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Tarantulas comprise a group of large and often hairy
spider Spiders ( order Araneae) are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, chelicerae with fangs generally able to inject venom, and spinnerets that extrude silk. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species ...
s of the
family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
Theraphosidae. , 1,040
species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
have been identified, with 156
genera Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nomenclat ...
. The term "tarantula" is usually used to describe members of the family Theraphosidae, although many other members of the same infraorder (
Mygalomorphae The Mygalomorphae, or mygalomorphs, are an infraorder of spiders, and comprise one of three major groups of living spiders with over 3000 species, found on all continents except Antarctica. Many members are known as trapdoor spiders due to the ...
) are commonly referred to as "tarantulas" or "false tarantulas". Some of the more common species have become popular in the
exotic pet An exotic pet is a pet which is relatively rare or unusual to keep, or is generally thought of as a wild species rather than as a domesticated pet. The definition varies by culture, location, and over time—as animals become firmly enough esta ...
trade. Many
New World The term ''New World'' is often used to mean the majority of Earth's Western Hemisphere, specifically the Americas."America." ''The Oxford Companion to the English Language'' (). McArthur, Tom, ed., 1992. New York: Oxford University Press, p. 3 ...
species kept as pets have
seta In biology, setae (singular seta ; from the Latin word for "bristle") are any of a number of different bristle- or hair-like structures on living organisms. Animal setae Protostomes Annelid setae are stiff bristles present on the body. Th ...
e known as
urticating hair Urticating hairs or urticating bristles are one of the primary defense mechanisms used by numerous plants, almost all New World tarantulas, and various lepidopteran caterpillars. ''Urtica'' is Latin for "nettle" (stinging nettles are in the genu ...
s that can cause irritation to the skin, and in extreme cases, cause damage to the eyes.


Overview

Like all
arthropod Arthropods (, (gen. ποδός)) are invertebrate animals with an exoskeleton, a Segmentation (biology), segmented body, and paired jointed appendages. Arthropods form the phylum Arthropoda. They are distinguished by their jointed limbs and Arth ...
s, the tarantula is an
invertebrate Invertebrates are a paraphyletic group of animals that neither possess nor develop a vertebral column (commonly known as a ''backbone'' or ''spine''), derived from the notochord. This is a grouping including all animals apart from the chordate ...
that relies on an
exoskeleton An exoskeleton (from Greek ''éxō'' "outer" and ''skeletós'' "skeleton") is an external skeleton that supports and protects an animal's body, in contrast to an internal skeleton (endoskeleton) in for example, a human. In usage, some of the ...
for muscular support.Pomeroy, R. (2014, February 4). Pub. Real Clear Science, "Spiders, and Their Amazing Hydraulic Legs and Genitalia". Retrieved October 13, 2019, from https://www.realclearscience.com/blog/2013/02/spiders-their-amazing-hydraulic-legs-and-genitals.html. Like other
Arachnid Arachnida () is a class of joint-legged invertebrate animals (arthropods), in the subphylum Chelicerata. Arachnida includes, among others, spiders, scorpions, ticks, mites, pseudoscorpions, harvestmen, camel spiders, whip spiders and vinegaroon ...
a, a tarantula's body comprises two main parts, the
prosoma The cephalothorax, also called prosoma in some groups, is a tagma of various arthropods, comprising the head and the thorax fused together, as distinct from the abdomen behind. (The terms ''prosoma'' and ''opisthosoma'' are equivalent to ''cepha ...
(or cephalothorax) and the
opisthosoma The opisthosoma is the posterior part of the body in some arthropods, behind the prosoma (cephalothorax). It is a distinctive feature of the subphylum Chelicerata (arachnids, horseshoe crabs and others). Although it is similar in most respects to a ...
(or abdomen). The prosoma and opisthosoma are connected by the
pedicel Pedicle or pedicel may refer to: Human anatomy *Pedicle of vertebral arch, the segment between the transverse process and the vertebral body, and is often used as a radiographic marker and entry point in vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty procedures ...
, or pregenital somite. This waist-like connecting piece is actually part of the prosoma and gives the opisthosoma a wide range of motion relative to the prosoma. Tarantula sizes can range from as small as the size of a
BB pellet A BB gun is a type of air gun designed to shoot metallic spherical projectiles called BBs (not to be confused with similar-looking bearing balls), which are approximately the same size as BB-size lead birdshot used on shotguns ( in diamet ...
Schneider, J. (2017, October 19). Farewell to the World's Smallest Tarantula? Retrieved October 13, 2019, from https://www.nwf.org/Magazines/National-Wildlife/2017/Oct-Nov/Conservation/Spruce-Fir-Moss-Spider. to as large as a dinner plate when the legs are fully extended.Dolasia, M. (2019, September 26). World's Biggest Spider Weighs As Much As A Newborn Puppy. Retrieved October 13, 2019, from https://www.dogonews.com/2014/10/26/worlds-biggest-spider-weighs-as-much-as-a-newborn-puppy. Depending on the species, the body length of tarantulas ranges from about ,Jovan, Dennis, Kj, & Kenneth. (2019, May 1). Theraphosa blondi. Retrieved October 13, 2019, from https://www.theraphosidae.be/en/theraphosa-blondi/ . with leg spans of . Leg span is determined by measuring from the tip of the back leg to the tip of the front leg on the opposite side. Some of the largest species of tarantula may weigh over ; the largest of all, the
goliath birdeater The Goliath birdeater (''Theraphosa blondi'') belongs to the tarantula family Theraphosidae. Found in northern South America, it is the largest spider in the world by mass () and body length (up to ), and second to the giant huntsman spider by ...
(''Theraphosa blondi'') from
Venezuela Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in th ...
and
Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...
, has been reported to attain a weight of and a leg-span up to , males being longer and females greater in girth. The fang size of this tarantula reaches a maximum of . ''
Theraphosa apophysis ''Theraphosa apophysis'' is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae, found in Venezuela and Brazil. Description ''Theraphosa apophysis'' generally resembles ''Theraphosa blondi'', and reaches a similar size. Young ''T. apophysis'' ...
'' (the pinkfoot goliath) was described 187 years after the goliath birdeater, so its characteristics are not as well attested. '' T. blondi'' is generally thought to be the heaviest tarantula, and '' T. apophysis'' has the greatest leg span. Two other species, ''
Lasiodora parahybana ''Lasiodora parahybana'', the Brazilian salmon pink bird-eating tarantula, also simply known as the salmon pink or LP, is a tarantula from north-eastern Brazil and considered to be the fourth largest tarantula in the world (behind the three spe ...
'' (the Brazilian salmon birdeater) and ''
Lasiodora klugi The ''Lasiodora klugi'' (also known as the Bahia scarlet) is a tarantula endemic to Brazil. Its common name refers to the state of Bahia. The species grows from 8 to 10 inches in size and looks similar to ''Lasiodora parahybana ''Lasiodora p ...
'', rival the size of the two goliath spiders. Most species of
North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...
n tarantulas are brown. Elsewhere, species have been found that variously display cobalt blue ('' Cyriopagopus lividus''), black with white stripes (''
Aphonopelma seemanni ''Aphonopelma seemanni'', the Costa Rican zebra tarantula, also known as the striped-knee tarantula, is a species of tarantula inhabiting most of western Costa Rica and other parts of Central America, such as Honduras and Nicaragua, and possibly ...
''), yellow leg markings ('' Eupalaestrus campestratus''), metallic blue legs with vibrant orange abdomen and green prosoma ('' Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens''). Their natural habitats include
savanna A savanna or savannah is a mixed woodland-grassland (i.e. grassy woodland) ecosystem characterised by the trees being sufficiently widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach the ground to ...
,
grassland A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominated by grasses (Poaceae). However, sedge (Cyperaceae) and rush (Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes, like clover, and other herbs. Grasslands occur natur ...
such as in the
pampa The Pampas (from the qu, pampa, meaning "plain") are fertile South American low grasslands that cover more than and include the Argentine provinces of Buenos Aires, La Pampa, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos, and Córdoba; all of Uruguay; and Brazil ...
s,
rainforest Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforest can be classified as tropical rainforest or temperate rainfores ...
,
desert A desert is a barren area of landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life. The lack of vegetation exposes the unprotected surface of the ground to denudation. About on ...
,
scrubland Shrubland, scrubland, scrub, brush, or bush is a plant community characterized by vegetation dominance (ecology), dominated by shrubs, often also including grasses, Herbaceous plant, herbs, and geophytes. Shrubland may either occur naturally or ...
,
mountain A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth's crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although definitions vary, a mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited Summit (topography), summit area, and ...
s, and
cloud forest A cloud forest, also called a water forest, primas forest, or tropical montane cloud forest (TMCF), is a generally tropical or subtropical, evergreen, montane, moist forest characterized by a persistent, frequent or seasonal low-level cloud c ...
. They are generally classed among the terrestrial types. They are burrowers that live in the ground. Tarantulas are becoming increasingly popular as pets and some species are readily available in captivity.


