Tarantulas are one of the most well-known types of spiders. There's a reason fake tarantulas are sold at Halloween — some people think they're creepy. But others like them and keep them as pets.
No matter what side you fall on, you likely don't want to see an unexpected tarantula in your home.
What Are Tarantulas?
Tarantulas are large, hairy spiders from the family Theraphosidae.
"They are one of the oldest groups of spiders around," says Cara Shillington, PhD, a biologist at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
"I have a lab filled with them. There are many different types, or species. Some are easy to handle, and some aren't," explains Shillington.
While they're big and can look scary, most of them won't harm you. Tarantulas originally got their name from a spider found in the town of Taranto, Italy. Up to the 17th century, people believed the spider bite caused "tarantism" — an uncontrollable urge to weep and dance.
As these black hairy spiders spread worldwide, they carried the name with them.
What do tarantulas look like?
There are hundreds of kinds (species) of tarantulas. But they generally share features such as:
- Bodies about 5 inches long
- Legs ranging from 4.5 to 11 inches long
- Weight between 0.9 and 6 ounces
- Two body segments, the head (cephalothorax with the most legs) and the belly (abdomen)
- Eight legs covered in hair
- Fangs that can strike downward (with venom)
Some tarantulas have hairs on their bellies and legs called urticating hairs — this means the hairs can cause itching or hives. These hairs are covered in tiny barbs. The spiders can flick them at predators as a form of self-defense. While tarantulas have eight eyes, they don't see well.
"Their hairs are sensory structures that help them feel things. Since they don't have great vision, they rely on their hairs to compensate," explains Shillington.
They also taste with special hairs near their feet and mouths. And tarantulas can smell through pits on their feet. The spiders come in a range of colors. Some tarantulas are basic shades of brown and black, while others are vibrant shades of blue, green, or orange.
Tarantula life cycle
Unlike other spiders, tarantulas don't spin webs to catch prey. Instead, the males spin webs to attract females. Some male tarantulas deposit semen onto the web for the female to use in her cocoon for the eggs. Some species also do a courtship dance before mating, which may have inspired the tarantella dance style.
Female tarantulas can lay anywhere from 75 to 1,000 eggs at a time. They guard their eggs until they hatch. This can take about six to nine weeks, depending on the type of tarantula.
A few weeks after the baby spiders are born, they go off on their own. As the spiders grow, they molt or shed their outer shell (old exoskeleton). To do this, they have to expand and contract their bodies. This helps them push off the old outer husk (exoskeleton).
Life expectancy of a tarantula
Male tarantulas die a few months after mating. They live for about five to seven years. But females live much longer, sometimes for 25 to 30 years as pets (in captivity).
What do tarantulas eat?
Tarantulas are active and awake at night (nocturnal). This is when they typically hunt, too. They mainly eat insects. But some larger types may eat small birds, frogs, lizards, snakes, or mammals.
"They're opportunistic feeders, which means they sit and wait for other living creatures, like insects or reptiles, to come close to them," explains Shillington.
They'll likely grab their prey and bite it. Then, the spider will inject it with venom, making it unable to move. Tarantulas also inject their prey with digestive enzymes. These are proteins that allow them to drink their meal.
"Tarantulas never know when their next meal is, but they are able to eat pretty much any other insect, small mammal, or reptile that they subdue," says Shillington.
Types of Tarantulas
There are 1,134 species of tarantula that have been identified across the world, so far. There are two common tarantulas in the U.S. They're nicknamed the "desert tarantula" (Aphonopelma chalcodes and Aphonopelma iodius) and the Texas brown tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi).
The largest tarantula in the world is the Goliath bird-eating spider (Theraphosa blondi), which lives in South America. It rubs its legs together, making a hissing noise.
Where Do Tarantulas Live?
Tarantulas live on all continents except Antarctica. In the U.S., tarantulas are mostly found in southwestern states. But the spiders can range as far north as Utah. They prefer warm climates, so they usually live in deserts, rainforests, or scrubland.
In North America, all species of tarantula live in the ground. They dig burrows, lining them with webbing. This keeps dirt and water from getting in. For this reason, they generally prefer dry or well-drained soil.
Some types may also live in logs or other rocks. In other areas of the world, some tarantulas make their homes in places such as:
- Caves
- Cliffs
- Crops, such as bananas and pineapples
- Trees
Tarantulas generally do not enter homes, but they can slip inside by accident.
Are Tarantulas Dangerous to Humans?
Tarantulas, like many different spiders, have venom. But they don't usually like to use it on humans.
"It takes a lot of energy for their bodies to make it. So, they'll use it as a last resort, either for protection, or to paralyze prey," says Shillington.
A tarantula will probably first run and hide. They usually only bite when they feel threatened and not to drink blood.
"I've worked with tarantulas for over 20 years. And I've only been bitten twice. I've also only had one student bitten during this time — that's because they handled a tarantula very aggressively," points out Shillington.
Some tarantulas may "dry bite." That means they'll bite without releasing their poison. If a spider does decide to use venom, the health risk depends on what type. The tarantulas that live in the U.S. don't have venom that is harmful (toxic) to humans. But the bite can still cause pain, similar to a bee sting.
The ones that have more harmful venom may deliver bites that cause fever, nausea, and vomiting. Typically, these bites only cause serious symptoms if you're allergic. A greater health risk to humans is the urticating hairs that some tarantulas have.
