Tarantulas

Children's Literature

There are over 800 species of tarantulas, all of which are carnivorous, temperamental, and venomous hairy spiders! This early reader nonfiction text gives a clear idea of the pros and cons of having a tarantula as a pet. The reader discovers that care for a tarantula is relatively easy and purchasing one is simple. However, he or she also learns about its poisonous defense (a bite will hurt a human but most likely not kill), its somewhat non-social behavior, and its propensity to "throw" its hairs when nervous. The color photographs show these spiders up close and personal, intriguing even the most arachnid-phobic. This text is part of the "Weird Pets" series and includes a glossary, index, and website resource list. It is a valuable text to have in a classroom where early research projects and first time fact-based reports are written. 2002, Rourke Publishing,
— Andrea Sears Andrews