Transcript III. Final Presentation

Purpose
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The purpose of this lab is to study the
behavior of two species of tarantulas in
varied climates. We studied their eating
habits, weight, span, and activity level over
an extended period of time.
Background
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To prepare for our a experiment we did some
research and we found some interesting
information.
Because tarantulas have no external skeleton to
fossilize, historical evidence is limited (source:
tarantulas online).
Tarantulas are different from spiders because:
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They have two claws and two adhesive pads on each
foot
The fangs of tarantulas move up and down (source:
Janssen)
Background
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Tarantulas can be found worldwide. Thirty
species alone inhabit North America (source:
Bear)
Most tarantulas will not harm humans unless
provoked (source: desertusa).
Tarantulas harbor formidable fangs that contain
poison, and when threatened, the tarantula will
assume an attack position by throwing itself
back on it haunches and lifting up its front legs
(source: Strener).
Background
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Tarantulas are exceptional predators because of
their extreme hunting skills. Due to their poor
eye sight, they must rely on smell to pursue and
capture their prey (source: Douglass).
Brazilian Tarantulas have been known to eat
small birds, snakes, lizards, and rodents, but
most North American tarantulas only feed on
insects (source: Douglass).
Tarantulas are very important to the environment
because they keep insect populations at bay
while posing very little threat to humans (source:
Vener).
Lab Design
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We began the experiment with twelve
baby tarantulas. Six California Ebonys
and six Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeaters.
Two of each species were raised in three
different climate zones; room temperature,
below room temperature, and above room
temperature. The tarantulas were fed
crickets and data was collected twice a
week for the extent of the experiment.
Our Hypothesis
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Ultimately, we felt that the different
temperatures would have an effect on the
daily lives of the tarantulas.
It was our belief that the Tarantulas would
be most active at the room temperature
climate.
We also thought that they would be less
active in the below room temperature
setting, and therefore consume less food.
Materials
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Six California Ebony Tarantulas
Six Pink Salmon Brazilian Birdeaters
Twelve Tupperware containers
Weighing vials
Heat lamp
Electric Scale
Measuring tape
Baby crickets
Cricket food
Nature for the tarantulas’ living habitat
Paper towels
Water
Timeline
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Tarantulas were checked and fed twice a
week throughout the experiment
When fed the tarantulas and their food
were weighed
Also, the span was taken and general
observations were made
The towels in the cages were kept moist
all the time
Species Weight Vs.
Time
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This graph provides information
concerning the weight of each
tarantula species and how it was
affected by the passage of time. It
is clear that the Birdeaters gained
more weight over an extended
period of time than the California
Ebony species. However, an
interesting observation can be
made concerning the weights of
the two species and how they
mirror one another, even between
the three separate environments.
Location & Species Vs.
Weight
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This graph portrays the affect
location according to species had
on the respective weight of each
tarantula species. It is evident
that the Birdeaters in the below
room temperature environment
thrived over the same species in
the control or above room
temperature groups. Similarly, the
California Ebony tarantulas also
thrived in the below room
temperature group, but continued
to thrive in the control group as
well. The Birdeaters did not do
well in the control group at all.
Species & Location Vs. Weight & Time
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This graph, similar to the last,
provides a clear view of the
relationship between the two
species of spider and their weight
according to their respective
locations. However, this graph
also adds the variable of time, so
one is able to see the progression
of weight gain/lose over a period
of time. As one can see, the
Birdeaters tend to gain more
weight, yet the California Ebony
are consistent with the weight
gain, only on a smaller scale.
Conclusion
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The Brazillian Birdeater tarantulas proved to grow larger and faster
than the California Ebony tarantulas.
The California Ebony tarantulas did the best in the control (room
temperature) environment; they did the worst in the above
temperature environment.
The Brazillian Birdeaters did the best in the below temperature
environment; they did the worst in the control environment.
Overall, the cooler environment proved to be the most conducive to
both tarantula species… all four tested survived!!!
The above room temperature environment was the least conducive
to all species… Two California Ebony tarantulas were lost, while the
Birdeaters were the smallest out of all tested.