Nature Question For Jeanette (Or, "Tarantulas")

[Jeanette X]

I think it would probably be okay to put the cage on top of the microwave.

All tarantulas possess venom. In general (although some species have been reported to have more potent venom) a tarantula bite can be compared with a bee sting in severity. Tarantulas are considered harmless, and bites are extremely rare. Some people have reportedly experienced reactions to a tarantula bite, including severe localized pain or breathing irregularity. If this happens, GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM!

I'd be more worried about it using it's hairs to defend itself than I would about being bitten, to be honest with you.

It is possible for the abdomen to rupture if the tarantula is dropped from a height. Ground-dwelling species are more vunerable to this than abroeal species, but in general, dropping from a height is a bad idea.

I'll see what I kind find about sexing tarantulas. Telling me what species of tarantula is will help immensely. And yes, many species of male tarantulas can spin silk, although most species use this silk to line burrows rather than make webs.