There are no tarantulas native to Ireland. I believe the closest is southern Spain.
The National Geographic range map is inaccurate. Tarantulas can be found throughout Southwest United States up to central Missouri, and they can be found in much of the Middle East. I also liked the "Type:Bug"... I expect better from National Geographic.
"Females seal both eggs and sperm in a cocoon and guard it for six to nine weeks, when some 500 to 1,000 tarantulas hatch." - That's false. Fertilization happens internally, and the number is more in the 100-300 range.
The map of the range for tarantulas does not include Ireland - or any northern climates:
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/an...
However, that doesn't mean that they don't exist in the wilds up your way. Escapees can happen.
besides zoos, pet owners excetra...