Identification

Tarantulas can be confused with other members of the order
Mygalomorphae The Mygalomorphae, or mygalomorphs, are an infraorder of spiders, and comprise one of three major groups of living spiders with over 3000 species, found on all continents except Antarctica. Many members are known as trapdoor spiders due to the ...
, such as trapdoor spiders,
funnel-web spider Funnel-web spider refers to many different species of spider, particularly those that spin a web in the shape of a funnel: * spiders in the family Agelenidae, including ** '' Hololena curta'' * funnel-web tarantulas (suborder Mygalomorphae): ** ...
s and
purseweb spider Atypidae, also known as atypical tarantulas or purseweb spiders, is a spider family containing only three genera. They are accomplished ambush predators that spend most of their time in a sock-like, silken retreat on the ground from where they ki ...
s. They can also be confused with some members of the order
Araneomorphae The Araneomorphae (also called the Labidognatha) are an infraorder of spiders. They are distinguishable by chelicerae (fangs) that point diagonally forward and cross in a pinching action, in contrast to the Mygalomorphae (tarantulas and their cl ...
such as the
Lycosidae Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some are opportunistic hunters, pouncing upon prey as they find it or ...
family. There are multiple ways to identify a tarantula. First the hairs: in the
Americas The Americas, which are sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North and South America. The Americas make up most of the land in Earth's Western Hemisphere and comprise the New World. Along with th ...
most tarantulas have
urticating hair Urticating hairs or urticating bristles are one of the primary defense mechanisms used by numerous plants, almost all New World tarantulas, and various lepidopteran caterpillars. ''Urtica'' is Latin for "nettle" (stinging nettles are in the genu ...
s, though some, such as the '' Hemirrhagus'' genus, lack these. The hairs are usually more noticeable than with most other
spider Spiders ( order Araneae) are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, chelicerae with fangs generally able to inject venom, and spinnerets that extrude silk. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species ...
s. Another is the size, as tarantulas tend to be bigger, but this is again not a failproof way. They also don't use their webs for hunting, instead using them as building material or tripwire. One of the most decisive ways to tell is by looking at their fangs. Tarantula fangs face downwards, as opposed to those of true spiders, which face each other, allowing them to make pincerlike motions. They also own two book lungs, as opposed to true spiders which only have one. Their lifespan is also longer than most spiders. File:Kaldari Phidippus johnsoni male defense.jpg, alt=, A '' Phidippus johnsoni'' jumping spider's fangs File:Lasiodora parahybana, chelicerae.JPG, alt=, A ''
Lasiodora parahybana ''Lasiodora parahybana'', the Brazilian salmon pink bird-eating tarantula, also simply known as the salmon pink or LP, is a tarantula from north-eastern Brazil and considered to be the fourth largest tarantula in the world (behind the three spe ...
'' tarantula's fangs


Etymology

The spider originally bearing the name ''tarantula'' was ''
Lycosa tarantula ''Lycosa tarantula'' is the species originally known as the tarantula, a name that nowadays in English commonly refers to spiders in another family entirely, the Theraphosidae. It now may be better called the tarantula wolf spider, being in the ...
'', a species of
wolf spider Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some are opportunistic hunters, pouncing upon prey as they find it or ...
native to Mediterranean Europe.Fabre, Jean-Henri; Translated by Alexander Teixeira de Mattos (1916
The Life of the spider
Dodd, Mead, New York.
The name is derived from the southern
Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...
town of
Taranto Taranto (, also ; ; nap, label= Tarantino, Tarde; Latin: Tarentum; Old Italian: ''Tarento''; Ancient Greek: Τάρᾱς) is a coastal city in Apulia, Southern Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Taranto, serving as an important com ...
. The term ''tarantula'' was subsequently applied to almost any large, unfamiliar species of ground-dwelling spider, in particular to the
Mygalomorphae The Mygalomorphae, or mygalomorphs, are an infraorder of spiders, and comprise one of three major groups of living spiders with over 3000 species, found on all continents except Antarctica. Many members are known as trapdoor spiders due to the ...
and especially the
New World The term ''New World'' is often used to mean the majority of Earth's Western Hemisphere, specifically the Americas."America." ''The Oxford Companion to the English Language'' (). McArthur, Tom, ed., 1992. New York: Oxford University Press, p. 3 ...
Theraphosidae Tarantulas comprise a group of large and often hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae. , 1,040 species have been identified, with 156 genera. The term "tarantula" is usually used to describe members of the family Theraphosidae, although m ...
. Compared to tarantulas,
wolf spider Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae (). They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some are opportunistic hunters, pouncing upon prey as they find it or ...
s are not particularly large or hairy, and so among English speakers in particular, usage eventually shifted in favour of the Theraphosidae, even though they are not closely related to wolf spiders at all, being in a different
infraorder Order ( la, ordo) is one of the eight major hierarchical taxonomic ranks in Linnaean taxonomy. It is classified between family and class. In biological classification, the order is a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms and ...
. The name ''tarantula'' is also incorrectly applied to other large-bodied spiders, including the
purseweb spider Atypidae, also known as atypical tarantulas or purseweb spiders, is a spider family containing only three genera. They are accomplished ambush predators that spend most of their time in a sock-like, silken retreat on the ground from where they ki ...
s or
atypical tarantula Atypidae, also known as atypical tarantulas or purseweb spiders, is a spider family containing only three genera. They are accomplished ambush predators that spend most of their time in a sock-like, silken retreat on the ground from where they ki ...
s, the funnel-webs (
Dipluridae The family Dipluridae, known as curtain-web spiders (or confusingly with other distantly related ones as funnel-web tarantulas) are a group of spiders in the infraorder Mygalomorphae, that have two pairs of booklungs, and chelicerae (fangs) tha ...
and
Hexathelidae Hexathelidae is a family of mygalomorph spiders. It is one of a number of families and genera of spiders known as funnel-web spiders. In 2018, the family was substantially reduced in size by genera being moved to three separate families: Atracid ...
), and the
dwarf tarantula Dwarf tarantulas, also known as sheet funnel-web spiders are a type of spider from the family Mecicobothriidae. Dwarf tarantulas are one of several families of the suborder Mygalomorphae; this larger group also includes the true tarantulas. Desc ...
s. These spiders are related to tarantulas (all being mygalomorphs) but fall into different
families Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Ideal ...
from them.
Huntsman spider Huntsman spiders, members of the family Sparassidae (formerly Heteropodidae), are known by this name because of their speed and mode of hunting. They are also called giant crab spiders because of their size and appearance. Larger species sometim ...
s of the family
Sparassidae Huntsman spiders, members of the family Sparassidae (formerly Heteropodidae), are known by this name because of their speed and mode of hunting. They are also called giant crab spiders because of their size and appearance. Larger species sometim ...
have also been termed ''tarantulas'' because of their large size, when, in fact, they are not related. Instead, huntsman spiders belong to the infraorder
Araneomorphae The Araneomorphae (also called the Labidognatha) are an infraorder of spiders. They are distinguishable by chelicerae (fangs) that point diagonally forward and cross in a pinching action, in contrast to the Mygalomorphae (tarantulas and their cl ...
.


