
Tarantula
Uncover the enchanting world of furry eight-legged friends!

The Basics
Scientific Name
Theraphosidae
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Average size
4.5 to 11 inches leg span
diet
Insects, small birds, lizards, mice
lifespan
10 to 30 years
Let’s Explore
Overview
Tarantulas are fascinating and furry creatures that belong to the spider family. These incredible invertebrates come in different colors and sizes, boasting leg spans that range from 11 to 28 centimeters (4.5 to 11 inches)!
You can find tarantulas scuttling around in Africa, where they thrive in a variety of habitats. These eight-legged wonders have a reputation for being scary, but they are mostly shy and prefer to hide from potential threats.
Tarantulas enjoy a delicious diet consisting of insects, small birds, lizards, and even mice. With their powerful fangs, they can inject venom to subdue their prey; however, most of them pose no danger to humans.
Tarantulas lead surprisingly long lives for such critters. They can live anywhere from 10 to 30 years, making them some of the oldest spiders in the world.
A fun fact about tarantulas is that they have a unique way of defending themselves! When threatened, they may kick up tiny hairs from their bodies that irritate the skin or eyes of potential attackers. What a clever way to say, "Back off!"
These amazing arachnids are not just cool; they also help balance ecosystems by controlling insect populations. Tarantulas really do keep the insect party under control!
Where can you find a Tarantula in the wild?
What does a Tarantula eat?
How big can a Tarantula grow?
How long does a Tarantula typically live?
What is the conservation status of the Tarantula?
What are the main threats to the Tarantula?
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