Bambootula: Never Before Seen Tarantula Discovered in High Forests of Thailand by Wildlife YouTuber

A new tarantula species was discovered in northern Thailand. According to the experts, the spider's name was inspired by the region's abundant bamboo trees. The plant's towering shaft serves as the natural habitat for the animal.

Taksinus bambus: Tarantula Living in Bamboo Cults

The "bambootula" is also known as Taksinus bambus. According to Khon Kaen University arachnology expert Narin Chomphuphuang, the new spider is the world's first species of tarantula that has biology heavily associated with the bamboo plant.

The bamboo stems, or culms, provide the Taksinus bambus a house that is naturally suited for their preference. The tarantula can easily fit in the burrows for both resting and nesting.

Taksinus bambus, however, does not have any strength and skills to open the culms for their burrow. Because of this, the new tarantula relies on natural forces as well as the ability of other animals that coexist in its community.

Through animals such as rodents and beetles, the culms are opened effortlessly for the bambootula. When they are successful at finding a spot, the Taksinus bambus routinely constructs a silk "retreat tube" that supports the burrow from harm and for the spider to move across a wider territory easily.

Chomphuphuang first encountered the new species through the help of the documentation carried out by JoCho Sippawat, a YouTuber that focuses on wildlife topics. Sippawat discovered the tarantula coincidentally while cutting bamboo planted in a forest outside their house.

Upon analysis, the authors of the study confirmed that the animal is indeed a distinct arachnid species. Despite its hair physiology, the Taksinus bambus have a very significant size and shape of reproductive organs compared to the known tarantula species.

According to a report by ScienceNews, the team said that this is the first account in more than 100 years that a new genus and species of hairy arachnids was discovered in Asia.

The habitat is also a factor that shows the variance between the Taksinus bambus and other tarantulas. Chomphuphuang explained that other tarantula species also dwell in trees, but not like the bambootula, which resides in culms located at approximately 1,000 meters above sea level.

Vast Species of Spiders

Cornell University arachnology specialist Linda Rayor, who was not involved in the study, said that there are a whopping 49,000 species of spiders around the planet, and like the bambootula, there are recent discoveries of new hairy creatures in other places.

According to experts, one out of three to five spider species are still unknown and do not have names yet.

Rayor explained that anyone can discover a new spider, such as "local people looking and exploring and watching things."

Chomphuphuang said that there is much of Thailand's ecosystem and biodiversity still unexplored. The country still has a remaining third of its territories composed of lush forests.

Before these places disappear, the author said that it is essential for the scientific community to look for more new species to enrich our knowledge, and for the welfare and protection of animals when needed. The study was published in the journal ZooKeys, titled "A new genus of bamboo culm tarantula from Thailand (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae)."

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