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PODCAST

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

kids & family pets & animals

All Episodes

54:47

The H. maculata "Togo Starburst Baboon" Care Revisited

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/11/02

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."

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61:59

The Best Non-Tarantula Spiders for the First Time Keeper

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/10/19

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.

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69:20

9 Controversial Tarantula Topics

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/10/05

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.

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63:28

Wild Caught Tarantulas in the Hobby

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/09/21

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.

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50:36

The Ten Least Visible Spiders I Keep

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/09/14

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.

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61:17

Green Tarantulas!

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/09/01

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.

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72:13

Using AI for Tarantula Care Research

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/08/18

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.

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52:18

How to Prevent (or Come Back from) Tarantula Hobby...

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/08/11

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.

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67:38

The Ultimate M. balfouri "Socotra Island Blue Baboon"...

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/08/04

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.

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51:54

Tarantulas Seized and the C. cayaneopubescens (GBB) Care

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/07/21

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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57:36

Best Tarantula Species to Keep to Gain Experience

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/07/14

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.

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53:22

The Big Guns - Updates on My Largest Tarantulas

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/07/07

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

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42:35

Who Will Care for Your Tarantulas in an Emergency?

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/06/29

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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53:53

Tarantula Males Discussion

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/06/22

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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49:37

If I Could Only Keep 5 Tarantulas

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/06/08

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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67:18

P. metallica "Gooty Sapphire Ornamental" Care

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/06/01

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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65:00

Tarantula Molting Guide

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/05/25

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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49:20

Amazing Spider Mothers!

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/05/11

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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54:52

Some Tips for Setting Up Moisture Dependent Tarantulas

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/05/04

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

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64:39

How To Explain Large Tarantula Collections

Tom"s Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts ·

2025/04/27

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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377 results

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