The element ''pelma'' in genus names

Many theraphosid genera have names, either accepted or
synonymous A synonym is a word, morpheme, or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word, morpheme, or phrase in a given language. For example, in the English language, the words ''begin'', ''start'', ''commence'', and ''initiate'' are all ...
, containing the element ''pelma''. This can be traced back to
Carl Ludwig Koch Carl Ludwig Koch (21 September 1778 – 23 August 1857) was a German entomologist and arachnologist. He was responsible for classifying a great number of spiders, including the Brazilian whiteknee tarantula and common house spider. He was bo ...
in 1850, who in describing his new genus ''Eurypelma'' wrote, "" (). German
arachnologists Arachnology is the scientific study of arachnids, which comprise spiders and related invertebrates such as scorpions, pseudoscorpions, and harvestmen. Those who study spiders and other arachnids are arachnologists. More narrowly, the study of sp ...
use the word to refer to the tarsus (the last article of a spider's leg). Translations of into Latin use the word . Hence in English arachnological terminology, Koch meant 'the
scopula ''Scopula'' is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae described by Franz von Paula Schrank in 1802. Species It has 705 species which are listed here alphabetically. A *'' Scopula ablativa'' (Dognin, 1911) *''Scopula abolita'' Herbulot, ...
of the base of the tarsus very wide'. ''Eury-'' is derived from the
Greek Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family. **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...
(), meaning 'wide', while () means 'the sole of the foot', paralleling Koch's use of (in modern spelling). Thus ''Eurypelma'' literally means 'wide footsole'; however, arachnologists have conventionally taken ''pelma'' in such names to refer to the scopula, so producing the meaning 'with a wide scopula'. Other genus names or synonyms that Estrada-Alvarez and Cameron regard as having 'footsole' or 'scopula' meanings include: *''Acanthopelma'' – Greek () 'thorn, spine'; overall meaning 'spiny footsole' *''Brachypelma'' – Greek () 'short'; overall meaning 'short scopula' *''Metriopelma'' – Greek () 'of moderate size'; overall meaning 'medium length scopula' *''Schizopelma'' – from the Greek origin combining form ''schizo-'' () 'split'; overall meaning 'split footsole' *''Sericopelma'' – Greek () 'silky'; overall meaning 'silken scopula' Later, particularly following genus names published by R.I. Pocock in 1901, the element ''pelma'' appears to have become synonymous with 'theraphosid'. For example, the author of ''Cardiopelma'' writes, "" ('Cardiopelma refers to the female genitalia that evoke the shape of a heart'), with no reference to either 'footsole' or 'scopula'. Names interpreted in this way include: *''Aphonopelma'' – Greek () 'soundless'; overall meaning 'theraphosid without sound' *''Cardiopelma'' – Greek () 'heart'; overall meaning 'heart theraphosid' (referring to the heart-shaped female genitalia) *''Clavopelma'' – Latin 'club'; overall meaning 'theraphosid with club-shaped hairs' *''Delopelma'' – Greek () 'clear, obvious, visible, conspicuous, plain'; overall meaning 'theraphosid without plumose hair' *''Gosipelma'' – the element ''gosi-'' means 'desert', relating to the Gosiute people; overall meaning 'desert theraphosid' *''Spelopelma'' – Greek () 'cave'; overall meaning 'cave theraphosid'


Distribution

Tarantulas of various species occur throughout the
United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
,
Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...
, in
Central America Central America ( es, América Central or ) is a subregion of the Americas. Its boundaries are defined as bordering the United States to the north, Colombia to the south, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. ...
, and throughout
South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the southe ...
. Other species occur variously throughout
Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...
, much of
Asia Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an area ...
(including the
Ryukyu Islands The , also known as the or the , are a chain of Japanese islands that stretch southwest from Kyushu to Taiwan: the Ōsumi, Tokara, Amami, Okinawa, and Sakishima Islands (further divided into the Miyako and Yaeyama Islands), with Yonaguni ...
in southern
Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
), and all of
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
. In
Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...
, some species occur in
Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...
,
Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of ...
,
Turkey Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a list of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolia, Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with ...
, southern
Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...
, and
Cyprus Cyprus ; tr, Kıbrıs (), officially the Republic of Cyprus,, , lit: Republic of Cyprus is an island country located south of the Anatolian Peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its continental position is disputed; while it is geo ...
.


Habits

Some
genera Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nomenclat ...
of tarantulas hunt prey primarily in trees; others hunt on or near the ground. All tarantulas can produce
silk Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The protein fiber of silk is composed mainly of fibroin and is produced by certain insect larvae to form cocoons. The best-known silk is obtained from the coc ...
; while arboreal species typically reside in a silken "tube tent",
terrestrial Terrestrial refers to things related to land or the planet Earth. Terrestrial may also refer to: * Terrestrial animal, an animal that lives on land opposed to living in water, or sometimes an animal that lives on or near the ground, as opposed to ...
species line their
burrow An Eastern chipmunk at the entrance of its burrow A burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to construct a space suitable for habitation or temporary refuge, or as a byproduct of locomotion. Burrows provide a form of sh ...
s with silk to stabilize the
burrow An Eastern chipmunk at the entrance of its burrow A burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to construct a space suitable for habitation or temporary refuge, or as a byproduct of locomotion. Burrows provide a form of sh ...
wall and facilitate climbing up and down. Tarantulas mainly eat large insects and other arthropods such as
centipede Centipedes (from New Latin , "hundred", and Latin , " foot") are predatory arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda (Ancient Greek , ''kheilos'', lip, and New Latin suffix , "foot", describing the forcipules) of the subphylum Myriapoda, an ...
s,
millipede Millipedes are a group of arthropods that are characterised by having two pairs of jointed legs on most body segments; they are known scientifically as the class Diplopoda, the name derived from this feature. Each double-legged segment is a resu ...
s, and other
spider Spiders ( order Araneae) are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, chelicerae with fangs generally able to inject venom, and spinnerets that extrude silk. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species ...
s, using ambush as their primary method of prey capture. Armed with their massive, powerful
chelicerae The chelicerae () are the mouthparts of the subphylum Chelicerata, an arthropod group that includes arachnids, horseshoe crabs, and sea spiders. Commonly referred to as "jaws", chelicerae may be shaped as either articulated fangs, or similarly ...
tipped with long,
chitinous Chitin ( C8 H13 O5 N)n ( ) is a long-chain polymer of ''N''-acetylglucosamine, an amide derivative of glucose. Chitin is probably the second most abundant polysaccharide in nature (behind only cellulose); an estimated 1 billion tons of chit ...
fangs, tarantulas are well-adapted to killing other large
arthropod Arthropods (, (gen. ποδός)) are invertebrate animals with an exoskeleton, a Segmentation (biology), segmented body, and paired jointed appendages. Arthropods form the phylum Arthropoda. They are distinguished by their jointed limbs and Arth ...
s. The biggest tarantulas sometimes kill and consume small vertebrates such as
lizard Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with over 7,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica, as well as most oceanic island chains. The group is paraphyletic since it excludes the snakes and Amphisbaenia alt ...
s,
mice A mouse ( : mice) is a small rodent. Characteristically, mice are known to have a pointed snout, small rounded ears, a body-length scaly tail, and a high breeding rate. The best known mouse species is the common house mouse (''Mus musculus' ...
,
bat Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera.''cheir'', "hand" and πτερόν''pteron'', "wing". With their forelimbs adapted as wings, they are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight. Bats are more agile in flight than most ...
s,
bird Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class Aves (), characterised by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a strong yet lightweigh ...
s, and small
snake Snakes are elongated, Limbless vertebrate, limbless, carnivore, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes . Like all other Squamata, squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping Scale (zoology), scales. Ma ...
s.


