Tarantulas

Family Theraphosidae

Tarantulas are part of America's arachnological heritage. They've been in more movies, television shows, and Halloween decorations than any other spider. You can buy them in pet stores, and it's even safe to let them crawl on you. But many people are very afraid of tarantulas. Are people right to be scared, or is the tarantula just another misunderstood spider?

Physical Features

Tarantulas are some of the largest, heaviest spiders around. They have a legspan of up to six inches across! They're usually colored grey, dark brown, or blackish-brown. Tarantulas are very hairy, have eight eyes, and have hairy pads and two claws on the end of each leg. Males tend to be bigger than females but don't live as long (some female tarantulas can live up to 35 years). Contrary to popular opinion, the tarantula's bite is not deadly. It has about the same potency as a wasp or bee sting.

Diet

They eat insects, mice, lizards, and other small animals. Tarantulas hunt at night using their sense of touch.

Habitat

Tarantulas live in North and South America. They tend to like hotter regions; most species of tarantula in North America live in the Southwest. They make their homes in burrows, crevices, and underneath stones.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Mating happens around sunset. The male picks a female and constantly pursues her, over great lengths if he has to. The female keeps the feritlized eggs in a body cavity. When the spiderlings hatch, they all look like females. Males become distinct after the last molting.