Episodes 390
Avg. Duration 49m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 4.9 (222)
Since Feb 2018
Latest Episode Jun 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
74%
Hosting
rss.buzzsprout.com

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

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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Recent Episodes

S9E8 How to Move a Tarantula Collection

Jun 07, 2026 48m

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…

S9E7 The Most Important Quality for a Tarantula Keeper

May 17, 2026 57m

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…

S9E6 Tangerine Dreams! Selenobrachys philippinus Care and Notes

May 03, 2026 1h 1m

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…

S9E5 The "Confounding" Caribena versicolor Care and Tips

Apr 12, 2026 1h 11m

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…

S9E4 Some Harmful Practices, Myths, or Misconceptions in the Tarantula Hobby

Mar 22, 2026 1h 22m

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…

S9E3 Tarantula History: Which Species Have Been in the Hobby the Longest?

Mar 01, 2026 1h 10m

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…

S9E3 Theraphosa apophysis "Pinkfoot Goliath" Care

Feb 15, 2026 56m

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…

S9E1 Death By Tarantula Bite! Fact or Myth?

Feb 08, 2026 1h 2m

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…

S8E31 The Infamous "Mexican Redrump" Tliltocatl vagans Care and Notes

Jan 11, 2026 1h 12m

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…

S8E30 Tarantula Hoarding - A Discussion

Dec 21, 2025 1h 12m

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"…

S8E29 Tarantula Feeding Revisited

Dec 14, 2025 1h 8m

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.…

S8E28 C. lividus "The Cobalt Blue Tarantula" Care

Nov 30, 2025 1h 6m

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…

S8E27 Are Tarantula Enclosures too Small and Cruel?

Nov 23, 2025 55m

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…

S8E26 The H. maculata "Togo Starburst Baboon" Care Revisited

Nov 02, 2025 54m

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…

S8E25 The Best Non-Tarantula Spiders for the First Time Keeper

Oct 19, 2025 1h 1m

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…

S8E24 9 Controversial Tarantula Topics

Oct 05, 2025 1h 9m

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…

S8E23 Wild Caught Tarantulas in the Hobby

Sep 21, 2025 1h 3m

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…

S8E22 The Ten Least Visible Spiders I Keep

Sep 14, 2025 50m

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…

S8E21 Green Tarantulas!

Sep 01, 2025 1h 1m

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…

S8E20 Using AI for Tarantula Care Research

Aug 18, 2025 1h 12m

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…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts have?

Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts has published 390 episodes since February 2018, covering topics in Education, Hobbies.

Is Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts still active?

Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 49m.

How do I contact Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts for sponsorship or guest appearances?

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