Tarantula

GRAMMOSTOLA ROSEA

Tarantulas get their name from a dance performed in Italy called the "Tarantella". This dance was performed after a person was bitten as it was believed to cause a hysterical condition called tarantism. However, a tarantula bite is only about as bad as a bee sting. Unless a person is allergic to the venom, very little harm is caused. There are also no recorded fatalities due to a tarantula bite. A Tarantula's diet consists of insects, frogs, other spiders, and even small mammals such as mice. They rely on their venom and large size to subdue and kill their prey. Once they've eaten enough they will form food balls with the leftovers made of silk. Tarantulas are usually skittish, running away from danger rather than acting defensively, but they may also raise their front legs and present their fangs in preparation to defend themselves. When threatened, a tarantula will flick urticating (stinging) hairs off its abdomen at the predator causing the predator to have an itchy feeling and while distracted, the tarantula will make an escape. Other hairs on the tarantula's body are their most important source of sensory perception. Some hairs contain temperature or smell receptors, and others can detect airborne vibrations.

Click HERE for a Tarantula Activity Sheet!

Our Current Residents

Chilean Rose Haired Tarantula - Taboo, Female Hatched 2014

Taboo came to ZooMontana in 2015 as a pet surrender. Taboo is a regular in programs both on and offsite. She is one of the most relaxed ambassador animals. As the name suggests, these Tarantulas are found in Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. They can live 20 years.

Red Island Bird Eating Tarantula - Bingo

Hatched 2021

These Tarantulas are found in the Caribbean and are known for their fast growth. They eat a variety of foods including insects, birds and even small mammals.

Greenbottle Blue Tarantula - Bluey

Hatched 2021

These attractive Tarantulas are found in Northern Venezuela. They build webbed burrows, often resembling a funnel.

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Family: Theraphosidae

Animal Facts

Carnivore/Insectivore: Eats meat such as insects, frogs, spiders, and small mammals.
Population: Stable
Habitat: Desert, Dry Grassland, Rainforests
Mostly Nocturnal: Active during the night

Our Animals

Alpaca

Both of our Alpacas were donated to ZooMontana after being retired from the show circuit. They both enjoy being goofy in the barn pasture, often sparring with one another.

American Badger

Uki was brought to ZooMontana by the state in 2019. She was found next to her mother who had been shot. She quickly imprinted on her caregivers during the rehab process, deeming her unreleasable.

American Mink

Ivy came to ZooMontana as a rescue from a fur farm. She loves playing in buckets of ice cubes or snow and sleeping with her stuffies.

Amur Tiger

Sofi and Jasmine are sisters that were born in Florida in 2012 and were raised together. They moved to the Zoo in the early summer of 2014. Whether we are in the middle of a blizzard or a heat wave, t...

Bald Eagle

Emelio came to us from a rehab center in Anchorage, Alaska, and Tokata came to us because she hit a power line with the tip of her wing, breaking her wrist.

Ball Python

Hana came to ZooMontana in 2023 from the Colorado Reptile Humane Society, where she was a pet surrender.

Bearded Dragon

Moana was donated to ZooMontana by a volunteer in May, 2020. Bearded dragons are opportunistic omnivores but Moana loves to eat a variety of vegetables and insects.

Bison

Bert came to ZooMontana in 2018 after suffering a broken leg. Bert and Nellie then had a calf, Jay, in June 2021.

Blue Death-Feigning Beetle

The blue death feigning beetle, also known as the desert ironclad beetle, is a species of darkling beetle.

California Kingsnake

Taco came to ZooMontana in 2018 as a pet surrender. Taco is now an ambassador animal used for educational programming.

Canada Lynx

Fierca came to ZooMontana in 2014 from a private owner.

Cane Toad

Cheech was a pet surrender and was brought to ZooMontana in 2016 as a young toad. She can often be seen in the later afternoons as she searches out her food.

Chinchilla

Both Minnie and Daisy are pet surrenders who came to ZooMontana in 2019. They can often be seen either on the highest point of the exhibit, or down low in their log.

