How fast can a tarantula be?

[Matabuey]

I'm perfectly aware (I'm a mechanical engineering and physics major), but that's kinda irrelevant here. When we are talking about speed we are talking about how fast they can travel from point a to point b in relation to their body size. When viewed in this model they are incredibly fast animals. To look at it from a literal standpoint is deceptive since any human could react to a object moving 1.1mph but a tarantulas ability to traverse distance in relation to its size is what makes them formidable

A tarantula will cover a distance 4 times relative to it's body length, slower relatively than a cheetah that covering 4 times it's body length.

There is no scale mph in the sense you're trying to convey.

Scale mph only works when you're talking about T1 of x meters dls, and an identical model of that tarantula T2 which is 1/6 x meters dls. There is a scaling factor in place for T2, it will cover the same relative distance (a smaller distance due to the scaling factor) as T1 - but the overall velocity stays the same.

Scale mph, is used for models of the same object in question, whereby one is a scaled up or down version of the other.

It is not to compare one animals speed relatively to another, two intrinsically different things. Mph is the only measurement applicable here.

Let's say for arguments sake, a Tarantula of 6 inches, can cover 30 inches in one second (0.762 meters). That would give it's average mph to be 1.61mph. Let's take that and ignore the initial acceleration for ease of computation. In order for said T to cover 4x it's body length, 24 inches, it would take 0.83 seconds.

Now let's take a Cheetah, it has an average speed of around 70 mph, and a body length on average of 1.3 meters. So lets take a distance of 4x the body length of the Cheetah - 5.2 meters. It would take the Cheetah 0.16 seconds to cover that same relative distance.

But again, the velocity is exactly the same as before, they haven't suddenly become faster because you're looking at a shorter distance, rather than 1 mile.

Yes they are fast in a short distance. However compared with other animals covering distances that are relatively the same, they are not lighting fast. IMO lightning fast should be reserved for the absolute fastest of animals.

 

[shining]

I'd never say they're lightening fast, to be honest.

They're reasonably quick. There are faster animals around. If T's are lightening fast, then how would you describe faster animals?

They can look quicker over very short distances, like this video:

https://instagram.com/p/BIh2mn3AnEO/

Even if a tarantula could do 20 inches in one second, that's only 1.1mph lol.

By saying something is equivalent to something faster than lightning. Lol

 

[shining]

A tarantula will cover a distance 4 times relative to it's body length, slower relatively than a cheetah that covering 4 times it's body length.

There is no scale mph in the sense you're trying to convey.

Scale mph only works when you're talking about T1 of x meters dls, and an identical model of that tarantula T2 which is 1/6 x meters dls. There is a scaling factor in place for T2, it will cover the same relative distance (a smaller distance due to the scaling factor) as T1 - but the overall velocity stays the same.

Scale mph, is used for models of the same object in question, whereby one is a scaled up or down version of the other.

It is not to compare one animals speed relatively to another, two intrinsically different things. Mph is the only measurement applicable here.

Let's say for arguments sake, a Tarantula of 6 inches, can cover 30 inches in one second (0.762 meters). That would give it's average mph to be 1.61mph. Let's take that and ignore the initial acceleration for ease of computation. In order for said T to cover 4x it's body length, 24 inches, it would take 0.83 seconds.

Now let's take a Cheetah, it has an average speed of around 70 mph, and a body length on average of 1.3 meters. So lets take a distance of 4x the body length of the Cheetah - 5.2 meters. It would take the Cheetah 0.16 seconds to cover that same relative distance.

But again, the velocity is exactly the same as before, they haven't suddenly become faster because you're looking at a shorter distance, rather than 1 mile.

Yes they are fast in a short distance. However compared with other animals covering distances that are relatively the same, they are not lighting fast. IMO lightning fast should be reserved for the absolute fastest of animals.

Where did you get that T mph from? Make it up or has it been recorded like the cheetahs?

 

[magicmed]

Oh yeah well i can divide by zero

What's up now?

*breaks math*

 

[Matabuey]

By saying something is equivalent to something faster than lightning. Lol

Haha, yeah but the whole fast as lightning is usually what people use for the fastest things around.

Where did you get that T mph from? Make it up or has it been recorded like the cheetahs?

I made it up. But it's considerably faster than the fastest spiders recorded which are at around 1 mph. So I'm actually overestimating their speed, by quite some mile (0.52mph).

When my S.calceatum is a bit larger, I shall try and use our labs at the University to measure their speed and document it (If the professors let me...).

 

[Trenor]

Oh yeah well i can divide by zero

No, you really can't.

 

[magicmed]

No, you really can't.

But the magical elf told me I could...

 

[shining]

Haha, yeah but the whole fast as lightning is usually what people use for the fastest things around.



I made it up. But it's considerably faster than the fastest spiders recorded which are at around 1 mph. So I'm actually overestimating their speed, by quite some mile (0.52mph).

