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★★★★★

4.9

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221 reviews

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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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Check latest episodes from Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts podcast

The "Confounding" Caribena versicolor Care and Tips

2026/04/12

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.

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

2026/03/22

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.

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

2026/03/01

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.

Theraphosa apophysis "Pinkfoot Goliath" Care

2026/02/15

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!

Death By Tarantula Bite! Fact or Myth?

2026/02/08

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.

The Infamous "Mexican Redrump" Tliltocatl vagans Care and Notes

2026/01/11

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."

Tarantula Hoarding - A Discussion

2025/12/21

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.

Tarantula Feeding Revisited

2025/12/14

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.

C. lividus "The Cobalt Blue Tarantula" Care

2025/11/30

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."

Are Tarantula Enclosures too Small and Cruel?

2025/11/23

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.

The H. maculata "Togo Starburst Baboon" Care Revisited

2025/11/02

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."

The Best Non-Tarantula Spiders for the First Time Keeper

2025/10/19

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.

9 Controversial Tarantula Topics

2025/10/05

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.

Wild Caught Tarantulas in the Hobby

2025/09/21

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.

The Ten Least Visible Spiders I Keep

2025/09/14

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.

Podcast reviews

Read Tom's Big Spiders - Tarantulas and Inverts podcast reviews

4.9 out of 5

221 reviews

★★★★★

deirdrerosesouthwest 2026/03/20

Great and reliable

Really great podcast with a lot of authenticity and a knowledgeable host. I appreciate this podcast so much!

★★★★★

Zuntigger 2025/03/01

Great show!

Love this show! Super informative and lots of great information! Im a 14 year old that really loves spiders and inverts. I was wondering if you have a...

★★★★★

Birdslover 2024/08/19

Amazingly informative

Love your show I listen to it every time you release one, I recently gotten into scorpions as well, would you start doing more episodes about them? Ca...

★★★★★

Chett Manly 2022/12/15

A must listen if you’re even remotely interested in the hobby

Tom is a wonderful source of knowledge about Tarantulas and true spiders. I love that he does this as a passion instead of monetizing everything. Ever...

★★★★☆

Clnfreak 2023/08/02

I watch the YouTube videos and just got into listening to podcasts

I have watched almost every youtube video from Tom I always go to Tom to learn about a new species thst I’m interested in before I get them. Tom had ...

★★★★★

mb3513 2022/08/04

Love

Really enjoy having a tarantula podcast to listen to. I especially loved the one with your wife and the one with Luis. I hope you’ll have more guests ...

★★★★★

VileSatanist 2022/07/17

Great for everyone!

Up to date, easily digestible information on the tarantula hobby. I also enjoy hearing Tom’s perspective. A couple more guests would be nice, but not ...

★★★★★

ChandlerH66 2022/07/05

Awesome podcast!

Easy to listen to and very informative.

★★★★★

Weirdo Taba 2022/06/01

Thank you!!!!!

Tom’s Big Spiders is amazing!!! Tom is so wonderfully helpful, considerate & knowledgeable. I’m new to the hobby, thanks to my 13 year old daughter be...

★★★★★

Holycrisp 2022/02/20

As professional as ever

Tom has been one of my most respected content creators on Tarantula’s for years now and gets a large majority of the credit for me getting into the ho...

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