Hi there,

I was watching some of RobC's "feeding time" clips, and in my infinite vacuum of a head this question popped up when noticing how violent some of the take-downs are, is it possible for a tarantula to bite itself in a tussle or by mistake, and if so is there any info out there or does anyone know what effects a T's venom can have on itself?

I've never actually seen people feed mice to their T's until this weekend on youTube, but I was blown away to see how quickly a T's venom can disable a mouse, the clips I saw were of an OBT and a Haplopelma Lividum each taking out a mouse, and it's literally seconds! Even crickets and roaches seem to die slower.

Female T's often eat males after courtship, but this is usually after she attacks, kills and holds on to him. But I've never seen a T bite another T in defense and let go, or bite itself and seen what the venom does.

If anyone can shed some light on this question, that would be great. Thanks.

HS

I've seen tarantulas rip their own legs off.