JustSpades
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2017
- Messages
- 0
My new pink toe still very small and young is eating its web I believe. Using its front legs to scoop it in its fangs. What does this mean?
But they have secretions that digest biological matter, correct? Silk is just protein chains, it can be digested. I don't think it forms strands similar to keratin, which is difficult to break down.As a side, it's physically impossible for a tarantula to eat web. They can only eat liquids, they have nothing resembling a jaw or even a mouth for that matter. It's more of a straw that leads directly into their stomach. In fact, they've got filters in that "straw" that remove any solid matter.
True spiders have powerful digestive properties in their venom, that's true. But tarantulas aren't quite as... well, evolved. Their venom doesn't even hold a candle to true spider venom. Theraphosidae venom is largely capsaicin (with digestive enzymes, yes). Capsaicin is purely there to cause pain - shock in prey, defense against predators.But they have secretions that digest biological matter, correct? Silk is just protein chains, it can be digested. I don't think it forms strands similar to keratin, which is difficult to break down.
Anecdotally, I have observed true spiders eating their web. And it makes sense that they'd be able to eat it because producing it, like venom, is expensive. I'm not sure Araneomorphs and Mygalomorphs are different in this particular manner, but it's possible that tarantulas don't eat their silk. It just feels like a stretch to say it's impossible.
Probably that web is more naturalits like those healthy protein shakes
im pretty sure you cant get more natural than a webProbably that web is more natural
They have proteins in their venom that bind to the same receptors as capsaicin, the venom doesn't contain any capsaicin itself.True spiders have powerful digestive properties in their venom, that's true. But tarantulas aren't quite as... well, evolved. Their venom doesn't even hold a candle to true spider venom. Theraphosidae venom is largely capsaicin (with digestive enzymes, yes). Capsaicin is purely there to cause pain - shock in prey, defense against predators.
But none of this is evidence that they cannot digest silk.Tarantulas have the pure brute strength to subdue and tear apart their prey, which is known as mastication. They don't need the digestive enzymes that true spiders need because they have the strength to physically tear apart their prey. In fact, that's one of the defining characteristics of Theraphosidae - chelicerae, basically little "teeth" below their fangs.
Please do Post images of the spider and enclosure though in the event that there are things that need to be corrected in its environment.Thanks for all the replies and help I’m new to having a T and mine still so small so I get confused a good amount
Spider web shakes? Sounds like the newest hipster crazeim pretty sure you cant get more natural than a web
Lose the sponge! Nasty icky bacteria grow in there. Otherwise looks ok to me.There you go pls help if anything is wrong
HEY! Hey now... hey!But tarantulas aren't quite as... well, evolved.
Tarantulas are the Model T to the true spider's Ferrari.HEY! Hey now... hey!
They are just... a little different, okay?
They are every bit as great and evolved as other spiders!!
Please, no more evolutionshaming!