horned Baboon | Hysterocrates |
| Zimbabwean Straight Horned Baboon | Ceratogyrus |
| African Rear-Horned Baboon | African Red Baboon |
BaboonTarantula
The Baboon spider also known as Pterinochilus murinus is an old-world tarantula, is a resident of the African continent regions. This Spider is known as ‘OBT,’ which means ‘Orange Baboon Tarantula.’ This name is the common name of the baboon spider.
These all names are due to a particular orange color which increases its beauty and aggressive personality. Its other name is the ‘Mombasa golden starburst tarantula. This species of tarantula is very defensive and aggressive. That’s why you cannot handle it easily. The growth of the body is from 4 to 6 inches in body length.
The Spider’s abdomen has basic orange coloration, though the legs usually have brightly colored rings that look beautiful. The skin has a star-shaped pattern present on the belly of the Spider. The eyes are bunched together on a raised part of the covering. The body is covered with hairs present on the legs. To know more about Orange Baboon Tarantula visit here.
Chinese Bird Spider
Chinese Bird Spider, also known as Haplopelma schmidti, is an English name given to several old-world species. These species are residents of the Peoples Republic of China and Vietnam regions.
This Spider’s other name is the ‘earth tiger,’ which is currently classified in the species’ Haplopelma.’ The Chinese bird spider has a typical leg span of up to 8 inches, making them the enormous Spider in the world.
The Chinese Bird Spider can be originated in the tropical rain forests of southern China and Vietnam regions. In these regions, it builds and lives in caves; it hides and emerges to capture food. The tiny insects and other creatures, such as cockroaches, crickets, and mice, are the best food of the Chinese Bird Spider.
These spiders are also very aggressive species. If they feel threatened, they will not hesitate to bite humans. According to research, the venom of these spiders is very toxic, but the effects of these spiders biting humans are not well-explained. So it is generally referred to as a highly venomous species of tarantulas.
Cobalt Blue Tarantula
The other name of Cobalt Blue Spider is Haplopelma lividum. It is a tarantula species that are resident in Myanmar and Thailand regions.
The temperament of cobalt blue Spider is quite aggressive and defensive. So that, only experts and well-informed tarantula enthusiasts should keep these species as pets.
This Spider is also timid and remains in burrows. Like all Old World spiders, they do not have urticating hairs, so if they feel threatened, they bite for defense.
The gorgeous blue coloring of this tarantula makes them eye-catching. That’s why people love to keep them as pets. But it is suggested that these tarantulas must be treated as living art. Cobalt Blue Spiders are extraordinarily violent and give severe bites. It is not recommended for beginners to keep these spiders as pets. Here are some of the trendiest in the hobby:
- Violet Tree Spider
- Purple Tree Spider
- Mahogany Tree Spider
- Orange Tree Spider
- Trinidad Chevron
- Suntiger
- Panama Blonde
- Costa Rican Orange Mouth
- Mysore Ornamental Tarantula
- Mysore Ornamental
