The study of Tarantulas?

[Tryris]

I was just wondering what someone who study's tarantulas would be called? I did a quick internet search and did find much. For some reason it seems like the study of T's does not fall under Arachnology. Could it possibly be Entomology?

[peterUK]

Arachnology is the scientific study of spiders and related animals such as scorpions, collectively called arachnids

Entomology is the scientific study of insects.

I struggling to find a reason why someone who studies Tarantulas isnt called an Arachnologist.

Are you sure you got this right ?

[Zoltan]

PeterUK is right, arachnologists study tarantulas (theraphosids) as well as other spiders and other arachnid groups.

[paassatt]

Seems like a pretty cut and dried answer to me. Tarantulas are arachnids, and arachnologists study arachnids, therefore arachnologists study tarantulas.

[SamuraiSid]

I saw a small vidoe of some lady on TEd Talks who has spent her life studying orb weavers, and more specifically their silk. She called herself a scientist:P

[Chris_Skeleton]

Tarantologist, duh.

[Tryris]

Ok thanks. The reason I had my doubts was when I went onto the official American Arachnological Society's homepage I didn't see anything about tarantulas. Only true spiders and other Arachnids.

[Amoeba]

Man the knowledge base in this forum has really gone down hill.....the correct terminology is Theraphosidaeologist