When danger threatens, where do you hide? For tarantulas, the answer lies beneath our feet.
These ancient arachnids have perfected the art of underground living, creating burrows that are engineering marvels.
More than just holes in the ground, these elaborate tunnels protect tarantulas from predators, weather extremes, and dehydration.
Their subterranean homes represent one of nature’s most successful survival strategies—one that’s helped tarantulas thrive since dinosaurs walked the Earth.
Species like the Mexican Red-Knee rely heavily on burrows, which is an important factor when choosing the right tarantula species for a pet.
Main Reasons Tarantulas Need Burrows
Tarantulas dig burrows for four big reasons:
- Protection from animals that want to eat them
- Keeping their body temperature just right
- Staying in a moist place
- Safe place for babies
Dr. Rick West, a famous tarantula expert, says: “Tarantulas have been digging burrows for millions of years. It’s one of their best survival strategies.”
Protection from Predators
Talk about “home security systems”! Many animals would love to have a tarantula sandwich for lunch. Birds, lizards, and other critters hunt them constantly.
A study by Bradley found that tarantulas living in burrows are 65% less likely to be eaten than those without burrows.
When danger comes knocking, a tarantula can quickly duck into its underground home faster than I disappear when someone asks for volunteers at work! The burrow is basically their panic room – no password required!
Temperature Control
Desert tarantula species like the Aphonopelma hentzi live where it gets hotter than a jalapeño on a summer sidewalk! The ground can reach a blistering 120°F (49°C)! That would cook a tarantula faster than microwave popcorn.
| Location | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Ground surface | Up to 120°F (49°C) |
| Inside burrow | 75-85°F (24-29°C) |
Inside their burrow? A comfortable 75-85°F – like nature’s perfect air conditioning!
The burrow microclimate is their very own spider spa retreat.
Just yesterday, as Phoenix hit 115°F again, I couldn’t help thinking those tarantulas were probably more comfortable than most humans in the area!
Humidity Control
Tarantulas need moisture to stay alive and shed their exoskeleton (outer skin). This process is called ecdysis or molting. Think of it like trying to wiggle out of skinny jeans, except it’s their entire body – talk about a wardrobe change!
A study in the British Tarantula Society Journal found that:
- 98% of tarantulas molt successfully in burrows
- Only 65% molt successfully without burrows
The burrow lining helps keep moisture in like a good face cream. Tarantulas use their spinnerets to make silk that lines the walls of their home. It’s like they’re their own interior decorators, spinning silk wallpaper that serves a purpose!
Safe Place for Babies
Female tarantulas like the Brachypelma hamorii (Mexican Red-Knee) need safe places to lay eggs.
The burrow architecture protects the egg sac from danger and bad weather. It’s their version of a high-security nursery!
Research shows that baby tarantulas born in burrows have a 92% better chance of surviving than those born above ground.
That’s better odds than most reality TV contestants, I’ll tell you that!
How Tarantulas Build Their Homes
Tarantulas don’t use shovels or call in contractors! They dig using their legs and mouthparts called chelicerae and pedipalps. No power tools required – just pure spider muscle!
Digging Process
Here’s how they build their underground homes:
- Choose good soil (they prefer clay/loam over sand) – they’re pickier about their dirt than I am about coffee beans!
- Dig down using front legs to loosen dirt
- Carry dirt out with their legs – like tiny, hairy wheelbarrows
- Make the tunnel wider by pushing against the walls
- Line the walls with silk for strength – nature’s own reinforced concrete
Most tarantulas can build a basic burrow in 2-4 days. If they’re in danger, they can dig a quick hole in just 1-3 hours! Talk about emergency renovations! That’s faster than I can assemble IKEA furniture with all the right parts!
Burrow Design
Not all burrows look the same. The burrow size depends on the type of tarantula – it’s like spider real estate! Location, location, location!
| Species | Typical Burrow Depth |
|---|---|
| Tliltocatl albopilosus | 8-10 inches |
| Grammostola rosea | 6-12 inches |
| Theraphosa blondi | Up to 24 inches |
Obligate burrowing tarantulas (those that must have burrows) often dig deeper than facultative burrowing tarantulas (those that can live without burrows if needed).
It’s like the difference between me needing coffee versus just wanting it – necessity drives depth!
Different Burrowing Tarantula Species
The tarantula family (Theraphosidae) has more burrowing members than my extended family has opinions! Here are a few standouts:
Desert Burrowers
- Texas Brown Tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi) – Found in the Sonoran Desert – they’re the cowboy spiders of America!
- Mexican Red-Knee (Brachypelma hamorii) – Digs burrows under rocks – the original “rock stars” of the spider world!
These spiders have special ways of digging that help them survive in places drier than last week’s turkey sandwich!
Tropical Burrowers
- Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) – Lives in the Amazon Rainforest – bigger than my palm and probably braver than me!
- Brazilian Salmon Pink (Lasiodora parahybana) – Makes deep burrows in forest floors – the construction workers of the arachnid world!
Tropical burrowers often make their homes in areas with more rain, but they still need burrows for protection.
Even with all that moisture, they’re not taking chances – kind of like how I still bring an umbrella when the forecast says only 20% chance of rain!
Tarantula Burrows vs. Other Animal Homes
Tarantulas aren’t the only animals playing underground architect. Here’s how they compare:
- Tarantula vs. scorpion burrows: Scorpions usually dig shallower burrows – they’re the studio apartment dwellers compared to tarantulas’ two-bedroom units!
- Tarantula vs. trapdoor spider burrow: Trapdoor spiders add a clever door to their home – the fancy security system upgrade!
- Wolf spider vs. tarantula burrows: Wolf spider burrows are usually smaller – economy-sized compared to tarantula luxury!
- Tarantula vs. ant nest structure: Ant nests have many rooms; tarantula burrows are usually one tunnel – minimalist design versus apartment complex!
Taking Care of Burrowing Tarantulas as Pets
If you keep a burrowing tarantula as a pet, you need to give it the right setup:
- Use deep substrate (at least 4-6 inches) – skimping on depth is like buying pants that are too short!
- Choose good soil that holds its shape – no sandy collapses in these architectural masterpieces!
- Keep the soil slightly damp (not wet!) – think “moist chocolate cake” not “swimming pool”
- Don’t disturb the burrow once built – nobody likes a home renovation they didn’t ask for!
The American Tarantula Society recommends: “Give your pet tarantula plenty of substrate depth, and it will show you its natural burrowing behavior.”
Want to learn more about tarantulas? Check out the British Tarantula Society or the American Arachnological Society.
Remember, tarantulas dig burrows because it helps them survive.
Their fossorial adaptation (burrowing lifestyle) has helped these amazing arachnids live on Earth for over 150 million years!
That’s staying power that makes dinosaurs look like they just couldn’t hack it!
Next time you see a little hole in the ground, remember there might be one smart spider down there, living its best life in its underground palace.
