Wildlife Spotting

Hi Jemma! The ranger wasn't correct if he told you something about blood pressure. They have none! When you drop them, they do indeed rupture, but the reason they die is because they loose so much hemolymph at once given that it's an open circulatory system (meaning they don't have their fluid enclosed in veins and arteries like we do). They are an amazing animal and definitely fragile! :)

I saw one yesterday and it looked like a plush toy walking. The ranger told me that they are extremely sensitive and should never be touched. If you pick them up and they drop,they could very well die because they are not able to adjust to the change in blood pressure. Very fragile creatures and people think of them as monsters!

Your lovely tarantula is a male. :-)

http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/43087029