Appendages

The eight legs, the two chelicerae with their fangs, and the
pedipalp Pedipalps (commonly shortened to palps or palpi) are the second pair of appendages of chelicerates – a group of arthropods including spiders, scorpions, horseshoe crabs, and sea spiders. The pedipalps are lateral to the chelicerae ("jaws") and ...
s are attached to the
prosoma The cephalothorax, also called prosoma in some groups, is a tagma of various arthropods, comprising the head and the thorax fused together, as distinct from the abdomen behind. (The terms ''prosoma'' and ''opisthosoma'' are equivalent to ''cepha ...
. The
chelicerae The chelicerae () are the mouthparts of the subphylum Chelicerata, an arthropod group that includes arachnids, horseshoe crabs, and sea spiders. Commonly referred to as "jaws", chelicerae may be shaped as either articulated fangs, or similarly ...
are two double-segmented appendages located just below the eyes and directly forward of the mouth. The chelicerae contain the
venom Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...
glands that vent through the fangs. The fangs are hollow extensions of the chelicerae that inject venom into prey or animals that the tarantula bites in defense, and they are also used to
masticate Chewing or mastication is the process by which food is crushed and ground by teeth. It is the first step of digestion, and it increases the surface area of foods to allow a more efficient break down by enzymes. During the mastication process, t ...
. These fangs are articulated so that they can extend downward and outward in preparation to bite or can fold back toward the
chelicerae The chelicerae () are the mouthparts of the subphylum Chelicerata, an arthropod group that includes arachnids, horseshoe crabs, and sea spiders. Commonly referred to as "jaws", chelicerae may be shaped as either articulated fangs, or similarly ...
as a pocket knife blade folds back into its handle. The chelicerae of a tarantula completely contain the venom glands and the muscles that surround them, and can cause the venom to be forcefully injected into prey. The pedipalpi are two six-segmented appendages connected to the prosoma near the mouth and protruding on either side of both chelicerae. In most species of tarantulas, the pedipalpi contain sharp, jagged plates used to cut and crush food often called the coxae or
maxillae The maxilla (plural: ''maxillae'' ) in vertebrates is the upper fixed (not fixed in Neopterygii) bone of the jaw formed from the fusion of two maxillary bones. In humans, the upper jaw includes the hard palate in the front of the mouth. The t ...
. As with other spiders, the terminal portions of the pedipalpi of males function as part of their reproductive system. Male spiders spin a silken platform (sperm web) on the ground onto which they release
semen Semen, also known as seminal fluid, is an organic bodily fluid created to contain spermatozoa. It is secreted by the gonads (sexual glands) and other sexual organs of male or hermaphroditic animals and can fertilize the female ovum. Semen i ...
from glands in their
opisthosoma The opisthosoma is the posterior part of the body in some arthropods, behind the prosoma (cephalothorax). It is a distinctive feature of the subphylum Chelicerata (arachnids, horseshoe crabs and others). Although it is similar in most respects to a ...
. Then they insert their pedipalps into the semen, absorb the semen into the pedipalps, and later insert the pedipalps (one at a time) into the reproductive organ of the female, which is located in her abdomen. The terminal segments of the pedipalps of male tarantulas are moderately larger in circumference than those of a female tarantula. Male tarantulas have special
spinnerets A spinneret is a silk-spinning organ of a spider or the larva of an insect. Some adult insects also have spinnerets, such as those borne on the forelegs of Embioptera. Spinnerets are usually on the underside of a spider's opisthosoma, and are ...
surrounding the genital opening. Silk for the sperm web of the tarantula is exuded from these special spinnerets. A tarantula has four pairs of legs and two additional pairs of appendages. Each leg has seven segments, which from the prosoma out are: coxa, trochanter, femur, patella, tibia, tarsus and pretarsus, and claw. Two or three retractable claws at the end of each leg are used to grip surfaces for climbing. Also on the end of each leg, surrounding the claws, is a group of bristles, called the scopula, which help the tarantula to grip better when climbing surfaces such as glass. The fifth pair is the pedipalps, which aid in feeling, gripping prey, and mating in the case of a mature male. The sixth pair of appendages is the chelicerae and their attached fangs. When walking, a tarantula's first and third legs on one side move at the same time as the second and fourth legs on the other side of its body. The muscles in a tarantula's legs cause the legs to bend at the joints, but to extend a leg, the tarantula increases the pressure of
haemolymph Hemolymph, or haemolymph, is a fluid, analogous to the blood in vertebrates, that circulates in the interior of the arthropod (invertebrate) body, remaining in direct contact with the animal's tissues. It is composed of a fluid plasma in which ...
entering the leg. Tarantulas, like almost all other spiders, have their primary spinnerets at the end of the opisthosoma. Unlike most spider species in the infraorder
Araneomorphae The Araneomorphae (also called the Labidognatha) are an infraorder of spiders. They are distinguishable by chelicerae (fangs) that point diagonally forward and cross in a pinching action, in contrast to the Mygalomorphae (tarantulas and their cl ...
, which includes the majority of extant spider species, and most of which have six, tarantula species have two or four spinnerets. Spinnerets are flexible, tube-like structures from which the
spider Spiders ( order Araneae) are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, chelicerae with fangs generally able to inject venom, and spinnerets that extrude silk. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species ...
exudes its silk. The tip of each spinneret is called the spinning field. Each spinning field is covered by as many as 100 spinning tubes through which silk is exuded. As the silk is pulled out of the spinnerets, the shear forces cause proteins in the silk to crystallize, transforming it from a liquid to a solid thread.


Digestive system

The tarantula's mouth is located under its
chelicerae The chelicerae () are the mouthparts of the subphylum Chelicerata, an arthropod group that includes arachnids, horseshoe crabs, and sea spiders. Commonly referred to as "jaws", chelicerae may be shaped as either articulated fangs, or similarly ...
on the lower front part of its
prosoma The cephalothorax, also called prosoma in some groups, is a tagma of various arthropods, comprising the head and the thorax fused together, as distinct from the abdomen behind. (The terms ''prosoma'' and ''opisthosoma'' are equivalent to ''cepha ...
. The mouth is a short, straw-shaped opening that can only suck, meaning that anything taken into it must be in liquid form. Prey with large amounts of solid parts, such as mice, must be crushed and ground up or predigested, which is accomplished by coating the prey with digestive juices secreted from openings in the
chelicerae The chelicerae () are the mouthparts of the subphylum Chelicerata, an arthropod group that includes arachnids, horseshoe crabs, and sea spiders. Commonly referred to as "jaws", chelicerae may be shaped as either articulated fangs, or similarly ...
. The tarantula's digestive organ (stomach) is a tube that runs the length of its body. In the
prosoma The cephalothorax, also called prosoma in some groups, is a tagma of various arthropods, comprising the head and the thorax fused together, as distinct from the abdomen behind. (The terms ''prosoma'' and ''opisthosoma'' are equivalent to ''cepha ...
, this tube is wider and forms the sucking stomach. When the sucking stomach's powerful muscles contract, the stomach is increased in cross-section, creating a strong sucking action that permits the tarantula to suck its liquefied prey up through the mouth and into the intestines. Once the liquefied food enters the intestines, it is broken down into particles small enough to pass through the intestine walls into the
hemolymph Hemolymph, or haemolymph, is a fluid, analogous to the blood in vertebrates, that circulates in the interior of the arthropod (invertebrate) body, remaining in direct contact with the animal's tissues. It is composed of a fluid plasma in which ...
(blood stream), where it is distributed throughout the body. After feeding, the leftovers are formed into a small ball by the tarantula and thrown away. In a terrarium, they often put them into the same corner.


Nervous system

A tarantula's central nervous system (brain) is located in the bottom of the inner
prosoma The cephalothorax, also called prosoma in some groups, is a tagma of various arthropods, comprising the head and the thorax fused together, as distinct from the abdomen behind. (The terms ''prosoma'' and ''opisthosoma'' are equivalent to ''cepha ...
. A tarantula perceives its surroundings primarily via sensory organs called
seta In biology, setae (singular seta ; from the Latin word for "bristle") are any of a number of different bristle- or hair-like structures on living organisms. Animal setae Protostomes Annelid setae are stiff bristles present on the body. Th ...
e (bristles or spines, sometimes referred to as hairs). Although a tarantula has eight eyes like most
spider Spiders ( order Araneae) are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, chelicerae with fangs generally able to inject venom, and spinnerets that extrude silk. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species ...
s, touch is its keenest sense, and in hunting, it primarily depends on vibrations given off by the movements of its prey. A tarantula's setae are very sensitive organs and are used to sense chemical signatures, vibrations, wind direction, and possibly even sound. Tarantulas are also very responsive to the presence of certain chemicals such as
pheromone A pheromone () is a secreted or excreted chemical factor that triggers a social response in members of the same species. Pheromones are chemicals capable of acting like hormones outside the body of the secreting individual, to affect the behavio ...
s. The eyes are located above the chelicerae on the forward part of the prosoma. They are small and usually set in two rows of four. Most tarantulas are not able to see much more than light, darkness, and motion. Arboreal tarantulas generally have better vision compared with terrestrial tarantulas.


