Tarantula Sprint

[kru008]

Is it true that when a tarantula sprint or bold or run really fast..that they hold their breaths and that after they run for a while they'll become sluggish and wont be able to run as fast again?Just a thought because I watched this guy from an Exotic Pet Con. somewhere and said the same thing.

 

[mark0]

No, they don't breathe as we do, so they can't hold breath.
It's got something with blood presure in carapace if I remember corectly.

 

[Londoner]

Is it true that when a tarantula sprint or bold or run really fast..that they hold their breaths and that after they run for a while they'll become sluggish and wont be able to run as fast again?Just a thought because I watched this guy from an Exotic Pet Con. somewhere and said the same thing.

From what I gather, Ts do indeed "hold their breath" when sprinting (albeit passively). The pressure needed to operate the leg muscles interferes with the circulation of hemolymph around the booklungs meaning CO2 quickly builds up in the cephalothorax when they run. This means that after a short amount of running, they have to stop and allow oxygen levels to build up again before they're ready for another jog.

 

[kru008]

i personally just find it really cool..i could imagine that they do that too when they pounce.

 

[ReMoVeR]

Do u have any idea how fast does that oxygen recuperation period is done after some sprints? ( Couple of seconds... 2 minutes 10 ? )

//Tiago

 

[Londoner]

Do u have any idea how fast does that oxygen recuperation period is done after some sprints? ( Couple of seconds... 2 minutes 10 ? )

//Tiago

Doesn't seem to take long. We're talking seconds rather than minutes.

 

[wedge07]

Hemolymph must pass over the booklungs for oxygen exchange. Since Ts also use hemolymph for hydraulic pressure when running, less hemolymph is available for oxygen exchange. Because of this their blood quickly becomes deoxygenated and in effect sort of "run out of breath". Though don't underestimate a T, they can recover fairly quickly.

 

[ReMoVeR]

this thing seems pretty interesting x)) Gotta love Ts <3 Every day i learn or find something new and completly amazing =)

//Tiago

 

[Radamanthys]

this thing seems pretty interesting x)) Gotta love Ts <3 Every day i learn or find something new and completly amazing =)

//Tiago

I just love the fact that ts are moved by hidraulic pressure lol

 

[BrynWilliams]

This certainly has been a very informative topic, so thanks go to the OP for bringing it up.

I also think that the move so mechanically is just amazing, especially because even the fast one do so and still make it look so smooth.