When dad and I do our animal shows, animal displays, events and parties, people have lots of different reactions to my exotic animal friends. Last week I told you that everyone loves Olivia the Opossum because she is so sweet and gentle. This week I’m going to tell you about one of the scariest members of our traveling family, Cuddles the Tarantula.
Cuddles is a Chilean Rose-Haired Tarantula. She is about as big as a human hand – about 5 inches – which makes her very intimidating. She always causes quite a commotion wherever we go. Lots of people scream and jump when they see her, and very few people are brave enough to touch her 
or hold her. The really funny thing is that Cuddles is actually very calm and gentle. She enjoys walking on people’s hands and arms, and will sometimes just sit quietly on your palm or shoulder.
The thing about Cuddles that people are most afraid of is being bitten by a tarantula, because they’ve heard that it can kill you. While it’s true that tarantulas are venomous, a bite from one is kind of like a mosquito bite or a bee sting – more annoying than deadly. A black widow or brown recluse spider is much more dangerous than a tarantula. Besides that, tarantulas rarely bite. Their first defense is to scrape little barbed hairs from their belly that irritate your skin and can cause a rash and itching. Of course, any animal can bite, so you always have to be respectful of them. But, at least as far as tarantulas are concerned, you really don’t have to be scared of them.
When people finally get the courage to touch or hold Cuddles, they are usually surprised at how fun and friendly she is. Also at how it almost tickles as she walks across their skin. And how she seems more like a family pet than a scary insect. So if you ever get the chance to meet Cuddles or another tarantula, be brave and hold her. You’ll be glad you did and your friends will be amazed!
