Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts

Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts

A podcast devoted to the proper care and upkeep of tarantulas and other inverts. After keeping a G. porteri for over 16 years, I decided that I wanted to add another tarantula to my collection. Several years later, I now keep over 100 specimens and 90+ different species. It’s safe to say that I am now completely addicted to the hobby. I’m NOT an expert, and I’m currently still learning about keeping these fascinating creatures. In fact, there are so many species, that I suspect that I’ll still be learning years from now. A teacher by trade, I enjoy passing along what I’ve information and techniques I’ve discovered and helping others in their successful pursuit of this hobby. I enjoy hearing from folks, whether through comments on the blog or email. I have done and continue to do a lot of research, and I will only be discussing animals I personally keep, so the information I present should be current and accurate.

Episodes

August 4, 2025 67 mins

First, we'll discuss comments from last week's podcast.

Then, we'll discuss the care of one of the most beloved species of tarantulas in the hobby, the Monocentropus balfouri or "Socrata Island Blue Baboon." I've been keeping this species since 2013, and have had five females in a communal setup for over nine years. In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss the care for solitary specimens as well as ...

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First, we'll disuss the current seizure of smuggled tarantulas at an airport.

Then, I'll discuss tips and care notes for one of the hobby's most popular species, the C. cyaneopubescens or GBB!

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When making their wish lists, many hobbyists identify spiders like Old World tarantulas and giant tropicals that they'd like to keep one day, but don't currently feel ready to do so. Although some folks can just jump right into the deep end with an "advanced" species, others want to take their time to gain experience with other spiders before making the jump. In this episode, I'll share some of the tarantul...

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In this episode, we'll discuss the growth rates and current legspans of the largest tarantulas in my collection. 

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After I injured my shoulder, I had to have my son, Roane, help me with basic feeding and maintenance. It got me thinking about how important it is for hobbyists to plan for an event that leaves them unable to care for their animals. In this episode, we'll discuss what such planning might look like.

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June 22, 2025 53 mins

NOTE: In the podcast, I refer to Pamphobeteus sp. Duran as Phormictopus sp. Duran. This was an error on my part! Also, it's lion CUBS, not kittens.

This was supposed to be up for Father's Day, but I blew out my shoulder!

First, we discuss the last podcast. Then, we hear about a woman who got envenomated by a black widow through her EYE. Finally, for our main topic, we'll discuss tarantula males.



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June 8, 2025 49 mins

I'm not going to lie; I've avoided this "challenge" for years because just the thought of it causes me stress. That said, in this episode, I'm going to try to choose the tarantulas I would keep if I could only have 5. 


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First off, we'll share some listener comments. Then, we'll share some spider news. 

Our main topic for today (14:30) is the care of one of the most popular tarantulas in the hobby - the Poecilotheria metallica or "Gooty Sapphire Ornamental."

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May 25, 2025 65 mins

Molting can be the most exciting yet simultaneously stressful part of keeping tarantulas. In this episode, we'll discuss the entire process -- from premolt to the first feeding -- and what to expect. 



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May 11, 2025 49 mins

First, we'll discuss some listener comments. Then, how would you like a spider that produced fluorescent red silk? Scientists have made it happen! Finally, we'll discuss some amazing spider mothers and their incredible behaviors. 

The peat moss that I use:

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In this episode, we'll discuss what it takes to create a good setup for a moisture dependent tarantula. 

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To kick this one off, I discuss the final meeting of the Arachnid Appreciation Club, read some listener comments, and explore an article about the spider that makes the world's largest web.

Then, for our main topic, I offer some tips on how to explain to non-hobbyists why we have such large collections. 

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With all that's going on in the world, why do politicians keep trying to pass laws banning exotic pet keeping? In this episode, we'll talk about some recent laws proposed to curb the keeping of exotics and discuss how, as a hobby, we can do better when it comes to how we present the tarantula hobby to the public. 


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April 6, 2025 56 mins

First, we'll discuss what to do if you think that you were sent the wrong tarantula species.

Then, I have had a LOT of folks ask for me to do an update on my Aphonopelma species, so here goes! When last we checked in on these slow-growers, it was 2023. In this episode, I'll discuss their growth and appearances. 

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Often, when I post videos of spiders other than tarantulas, I get comments like, "They're pretty, but they don't live long" or "That's nice, but I don't keep true spiders." In some instances, the animal that I'm showing off is a) very long lived and b) not a tarantula OR a true spider. Many are not aware of the difference or what to expect from both of these groups.

In this episode, I att...

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First, we'll hear some listener feedback.

Then, we held our second Arachnid Appreciation Club meeting at my school, and it went great. I'll talk a bit about what we did and my plans for the future.

Finally, (28:00) in this new feature, I'll talk about a species of tarantula that I think gets unfairly ignored. In our first episode of "Worth a Second Look," we'll be discussing the Hysterocrates gigas or &q...

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When making my rehousing videos, I often talk about what behaviors I expect from the spiders as they settle in. However, I often forget to follow up and update folks on how they are getting on. In this episode, we'll take a look at some recently rehoused spiders as I discuss their behaviors in their new enclosures. 

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March 2, 2025 64 mins

It's season 8! And to kick it off, we'll discuss a new paper that examines the symptoms of a Poecilotheria species bite.

Then, I'm often asked what the "best starter arboreal" spider is. Although the popular answer is usually an Avicularia or Caribena species, folks still seem to struggle with their care. This got me to thinking...how do the other popular arboreal genera compare when you look at ease of care...

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February 17, 2025 66 mins

First off, we'll read an article that discusses the successful reintroduction of a previously endangered spider species in Europe. Next, we'll hear some listener feedback.

Then...feeding is one of the most entertaining and rewarding aspects of the hobby. In this episode, I'll discuss the 8 spiders that I enjoy feeding the most. 

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So, I recently posted a video on YouTube discussing the tarantula species I've found to be the most defensive. Although I tried to think of an Old World species that gave me a difficult time, I didn't have a single one on the list. I knew that this was going to be shocking for some, but I wasn't expecting to be called "biased" when it came to how I present Old World behaviors. In this episode, I will discus...

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