Best Tomsbigspiders Podcasts (2024)

1
Do Spiders Dream? and "Old World Tarantula Anxiety" 50:42

1h ago50:42

50:42

First, we discuss a recent article that questions whether spiders can sleep and even dream. Then, why do many keepers feel so anxious about possibly keeping Old World tarantulas? We'll discuss how keeper attitudes about Old World species have change from the '80s and '90s to now.By Tom Moran

1
The "Mysterious" T. albopilosus or Curly Hair Tarantula 50:22

12d ago50:22

50:22

The Tliltocatl albopilosus is one of the most established, popular, and widely-kept species in the hobby. However, ask ten different keepers about their experiences with the growth rate, behavior, and temperament of this species, and you're likely to get ten different responses. In this episode, we'll discuss this awesome species and why there seem…

1
Tarantula Prices - Why Are These Things So Expensive? 49:43

17d ago49:43

49:43

After some listener comments and spider news, we'll discuss why some tarantulas are so expensive.By Tom Moran

1
Feedback on Defensive Tarantulas and the "Heart Attack Pack"! 57:34

1M ago57:34

57:34

First off, we discuss a story about noble false widow spiders preying upon much larger vertebrate prey. Then, it's onto listener feedback on the last episode about my most defensive tarantulas. Finally, this week I received my "Heart Attack Pack" from Fear Not Tarantulas, and I discuss what I received. FIND THE HEART ATTACK PACK HERE!…

1
The Most Defensive Tarantula Species I've Kept 57:22

1M ago57:22

57:22

First, we start off with some listener feedback. Then, we'll discuss some recent spider news before we get to the main topic. I've been asked many times over the years which species of tarantulas that I've raised have been the most defensive. My answer may surprise you!By Tom Moran

1
Assessing the Risk of Overexploitation to a Tarantula Species in the Pet Trade - A Breakdown 1:05:38

1M ago1:05:38

1:05:38

After some listener comments and tarantulas in the news, I breakdown some key points in the paper "Assessing the Risk of Overexploitation to a Tarantula Species in the Pet Trade" and explain why this should be important to informed, responsible keepers. CLICK HERE to read the entire paper!By Tom Moran

1
Grammostola Pulchra "The Brazilian Black" Care...and Orbweaver Spider News 57:35

1M ago57:35

57:35

First, we take a few listener comments. Then, in spider news, scientists think that Orbweaver spiders may have an interesting way of hunting fireflies. Finally, for the "meat" of the podcast, we discuss the care for one of the hobby's most beloved tarantulas, the Grammostola pulchra (AKA, the Black Lab of Tarantulas). (15:10)…

1
Andrew Smith's Tarantula Documentaries and Why We Love Fossorial Tarantulas 59:34

2M ago59:34

59:34

So, after mentioning Andrew Smith's AMAZING documentary Theraphosa & Ephebopus: Suriname's Giant Forest Floor Tarantulas, it became clear that many folks weren't familiar with Andrew and his incredible work. In this episode, I discuss why folks should be drooling over these DVDs and how we can help crowdfund the next video in the series. Then, we s…

1
When Burrowing Tarantulas Don't Resurface 1:00:19

2M ago1:00:19

1:00:19

Although I've addressed this topic before, it's an important one. I've received quite a few messages over the past year from folks who are concerned over their tarantulas who have seemingly been burrowed for way too long and who have asked for advice for what to do. In this episode, I'll discuss the species I've had this issue with and explain what…

1
Why Arboreal Tarantulas Shouldn't Be Overlooked 51:42

2M ago51:42

51:42

And, we're back on Sundays! First, we discuss a new species of Aphonopelma recently described. Then, I take some listener feedback. And, for the main topic, we'll discuss some reasons why hobbyists shouldn't overlook arboreal tarantula species.By Tom Moran

1
Tarantulas with Undeserved Bad Reputations (and Jorō Spider News!) 1:03:57

3M ago1:03:57

1:03:57

First off, we'll discuss a new study on the "Jorō spider" that explains why it is doing so well in urban environments (and why it shouldn't be feared). Then, we'll discuss a comment I got about a tarantula park that perpetuates negative stereotypes about these animals. Then, for our main topic, I'll discuss 6 species or genera of tarantulas that ge…

1
Phormictopus Genus Update with 16 "Species" 59:41

3M ago59:41

59:41

Now that the last four Phormictopus species I acquired have put on some size and are showing some adult color, it's time to do an update on the 16 "species" that I keep. In this episode, I'll discuss age, colorations, and behaviors as I take you on a tour of my Phormictopus collection. For those interested, I'll also be posting up a video version o…