Contact with a tarantula's leg hairs can cause some people to itch, have pain, redness, and swelling that lasts for weeks. The hairs can be very dangerous if they get into your eye, too.
In one case report, a young man got eye irritation and redness after he let his pet tarantula crawl over his upper body and face. An eye exam showed about 200 tarantula hairs stuck in one of his eyes. But after the hairs were removed and he took prescription eye drops, he got better.
Before a tarantula bites or flicks its hairs, it will rear up on its back legs and expose its fangs as a warning. If these leg hairs get in your eyes, they can cause redness, pain, light sensitivity, or corneal damage. If this happens, talk to your doctor or get medical help.
How to Treat Tarantula Bites and Stings
Tarantula bites and the stings from their hairs need to be treated differently. In the case of a tarantula bite, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water.
You can also apply a cold compress to help with pain and swelling. You may need medical help, but you can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever as needed. And make sure the bite doesn't get infected. You'll likely want to make sure you're up-to-date on your tetanus shot, too. So follow your doctor's instructions for cleaning and caring for the bite.
For hairs, it's important to remove as many of them as possible. Use sticky tape to pull them out of your skin. To reduce inflammation and itching, try over-the-counter topical corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone cream. Sometimes, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine can also help. If you think the hairs are stuck or you're having an allergic reaction, get medical help right away.
If you think hairs are in your eyes, see an eye doctor right away. They can try to remove them. They'll likely prescribe corticosteroid eye drops to ease pain, redness, and swelling.
When to see a doctor
Although tarantula bites usually heal on their own, call your doctor if you're unsure about your bite. Get medical help right away if you have symptoms such as:
- The bite is getting bigger
- Red streaking or inflammation
- Muscle spasms
- Fever
- Trouble breathing
How to Get Rid of Tarantulas
You're most likely to discover a tarantula in your home in the late summer or fall. It can also happen during mating season. If you do see one, don't panic — simply open your door and let it walk out.
"They may have dug a burrow in your yard and accidentally wandered into your home through an open door or a torn window screen. They're not interested in you. They're most likely males that want to find a mate," says Shillington.
If the spider seems unwilling to leave, you can always escort it out. Place a glass jar over it and quickly scoop it up. Screw the container on the top and bring it outside. If you notice a burrow in your yard, ignore it.
"They'll eat all the insects you don't want entering your house, like beetles or ants," Shillington says.
Pet Tarantulas
Tarantulas can be pets, but take the responsibility seriously. You can't just release them outside if you get tired of them.
"Some may live for over 20 years, so you need to make sure you're able to keep them in your life for a long period of time. They're not used to life in the wild, and they'll most likely die," says Shillington.
The good part is that pet tarantulas are fairly low-maintenance.
What do people feed tarantulas?
Most tarantulas like to feast on a steady diet of crickets and other insects. Places such as the San Diego Zoo feed their tarantulas crickets, roaches, pinky mice, and small lizards. You don't have to collect all these critters yourself. You can buy ground-up bugs at pet stores or online.
Tarantula habitat and set up
The best home for your tarantula is in a 20-gallon aquarium. Keep it in a quiet, dim area. Noise and bright lights may stress your tarantula. So make sure the top of the tank is locked. This can prevent your furry friend's escape.
Since tarantulas are shy, they need a hiding area. You can use a flower pot turned on its side. Or you can buy a reptile hideaway at a pet store or online. Cover the floor of the aquarium with a soft, spongy material such as coconut coir. Add some rocks so that your tarantula can climb around.
Keep the room temperature warm — between 70 F and 85 F. It's a good idea to put a thermometer in the tank to ensure it doesn't get too hot for your pet.
Tarantula care
Unlike other pets, such as dogs or cats, your spider doesn't need belly rubs or cuddles. They prefer to be left alone. They're also very fragile. If you need to move it somewhere, coax it into a plastic, screw-topped jar. You can use something like a long thin stick or a knitting needle.
About once a year, your tarantula will shed its skin. They'll probably refuse to eat and take shelter in their hideaway. Don't disturb them. It will take about 24 hours for it to get rid of its old skin and about a week for its new skin to harden. Don't try to feed them during this time.
Where to Get a Pet Tarantula?
It's usually best to buy a tarantula from a good breeder. You can find them at reptile shows across the country, such as the Michigan Reptile Expo, HERPS Exotic Reptiles & Pet Shows, or the Reptile Super Show. You can also buy one at an exotic pet store in your area. Just make sure that the tarantula has been bred and raised in captivity.
"Wild tarantulas may have been smuggled into the country illegally," explains Shillington.
Takeaways
Tarantulas are large, hairy spiders that look scary but are fairly harmless. You can keep one as a pet for many years, but make sure you get it from a good breeder. They have venom but aren't likely to use it. If one does bite you, wash the area with soap and water before applying a cold compress. If their hairs get in your eyes, get medical help, as it can cause pain or even eye problems.
Tarantula FAQs
Can a tarantula kill you?
Death from a tarantula is very rare. Just like any other spider bite, you may notice some pain and swelling. But in the rare case that you're allergic to the venom, you may have a more serious reaction.
Do tarantulas have rabies?
Tarantulas don't have rabies. Only mammals (warm-blooded creatures) can be infected with the rabies virus.
How long can you survive a tarantula bite?
Most likely, you'll survive a tarantula bite. Unless you have a rare, serious allergic reaction, you'll likely feel better without complications. If you get bitten, get medical help. But the pain from a bite usually lasts several hours before getting better.