Harry the Tarantula has Home with Rock 'n' Roller

Harry the tarantula moved into his new home Tuesday when adopted by Michael Lucantonio of Nahant.

Michael had always wanted a tarantula but the clincher was when he heard Harry's story.

"Anyone can walk into a pet store and buy a tarantula," Michael said. "Not everyone can have a famous tarantula like Harry."

Michael enjoyed some fame himself as a guitarist in the popular punk band Gang Green back in the early 90's.

He toured the states, Europe and made records.

At his core, the 46-year-old is an animal lover.

Both he and his fiancé are genuinely excited to have Harry as a pet and the accompanying story makes it that much more special, he said. 

"I hope to provide Harry a good home in Nahant for the rest of (his) days," Michael said. "He is my first tarantula so it's going to be a fun ride for myself, my fiancé and Harry."

Harry comes to his new home by way of Swampscott animal control and the where he was found on the morning of July 2.

A former Department of Public Works employee, Steve Caproni, saw the tarantula crawling in the grass by the DPW garage.

The arachnid ended up in the care of Swampscott Animal Control Officer Diane Treadwell.

It was her first tarantula rescue.

And Harry is Michael's first pet tarantula.

And Tuesday was hopefully the first of many days for Harry.

Tarantulas can live for decades, according to Wikipedia, which says some species take up to 10 years to reach maturity. Some females have lived 30 to 40 years, and survived on water alone for two years, the online encyclopdia says.