1
Skeleton Tarantulas! Ephebopus Genus Review ft. 4 Species 48:10

3M ago48:10

48:10

Well, it's been over two years since I got my Ephebopus slings, and it's finally time for a proper genus review! In this episode, I'll talk about the care and set up of E. murinus (The Skeleton Tarantula), E. uatuman (The Emerald Skeleton Tarantula), E. refescens (The Red Skeleton Tarantula), and E. cyanognathus (The Blue Fang…Skeleton Tarantula)!…

1
Planning for a Tarantula Presentation 58:25

4M ago58:25

58:25

First, we'll discuss some listener comments from last week's episode. Then, we've all been there. You're at work or having company over, and suddenly you find yourself giving an impromptu presentation about tarantulas to folks who may be terrified of them. Or, perhaps you're someone who is planning to present about spiders at a school or library. I…

1
Not What I Expected - 7 Tarantula Species That Defied Expectation 50:30

4M ago50:30

50:30

In this episode, I will talk about seven tarantula species that defied the expectations that I had for them after I did my research.By Tom Moran

1
The "Spectrum" of Tarantula Terrestrial, Fossorial, and Arboreal Enclosure Setups 50:56

4M ago50:56

50:56

Recently, I did a podcast about some of my terrestrial spiders that appreciated room to dig as adults. Since then, I've received questions about fossorial spiders that seem to want to live terrestrially, and even arboreal spiders that prefer to burrow a bit. Is this behavior cause for worry? In this episode, I'll break down why it is not and explai…

1
Common Tarantula Keeper Mistakes Part 2 1:03:41

4M ago1:03:41

1:03:41

I first covered this topic back in December of 2021. However, as the years have passed, I have encountered some new issues troubling hobbyists. In this episode, I'll break down ten of them.By Tom Moran

1
Tips for Raising Huntsman Spiders 41:38

5M ago41:38

41:38

A few years ago, I started keeping several Heteropoda (Huntsman) species, and it was quite the learning curve in many ways. In this episode, I'll discuss the care, as well as tips, for raising huntsman spiders.By Tom Moran

1
Tarantula Setups - Real vs. Fake Plants 45:37

5M ago45:37

45:37

When setting up a tarantula habitat, there are usually four main "ingredients": substrate, a hide, a water dish, and plants. However, when putting plants in an enclosure, is it better to use real or fake plants? In this episode, I break down the pros and cons of both types. For those interested in check out my story in the Horror Over the Handlebar…

1
A Rainbow of Spiders 2 - Some of the Most Colorful Spiders I've Kept 1:35:41

5M ago1:35:41

1:35:41

After doing a video featuring a rainbow of different spiders, I thought that it might be fun to do an "extended commentary" in which I cover even more species. My hope is that people might listen to this list and discover some colorful spiders they weren't initially aware of.By Tom Moran

1
Terrestrial Tarantulas That Burrow (or Rethinking How We Keep Terrestrials) 1:03:43

5M ago1:03:43

1:03:43

For years, tarantulas designated as "terrestrial" were given a couple inches of substrate and a hide for a setup. Now, although this isn't necessarily wrong, I've found that many of my so-called "terrestrial" species will continue to burrow right on through adulthood if given the substrate depth to do so. In this episode, I'll discuss how I'm chang…

1
Tityus stigmurus or the "Brazilian Yellow Scorpion" Care 39:47

6M ago39:47

39:47

In this episode, we break away from talking about spiders for a bit and instead discuss the care for T. stigmurus. This amazing little scorpion can produce asexually and can be kept communally. I started with only one specimen back in October of 2016, and have kept dozens since!By Tom Moran

1
The Most Heavily Webbing Spiders I Keep 52:44

6M ago52:44

52:44

First, we discuss some listener feedback from last episode. Then, I've had a bunch of folks ask me to cover this over the years, and I honestly thought that I had already done so! In this episode, I go over a dozen species of spiders I keep that love blanketing their enclosures in webbing. Happy Mother's Day to all!…

1
D. Pentaloris "The Tiger Rump" vs. H. formosus "The Pumpkin Patch" 55:34

6M ago55:34

55:34

First off, we discuss last week's episode and some of the feedback I received (a HUGE thank you to all who took the time to comment!). Then, it's the battle of the orangey/black dwarfs as Davus pentaloris "The Tiger Rump" takes on Hapalopus formosus "The Pumpkin Patch"!By Tom Moran

