# Tarantula (*Theraphosa blondi*) The Tarantula is a big, furry spider that can look a bit scary but is usually very gentle. They love to burrow and can live for many years! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Tropical rainforests ![Tarantula](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426668/objects/5540.jpg) ## Appearance The Tarantula is a very large, heavy-bodied spider covered in dense, fuzzy hairs that can range from dark brown to reddish-brown. Its formidable size and stocky legs make it visually distinct from smaller, sleeker spiders. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Arachnida - **Order:** Araneae - **Family:** Theraphosidae - **Genus:** Theraphosa ## Interesting facts - A tarantula's venom is usually mild to humans, often feeling no worse than a bee sting. - Despite their intimidating name, most "birdeaters" mainly feast on insects and small reptiles. - Some tarantulas can make a loud hissing sound by rubbing their legs together to scare threats! - Tarantulas shed their entire exoskeleton, including fangs and eye coverings, to grow bigger! ## Special abilities - **Hairy Missile Defense:** Tarantula can flick irritating, barbed hairs from its abdomen that helps them deter predators. - **Leg Re-growth:** Tarantula has the amazing ability to regrow lost legs and other appendages over several molts. - **Venomous Fangs:** Tarantula can deliver a venomous bite using its powerful fangs that helps them subdue prey. - **Silk Weaver:** Tarantula can produce strong silk from spinnerets that helps them line burrows and create egg sacs. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 90-120 mm - **Lifespan:** 1095-9125 days - **Leg Count:** 8 ## Diet & Feeding Tarantulas are skilled hunters that mainly eat insects and other small creatures. - **Age differences:** Young tarantulas primarily eat smaller insects, while adults can tackle larger prey. - **Primary Foods:** crickets, grasshoppers, lizards, frogs, small rodents - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Tarantula Hawk Wasp (*Pepsis formosa*) — Wasp paralyzes and lays eggs on tarantula. - **Hunts:** [House Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-cricket) (*Acheta domesticus*) — A common prey item for many tarantula species. - **Eaten by:** [Ocelot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ocelot) (*Leopardus pardalis*) — Large cats sometimes prey on tarantulas they find. - **Hunts:** [Cane Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cane-toad) (*Rhinella marina*) — Can ambush and consume frogs that wander too close. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Rainforest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rainforest): This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Tarantula? Compare body proportions, leg shape, abdomen markings and the web, if there is one. Eye arrangement can be decisive but rarely shows up in a casual phone photo. A web is a supporting clue, not proof of who built it. Spider Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is Tarantula? 90-120 mm ### How long does Tarantula live? 1095-9125 days ### What does Tarantula eat? Tarantulas are skilled hunters that mainly eat insects and other small creatures. ### Where is Tarantula usually found? Tropical rainforests ### How does Tarantula hunt? Ambush ### How many legs does Tarantula have? 8 ## Where to spot - [Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/navajo-nation-zoological-and-botanical-park) — Arizona, US · Zoo - [Audubon Insectarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/audubon-insectarium) — Louisiana, US · Zoo - [Monsanto Insectarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monsanto-insectarium) — Missouri, US · Zoo [View all places to see Tarantula](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/tarantula) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Tarantula: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tarantula)