Tarantulas are often perceived as dangerous and aggressive creatures due to their size and appearance. However, it’s essential to know whether these spiders are actually harmful to humans through their bites or other defenses.
Although tarantulas do possess venom and can bite, they generally pose no serious danger to humans. In fact, their bites are often compared to a bee sting in terms of pain and effects. When threatened, a tarantula will initially rear up on its back legs, exposing its fangs, and may even eject hairs from its abdomen that are coated with venom (source).
Varieties of tarantulas differ in their characteristics, and some examples include the common Rose Hair Tarantula and the Goliath Birdeater Tarantula. While the specific traits of each species may vary, these spiders share common behaviors and features, such as:
- Nocturnal habits
- Unique defensive behaviors (e.g., flicking hairs)
- Lifespans that can span several years
- Males having a shorter lifespan than females
Tarantula Characteristics
Species and Distribution
- Tarantulas are a group of large, hairy spiders belonging to the family Theraphosidae.
- Over 900 different species are found worldwide.
- They primarily inhabit tropical and subtropical regions across South America, North America, and other areas.
For example:
- The Chilean Rose Tarantula is native to South America.
- The Goliath Bird Eater, one of the largest species, also comes from South America.
Sizes and Colors
- Tarantulas vary in size and color across species, with some being more vibrant than others.
- Sizes can range from around 3 to 5 inches (7.6 to 12.7 cm) to nearly a foot in leg span for the Goliath Bird Eater.
Colors include:
- Brown (Common Puerto Rican Brown Tarantula)
- Black and red (Mexican Red Knee Tarantula)
Behavior and Habitat
Behavior:
- Tarantulas are typically nocturnal predators.
- They don’t spin webs to catch prey, but instead use venom and silk to immobilize them.
Habitat:
- Tarantulas prefer living in burrows in the ground.
- Some create silk linings in their burrows, using it for protection and insulation.
Molting and Growth
- Tarantulas molt, or shed their exoskeleton, to grow larger.
- Molting occurs multiple times in a tarantula’s lifecycle, which can last several years.
- In captivity, some tarantulas may molt less frequently due to more stable conditions.
Pros and cons of molting:
- Pros: Allows for growth and repair of damaged exoskeleton.
- Cons: Tarantulas are vulnerable to predators during the molting process.
| Comparison | Tarantulas | Other Spiders |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Large | Small to large |
| Web use | Minimal | Extensive |
| Habitat | Burrows | Various |
| Molting frequency | Multiple times | Varies |
Tarantula Bites
Bite Frequency
Tarantulas are not aggressive creatures, but they can bite if they feel threatened or provoked. However, most species of tarantulas rarely bite humans. When they do, it is typically a defensive measure rather than predatory behavior.
Pain and Venom Effect
The impact of a tarantula bite can vary greatly depending on the species involved. In general, the pain from a tarantula bite may be mild to moderate, similar to a bee sting. Some individuals may experience more severe pain, especially if they are allergic to the venom. Common symptoms include:
- Localized pain and swelling
- Redness around the bite area
- Mild itching
Tarantulas possess venom, but for most species, the venom is not harmful to humans and poses no serious danger. However, there are some exceptions, such as the Old World tarantulas, whose venom can cause more severe reactions.
Comparison of Tarantula Bites and Other Spider Bites
| Tarantula Bite | Typical Spider Bite | |
|---|---|---|
| Pain | Mild to moderate | Moderate to severe |
| Venom | Usually mild; moderate in some species | Varies by species; can be dangerous |
| Frequency | Rare | Common |
In conclusion, tarantula bites are infrequent and often less dangerous when compared to other spider bites. Their venom is generally mild, but certain species might have more potent venom. People with allergies to the venom may experience more severe reactions.