1
The Future of the Podcast and Signs Your Old Tarantula Is Dying 51:32

6M ago51:32

51:32

If someone would have told me back in early 2018 that this podcast experiment would continue for over 300 episodes, I would have laughed. But here we are, in our seventh year, still churning out shows. That said, I always worry that the program will eventually jump the shark and overstay its welcome. To kick this one off, we’ll discuss the fine lin…

1
The Best Tarantula Species for Folks Raising up Their First Slings 53:22

7M ago53:22

53:22

As I've spent more time keeping tarantulas, I've realized that questions "what is a good beginner species?" and "what is a good species to raise as a first time sling? have two very different answers. Just because a species is easier to care for as an adult does not always make it an easy one to raise up. In this episode, I'll discuss the species I…

1
The Importance of Establishing Routines with Growing Tarantula Collections 38:54

7M ago38:54

38:54

How do you know when you’re getting too many tarantulas? How can you tell when you’re reaching what should be your limit? In this episode, we’ll discuss the importance of establishing routines and setting boundaries early on to avoid having your collection turn into a hoard.By Tom Moran

1
Tarantula Max Lifespans - A Realistic Discussion 52:22

7M ago52:22

52:22

I've encountered this scenario many times...an upset keeper emails me to ask what he did wrong because his adult female didn't make it to the supposed max life expectancy. In many cases, it sounds like the animal died of natural causes, but the thought that it should have lived longer can eat away at a concerned keeper. In this episode, we discuss …

1
The Goliath Birdeaters - Theraphosa Genus Review 55:27

8M ago55:27

55:27

In this episode, I talk about my experiences with the three Theraphosa species: Theraphosa stirmi (the Burgundy Goliath Birdeater), Theraphosa blondi (the Goliath Birdeater), and Theraphosa apophysis (Pinkfoot Goliath Birdeater).By Tom Moran

1
Dos and Don'ts When Ordering Tarantulas Online 1:07:15

8M ago1:07:15

1:07:15

To start this one off, I share some of the feedback I got from last week's episode and respond to a couple comments. Then, at 21:25, it's been five years to the day when I last covered some tips for ordering tarantulas online. In this episode, we will review the dos and don't as well as discuss some new issues that have presented themselves over th…

1
The "Domestication" of Tarantulas - Why our Pets Are Not Quite Wild Animals 57:46

8M ago57:46

57:46

A couple of years ago, I stumbled on an article about the "inadvertent domestication" of animals raised for the sole purpose of being released back into the wild. This is when, despite our best efforts, captive animals were becoming inadvertently domesticated by temporarily or even permanently adapting to a captive environment , which was making th…

1
Why Bother Asking? When Keepers Ask Questions and Ignore the Answers 54:05

8M ago54:05

54:05

I've been doing this a while now, and there is one occurrence that I will never understand...when keepers ask for advice and then ignore it. Luckily, it doesn't happen often, but when it does, the results can be quite tragic. In this episode, we'll discuss a few of the more egregious experiences I've had with this type of behavior.…

1
Tarantula Substrate - Some Inexpensive Mixes 42:17

9M ago42:17

42:17

Over the years, I've continued to constantly switch up what I use for substrate when it comes to housing my tarantulas. In this episode, I review what I've used in the past and share an inexpensive "recipe" I'm currently using that yields a LOT of substrate for very little money.By Tom Moran

1
Tarantula Collection Killers 46:05

9M ago46:05

46:05

In this episode, we discuss some instances where folks have lost large parts or all of their collection due to mishap or an overlooked environmental hazard.By Tom Moran

1
I Want a Tarantula - Where Do I Start? 54:03

9M ago54:03

54:03

Within the past couple weeks, I spoke with two teenagers who were interested in getting their first tarantula. Both had many questions about where they should start and what they should prepare for. In this episode, I lay out several things anyone thinking about getting a tarantula should do...and some things that they shouldn't.…

1
How I've Tweaked My Fossorial Tarantula Setups 47:41

9M ago47:41

47:41

First, we discuss the "controversy" a recent episode caused. Then, I field a question from a long-time YouTube subscriber about changes that I've made in how I set up fossorial tarantula enclosures.By Tom Moran