Respiratory system

All types of tarantulas have two sets of book lungs (breathing organs); the first pair is located in a cavity inside the lower front part of the abdomen near where the abdomen connects to the
cephalothorax The cephalothorax, also called prosoma in some groups, is a tagma of various arthropods, comprising the head and the thorax fused together, as distinct from the abdomen behind. (The terms ''prosoma'' and ''opisthosoma'' are equivalent to ''cepha ...
, and the second pair is slightly farther back on the abdomen. Air enters the cavity through a tiny slit on each side of and near the front of the abdomen. Each lung consists of 15 or more thin sheets of folded tissue arranged like the pages of a book. These sheets of tissue are supplied by blood vessels. As air enters each lung, oxygen is taken into the blood stream through the blood vessels in the lungs. Needed moisture may also be absorbed from humid air by these organs.


Circulatory system

A tarantula's blood is unique (not only in appearance); an oxygen-transporting protein is present (the copper-based
hemocyanin Hemocyanins (also spelled haemocyanins and abbreviated Hc) are proteins that transport oxygen throughout the bodies of some invertebrate animals. These metalloproteins contain two copper atoms that reversibly bind a single oxygen molecule (O2) ...
), but not enclosed in blood cells such as the erythrocytes of mammals. A tarantula's blood is not true blood, but rather a liquid called
hemolymph Hemolymph, or haemolymph, is a fluid, analogous to the blood in vertebrates, that circulates in the interior of the arthropod (invertebrate) body, remaining in direct contact with the animal's tissues. It is composed of a fluid plasma in which ...
(or haemolymph). At least four types of
hemocytes A blood cell, also called a hematopoietic cell, hemocyte, or hematocyte, is a cell produced through hematopoiesis and found mainly in the blood. Major types of blood cells include red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), a ...
, or hemolymph cells, are known. The tarantula's heart is a long, slender tube located along the top of the
opisthosoma The opisthosoma is the posterior part of the body in some arthropods, behind the prosoma (cephalothorax). It is a distinctive feature of the subphylum Chelicerata (arachnids, horseshoe crabs and others). Although it is similar in most respects to a ...
. The heart is neurogenic as opposed to myogenic, so nerve cells instead of muscle cells initiate and coordinate the heart. It pumps hemolymph to all parts of the body through open passages often referred to as sinuses, and not through a circular system of blood vessels. If the
exoskeleton An exoskeleton (from Greek ''éxō'' "outer" and ''skeletós'' "skeleton") is an external skeleton that supports and protects an animal's body, in contrast to an internal skeleton (endoskeleton) in for example, a human. In usage, some of the ...
is breached, loss of hemolymph will kill the spider unless the wound is small enough that the hemolymph can dry and close it.


Predators

Despite their large size and fearsome appearance and reputation, tarantulas themselves are prey for many other animals. The most specialized of these predators are large members of the wasp family
Pompilidae Wasps in the family Pompilidae are commonly called spider wasps, spider-hunting wasps, or pompilid wasps. The family is cosmopolitan, with some 5,000 species in six subfamilies. Nearly all species are solitary (with the exception of some group-ne ...
such as the wasp ''
Hemipepsis ustulata ''Hemipepsis ustulata'' is a species of tarantula hawk, tarantula hawk wasp native to the Southwestern United States. Tarantula hawks are a large, conspicuous family of long-legged wasps that prey on tarantulas. They use their long legs to grappl ...
''. These wasps are called "
tarantula hawk A tarantula hawk is a spider wasp (Pompilidae) that preys on tarantulas. Tarantula hawks belong to any of the many species in the genera ''Pepsis'' and ''Hemipepsis.'' They are one of the largest parasitoid wasps, using their sting to paralyze the ...
s". The largest tarantula hawks, such as those in the genus ''
Pepsis ''Pepsis'' is a genus of spider wasps belonging to the family Pompilidae. Species within this genus are also called tarantula hawks, as they usually hunt tarantulas, similarly to many species in the genus ''Hemipepsis''. These wasps are restr ...
'', track, attack, and kill large tarantulas. They use
olfaction The sense of smell, or olfaction, is the special sense through which smells (or odors) are perceived. The sense of smell has many functions, including detecting desirable foods, hazards, and pheromones, and plays a role in taste. In humans, it ...
to find the lair of a tarantula. The wasp must deliver a sting to the underside of the spider's cephalothorax, exploiting the thin membrane between the basal leg segments. This paralyzes the spider, and the wasp then drags it back into its burrow before depositing an egg on the prey's abdomen. The wasp then seals the spider in its burrow and flies off to search for more hosts. The wasp egg hatches into a larva and feeds on the spider's inessential parts, and as it approaches pupation, it consumes the remainder. Other arthropods, such as large scorpions and Scolopendra gigantea, giant centipedes, are also known to prey on tarantulas. Tarantulas are also preyed upon by a wide variety of vertebrates. Many of these, including lizards, frogs, birds, snakes and mammals, are generalist predators of all kinds of large arthropods. Mammals that have been known to prey on tarantulas, such as the coati, kinkajou, and opossum in the
New World The term ''New World'' is often used to mean the majority of Earth's Western Hemisphere, specifically the Americas."America." ''The Oxford Companion to the English Language'' (). McArthur, Tom, ed., 1992. New York: Oxford University Press, p. 3 ...
, and mongooses and the honey badger in the Old World, are often immune to the venom of their arthropod prey. Humans also consume tarantulas for food in their native ranges. They are considered a delicacy in certain cultures (e.g. Venezuela and Cambodia). They can be roasted over an open fire to remove the bristles (described further below) and then eaten. Tarantulas have evolved specialized bristles, or setae, to defend themselves against predators. Besides the normal bristles covering the body, some tarantulas also have a dense covering of irritating bristles called
urticating hair Urticating hairs or urticating bristles are one of the primary defense mechanisms used by numerous plants, almost all New World tarantulas, and various lepidopteran caterpillars. ''Urtica'' is Latin for "nettle" (stinging nettles are in the genu ...
s, on the
opisthosoma The opisthosoma is the posterior part of the body in some arthropods, behind the prosoma (cephalothorax). It is a distinctive feature of the subphylum Chelicerata (arachnids, horseshoe crabs and others). Although it is similar in most respects to a ...
, that they sometimes use as protection against enemies. These bristles are present on most New World species, but not on any specimens from the Old World. Urticating hairs are usually kicked off the abdomen by the tarantula, but some may simply rub the abdomen against the target, like the genus ''Avicularia''. These fine bristles are barbed and serve to irritate. They can be lethal to small animals such as rodents. Some people are sensitive to these bristles, and develop serious itching and rashes at the site. Exposure of the eyes and respiratory system to urticating hairs should be strictly avoided. Species with urticating hairs can kick these bristles off; they are flicked into the air at a target using their back pairs of legs. Tarantulas also use these bristles for other purposes, such as to mark territory or to line their shelters (the latter such practice may discourage Fly, flies from feeding on the spiderlings). Urticating hairs do not grow back, but are replaced with each molt. The intensity, number, and flotation of the bristles depends on the species of tarantula. To predators and other enemies, these bristles can range from being lethal to simply being a deterrent. With humans, they can cause irritation to eyes, nose, and skin, and more dangerously, the lungs and airways, if inhaled. The symptoms range from species to species, from person to person, from a burning itch to a minor rash. In some cases, tarantula bristles have caused permanent damage to human eyes. Some setae are used to Stridulation, stridulate, which makes a hissing sound. These bristles are usually found on the chelicerae. Stridulation seems to be more common in Old World species.


