Tarantula Spiders

Tarantulas refer to a group of hairy and often very large spiders belonging mainly to the family Theraphosidae. Approximately 900 species have been identified so far. They are characterized by having tarsi (feet) with two claws and claw tufts.

The name ¡®tarantula¡¯ comes from the town of Taranto in Southern Italy. Tarantulas are found in tropical and desert regions around the world. Their natural habitats include savanna and grasslands such as the pampas, rainforests, deserts, and mountains.

Depending on the species, the body length of tarantulas usually ranges from 2.5 to 10 cm, with 8 to 30cm leg spans. The largest species of tarantula can weigh over 85 grams. The largest of all, the Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) found in Venezuela and Brazil, has been reported to weigh 150 grams with a leg-span of up to 30cm.

The tarantula, like all arthropods, is an invertebrate and its body consists of two main parts, the prosoma and the abdomen.

Tarantulas are nocturnal predators. They kill their prey by injecting venom through their fangs. These spiders have sensitive hairs that enable them to detect the size and location of potential victims from the vibrations caused by their movements. Some species also use their silk fiber to detect the motion of their prey.

Tarantulas mainly eat insects and other arthropods, such as crickets and moths. They use ambush as their primary method of prey capture. The biggest tarantulas can kill animals as large as lizards, mice, birds and even small fish.

All tarantulas are venomous. However, most tarantulas are harmless to humans and only some species have venom that can produce extreme discomfort over a period of several days. Tarantulas¡¯ hair can cause irritation to eyes, nose, and skin.

Tarantulas are becoming increasingly popular as pets. In some cultures, tarantulas are also considered a delicacy. They are usually roasted over an open fire to remove the hair and then, they are eaten.