1
Pamphobeteus vs. Phormictopus! The Battle of Two Giant Tarantula Genera 51:45

9M ago51:45

51:45

Well, it had to be done! In this episode, two popular genera of giant tarantulas will duke it out for hobby superiority! Okay, that's a bit dramatic; in reality, we will compare the two genera and talk about the similarities and differences.By Tom Moran

1
The One Issue in the Tarantula Hobby I Will Never Overcome 55:53

10M ago55:53

55:53

To start this one off, we'll discuss some feedback to last week's episode. Then, after reflecting on 10 years of doing the TBS stuff, I realized that there is one major issue that I will never overcome.By Tom Moran

1
Tarantula Feeding Schedules and Fat Ts 56:26

10M ago56:26

56:26

Recently, I've received some comments on my YouTube videos with folks saying that my tarantulas are "skinny" or "underfed", which left me a bit confused. However, after speaking with a hobby friend, I realized that, through social media, many folks new to the hobby may be exposed to photos of chubby Ts. For many, a spider with a bloated abdomen is …

1
Do Tarantulas Have "Personalities"? 47:48

10M ago47:48

47:48

Happy New Year! In this episode, I give my take on whether or not it's appropriate to say that tarantulas have "personalities." We will also discuss whether tarantulas need enrichment to avoid boredom.By Tom Moran

1
The A. geniculata vs. The N. chromatus - Two Classic Tarantulas 43:32

11M ago43:32

43:32

In this episode, we compare two very similar species: the A. geniculata or "Brazilian Black and White" and the N. chromatus or "Brazilian Red and White." Both are awesome species and, in my opinion, hobby staples. But which has more to offer?By Tom Moran

1
The GBB vs. The Brazilian Blue Beauty 49:13

11M ago49:13

49:13

First, I have an important message from the US Tarantula Sustainment Project. Then, we're going to have a little fun. In this episode, we'll compare and break down two species that are often confused for each other, the C. cyaneopubescens (GBB) and the D. diamantinensis (Brazilian Blue Beauty). Which spider is the "best"? Who knows! But we will att…

1
Tarantula Species That Need it Drier As Slings 47:46

11M ago47:46

47:46

In this episode, I'll talk a bit about the tarantula species that I've raised that buck the old "keep 'em moist" rule for slings.By Tom Moran

1
Eresus walckenaeri Care and the Velvet/Jumping Spider "Fad" 53:25

12M ago53:25

53:25

Having just rehoused my juvenile Eresus walckenaeri (Velvet Spider), I figured that it was time to talk a bit about how I care for it. Also in this episode, is the current Jumping Spider and Velvet Spider social media fad and rampant anthropomorphization leading to decline in overall appropriate husbandry in the spider hobby? I'll discuss what I fe…

1
Tarantula Enclosure Blowout! 1:15:21

12M ago1:15:21

1:15:21

In this episode, I'll go through all of the types of tarantula enclosures I've used, from cheap to pemium, and share my pros and cons of each.By Tom Moran

1
A History of Tom's Big Spiders and Why I Do This 50:51

12M ago50:51

50:51

Last week, I had a few folks contact me a bit upset that there was no episode for Sunday. And, to be honest, this happens every time I miss a week. Although I completely understand that this podcast has become very important to folks for a myriad of reasons, I thought that it might be a good time to explain why I do the Tom's Big Spiders stuff . In…

1
The Fastest Spiders That I Have Kept 1:08:19

1y ago1:08:19

1:08:19

I've been asked to do this one many times over the years, but there is honestly no way for me to scientifically prove which ones are faster. However, in this episode, I will share the ones that I think are fastest based on my own personal experience. What are YOUR fastest spiders?By Tom Moran

1
Is Your Enclosure and Setup Killing Your Juvenile Arboreal Tarantula? 56:57

1y ago56:57

56:57

First, I read a listener question and talk about last week's episode. Then, I get a lot of emails and comments from panicked keepers who are alarmed to discover that their arboreal slings and juveniles are actually burrowing. The fact is, MANY arboreal species will do some burrowing as slings and juveniles, and the correct setup should allow for an…

1
When Losing Confidence Leads to Mistakes 41:54

1y ago41:54

41:54

Deaths can really rattle a tarantula keeper and cause them to second guess their tarantula care. In this episode, I speak about a few recent instances I had where my fear of deaths led me to do some pretty stupid things.By Tom Moran

1
10 Reasons to Give True Spiders a Shot 48:24

1y ago48:24

48:24

In this episode, I'll discuss some of the perks to keeping "true" spiders and Mygalomorphs and why tarantula keepers may want to one day give them a try.By Tom Moran

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