Leggs, the Hattiesburg Zoo’s Chilean Rose Haired, female Tarantula is retiring from active ambassador service. While male Tarantula live to be around 5 years of age, females live approximately 15-20 years, but can live longer. Leggs is approximately 14-15 years old, and has been employed with the Hattiesburg Zoo since July 27, 2011. Her role as an ambassador animal has been to serve as an ambassador and representative for her species.
Leggs has made guest appearances at birthday parties, schools, libraries, museums, nursing homes and Hattiesburg area events including ‘Live at Five’. With the assistance of her animal care and education staff co-workers, Leggs has helped educate thousands of children and adults about spiders and arachnids. She has helped people unlearn their fear of spiders and learn about the important role that spiders play on our planet. She has even helped several zoo staff members overcome their arachnophobia. Her calm, easy going personality has helped put people around her at ease, and allowed them to see spiders in a new and positive light.
Leggs is joining the Hattiesburg Zoo’s long-tailed chinchilla "Mae" and ferrets "Finley" and "Possum" in our animal ambassador retirement program. Leggs is clinically healthy, and aging well, which indicates that the time is right for her to retire so that she can spend her next span of time enjoying some peace and quiet with her animal care team. Leggs will now have more time to enjoy some of her hobbies including spinning thread, sewing silk, and web design. Guests will still be able to visit Leggs at the Asbury Discovery Building inside the zoo.
The Hattiesburg Zoo will host a retirement party for Leggs on Sunday, July 16 th at 2 p.m. at the Asbury Discovery Building. Zoo annual passes do apply.
