They say you should never work with kids or animals. However, The Big Pet Project hosts Adam Beales and Demi Isaac don't really have a choice. We did tell them that there would be pets of all shapes and sizes, but I'm not sure they were ready to meet Pumpkin the Tarantula.
Press play up top to see how our 'fearless' presenters got on, and tune in to RTÉ One today at 5.15pm or stream The Big Pet Project on RTÉ Player now.
Pumpkin is a Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula and one of the standout stars of the episode. Adam decides to be brave and hold Pumpkin. With some deep breathing, a lot of squealing, and plenty of encouragement, he manages it - and discovers that she's actually soft, gentle and not scary at all.
Pumpkin’s owner, Dylan, explains that he got her on his birthday in October - the perfect excuse for a Halloween-themed name. Her orange pattern, mixed with black and a little grey, makes her look like she’s wearing seasonal colours all year round.
A surprisingly chill pet
Although tarantulas might look a bit scary, Pumpkin is what Dylan calls a "chill pet." She’s calm, gentle and surprisingly very entertaining, especially at feeding time.
She uses tiny micro hairs on her body to feel tiny vibrations. First, she senses her food, and then she pounces. Her favourite meal? Live locusts.
Pumpkin’s life story
Dylan has cared for Pumpkin ever since she was a sling - that's what we call a baby tarantula! Even though she’s now five years old, she’s not finished growing. Because Pumpkin is female, she could live for up to 30 years, while males usually live only 5 to 7 years.
As she grows, Pumpkin goes through a process called moulting. When her skin gets too tight, she flips over, sheds the old skin and wiggles her way out of it. And we’ve got footage of her doing it!
Do tarantulas shoot webs like superheroes?
Not quite. Pumpkin doesn't fire webs across the room, but she does create a silk layer from her abdomen. You can sometimes see it under her. It’s strong enough to slow down the locusts she eats, giving her the perfect chance to strike.
What else do we learn about Mexican Red-Knee Tarantulas?
- They live in the wild in forests, mountains and deserts in Mexico.
- They make burrows lined with silk webs.
- They hide in these burrows during the day and use them as perfect night-time ambush spots to catch their prey.
- Their bright, reddish-orange knees warn predators to stay away - though birds and lizards might still try to hunt them.
- Their biggest enemy is the Pepsis wasp, whose sting can paralyse them.
- They are popular pets, which has caused their numbers to drop in the wild.
- If you’re thinking about getting one, it’s important to buy only from licensed sellers to help protect the species.
Also on the show
This episode of The Big Pet Project is coming to you from Co Donegal. We have some super-talented pets on show. There are fashionable pugs, cute ducklings and Adam tried an art challenge against a painting pony! And in Dr Bobby's vet clinic Toby the tortoise is our patient of the week.
The Big Pet Project is streaming now on RTÉ Player.
To find out more about great shows for young people and all the family from RTÉ Kids visit www.rte.ie/kids.
