Tarantula

Tarantula facts at a glance

How big is a tarantula?

An adult tarantula measures 13 cm long — about 8% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 85 g, a small fraction of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).

What is a group of tarantulas called?

Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .

Big, hairy, and mostly harmless

Tarantulas are among the largest spiders, but their reputation is far scarier than the reality. Almost all species have venom no more harmful to a healthy person than a bee sting, and they bite only in self-defense. They are ambush predators that pounce on insects, and larger species may take small lizards or rodents.

Urticating hairs

Many New World tarantulas have a clever defense: they flick irritating barbed hairs from their abdomen at attackers using their back legs. These 'urticating' hairs cause itching and irritation to the eyes and skin of would-be predators, buying the spider time to escape.

Molting and growth

Like all spiders, tarantulas grow by molting, shedding their entire exoskeleton to reveal a larger new one underneath. During a molt they are soft and vulnerable, and they can even regrow lost legs over successive molts. The process leaves behind an eerily lifelike empty 'spider' shell.

Long lives and the pet trade

Female tarantulas are remarkably long-lived for invertebrates, with some species reaching 20 to 30 years, while males live only a few years. Their docile nature and longevity have made several species popular exotic pets, though wild collection and habitat loss threaten some species.

Did you know? Tarantula facts

• Tarantulas are a family of large, hairy spiders found across the warmer parts of the world, with around 1,000 species.
• For almost all species, no. A tarantula bite is roughly comparable to a bee sting for a healthy person, and tarantulas bite only when threatened. Their irritating defensive hairs are usually more of a nuisance than the venom.
• The largest tarantula, the Goliath birdeater of South America, can have a leg span of up to about 30 cm (12 in) and weigh over 150 g, making it the biggest spider by mass.
• Tarantulas are carnivores that mainly eat insects such as crickets and beetles. Larger species occasionally catch small lizards, frogs, or rodents, ambushing prey rather than spinning webs to trap it.
• Female tarantulas can live 20 to 30 years depending on the species, while males usually live only a few years and often die not long after maturing.
• Conservation: Varies by species (most Least Concern).

Diet & feeding

Tarantula feeds primarily as a carnivore. Like all spiders, tarantulas grow by molting, shedding their entire exoskeleton to reveal a larger new one underneath. During a molt they are soft and vulnerable, and they can even regrow lost legs over successive molts. The process leaves behind an eerily lifelike empty 'spide

Adaptations

• Tarantulas are among the largest spiders, but their reputation is far scarier than the reality. Almost all species have venom no more harmful to a healthy person than a bee sting, and they bite only in self-defense. They are ambush predators that pounce on insects, and larger species may take small lizards or rodents.
• Many New World tarantulas have a clever defense: they flick irritating barbed hairs from their abdomen at attackers using their back legs. These 'urticating' hairs cause itching and irritation to the eyes and skin of would-be predators, buying the spider time to escape.

Behaviour & ecology

• Tarantulas are among the largest spiders, but their reputation is far scarier than the reality. Almost all species have venom no more harmful to a healthy person than a bee sting, and they bite only in self-defense. They are ambush predators that pounce on insects, and larger species may take small lizards or rodents.
• Many New World tarantulas have a clever defense: they flick irritating barbed hairs from their abdomen at attackers using their back legs. These 'urticating' hairs cause itching and irritation to the eyes and skin of would-be predators, buying the spider time to escape.
• Like all spiders, tarantulas grow by molting, shedding their entire exoskeleton to reveal a larger new one underneath. During a molt they are soft and vulnerable, and they can even regrow lost legs over successive molts. The process leaves behind an eerily lifelike empty 'spider' shell.

Communication

• Tarantula uses scent, posture, and vocal signals to mark territory and coordinate social behaviour.
• Communication intensity often peaks during breeding seasons and territorial disputes.

Habitat & range

Deserts, rainforests, and grasslands

Ecological role

Tarantula acts as a predator that helps regulate prey populations and maintain balance in deserts, rainforests, and grasslands.

Conservation status of the Tarantula

Sources & references

This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Tarantula:

• IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

  Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Theraphosidae.

• iNaturalist — observations & photos

  Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Theraphosidae. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.

• GBIF — occurrence data

  Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Theraphosidae. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.

• IUCN Red List — Theraphosidae.

  Conservation status (Least Concern) and population trends.

• Wikipedia — Tarantula.

  General taxonomy and overview (cross-check primary sources).

• Global Animal Guide editorial standards

  How we research, source, review, and update every guide for accuracy.