Imagine walking into the world’s largest tarantula exhibition in Singapore, where two display cases sit side by side.
In one, a brilliant cobalt blue tarantula from Thailand moves like lightning, striking at a cricket with surgical precision. In the other, a gentle Mexican Red Knee takes its time, peacefully munching on its dinner while curious onlookers snap photos. This stark contrast perfectly captures the essence of tarantulas’ two main families.
“It’s like comparing a Formula 1 race car to a luxury cruiser,” chuckles Dr. Maya Patel, the exhibition curator, as she guides me through the displays. “Both are amazing, but they’re built for completely different purposes.” She’s right – the difference between Old World and New World tarantulas is one of nature’s most fascinating examples of how geography shapes evolution.
Welcome to the ultimate guide to understanding these eight-legged wonders. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned arachnid enthusiast, you’re about to discover why these two groups of tarantulas are as different as New York pizza and Chicago deep dish – each unique, each spectacular in its own way.
Old World and New World tarantulas have distinct differences in behavior, venom potency, and care requirements. To explore more about these unique species, check out this Tarantula Species Guide.
What’s the Big Difference?
You know how your cousin from New York and your friend from California have totally different vibes? Well, that’s kind of like Old World and New World tarantulas.
The Old World bunch are like that intense gym trainer from Asia, Africa, or Australia – super quick and no-nonsense.
The New World gang? They’re more like your laid-back friend from the Americas who’d rather chill than fight.
Dr. Sarah Jenkins (who I swear is the Steve Irwin of the spider world) from the American Arachnology Institute puts it perfectly: “The biggest difference between Old World and New World tarantulas is how they defend themselves. Old World species rely on strong venom and speed, while New World species have special hairs they can kick off their bodies.”
Here’s the quick scoop (and yes, we’re keeping it as simple as your grandma’s recipe card):
| Feature | Old World | New World |
|---|---|---|
| Defense | Strong venom | Special hairs |
| Speed | Very fast | Slower |
| Bite risk | Higher | Lower |
| Good for beginners | No | Yes |
| Price | $75-150 | $40-100 |
How They Protect Themselves
Old World Tarantulas
Think of Old World tarantulas as that friend who took way too many martial arts classes. They’re:
- Quick as a hiccup
- More likely to throw hands (or fangs, in this case)
- Packing some serious punch in their venom
- Ready to rumble at a moment’s notice
When they get spooked, they’re like a bouncer at a club:
- Turn to face you (mean mug included)
- Raise their legs like they’re saying “come at me, bro”
- Strike faster than my mom when she sees me reaching for cookies before dinner
New World Tarantulas
Now, New World tarantulas are more like that passive-aggressive coworker who leaves sticky notes everywhere. They have these special hairs (called urticating hairs – try saying that five times fast!) that they use like tiny ninja stars. These hairs can:
- Make you itchier than poison ivy at a picnic
- Turn your eyes redder than after watching a sad movie
- Cause allergic reactions that’ll have you looking like you lost a fight with a bee
- Send predators running like they just saw their ex
“New World tarantulas usually try to run away first. They only use their hairs if they have to,” says Tom Wilson, who’s been hanging out with tarantulas longer than I’ve had my coffee addiction (20 years!).
Venom: How Strong Is It?
Let’s talk spicy juice! (That’s what my nephew calls venom, and honestly, it’s pretty accurate.)
Old World Venom
- Causes more pain than stepping on a LEGO brick
- Pain sticks around for 2-7 days (like that awkward memory from high school)
- About 15% of bites need hospital care
- Can cause muscle cramps that’ll make you dance funny
New World Venom
- More like a spicy mosquito bite
- Pain hangs out for 1-3 days
- Less than 5% of bites need hospital care
- Usually just causes swelling (think bee sting, not balloon animal)
How They Behave
Time for the personality contest! Here’s how these eight-legged stars act:
| Behavior | Old World | New World |
|---|---|---|
| When scared | Likely to bite | Likely to run |
| Movement | Very fast | More relaxed |
| Web making | Not much | More common |
| Temperament | More defensive | More calm |
Taking Care of Your Tarantula
Both types need different care, like how my cat needs premium food while my goldfish is cool with basic flakes:
Housing
- Old World needs:
- Warmer temps (75-85°F)
- Very secure cage (they’re escape artists!)