Colombian Red-Tailed Boa Constrictor

Leroy lived a tough life before coming to ZooMontana. He was rescued from inadequate care after being found living in squalor.

Common Garter Snake

The Common Garter snake is one of the the most common and familiar snakes in North America.

Domestic Chicken

With a population of over 25 billion, chickens are the world's most populous bird.

Eastern Screech Owl

Scout came to ZooMontana in 2015 after a car strike blinded him in his left eye. Scout's calm demeanor makes him a popular education ambassador.

Flemish Giant Rabbit

Agnes was donated to ZooMontana in 2017 after being raised through the 4-H program. Walter was donated in 2020 from a local family.

Golden Eagle

Oro came to the Zoo in 2007 after being hit by a car. The impact left him with a permanent wing injury.

Grey Wolf

Onyx and Simpson make up the wolf pack at ZooMontana.

Grizzly Bear

Ozzy, George and Willie are all at ZooMontana due to human conflict in their natural habitat.

Hoffman's Two Toed Sloth

Winston is the darling Sloth of Montana. He arrived at ZooMontana in June of 2020 to the delight of many.

Koi

ZooMontana has over 70 Koi. The Koi pond is cared for through the generosity of the Billings Water Skipper Pond Club.

Laughing Kookaburra

Sydney came to ZooMontana from a facility in Tennessee and she enjoys her travels with the Zoo's education crew.

Leopard Gecko

Steve the Gecko is a pet surrender. She very much enjoys a stroll around the Zoo with her keepers.

Madagascar Day Gecko

Both Geckos came to ZooMontana in 2015 through a breeder. They are quick little critters and can usually be seen clinging to the walls of their habitat.

Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches

ZooMontana has hundreds of cockroaches, too many to name! The Zoo manages a breeding colony.

Miniature Donkeys

Lucy and Ethel came to ZooMontana is 2020 from a private ranch. They quickly acclimated to ZooMontana and can now be seen, and heard at the Zoo's barn.

Nigerian Dwarf Goat

Both goats were donated to ZooMontana from a local breeder. They love their treats and eagerly await guests.

North American Porcupine

Lander came to ZooMontana in 2019 after she was found next to her mother, who had been shot. She was raised here at the Zoo and is quickly becoming a guest favorite.

North American River Otter

Ben and Amelia were relocated to ZooMontana in 2009 as pups due to issues with a local fishery.

Peacock

ZooMontana is currently home to three free ranging Peafowl.

Red Panda

Red pandas prefer bamboo and will only eat the the youngest, most tender shoots and leaves. They eat many other foods as well, including fruit, acorns, roots, and eggs.

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed hawks are the most widespread hawks in North American, often seen soaring above the landscape.

Sichuan Takin

Khan and Griff came to ZooMontana from the Pueblo Zoo in Colorado. They incredibly curious and can often be seen playing soccer in their habitat.

Striped Skunk

Known for their stinky defense, Montana is home to two skunk species.

Tarantula (Various Species)

ZooMontana is home to three different species of Tarantulas.

Three Banded Armadillo

Dahlia came to the Zoo in 2022. She has a lot of energy and loves moving around her habitat discovering the new goodies the care staff place for her.

Three Toed Box Turtle

Both of our box turtles are pet surrenders. They live side by side, but cannot be placed together due to aggression towards one another.

Tiger Salamander

Sally and Simon were donated to ZooMontana as pet surrenders. They have been at the Zoo since 2019.

Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vultures eat carrion, or dead animals, which they find largely by their excellent sense of smell. Mostly they eat mammals but are not above snacking on reptiles, other birds, amphibians, fish,...

Western Hognose Snake

The hognose snake is named after its hog like snout.

White's Tree Frog

The White's Tree Frog is native to Australia and southern New Guinea. They range in color from light blue to emerald green.

Wolverine

Sid and Ahmari came to ZooMontana in 2017 from Sweden to take part in a crucial breeding program to create a genetically pure line of Wolverines.