Meet Audrey, our Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula!
She might look spooky to some, but tarantulas like Audrey are fascinating and gentle creatures who play an important role in nature.
This species comes from the rainforests of Brazil and is known for its striking black body with bold white stripes on its legs – a real showstopper in the bug world!
Tarantulas are mostly nocturnal and spend their time hiding in burrows or slowly creeping around their enclosures.
They don’t spin webs like other spiders – instead, they rely on stealth and patience to catch their food.
Audrey eats a diet of insects like crickets and locusts, and she uses her fangs to deliver venom that helps her digest her food.
She may not be fluffy like some of our other animals, but Audrey is a real favourite among visitors who love learning about bugs and spiders!
Come say hi – if you’re brave enough! 🕷️
Spider Facts
- There are over 48,000 known species of spiders in the world – and new ones are still being discovered!
- All spiders produce silk, but not all of them spin webs – some, like Audrey, use it to line their burrows or help them move.
- Spiders have 8 legs and up to 8 eyes, though many have poor eyesight and rely on vibrations to sense movement.
- Most spiders are harmless to humans, and many are actually helpful by keeping insect populations under control.
- A spider’s silk is incredibly strong – stronger than steel of the same thickness!
- Spiders don’t chew – they inject digestive juices into their prey and then slurp up the liquefied insides (gross, but cool!).
- Tarantulas can regrow lost legs during moulting as they grow.
- Unlike most animals, spiders use hydraulic pressure to extend their legs – they don’t have extensor muscles in their joints!