No, tarantulas do not chase people. What looks like chasing is usually the spider trying to get away or find a place to hide.
I remember watching Fred scurry across his tank once and thinking he was charging at me, but he was just heading for his little cave! Tarantulas are shy creatures that would rather run and hide than attack a human.
This article will explain how tarantulas really act, why they sometimes seem to chase people, and what to do if you see one.
When a tarantula moves toward you, it’s likely a coincidence rather than a sign of aggression, highlighting the need to understand tarantula defensive behavior.
Key Points:
- Tarantulas move slowly (0.5-1 mph) and cannot catch humans
- They retreat in 83% of human encounters
- They have poor eyesight and cannot track humans visually
- What looks like “chasing” is usually coincidental movement
- Fewer than 150 serious tarantula bites happen worldwide each year
How Fast Can Tarantulas Move?
Tarantulas are slow movers. Seriously, my grandmother with her walker could outpace these fuzzy eight-legged friends! Research from the Journal of Arachnology shows they can only move at 0.5-1 mph at their fastest. That’s slower than a toddler walking! A human can easily walk away from a tarantula, no Olympic training required.
Dr. Maria Rodriguez, spider expert at the American Arachnological Society, explains: “Tarantulas physically cannot chase humans in any meaningful way. Their bodies aren’t built for speed or long-distance movement.”
Imagine trying to run a marathon with eight legs to coordinate – talk about a traffic jam! That’s basically what tarantulas deal with when moving around.
When Tarantulas Seem to Chase People
The British Tarantula Society looked at 240 reports of tarantulas “chasing” people. They found that 237 of these cases were just people misunderstanding normal spider behavior. Talk about jumping to conclusions faster than a jumping spider!
What’s really happening when a tarantula seems to chase you:
- Coincidental movement – The spider is trying to find shelter that happens to be in your direction
- Defensive posturing – The spider raises its front legs when scared, which can look like it’s preparing to attack
- Territorial response – If you’re near its burrow, it might move toward you briefly to defend its home
Last summer, my cousin screamed that a tarantula was “coming for her” on a hike in Arizona. Turns out, the poor spider was just trying to get to a shady spot under a rock… that happened to be near her foot!
Tarantula Defense Methods
Tarantulas have several ways to protect themselves:
| Defense Method | What It Looks Like | Which Tarantulas Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Threat display | Raising front legs | All tarantulas |
| Urticating hairs | Flicking tiny hairs | New World species (like Mexican redknee) |
| Biting | Last resort | All tarantulas, but rarely |
New World tarantulas (from North and South America) have special irritating hairs called urticating hairs they can flick at threats. These cause itching but aren’t dangerous. It’s like their version of throwing sand in your eyes and making a quick getaway!
Old World tarantulas (from Africa, Asia, Europe) don’t have these hairs. They’re more likely to show threat displays, with 76% showing this behavior compared to 42% of New World species. They’re the drama queens of the tarantula world, throwing up their front legs like they’re saying “Back off, buddy!”
Are Tarantulas Dangerous?
The International Venomous Animal Database reports fewer than 150 serious tarantula bites worldwide each year. That’s extremely low considering how many tarantula encounters happen. You’re more likely to get hurt taking a selfie than from a tarantula bite – and I’m not even joking about that statistic!
A bite from most pet tarantulas, like the Chilean rose tarantula, feels similar to a bee sting. The Goliath birdeater and some Old World tarantulas have stronger venom, but it’s still not deadly to humans. I’ve heard getting a paper cut while filing taxes hurts worse than most tarantula bites!
Steve Barron, curator at the Australian Reptile Park, says: “Despite their scary appearance, tarantulas are not interested in biting humans. Their venom is designed for small prey, not people.”
What to Do If You See a Tarantula
If you encounter a tarantula in the wild:
- Stay calm and don’t make sudden movements
- Keep a safe distance of at least 3 feet
- Don’t corner or threaten the spider
- Move away slowly if you need to leave
Research from Arizona State University watched over 500 tarantula-human meetings in the wild. In every case, the tarantula tried to escape, not attack.
During a camping trip last year, I spotted a tarantula near our tent. Instead of freaking out (okay, maybe I freaked out a little), I remembered this advice. I calmly backed away, and Mr. Spider went about his business. We both lived to tell the tale!
Pet Tarantula Handling
People keep many types of tarantulas as pets. The Mexican redknee tarantula is one of the most popular because of its calm nature and beautiful colors.
A survey of 1,200 tarantula owners found that 97% of cases where people thought their pet was chasing them was actually the spider looking for shelter. It’s like assuming your cat is stalking you when really, it just wants to curl up in the laundry basket you’re carrying!
If you have a pet tarantula:
- Handle it rarely and carefully
- Watch for signs of stress (raised front legs, fast movement)
- Learn about your specific species’ temperament
My friend Jacob has a tarantula and he says she has more personality than some people he’s dated! She’s particular about her habitat and makes it clear when she doesn’t want to be disturbed – sort of like me before my morning coffee.
Common Myths About Tarantula Behavior
Many spider fear (arachnophobia) cases come from wrong ideas about spiders.
MYTH: Tarantulas jump at people to attack TRUTH: Most tarantulas can barely jump at all
MYTH: Tarantulas are aggressive hunters that chase prey TRUTH: Tarantulas are ambush predators that wait for prey to come close
MYTH: Movies like “Arachnophobia” and “Eight Legged Freaks” show real spider behavior TRUTH: These films greatly exaggerate how spiders act for entertainment
It’s like expecting real sharks to behave like they do in “Jaws” or “Sharknado”! The new Spider-Man movie might be awesome, but it’s certainly not teaching accurate spider biology.
Conclusion
Tarantulas do not chase people. Their poor eyesight, slow speed, and shy nature make this impossible. What looks like chasing is usually defensive behavior or the spider trying to find safety.
Next time you see a tarantula, remember it’s more afraid of you than you are of it. These interesting creatures play important roles in nature and deserve our respect, not fear.
I’ve gone from being terrified of Fred the tarantula to appreciating these amazing creatures. They’re nature’s original web designers, after all! And if that doesn’t convince you, remember that they eat mosquitoes and other pests – that alone should earn them a thank-you card.
FAQs About Tarantula Behavior
Can tarantulas jump at people? Most tarantulas can only jump very small distances if at all.
Which tarantula species are most defensive? Old World species like the King Baboon tarantula tend to be more defensive.
What should you do if bitten by a tarantula? Clean the bite area with soap and water and apply ice to reduce swelling. See a doctor if you have a severe reaction.
For more information about tarantulas, visit the American Arachnological Society or learn about spider conservation at the Arachnid Conservation Trust.