Bites and urticating bristles

All tarantulas are venomous. Although their
venom Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...
is not deadly to humans, some bites cause serious discomfort that might persist for several days. In general, the effects of the bites of all kinds of tarantula are not well known. While the bites of many species are known to be no worse than a wasp sting, accounts of bites by some species are reported to be very painful and to produce intense spasms that may recur over a period of several days; the
venom Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...
of the African tarantula ''Pelinobius muticus'' also causes strong hallucinations. For ''Poecilotheria'' species, researchers have described more than 20 bites with the delayed onset of severe and diffuse muscle cramps, lasting for several days, that in most cases resolved completely with the use of benzodiazepines and magnesium. In all cases, seeking medical aid is advised. Because other proteins are included when a toxin is injected, some individuals may suffer severe symptoms due to an Anaphylaxis, allergic reaction rather than to the venom. Such allergic effects can be life-threatening. Additionally, the large fangs of a tarantula can inflict painful puncture wounds, which can lead to secondary bacterial infections if not properly treated. Before biting, a tarantula may signal its intention to attack by rearing up into a "threat posture", which may involve raising its prosoma and lifting its front legs into the air, spreading and extending its fangs, and (in certain species) making a loud hissing by Stridulation, stridulating. Tarantulas often hold this position for longer than the duration of the original threat. Their next step, without biting, may be to slap down on the intruder with their raised front legs. If that response fails to deter the attacker, the tarantulas of the Americas may next turn away and flick
urticating hair Urticating hairs or urticating bristles are one of the primary defense mechanisms used by numerous plants, almost all New World tarantulas, and various lepidopteran caterpillars. ''Urtica'' is Latin for "nettle" (stinging nettles are in the genu ...
s toward the pursuing predator. The next response may be to leave the scene entirely, but especially if no line of retreat is available, their final response may also be to whirl suddenly and bite. Some tarantulas are well known to give "dry bites", i.e., they may defensively bite some animal that intrudes on their space and threatens them, but they do not pump
venom Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...
into the wound. New-world tarantulas—those indigenous to the Americas—have bites that generally pose little threat to humans (other than causing localized pain). Most of them are equipped with
urticating hair Urticating hairs or urticating bristles are one of the primary defense mechanisms used by numerous plants, almost all New World tarantulas, and various lepidopteran caterpillars. ''Urtica'' is Latin for "nettle" (stinging nettles are in the genu ...
s on their abdomens, and almost always throw these barbed bristles as the first line of defense. These bristles irritate sensitive areas of the body and especially seem to target curious animals that may sniff these bristles into the mucous membranes of the nose. Some species have more effective Urticating hair, urticating bristles than others. The
goliath birdeater The Goliath birdeater (''Theraphosa blondi'') belongs to the tarantula family Theraphosidae. Found in northern South America, it is the largest spider in the world by mass () and body length (up to ), and second to the giant huntsman spider by ...
is known for its particularly irritating Urticating hair, urticating bristles. They can penetrate the cornea, so eye protection should be worn when handling such tarantulas. Old World tarantulas have no Urticating hair, urticating bristles and are more likely to attack when disturbed. They often have more potent, medically significant
venom Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...
, and are faster and much more nervous and defensive than
New World The term ''New World'' is often used to mean the majority of Earth's Western Hemisphere, specifically the Americas."America." ''The Oxford Companion to the English Language'' (). McArthur, Tom, ed., 1992. New York: Oxford University Press, p. 3 ...
species. Some dangerous spider species are related to tarantulas and are frequently confused with them. A popular urban legend maintains that deadly varieties of tarantula exist somewhere in
South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the southe ...
. This claim is often made without identifying a particular spider, although the "banana tarantula" is sometimes named. A likely candidate for the true identity of this spider is the dangerous Brazilian wandering spider (''Phoneutria fera'') of the family Wandering spider, Ctenidae, as it is sometimes found hiding in clusters of bananas and is one of several spiders called "banana spiders". It is not technically a tarantula, but it is fairly large (4- to 5-inch legspan), somewhat ″hairy″, and is highly
venom Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...
ous to humans. Another dangerous type of
spider Spiders ( order Araneae) are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, chelicerae with fangs generally able to inject venom, and spinnerets that extrude silk. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species ...
s that have been confused with tarantulas are the Australian funnel-web spiders. The best known species of these is the Sydney funnel-web spider (''Atrax robustus'') a
spider Spiders ( order Araneae) are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, chelicerae with fangs generally able to inject venom, and spinnerets that extrude silk. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species ...
that is aggressive, highly
venom Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...
ous, and (prior to the development of antivenom in the 1980s) was responsible for numerous deaths in
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
. These
spider Spiders ( order Araneae) are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, chelicerae with fangs generally able to inject venom, and spinnerets that extrude silk. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species ...
s are members of the same infraorder as tarantulas,
Mygalomorphae The Mygalomorphae, or mygalomorphs, are an infraorder of spiders, and comprise one of three major groups of living spiders with over 3000 species, found on all continents except Antarctica. Many members are known as trapdoor spiders due to the ...
. Some Australians use the slang term "triantelope" (a corruption of the incorrect term tarantula, which is also used) for large, ″hairy″, and harmless members of the huntsman spider family, which are often found on interior household walls and in automobiles.


Sexual dimorphism

Some tarantula species exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism. Males tend to be smaller (especially their abdomens, which can appear quite narrow) and may be dull in color when compared to their female counterparts, as in the species ''Haplopelma lividum''. Mature male tarantulas also may have tibial hooks on their front legs, which are used to restrain the female's fangs during copulation. Males typically have longer legs than the females. A juvenile male's sex can be determined by looking at a cast exuvia for epiandrous fusillae or spermathecae. Females possess spermathecae, except for the species ''Sickius longibulbi'' and ''Encyocratella olivacea''. Males have much shorter lifespans than females because they die relatively soon after maturing. Few live long enough for a postultimate Moulting, molt, which is unlikely in natural habitats because they are vulnerable to predation, but has happened in captivity, though rarely. Most males do not live through this Moulting, molt, as they tend to get their emboli, mature male sexual organs on
pedipalp Pedipalps (commonly shortened to palps or palpi) are the second pair of appendages of chelicerates – a group of arthropods including spiders, scorpions, horseshoe crabs, and sea spiders. The pedipalps are lateral to the chelicerae ("jaws") and ...
s, stuck in the Moulting, molt. Most tarantula fanciers regard females as more desirable as pets due to their much longer lifespans. Wild-caught tarantulas are often mature males because they wander out in the open and are more likely to be caught.


Life cycle

Like other spiders, tarantulas have to shed their
exoskeleton An exoskeleton (from Greek ''éxō'' "outer" and ''skeletós'' "skeleton") is an external skeleton that supports and protects an animal's body, in contrast to an internal skeleton (endoskeleton) in for example, a human. In usage, some of the ...
periodically as they grow, a process called Ecdysis, molting. A young tarantula may do this several times a year as a part of the maturation process, while full-grown specimens only molt once a year or less, or sooner, to replace lost limbs or lost
urticating hair Urticating hairs or urticating bristles are one of the primary defense mechanisms used by numerous plants, almost all New World tarantulas, and various lepidopteran caterpillars. ''Urtica'' is Latin for "nettle" (stinging nettles are in the genu ...
s. It is visibly apparent that molting is imminent when the
exoskeleton An exoskeleton (from Greek ''éxō'' "outer" and ''skeletós'' "skeleton") is an external skeleton that supports and protects an animal's body, in contrast to an internal skeleton (endoskeleton) in for example, a human. In usage, some of the ...
takes on a darker shade. If a tarantula previously used its urticating hairs, the bald patch turns from a peach color to deep blue. The tarantula also stops feeding and becomes more lethargic during this time. While most Tarantulas species take between two to five years to reach sexual maturity, some species can take up to 10 years. Upon reaching adulthood, males typically have an 18-month period left to live so immediately go in search of a female mate. Although females continue to molt after reaching maturity, male rarely do again once they reach adulthood. Those that do often can become stuck during the molting process due to their sexual organs and die. Female can live for 30 to 40 years. ''Grammostola rosea'' spiders, which eat once or twice a week, have lived up to 20 years in captivity. Some have survived on water alone for up to two years.