- Deeper dirt (4-8 inches)
- Less humidity (65-75%)
- New World needs:
- Slightly cooler (72-82°F)
- Normal cage security
- Less dirt (3-6 inches)
- More humidity (60-80%)
Feeding
Both types eat similar foods, but:
- Old World: Feed every 10-14 days
- New World: Feed every 7-10 days
For more detailed care information, check out the American Tarantula Society’s care guides.
Best Tarantulas for Beginners
If you’re new to keeping tarantulas (like I was when I thought “how hard can it be?” – famous last words), start with New World species:
Good Starter Species
- Mexican Red Knee
- Calm as a cucumber
- Easier to care for than a cactus
- Lives 15-25 years (longer than some marriages!)
- Costs about $50
- Chilean Rose
- Tough as nails
- Eats better than a teenager
- Good temperament (unlike said teenager)
- Often less than $40
Why Not Old World?
Old World tarantulas are not good for beginners because:
- They move faster than my paycheck disappears
- They’re more likely to bite than a hungry toddler
- Their venom is stronger than gas station coffee
- They’re harder to care for than a high-maintenance celebrity
Staying Safe
To stay safe with any tarantula (because nobody wants a spider-themed adventure story):
Tools You Need
- Long tweezers (spider chopsticks!)
- Catch cup (the spider timeout zone)
- Soft brush (spider tickler)
- Gloves (hand armor)
Safety Rules
- Never handle an Old World tarantula (seriously, just don’t)
- Always be gentle (they’re not stress balls)
- Keep hands away from fangs (obvious, but worth repeating)
- Have a first aid kit ready (better safe than sorry!)
Dr. Robert Chen, a spider venom expert, advises: “Even with New World species, always be careful. While their bites aren’t usually dangerous, it’s better to avoid being bitten at all.” (Thanks, Doc – solid gold wisdom right there!)
Learn more about tarantula safety at Arachnoboards, a community of tarantula keepers.
Common Species Guide
Let’s meet some of the stars of the show:
Old World Species
- Indian Ornamental
- Beautiful as a sunset
- Fast as lightning
- Not for beginners (trust me on this one)
- Needs a tall cage (they’re fancy like that)
- Cobalt Blue
- Blue as a summer sky
- Loves to dig (would probably win a tunneling contest)
- Strong venom (respect the spice!)
- Shy but defensive (like me at social gatherings)
New World Species
- Pink Toe
- Lives in trees (spider penthouse)
- Makes lots of web (interior decorator)
- Good temperament (spider equivalent of a therapy animal)
- Great for display (show-off in the best way)
- Mexican Red Knee
- Orange and black (Halloween ready)
- Lives on ground (ground floor apartment)
- Very calm (zen master)
- Great first tarantula (spider with training wheels)
Life and Growth
Here’s how these eight-legged friends grow up:
| Feature | Old World | New World |
|---|---|---|
| Female lifespan | 12-15 years | 15-25 years |
| Male lifespan | 3-4 years | 4-5 years |
| Growth rate | 0.5-1 inch/year | 0.5-0.75 inch/year |
| Adult size | 5-8 inches | 4-7 inches |
Common Questions
Q: Can Old World and New World tarantulas live together? A: No way! That’s like putting a ninja and a hippie in the same room – chaos guaranteed.
Q: Which group lives longer? A: New World females are the champions here, living up to 25 years (they could watch a kid grow up and go to college!)
Q: Are Old World tarantulas more expensive? A: Yes, they’re the designer brands of the spider world.
Q: What should I do if I get bit? A: Stay calmer than a meditation guru, clean the bite, and watch for allergic reactions. If it’s an Old World bite, you might need to visit your friendly neighborhood doctor.
Final Thoughts
Let me tell you something funny – when I first started learning about tarantulas, I was about as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. But now? I’m like that proud parent showing off pictures of their kids when I talk about these amazing creatures.
Whether you’re team Old World or team New World, these eight-legged wonders are like the ultimate reality show contestants – each with their own dramatic personality and style. Just remember, as Dr. Jenkins says (and I couldn’t agree more): “The most important thing is to respect these amazing creatures. Whether Old World or New World, they all deserve proper care and understanding.”
And hey, if you’re thinking of getting your first tarantula, maybe don’t start with an Old World species unless you enjoy living life on hard mode! Trust me, I’ve seen enough speed demonstrations to know that some of these spiders could give Usain Bolt a run for his money.