13 Comments. Leave new
This spider your referring to is definitly not a tarantula but instead its common name is The WOLF SPIDER they are very common in the Dayton,Nevada area if only you were to look for them ….they are harmless… however they can leave a pretty nasty welt from a bite penetration I wouldnt recommend holding a wild WOLF SPIDER since they are very unprdictable in nature. HOPE THIS HELPS
I need to change my comment above….the wolf spider for the most part is non-aggressive but again if handled and provoked it can bite and this spider is in fact Poisonous but not deadly so I would highly recommend not handling this creature since again they are very unpredictable and they are considered very harmful to humans just not deadly especially to young childeren and elderly.
ooooh, not liking this one 🙁
Check also if it was a ladybird female spider which is called velvet-spider. If it was a male it would have 4 red markings on the abdomen really wonderful looking spider if a female then dark brown – black. It looks to me more like a wolf or trapdoors but wolves or trapdoors don’t do trip lines around their nest. Filistatidae do make wooly triplines around their hole-nest or whatever. If it was a ladybird female it constructs a a woolen retreat with radiating trip lines but not a hole rather a nest which is well sealed to the ground or rocks. In the world of spiders and words “deadly” or fearsome are words that exaggarate fear. Show respect to spiders and also try to understand that not a big or enormous spider means deadly quite the opposite mostly… Dealing with spiders need to be careful and being no nervous. Never catch a spider, letting walk on you that’s a different story but always show respect. Fear is not a good advisor, knowledge is a good advisor (from trusted sites) Remember spiders cant be known on their colour or size but mostly can be searched firstly recognizing the pattern of their eyes…so excluding the rest and ..and then come closing to the real specimen taking under consderation all details concerning colour, webbing construction, natural env. etc
Thnx
Thank you very much for your thoughtful comment. Unless we are really mistaken, we believe the Nevada, USA location would most likely eliminate the possibility that this is a European Ladybird Spider. Since no one on our staff has any actual background in entomology (we are artists) we are not certain if we should be trusted as we are frequently wrong and we need to be corrected.
Check also if it was a ladybird female spider which is called velvet-spider. If it was a male it would have 4 red markings on the abdomen really wonderful looking spider if a female then dark brown – black. It looks to me more like a wolf or trapdoors but wolves or trapdoors don’t do trip lines around their nest. Filistatidae do make wooly triplines around their hole-nest or whatever. If it was a ladybird female it constructs a a woolen retreat with radiating trip lines but not a hole rather a nest which is well sealed to the ground or rocks. In the world of spiders and words “deadly” or fearsome are words that exaggarate fear. Show respect to spiders and also try to understand that not a big or enormous spider means deadly quite the opposite mostly… Dealing with spiders need to be careful and being no nervous. Never catch a spider, letting walk on you that’s a different story but always show respect. Fear is not a good advisor, knowledge is a good advisor (from trusted sites) Remember spiders cant be known on their colour or size but mostly can be searched firstly recognizing the pattern of their eyes…so excluding the rest and ..and then come closing to the real specimen taking under consderation all details concerning colour, webbing construction, natural env. etc
Thnx
Awesome spidey.
Tarantulas are hard to sex dorsally. They have tarsal hooks on their front legs you can see if you get down close. Their palpal bulbs aren’t as pronounced as on other spiders, but there is definitely a feature. Best way of course is to examine an exuvia. I have a good picture of male tarantula where you can see the key features of an adult.
Thanks so much for this helpful comment.
Pseudospider ruberrensis.
Hey, this is interesting! I think we may have a match here: http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/scary-plastic-spider-for-halloween-royalty-free-image/111948416
And here it says:
http://www.epemag3.com/proj/0107.html
“The Jumping Spider is a small, self contained unit with no moving parts, with the exception of a small electromagnet that moves inside when a button is closed. Designed as an electronic version of the traditional inflatable toy spider that jumps when a rubber bulb is squeezed. Put the mockers on your mother-in-law with our arachnoidal accessory!”
Awesome. That does look like a match to the spider in the posting.
Hey, this is interesting! I think we may have a match here: http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/scary-plastic-spider-for-halloween-royalty-free-image/111948416
And here it says:
http://www.epemag3.com/proj/0107.html
“The Jumping Spider is a small, self contained unit with no moving parts, with the exception of a small electromagnet that moves inside when a button is closed. Designed as an electronic version of the traditional inflatable toy spider that jumps when a rubber bulb is squeezed. Put the mockers on your mother-in-law with our arachnoidal accessory!”