Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts
Education Podcasts
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...
Location:
United States
Genres:
Education Podcasts
Description:
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.
Language:
English
Contact:
8603892245
Website:
https://tomsbigspiders.com/
Episodes
Tarantula History: Which Species Have Been in the Hobby the Longest?
3/1/2026
First, we have an update for last week's episode where we discussed a tarantula going to a vet.
Then...have you ever wondered which tarantula species were the first to be kept as pets in the hobby? In this episode, we'll break down when some common species first made their appearance as pets.
Duration:01:10:54
Theraphosa apophysis "Pinkfoot Goliath" Care
2/15/2026
First, we'll read some listener comments. Then, we'll discuss an article about a veterinarian treating Kristen the tarantula.
For our main topic this week, I will discuss the care for the amazing Theraphosa apophysis!
Duration:00:56:09
Death By Tarantula Bite! Fact or Myth?
2/8/2026
Welcome to season 9! In this episode, we start by discussing some listener comments from last week's episode about T. vagans.
Then...
"Can a tarantula bite kill you?" Despite being told that one can't die from a tarantula bite, many stories have circulated over the years that appear to contradict that widely held belief. In this episode, we will investigate the validity of six cases of death by tarantula envenomation.
Duration:01:02:31
The Infamous "Mexican Redrump" Tliltocatl vagans Care and Notes
1/11/2026
Happy New Year!
First, we'll discuss a listener question about whether or not tarantulas can "learn" to accept handling.
Then, this species has been described as "aggressive", "nasty", and even "evil," which is laughable. In this episode, I will break down care and my experience with the wonderful and unfairly maligned T. vagans or "Mexican Redrump."
Duration:01:12:50
Tarantula Hoarding - A Discussion
12/21/2025
First off, we'll take listener comments about last week's episode on feeding.
Then, we discuss the article, "Environmentalists Seek Protections for Malaysian Tarantula Targeted by Illegal Pet Trade" and how it applies to the tarantula hobby.
And finally, it's onto our main topic. Is tarantula hoarding really a thing? We'll break down why the word "hoarding" is often tossed around and how this question, especially when it comes to pet influencers, is a bit more complicated to answer.
Duration:01:12:52
Tarantula Feeding Revisited
12/14/2025
First, we discuss an amazing genus of orbweaver that uses an incredible form of defensive mimicry.
Then, over the years, I've made a lot of changes to my feeding schedules and what I feed my spiders. In this episode, I'll break down how my feeding regiment has evolved, as well as discuss some dos and don'ts when it comes to feeding.
Duration:01:08:44
C. lividus "The Cobalt Blue Tarantula" Care
11/30/2025
First, we'll take some listener comments and talk a bit about shipping spiders in the winter.
Then, I revisit care for the hobby staple (and the original blue tarantula!) Cyriopagopus lividus or the "Cobalt Blue Tarantula."
Please check out Luis Roque's paper "Reevaluating Spider Nutrition: The Essential Role of Arachidonic Acid in Captivity."
Duration:01:06:31
Are Tarantula Enclosures too Small and Cruel?
11/23/2025
I'm back! First off, we'll discuss why I haven't been as consistent with the podcast.
Then, we'll take a look at an article about a shocking spider discovery in a cave on the Greece-Albanian border.
Finally, in our main topic, we'll discuss what to tell people who say that we're "abusing" our tarantulas by keeping them in smaller enclosures.
Duration:00:55:08
The H. maculata "Togo Starburst Baboon" Care Revisited
11/2/2025
First, we discuss a rather ridiculous care sheet that someone sent me, which was posted by a pet store.
Then, we discuss a new trapdoor spider species identified in California.
For our main topic, I'm going to share care and behavior notes on one of the most unjustly villainized spiders in the hobby...the Heteroscodra maculata or "Togo Starburst Baboon."
Duration:00:54:47
The Best Non-Tarantula Spiders for the First Time Keeper
10/19/2025
First, we have an update on the Joro spider in the news.
Then, are you currently keeping tarantulas and looking to branch out into "True Spiders" or Mygalomorphs? Or, have you never kept any spider before and are looking for a good one to start with? In this episode, I'll discuss 10 popular spiders in the pet trade and what they have to offer.
Duration:01:01:59
9 Controversial Tarantula Topics
10/5/2025
First, we'll discuss an article about a new species of spider discovered in Thailand that was also bilaterally gynandromorphic.
Then, these are the topics that are sure to whip both sides of the argument into a frenzy. We'll discuss nine topics that remain controversial in the tarantula hobby.
Duration:01:09:20
Wild Caught Tarantulas in the Hobby
9/21/2025
First, we'll discuss a study on the brains of communal huntsman spiders.
Then, we'll break down the issue with wild caught tarantulas in the hobby, and why this will always remain an ethical stain on the tarantula pet trade.
Duration:01:03:28
The Ten Least Visible Spiders I Keep
9/14/2025
First, we'll hear listener comments and discuss the article, "Mystery of dancing spiders' DNA could explain how they develop into new species". Then, I'll share the 10 spiders I keep that have proven to be the most shy and elusive.
Duration:00:50:36
Green Tarantulas!
9/1/2025
First, we'll discuss some listener comments on our last episode about using AI for researching tarantula care.
Then, I've been asked many times to make a list of green tarantulas. The problem? There just aren't that many. In this episode, we'll discuss some species to search for if you are looking for some green on your eight-legged pets.
Duration:01:01:17
Using AI for Tarantula Care Research
8/18/2025
With AI growing by leaps and bounds, it was inevitable that some folks would start using it as a tool for tarantula research. However, how accurate is the information? Where does it come from? And how can it best be used by new keepers? In this episode, we will search up some spider care, compare the results, and discuss the results.
Duration:01:12:13
How to Prevent (or Come Back from) Tarantula Hobby Burnout
8/11/2025
It can happen to the best of us. Suddenly, your beloved tarantula collection has become a source of stress. How did you get to this point? In this episode, we'll discuss "hobby burnout," how to prevent it, and how to come back from it.
Duration:00:52:18
The Ultimate M. balfouri "Socotra Island Blue Baboon" Care Guide
8/4/2025
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 for communal setups.
Duration:01:07:38
Tarantulas Seized and the C. cayaneopubescens (GBB) Care
7/21/2025
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!
Duration:00:51:54
Best Tarantula Species to Keep to Gain Experience
7/14/2025
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 tarantulas that I think make good stepping-stones to keeping the more advanced species.
Duration:00:57:36
The Big Guns - Updates on My Largest Tarantulas
7/7/2025
In this episode, we'll discuss the growth rates and current legspans of the largest tarantulas in my collection.
Duration:00:53:22