Reproduction

After reaching sexual maturity, a female tarantula normally mates and lays eggs once per year, although they do not always do so. As with other spiders, the mechanics of intercourse are quite different from those of mammals. Once a male spider reaches maturity and becomes motivated to mate, he weaves a web mat on a flat surface. The spider then rubs his abdomen on the surface of this mat, and in so doing, releases a quantity of semen. He may then insert his
pedipalp Pedipalps (commonly shortened to palps or palpi) are the second pair of appendages of chelicerates – a group of arthropods including spiders, scorpions, horseshoe crabs, and sea spiders. The pedipalps are lateral to the chelicerae ("jaws") and ...
s (short, leg-like appendages between the
chelicerae The chelicerae () are the mouthparts of the subphylum Chelicerata, an arthropod group that includes arachnids, horseshoe crabs, and sea spiders. Commonly referred to as "jaws", chelicerae may be shaped as either articulated fangs, or similarly ...
and front legs) into the pool of semen. The pedipalps absorb the semen and keep it viable until a mate can be found. When a male spider detects the presence of a female, the two exchange signals to establish that they are of the same species. These signals may also lull the female into a receptive state. If the female is receptive, then the male approaches her and inserts his pedipalps into an opening in the lower surface of her abdomen, the
opisthosoma The opisthosoma is the posterior part of the body in some arthropods, behind the prosoma (cephalothorax). It is a distinctive feature of the subphylum Chelicerata (arachnids, horseshoe crabs and others). Although it is similar in most respects to a ...
. After the semen has been transferred to the receptive female's body, the male swiftly leaves the scene before the female recovers her appetite. Although females may show some aggression after mating, the male rarely becomes a meal. Females deposit 50 to 2,000 eggs, depending on the species, in a silken Spider, egg sac and guard it for six to eight weeks. During this time, the females stay very close to the egg sacs and become more aggressive. Within most species, the females turn the egg sac often, which is called brooding. This keeps the eggs from deforming due to sitting in one position too long. The young spiderlings remain in the nest for some time after hatching, where they live off the remains of their yolk sacs before dispersing.


Taxonomy

Carl Linnaeus, Linnaeus placed all spiders in a single genus, ''Aranea''. In 1802, Charles Athanase Walckenaer separated mygalomorph spiders into a separate genus, ''Mygale'', leaving all other
spider Spiders ( order Araneae) are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, chelicerae with fangs generally able to inject venom, and spinnerets that extrude silk. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species ...
s in ''Spider, Aranea''. However, ''Mygale'' had already been used in 1800 by Georges Cuvier for a genus of mammals (in Greek language, Greek, ''mygale'' means "shrew"). Accordingly, in 1869, Tamerlan Thorell used the family name "Theraphosoidae" (modern Theraphosidae) for the Mygalomorphae, mygalomorph spiders known to him, rather than "Mygalidae" (as used, for example, by John Blackwall). Thorell later split the family into a number of genera, including ''Theraphosa''.


Subfamilies

A 2019 phylogenomic study recognized 12 subfamilies, one (Ischnocolinae) known not to be Monophyly, monophyletic. *Aviculariinae *Eumenophorinae *Harpactirinae *Ischnocolinae *Ornithoctoninae *Poecilotheriinae *Psalmopoeinae *Schismatothelinae *Selenocosmiinae *Stromatopelminae *Theraphosinae *Thrigmopoeinae The relationship between the subfamilies found in the study is shown in the following cladogram. The dual placing of Ischnocolinae is highlighted. All the species that possess
urticating hair Urticating hairs or urticating bristles are one of the primary defense mechanisms used by numerous plants, almost all New World tarantulas, and various lepidopteran caterpillars. ''Urtica'' is Latin for "nettle" (stinging nettles are in the genu ...
s and have been seen to use them in bombardment behavior are placed in the "bombardier clade", although not all species in the included subfamilies possess such hairs (all ''Schismatothelinae'' lack them as do most ''Psalmopoeinae'' genera). It is not clear whether the possession of
urticating hair Urticating hairs or urticating bristles are one of the primary defense mechanisms used by numerous plants, almost all New World tarantulas, and various lepidopteran caterpillars. ''Urtica'' is Latin for "nettle" (stinging nettles are in the genu ...
s was an ancestral trait of the clade, and has been lost in some species, or whether it represents multiple gains. Foley ''et al.'' suggested that the second hypothesis appeared to be better supported. Other subfamilies that have been recognized include: *Acanthopelminae – may be treated as synonymous with Ischnocolinae *Selenogyrinae *Spelopelminae – typically not accepted, ''Hemirrhagus'' being treated as Theraphosinae


