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October 13, 2026 Fact of the Day Across Species Tarantulas keep tiny frogs as 'pets.' By Bennett Kleinman It may not be as heartwarming a tale as an adopted puppy or kitten finding their forever home, but tarantulas live with pets of their own — well, sort of. One species of arachnid has been known to welcome tiny frogs into their burrows, forming a symbiotic relationship that makes for a more unlikely living situation than that of The Odd Couple. While other spiders feast on frogs and vice versa, this peculiar mutualistic situation has been exhibited by the burrowing tarantulas and dotted humming frogs of the Amazon rainforest. The larger spider essentially acts as the tinier frog’s security detail, protecting the amphibians against snakes and other predators. In return, the frogs protect the tarantula’s eggs by slurping up any ants that enter the burrow, as ants are the primary predator of those tarantula eggs. Can animals ever have TRUE pets? Today's Question Tarantulas are named for a town in what country? Sweden Portugal Italy Turkey Keep Exploring Across Species 16 Questions About Pets, Answered Insects What’s a Tarantula Hawk? Mammals Do Mongooses Make Good Pets? Was this email forwarded to you? Sign Up Advertise Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use 325 North LaSalle Street, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60654 If you'd like to unsubscribe from all Animal Facts emails, click here.