Last year, hospitals treated over 2,500 spider bites nationwide. In the ultimate showdown between massive tarantulas and notorious black widows, knowing which eight-legged neighbor truly deserves your fear might surprise you!
Even though tarantulas are much larger, their threat displays are meant to intimidate rather than actually harm humans.
Key Points:
- Black widow venom is 1000 times stronger than tarantula venom
- Tarantulas are much bigger but less deadly to humans
- Black widows cause about 2,500 bites each year in the US
- Both spiders rarely attack unless they feel threatened
- Black widows have a red hourglass mark that helps identify them
How to Tell Them Apart
Last summer, I nearly jumped out of my skin when I spotted what looked like a hairy hand creeping across my shed floor! Turned out it was just a tarantula passing through. Talk about getting my heart racing!
Size is the easiest way to tell these spider species apart. Tarantulas are huge! They can grow up to 11 inches across with their legs spread out—about as wide as your dinner plate! Black widows are tiny in comparison, usually only about 1.5 inches across—smaller than your thumb.
Color and markings are also different:
- Tarantulas are usually brown or black and very hairy
- Black widows are shiny black with a red hourglass shape on their belly
- Tarantulas have thick, furry legs
- Black widows have thin, delicate legs
According to Dr. Linda Rayor from the American Arachnological Society, “Most people can easily tell the difference between these spiders. If it’s big and hairy, it’s a tarantula. If it’s small, black, and has a red mark, it’s probably a black widow.”
Danger to Humans
My cousin once said, “I’d rather shake hands with a tarantula than high-five a black widow!” After researching for this article, I’ve gotta say—he’s not wrong!
Which spider is more dangerous? Let’s compare their bite toxicity:
| Spider Type | Venom Strength | Bites Per Year (US) | Need Medical Help | Deaths (Since 1980) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarantula | Mild | About 200 | Very few (about 40) | 0 |
| Black Widow | Very strong | About 2,500 | About 1,600 | 7 |
The black widow spider has much stronger neurotoxic venom. Their bite can make you very sick, but it rarely kills people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has special medicine called antivenom that doctors can use for bad black widow bites.
Tarantulas can hurt you in two ways:
- They can bite with their fangs
- They can flick tiny urticating hairs that can make your skin itch
It’s like comparing a loud barking dog to a silent snake—sometimes the quieter creature packs more punch!
Spider Bite Symptoms
If a black widow bites you, you might feel:
- Strong pain that gets worse
- Muscle cramps
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Headache
For tarantula bites, symptoms are usually:
- Mild pain (like a bee sting)
- Swelling
- Redness
- Itching if you touch their hairs
Dr. Michael Adams from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) says, “While both spiders can bite, the black widow’s bite needs more medical care. Most tarantula bites heal on their own without special treatment.”
I once got those itchy hairs on my arm while photographing a tarantula for my blog. Let me tell you—it felt like wearing an invisible wool sweater in summer! Not fun, but way better than the “hit-by-a-truck” feeling that black widow bites cause.
Where They Live
Habitat comparison shows these spiders like different homes:
- Tarantulas: Mostly in warm places like deserts and jungles. In the US, they live in southwestern states. Species like the Chilean rose tarantula and Mexican redknee tarantula are popular as pets.
- Black Widows: Found almost everywhere in the US. They like dark, quiet spots like garages, woodpiles, and under rocks. The Western black widow (Latrodectus hesperus) is common in western states.
When I moved to Arizona in 2023, my neighbor warned me to always shake out my boots before putting them on. “Tarantulas are just looking for a cozy home,” she joked, “but they don’t pay rent!”
Behavior and Webs
These spiders act very differently:
Black widows:
- Build strong, sticky, messy webs
- Stay in their webs waiting for food
- Have the strongest spider silk by size (stronger than steel!)
Tarantulas:
- Don’t build webs to catch food
- Hunt by running after prey
- Make silk-lined burrows in the ground
- Some types like the Pink toe tarantula (Avicularia avicularia) live in trees
It’s like comparing a homebody who orders delivery to an active jogger who hits the drive-thru—completely different lifestyles!
Which Makes a Better Pet?
Many people keep tarantulas as pets. The World Tarantula Society reports that tarantulas are the most popular pet spiders because they are:
- Long-lived (females can live 15-30 years)
- Generally calm
- Low maintenance
- Interesting to watch
Black widows should NEVER be kept as pets because they are:
- Dangerous
- Often illegal to keep
- Not friendly for handling
As pet-keeping trends evolve in 2025, tarantula popularity has surged after several Hollywood celebrities showed off their exotic spider collections on social media. But trust me—start with a goldfish if you’re new to pets!
What To Do If You Find One
If you find a black widow:
- Stay calm and back away
- Keep kids and pets away
- Call pest control if it’s in your home
- Never try to pick it up
If you find a tarantula:
- Give it space
- Watch from a distance
- Enjoy seeing a cool spider!
The American Association of Poison Control Centers recommends calling 1-800-222-1222 if you think you’ve been bitten by either spider.
Remember, both spiders are important for pest control in nature. They eat insects and help keep ecological balance in their homes. As the Journal of Arachnology explains, spiders eat more insects than birds and bats combined, making them very helpful creatures!
During the recent drought across the Southwest, researchers noted increased tarantula sightings in residential areas. These eight-legged exterminators were just following the bugs looking for water! Nature’s pest control working overtime—talk about dedication to your job!
