They are mostly hydrophobic, due to their setae and a waxy coating. As long as they have a few appendages sticking out of the water, their book lungs are technically connected to breathable air. They can stay like this for several hours, and tarantulas like Hysterocrates gigas can stay underwater for much longer. They'll put a leg out every few hours to keep the air attached to them fresh.
Incredible animals! Thank you for sharing a wild specimen in this state! So awesome!
Where did you photograph this out of interest? Many can stay submerged for a few hours, but normally when tarantulas like this have flooded burrows they've come out onto the drier surface above ground - however in the day that is dangerous for them with predators - or humans around, so soon rush back into flooded burrows.
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