Current Events > Tarantulas keep tiny frogs as pets

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Although the spiders are completely capable of killing and eating frogs of this small size, they instead seem to tolerate their existence. Why? For one, the frogs likely possess skin toxins that make them taste terrible to the tarantulas, but theres probably more at play here.

The answers arent definitive, but some research indicates that the frogs may benefit from these unique living arrangements in the form of protection and food. The relatively large spiders could be serving as a sort of bodyguard for the helpless amphibians, protecting them from snakes and other predators. Additionally, the frogs may eat the small invertebrates attracted to the spiders prey remains.

In this case, their relationship would be a kind of commensal symbiosis where one party (the frog) benefits, but the other (the tarantula) isnt affected either way. But the spider-frog relationship could also be an example of mutualism, with both benefiting in some way.

Remember those small invertebrates that are attracted to the remains of the spiders prey? Well, they can also target the spiders eggs unless the frogs wipe them out first.

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