00:00 (dramatic music)
00:02 The king of the desert spiders is the fearsome tarantula.
00:06 They can be as big as an adult hand
00:11 and regenerate a leg if needed.
00:13 Despite the fear they inspire,
00:16 their bite is only mild to humans.
00:19 Their body hair is barbed though
00:21 and can be used in defense against predators.
00:29 They live in burrows to shield themselves
00:31 from the harsh desert sun.
00:33 The male tarantula won't stray far from his
00:37 unless he's got a very good reason.
00:39 Like looking for a female to hook up with.
00:45 They say gentlemen prefer blondes.
00:52 It's certainly true in a tarantula's case.
00:58 (dramatic music)
01:00 As all females have blonde hair covering their entire bodies.
01:04 Mating with 16 legs can be complicated.
01:11 For the male, the danger begins with the first hello.
01:16 He taps the ground to let her know he's a mate, not a meal.
01:21 If she doesn't think he's up to much,
01:25 she may even eat him now
01:27 and look for another suitor's superior genes.
01:30 Using short appendages near his mouth called pedipalps,
01:38 he tries to hand over a prepackaged packet of sperm
01:42 while using his other legs to keep her fangs at bay.
01:47 He makes the hand off.
01:56 He's more like a postman than a lover.
01:59 Now, time to run.
02:02 She may be in the mood for a post-coital snack, him.
02:08 Luckily, she's more focused
02:13 on getting the next generation underway.
02:15 Their fleeting relationship will produce up to 1,000 young.
02:23 (dramatic music)
02:26 (upbeat music)
02:29 (upbeat music)
02:32 (upbeat music)
02:34 (upbeat music)
02:37 (upbeat music)
02:39 [MUSIC PLAYING]
02:43 you
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