The Abilene Zoo Gives Us The Creeps With Eight Legged Guest
By: Alex Hayes
Updated: January 16, 2012
When it comes to pets, we usually think of cute kittens, and adorable
little puppies, but there are others out there who have a whole
different opinion of sweet and cuddly.
The 8-legged creepy crawler, was a Curly Haired Tarantula, native to Costa Rica and Honduras.
"They're tropical, burrowing tarantula," explains Joy Harsh, Education Curator for the Abilene Zoo.
Luckily for us, these tropical spiders don't jump, fly, or climb, however as Harsh explains, they are venomous.
"People often ask, are they dangerous to humans," says Harsh. "They do have venom, but it's not dangerous to humans."
Of course for the spider's prey, the venom is deadly. But that doesn't mean she doesn't pack a serious bite.
"If she were to get really scared she might bite, but it would probably feel just like pin pricks. It wouldn't do anything like send me to the hospital," says Harsh.
As if they could be more frightening, today's guest isn't even the largest of the tarantula species. The largest spiders, can have up to a 12" leg span!
"These guys are kind of cool the way they hunt," says Harsh, "they chew down their food instead of sucking out the insides like other spiders."
Abilene Zoo
Open Daily
9am to 5pm
$5 for Adults, $4 for Seniors
$2.50 for Children
Children under 3 are FREE
The 8-legged creepy crawler, was a Curly Haired Tarantula, native to Costa Rica and Honduras.
"They're tropical, burrowing tarantula," explains Joy Harsh, Education Curator for the Abilene Zoo.
Luckily for us, these tropical spiders don't jump, fly, or climb, however as Harsh explains, they are venomous.
"People often ask, are they dangerous to humans," says Harsh. "They do have venom, but it's not dangerous to humans."
Of course for the spider's prey, the venom is deadly. But that doesn't mean she doesn't pack a serious bite.
"If she were to get really scared she might bite, but it would probably feel just like pin pricks. It wouldn't do anything like send me to the hospital," says Harsh.
As if they could be more frightening, today's guest isn't even the largest of the tarantula species. The largest spiders, can have up to a 12" leg span!
"These guys are kind of cool the way they hunt," says Harsh, "they chew down their food instead of sucking out the insides like other spiders."
Abilene Zoo
Open Daily
9am to 5pm
$5 for Adults, $4 for Seniors
$2.50 for Children
Children under 3 are FREE