When my S.calceatum is a bit larger, I shall try and use our labs at the University to measure their speed and document it (If the professors let me...).

It is true, Ts don't hold a candle to true spiders in terms of speed, webs and venom toxicity.

 

[mistertim]

It is true, Ts don't hold a candle to true spiders in terms of speed, webs and venom toxicity.

Well, you also have to take size into account as far as the effects of venom on a human. Being so large for spiders, tarantulas have the ability to inject much more venom than a tiny true spider. I'd rather be tagged by most true spiders than by a full grown P. ornata for example. Latrodectus vs P. ornata would be a tough one...at least there's antivenom for Latrodectus.

Though if you're talking just about the potency of the venom itself, then yeah Latrodectus, Loxosceles, etc. have super potent venom but have tiny fangs.

 

[shining]

Well, you also have to take size into account as far as the effects of venom on a human. Being so large for spiders, tarantulas have the ability to inject much more venom than a tiny true spider. I'd rather be tagged by most true spiders than by a full grown P. ornata for example. Latrodectus vs P. ornata would be a tough one...at least there's antivenom for Latrodectus.

Though if you're talking just about the potency of the venom itself, then yeah Latrodectus, Loxosceles, etc. have super potent venom but have tiny fangs.

Phoneutria, enough said.

 

[mistertim]

Phoneutria, enough said.

Yeah, no way you'd ever catch me keeping one of those. Same with Sicarius, but at least Sicarius aren't very defensive and will just run and bury themselves. Phoneutria will go after your ass.

 

[viper69]

Is there a video that shows how fast a T can run?

Yes.

I shall try and use our labs at the University to measure their speed and document it (If the professors let me...).

It sounds then that you aren't a theoretical physicist as you originally wrote, but a student, correct?

 

[Matabuey]

Yes.



It sounds then that you aren't a theoretical physicist as you originally wrote, but a student, correct?

I have a degree in Theoretical Physics. And currently doing a PhD in Theoretical High Energy Physics.

You could've easily pm'd to ask, rather than trying to score some brownie points.

If you'd really like, I could even get one of my professors to send you a specialised E-mail, to commend your admirable detective work.

 

[viper69]

I have a degree in Theoretical Physics. And currently doing a PhD in Theoretical High Energy Physics.

You could've easily pm'd to ask, rather than trying to score some brownie points.

If you'd really like, I can get my professors to write you a personalised E-mail too. Note, I'd always call them my professors until I am a professor, as they're above someone holding a doctorate.

Thanks for the information!

Relax, it was a simple factual question, no different than asking what's your favorite type of pizza. I asked because I like to know who has what body of knowledge. For example, when I have engineering questions I typically ask @bryverine , but now when I have a physics oriented question, I'll ask you. When I have a vet med question, I ask a forum member as well, as she has a DVM.

And even if you were a student w/out a degree, you would likely know more than me in that area, and thus I would ask you questions if needed.

I'm not sure what the brownie points is in reference to.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

I have a degree in Theoretical Physics. And currently doing a PhD in Theoretical High Energy Physics.

You could've easily pm'd to ask, rather than trying to score some brownie points.

If you'd really like, I could even get one of my professors to send you a specialised E-mail, to commend your admirable detective work.

Wow, we have the new Ettore Majorana here. My compliments

 

[bryverine]

I have a degree in Theoretical Physics. And currently doing a PhD in Theoretical High Energy Physics.

We taking plasma or that them there quantum physics stuff?

I think the problem you're going to find is that the fastest Ts don't always move in a straight line.

I think the best way to avoid/circumvent this is to utilize a clear tube and spook one down it. Some simple optical beam breaks would reduce video analysis time and since lasers are cool, I think this is a fun way to make measurements!

I tried analyzing a video awhile back, but I gave up...

Also, I think the real interest should be acceleration, not velocity.

 

[EulersK]

My two cents... I'm no physicist, but I am a mathematician. Working on my MS in industrial engineering, undergrad in mathematics.

@Matabuey has it down on numbers. His statements are based in numbers, which are hard to deny. But there's an element beyond numbers here - the human psyche. We're fighting against natural instinct here. There is an ingrown fear of spiders in general, regardless of experience level. Compare that with the speed and unpredictable movement (as @bryverine brought up) that these creatures exhibit, and we have a perceptually fast animal. It's a combination of speed, short distances, and psychology.

They're fast. Whether they look like it on paper or not.

 

[louise f]

There is plenty of vids with fast tarantulas, but IMO the fastest must me the Tapinauchenius. And as @Poec54 said, they are faster than you can react.

 

[louise f]

Phoneutria will go after your ass.

Yeah and if you`re unlucky as a human male if you are bitten, it will leave you with a erection, as I`ve heard Viagra go home

 

[Chris LXXIX]

My two cents... I'm no physicist, but I am a mathematician.

I had a slightly guess when I saw your 'mathematics' T-Shirt :-s