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Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts

Tom Moran

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 learning years from now. A teacher by trade, I enjoy passing along what I’ve information and techniques I’ve discovered and helping others in their successful pursuit of this hobby. I enjoy hearing from folks, whether through comments on the blog or email. I have done and continue to do a lot of research, and I will only be discussing animals I personally keep, so the information I present should be current and accurate.

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  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 1 hr 4 min
  • English

Episodes 20

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  • S9 · E8
    June 7 · 48 min

    How to Move a Tarantula Collection

    After a short, sweet article about a chance encounter with a tarantula, as well as some listener comments, we'll talk about my experience moving a large tarantula collection and some things to consider should you have to move yours.

  • S9 · E7
    May 17 · 57 min

    The Most Important Quality for a Tarantula Keeper

    First, we take some listener comments and discuss a science fair project involving tarantula venom. Then, I've been asked what the most important quality a good tarantula keeper needs. In this episode, I break it down.

  • S9 · E6
    May 3 · 1 hr 1 min

    Tangerine Dreams! Selenobrachys philippinus Care and Notes

    First, we'll discuss an article about Poecilotheria metallica conservation efforts. Then, we'll hear from some listeners about the last episode. For our main topic, I will discuss care and observations on one of my favorite all-time tarantula species, Selenobrachys philippinus, or the "Philippine Tangerine."

  • S9 · E5
    April 12 · 1 hr 11 min

    The "Confounding" Caribena versicolor Care and Tips

    First, we'll take some listener feedback and discuss an article about a 500-year-old fossil that rewrites chelicerate history. Then, they've been one of the most popular pet tarantulas for years, yet many still struggle with them. Why? In this episode, I'll discuss care for the Caribena versiclor (Martinique pinktoe), as well as some of the mistakes I see people making with them.

  • S9 · E4
    March 22 · 1 hr 22 min

    Some Harmful Practices, Myths, or Misconceptions in the Tarantula Hobby

    First, I have an update on the Phormictopus that went to the vet. Then, I share some frustrations that I've had with correspondence lately before discussing a recent catastrophic molt with my Grammostola iheringi. Finally, we move on to the main topic. In this episode, I share some of the more common myths and misconceptions that I've been hearing from keepers lately, and why I think that these ideas are so problematic.

  • S9 · E3
    March 1 · 1 hr 10 min

    Tarantula History: Which Species Have Been in the Hobby the Longest?

    First, we have an update for last week's episode where we discussed a tarantula going to a vet. Then...have you ever wondered which tarantula species were the first to be kept as pets in the hobby? In this episode, we'll break down when some common species first made their appearance as pets.

  • S9 · E3
    February 15 · 56 min

    Theraphosa apophysis "Pinkfoot Goliath" Care

    First, we'll read some listener comments. Then, we'll discuss an article about a veterinarian treating Kristen the tarantula. For our main topic this week, I will discuss the care for the amazing Theraphosa apophysis!

  • S9 · E1
    February 8 · 1 hr 2 min

    Death By Tarantula Bite! Fact or Myth?

    Welcome to season 9! In this episode, we start by discussing some listener comments from last week's episode about T. vagans. Then... "Can a tarantula bite kill you?" Despite being told that one can't die from a tarantula bite, many stories have circulated over the years that appear to contradict that widely held belief. In this episode, we will investigate the validity of six cases of death by tarantula envenomation.

  • S8 · E31
    January 11 · 1 hr 12 min

    The Infamous "Mexican Redrump" Tliltocatl vagans Care and Notes

    Happy New Year! First, we'll discuss a listener question about whether or not tarantulas can "learn" to accept handling. Then, this species has been described as "aggressive", "nasty", and even "evil," which is laughable. In this episode, I will break down care and my experience with the wonderful and unfairly maligned T. vagans or "Mexican Redrump."

  • S8 · E30
    Dec 21, 2025 · 1 hr 12 min

    Tarantula Hoarding - A Discussion

    First off, we'll take listener comments about last week's episode on feeding. Then, we discuss the article, "Environmentalists Seek Protections for Malaysian Tarantula Targeted by Illegal Pet Trade" and how it applies to the tarantula hobby. And finally, it's onto our main topic. Is tarantula hoarding really a thing? We'll break down why the word "hoarding" is often tossed around and how this question, especially when it comes to pet influencers, is a bit more complicated to answer.

  • S8 · E29
    Dec 14, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min

    Tarantula Feeding Revisited

    First, we discuss an amazing genus of orbweaver that uses an incredible form of defensive mimicry. Then, over the years, I've made a lot of changes to my feeding schedules and what I feed my spiders. In this episode, I'll break down how my feeding regiment has evolved, as well as discuss some dos and don'ts when it comes to feeding.

  • S8 · E28
    Nov 30, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min

    C. lividus "The Cobalt Blue Tarantula" Care

    First, we'll take some listener comments and talk a bit about shipping spiders in the winter. Then, I revisit care for the hobby staple (and the original blue tarantula!) Cyriopagopus lividus or the "Cobalt Blue Tarantula." Please check out Luis Roque's paper "Reevaluating Spider Nutrition: The Essential Role of Arachidonic Acid in Captivity."

  • S8 · E27
    Nov 23, 2025 · 55 min

    Are Tarantula Enclosures too Small and Cruel?

    I'm back! First off, we'll discuss why I haven't been as consistent with the podcast. Then, we'll take a look at an article about a shocking spider discovery in a cave on the Greece-Albanian border. Finally, in our main topic, we'll discuss what to tell people who say that we're "abusing" our tarantulas by keeping them in smaller enclosures.

  • S8 · E26
    Nov 2, 2025 · 54 min

    The H. maculata "Togo Starburst Baboon" Care Revisited

    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."

  • S8 · E25
    Oct 19, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min

    The Best Non-Tarantula Spiders for the First Time Keeper

    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.

  • S8 · E24
    Oct 5, 2025 · 1 hr 9 min

    9 Controversial Tarantula Topics

    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.

  • S8 · E23
    Sep 21, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min

    Wild Caught Tarantulas in the Hobby

    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.

  • S8 · E22
    Sep 14, 2025 · 50 min

    The Ten Least Visible Spiders I Keep

    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.

  • S8 · E21
    Sep 1, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min

    Green Tarantulas!

    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.

  • S8 · E20
    Aug 18, 2025 · 1 hr 12 min

    Using AI for Tarantula Care Research

    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.

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes