Gooty Ornamental Tarantula Natural History
Size
These tarantulas have a 15-20 cm leg span when fully grown.
Habitat and Distribution
They live in the forests of Gooty, India, hence the name. Living in holes of tall trees where they create funnel webs.
Age
Females can live up to 10-12 years whereas males only live for around 3-4 years this is because the females will usually eat the male after they mate.
Diet
Their diet is largely made up of flying insects.
Groups and Breeding
Males will try to leave immediately after mating as the female may eat them. The fertilised eggs hatch into spiderlings after an incubation period. These tarantulas are more likely to flee or retreat than to show a threatening posture.
Threats
The Gooty Ornamental Tarantula is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red list due to habitat loss (caused by demand for firewood) and the international pet trade.
Interesting Facts
They are considered to be one of the most beautiful tarantulas in the world. It is also one of the rarest in the wild, living in a single patch of forest in Western Bengal, India.
The Gooty Ornamental Tarantula During Your Day Out in Kent
Our Gooty Ornamental Tarantula can be seen in the Bug Gardens alongside a wide variety of other species including the Headlight Cockroach and Cherry Shrimp.