Overview
Tarantulas comprise a group of large & often hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae. As of December 2023, 1,100 species have been identified, with 166 genera. The term "tarantula" is usually used to describe members of the family Theraphosidae, although many other members of the same infraorder (Mygalomorphae) are commonly referred to as "tarantulas" or "false tarantulas". Some of the more common species have become popular in the exotic pet trade.
Habitat: Tarantulas live in warm areas around the globe on all continents except Antarctica but most are found in South America. Their preferred habitats are rainforests, deserts, & scrubland. Like other spiders, tarantulas make a silken web, but not for snaring prey.
Diet/Prey: Tarantulas are nocturnal hunters. They primarily eat insects like grasshoppers, beetles, other small spiders & arthropods, & they will sometimes eat small lizards. They will attempt to overcome anything of the right size that moves in their range. Most tarantulas have weak venom.
Predators: Predators of tarantulas include lizards, snakes, spider-eating birds, coyotes & foxes.
Subspecies: There are over 900 species of tarantula.
YOU ARE READING
Animal Facts Compendium
Non-FictionA Compendium of Animals from all over the Globe.