Genera

, the World Spider Catalog accepted the following genera: *''Acanthopelma'' F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897 – Guyana *''Acanthoscurria'' Ausserer, 1871 – South America, Guatemala *''Acentropelma'' Pocock, 1901 – Belize, Mexico, Guatemala *''Aenigmarachne'' Schmidt, 2005 – Costa Rica *''Agnostopelma'' Pérez-Miles & Weinmann, 2010 – Colombia *''Aguapanela (spider), Aguapanela'' Perafán & Cifuentes, 2015 *''Amazonius (spider), Amazonius'' Cifuentes & Bertani, 2022 - South America *''Annandaliella'' Hirst, 1909 – India *''Anoploscelus'' Pocock, 1897 – Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda *''Anqasha'' Sherwood & Gabriel, 2022 - Peru *''Antikuna (spider), Antikuna'' Kaderka, Ferretti, West, Lüddecke & Hüsser, 2021 - Peru *''Antillena'' Bertani, Huff & Fukushima, 2017 – Dominican Republic *''Aphonopelma'' Pocock, 1901 – North America, Central America *''Augacephalus'' Gallon, 2002 – South Africa, Mozambique, Eswatini *''Avicularia'' Lamarck, 1818 – South America, Trinidad and Tobago, Panama *''Bacillochilus'' Gallon, 2010 – Angola *''Batesiella'' Pocock, 1903 – Cameroon *''Birupes'' Gabriel & Sherwood, 2019 – Malaysia *''Bistriopelma'' Kaderka, 2015 – Peru *''Bonnetina'' Vol, 2000 – Mexico *''Brachionopus'' Pocock, 1897 – South Africa *''Brachypelma'' Simon, 1891 – Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala *''Bumba (spider), Bumba'' Pérez-Miles, Bonaldo & Miglio, 2014 – Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador *''Cardiopelma'' Vol, 1999 – Unknown *''Caribena'' Fukushima & Bertani, 2017 – Cuba *''Catanduba'' Yamamoto, Lucas & Brescovit, 2012 – Brazil *''Catumiri'' Guadanucci, 2004 – South America *''Ceratogyrus'' Pocock, 1897 – Africa *''Chaetopelma'' Ausserer, 1871 – Asia, Greece, Africa *''Chilobrachys'' Karsch, 1892 – Asia *''Chromatopelma'' Schmidt, 1995 – Venezuela *''Citharacanthus'' Pocock, 1901 – Cuba, Central America, Mexico *''Citharognathus'' Pocock, 1895 – Indonesia *''Clavopelma'' Chamberlin, 1940 – Mexico *''Coremiocnemis'' Simon, 1892 – Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia *''Cotztetlana'' Mendoza, 2012 – Mexico *''Crassicrus'' Reichling & West, 1996 – Mexico, Belize *''Cubanana'' Ortiz, 2008 – Cuba *''Cyclosternum'' Ausserer, 1871 – South America, Mexico, Costa Rica *''Cymbiapophysa'' Gabriel & Sherwood, 2020 *''Cyriocosmus'' Simon, 1903 – South America, Trinidad and Tobago *''Cyriopagopus'' Simon, 1887 – Asia *''Cyrtogrammomma"Pocock, 1895 - Guyana and Brazil *''Cyrtopholis'' Simon, 1892 – Caribbean *''Davus'' O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1892 – Central America, Mexico *''Dolichothele'' Mello-Leitão, 1923 – Brazil, Bolivia *''Encyocratella'' Strand, 1907 – Tanzania *''Encyocrates'' Simon, 1892 – Madagascar *''Ephebopus'' Simon, 1892 – Suriname, Brazil *''Euathlus'' Ausserer, 1875 – Chile, Argentina *''Eucratoscelus'' Pocock, 1898 – Kenya, Tanzania *''Eumenophorus'' Pocock, 1897 – Sierra Leone *''Eupalaestrus'' Pocock, 1901 – South America *''Euphrictus'' Hirst, 1908 – Cameroon, Congo *''Euthycaelus'' Simon, 1889 – Colombia, Venezuela *''Grammostola'' Simon, 1892 – South America *''Guyruita'' Guadanucci, Lucas, Indicatti & Yamamoto, 2007 – Brazil, Venezuela *''Hapalopus'' Ausserer, 1875 – South America, Panama *''Hapalotremus'' Simon, 1903 – Bolivia, Peru, Argentina *''Haploclastus'' Simon, 1892 – India *''Haplocosmia'' Schmidt & von Wirth, 1996 – Nepal *''Harpactira'' Ausserer, 1871 – South Africa, Namibia *''Harpactirella'' Purcell, 1902 – South Africa, Morocco *'' Hemirrhagus'' Simon, 1903 – Mexico *''Heterophrictus'' Pocock, 1900 – India *''Heteroscodra'' Pocock, 1900 – Cameroon, Gabon, Congo *''Heterothele'' Karsch, 1879 – Africa, Argentina *''Holothele'' Karsch, 1879 – Caribbean, South America *''Homoeomma'' Ausserer, 1871 – South America *''Hysterocrates'' Simon, 1892 – Africa *''Idiothele'' Hewitt, 1919 – South Africa *''Iridopelma'' Pocock, 1901 – Brazil *''Ischnocolus'' Ausserer, 1871 – Africa, Asia, Brazil, Europe *''Kankuamo marquezi, Kankuamo'' Perafán, Galvis & Pérez-Miles, 2016 *''Kochiana'' Fukushima, Nagahama & Bertani, 2008 – Brazil *''Lampropelma'' Simon, 1892 – Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore *''Lasiodora'' C. L. Koch, 1850 – South America, Costa Rica *''Lasiodorides'' Schmidt & Bischoff, 1997 – Ecuador, Peru *''Longilyra'' Gabriel, 2014 – El Salvador *''Loxomphalia'' Simon, 1889 – Tanzania *''Loxoptygus'' Simon, 1903 – Ethiopia *''Lyrognathus'' Pocock, 1895 – Indonesia, India, Malaysia *''Magnacarina'' Mendoza, Locht, Kaderka, Medina & Pérez-Miles, 2016 – Mexico *''Mascaraneus'' Gallon, 2005 – Mauritius *''Megaphobema'' Pocock, 1901 – Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador *''Melognathus'' Chamberlin, 1917 *''Metriopelma'' Becker, 1878 – Mexico *''Miaschistopus'' Pocock, 1897 – Venezuela *''Monocentropus'' Pocock, 1897 – Yemen, Madagascar *''Munduruku bicoloratum, Munduruku'' Miglio, Bonaldo & Pérez-Miles, 2013 *''Murphyarachne'' Sherwood & Gabriel, 2022 - Peru *''Mygalarachne'' Ausserer, 1871 – Honduras *''Myostola'' Simon, 1903 – Gabon, Cameroon *''Neischnocolus'' Petrunkevitch, 1925 – Panama *''Neoheterophrictus'' Siliwal & Raven, 2012 – India *''Neoholothele'' Guadanucci & Weinmann, 2015 – Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela *''Neostenotarsus'' Pribik & Weinmann, 2004 – French Guiana *''Nesiergus'' Simon, 1903 – Seychelles *''Nesipelma'' Schmidt & Kovařík, 1996 – St. Kitts and Nevis *''Nhandu'' Lucas, 1983 – Brazil, Paraguay *''Omothymus'' Thorell, 1891 – Malaysia *''Ornithoctonus'' Pocock, 1892 – Myanmar, Thailand *''Orphnaecus'' Simon, 1892 – Papua New Guinea, Philippines *''Ozopactus'' Simon, 1889 – Venezuela *''Pachistopelma'' Pocock, 1901 – Brazil *''Pamphobeteus'' Pocock, 1901 – South America, Panama *''Pelinobius'' Karsch, 1885 – Kenya, Tanzania *''Phlogiellus'' Pocock, 1897 – Asia, Papua New Guinea *''Phoneyusa'' Karsch, 1884 – Africa *''Phormictopus'' Pocock, 1901 – Cuba, Argentina, Brazil *''Phormingochilus'' Pocock, 1895 – Indonesia *''Phrixotrichus'' Simon, 1889 – Chile, Argentina *''Plesiopelma'' Pocock, 1901 – South America *''Plesiophrictus'' Pocock, 1899 – India, Micronesia, Sri Lanka *''Poecilotheria'' Simon, 1885 – Sri Lanka, India *''Proshapalopus'' Mello-Leitão, 1923 – Brazil, Colombia *''Psalistops''Simon, 1889 - Colombia and Venezuela *''Psalmopoeus'' Pocock, 1895 – Trinidad, South America, Central America, Mexico *''Psednocnemis'' West, Nunn & Hogg, 2012 – Malaysia, Indonesia *''Pseudhapalopus'' Strand, 1907 – South America, Trinidad *''Pseudoclamoris'' Hüsser, 2018 – Colombia, Peru, Ecuador *''Pseudoschizopelma''Smith, 1995 - Mexico *''Pterinochilus'' Pocock, 1897 – Africa *''Pterinopelma'' Pocock, 1901 – Brazil *''Reichlingia'' Rudloff, 2001 – Belize *''Reversopelma'' Schmidt, 2001 – Ecuador or Peru *''Sahydroaraneus'' Mirza & Sanap, 2014 – India *''Sandinista lanceolatum, Sandinista'' Longhorn & Gabriel, 2019 *''Schismatothele'' Karsch, 1879 – Venezuela, Colombia *''Schizopelma'' F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897 – Mexico *''Scopelobates'' Simon, 1903 – Dominican Republic *''Selenocosmia'' Ausserer, 1871 – Oceania, Asia *''Selenogyrus'' Pocock, 1897 – Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone *''Selenotholus'' Hogg, 1902 – Australia *''Selenotypus'' Pocock, 1895 – Australia *''Sericopelma'' Ausserer, 1875 – Central America, Brazil, Mexico *''Sickius'' Soares & Camargo, 1948 – Brazil *''Sphaerobothria'' Karsch, 1879 – Costa Rica, Panama *''Spinosatibiapalpus'' Gabriel & Sherwood, 2020 *''Stichoplastoris'' Rudloff, 1997 – El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama *''Stromatopelma'' Karsch, 1881 – Africa *''Taksinus'' Songsangchote, Sippawat, Khaikaew & Chomphuphuang, 2022 - Thailand *''Tapinauchenius'' Ausserer, 1871 – South America, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines *''Theraphosa'' Thorell, 1870 – South America *''Thrigmopoeus'' Pocock, 1899 – India *''Thrixopelma'' Schmidt, 1994 – Peru, Chile *''Tliltocatl'' - Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala *''Tmesiphantes'' Simon, 1892 – Brazil *''Trichognathella'' Gallon, 2004 – South Africa *''Trichopelma'' Simon, 1888 – Caribbean, South America, Central America *''Typhochlaena'' C. L. Koch, 1850 – Brazil *''Umbyquyra'' Gargiulo, Brescovit & Lucas, 2018 – Bolivia, Brazil *''Vitalius'' Lucas, Silva & Bertani, 1993 – Brazil, Argentina *''Xenesthis'' Simon, 1891 – Panama, Venezuela, Colombia *''Yanomamius'' Bertani & Almeida, 2021 – Brazil, Venezuela *''Ybyrapora'' Fukushima & Bertani, 2017 – Brazil Former genera: *''Ami'' Pérez-Miles, 2008 → ''Neischnocolus'' *''Barropelma'' Chamberlin, 1940 → ''Neischnocolus'' *''Eurypelmella'' Strand, 1907, ''nomen dubium'' *''Magulla'' Simon, 1892 → ''Tmesiphantes'' *''Melloleitaoina'' Gerschman & Schiapelli, 1960 → ''Tmesiphantes''


Fossil record

Although fossils of Mygalomorphae, mygalomorph spiders date back to the Triassic, only two specimens have been found so far which can be convincingly assigned to the Theraphosidae. One is from Dominican Republic amber; the other is from Chiapas (
Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...
) amber. Both these ambers are quite young, being Miocene in age or about 16 million years old.


See also

* Cultural depictions of spiders * Guangxitoxin * Spider bite * Spider taxonomy


References


Further reading

* *


External links


TarantulaForum.com
*
Tarantulas US Forum

Word of the Day: Tarantula and Tarantella
etymology and folklore

* [http://research.amnh.org/entomology/spiders/catalog/THERAPHOSIDAE.html Listing of all currently named Theraphosidae]
American Tarantula Society Headquarters

Amazing Tarantulas
*
Watch Tarantula (Theraphosidae) video clips from the BBC archive on Wildlife Finder

Theraphosidae Belgium, everything about bird eaters


{{Authority control Theraphosidae, Extant Miocene first appearances