Tarantula (family Theraphosidae)

InvertebrateArachnidSpider

Overview

Tarantulas (family Theraphosidae) are large, hairy spiders found across much of the world's warmer regions. There are hundreds of species, ranging from modest-sized to some of the biggest spiders on Earth. The reference shown here is the Chilean rose tarantula (Grammostola rosea), a popular, docile species.

Despite their fearsome reputation, most tarantulas are slow-moving and reluctant to bite, and the venom of the great majority is, for healthy adults, comparable to a bee or wasp sting. This is an educational profile and does not provide medical or first-aid advice; wild tarantulas should not be handled.

Note: tarantula species vary in temperament and defences, so general statements should be checked against species-specific sources.

Habitat & Range

Tarantulas live in warm climates across the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia, and parts of southern Europe, in habitats from rainforest and savanna to desert and scrub. Many are burrowers that line a hole with silk; others live on the ground under cover, and some are tree-dwelling.

Diet

Tarantulas are carnivores that ambush prey, mainly insects and other invertebrates, with larger species occasionally taking small vertebrates. They do not build webs to catch prey; instead they pounce and use their fangs and venom to subdue it, then liquefy the meal externally before consuming it.

Behavior

Tarantulas are generally solitary and most active at night. Many New World tarantulas have a notable defence: they flick clouds of tiny barbed (urticating) hairs from the abdomen, which irritate a would-be attacker, often preferring this to biting. Tarantulas moult to grow — even regenerating lost legs over successive moults — and females of some species are remarkably long-lived.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Tarantulas are widely kept as pets and are important predators of insects in the wild. Some species face pressure from habitat loss and collection for the pet trade. They are best appreciated without handling wild individuals; for any bite or reaction, follow professional and local medical guidance rather than this page. Consult authoritative sources for species status.

More photos of the tarantula