Did that giant, hairy spider just wave at you? Tarantulas, often misunderstood as aggressive monsters, are actually complex creatures with distinct personalities.
From docile homebodies to defensive territory-guards, these ancient arachnids have evolved various behaviors to survive for over 150 million years.
Understanding tarantula behavior and temperament is essential for successful keeping and dispelling common myths about these fascinating eight-legged wonders.
“Tarantulas are often misunderstood,” says Stanley Schultz, author of The Tarantula Keeper’s Guide. “Most are not aggressive but defensive. They only react when they feel threatened.”
Understanding Tarantula Temperament
Temperament is basically your spider’s personality – it’s how they usually act day-to-day. Think of it like this: your friend might generally be laid-back (their temperament), but they might snap at you if you eat the last cookie (their behavior in that moment).
Some things that affect your eight-legged buddy’s temperament are:
- What species they are (spider genetics matter!)
- How old they are (spider teenagers have attitudes too)
- If they are male or female (spider gender makes a difference)
- If they were born in the wild or in captivity (nature vs. nurture applies to spiders)
Many people think all tarantulas are aggressive monsters waiting to pounce. Nope! That’s like saying all dogs are vicious – it’s just not true. Most tarantulas are like that shy person at a party – they’d really just prefer to be left alone in their corner.
Defensive vs aggressive tarantula behavior can be misunderstood, and it’s important to know the difference – like knowing whether someone’s shouting because they’re angry or because they’re trying to warn you about the banana peel you’re about to slip on.
New World vs. Old World Tarantulas
Tarantulas are global citizens with different “cultural backgrounds” that affect how they behave. It’s like comparing laid-back Californians to fast-paced New Yorkers – same country, different vibes!
New World tarantulas (the Americas bunch) are like that friend who avoids confrontation:
- They use urticating hair as defense (imagine them flicking itchy glitter at you)
- They’re usually as chill as a cucumber in a freezer
- They’re perfect for spider newbies like I was back in the day
Old World tarantulas (the Africa, Asia, Europe crew) are more like that friend with a short fuse:
- They pack venom with more punch than your morning coffee
- They move faster than your paycheck disappears
- They can be more defensive than a toddler with their favorite toy
- They’re better for people with experience (and possibly nerves of steel)
Temperament Comparison Table
| Species | Origin | Calm or Defensive (1-10)* | Defense Type | Good For | Female Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexican Red-Knee | New World | 2-3 (Very Calm) | Itchy hairs | Beginners | 20-30 years |
| Chaco Golden Knee | New World | 2 (Very Calm) | Itchy hairs | Beginners | 15-20 years |
| Pink Toe Tarantula | New World | 3 (Calm) | Itchy hairs | Beginners | 10-12 years |
| Brazilian Red & White | New World | 5-6 (Medium) | Itchy hairs | Some experience | 15-20 years |
| Gooty Sapphire | Old World | 7 (Defensive) | Strong venom | Experts | 15+ years |
| Orange Baboon | Old World | 8-9 (Very Defensive) | Strong venom | Experts | 15+ years |
| Cobalt Blue | Old World | 8 (Very Defensive) | Strong venom | Experts | 15+ years |
*Rating: 1 = super calm (basically a spider meditating), 10 = very defensive (spider with serious trust issues)
Some tarantulas are like underground real estate developers! They rely on their ability to dig burrows as a primary defense mechanism, creating cozy underground bunkers where they can hide from the world. My first tarantula was quite the architect – she remodeled her enclosure more often than my neighbor redecorates her living room!
How Tarantulas Defend Themselves
Tarantulas have a whole arsenal of self-defense moves that would make a martial arts master jealous:
- Threat posture – When scared, they raise their front legs and fangs like they’re saying “I’m big, I’m bad, back off!” (tarantula raising front legs meaning). The first time my Rosie did this, I nearly jumped out of my skin – talk about effective communication!
- Urticating hair flicking – New World tarantulas kick tiny itchy hairs at threats. Imagine someone throwing invisible itching powder at you – not dangerous, but definitely annoying enough to make you think twice.
- Stridulation – Some make hissing sounds by rubbing body parts together. It’s like their version of cracking knuckles before a fight.
- Biting – This is their absolute last resort when they feel cornered – like how you’d only use that embarrassing childhood story about your sister as your nuclear option in an argument.
Housing and Behavior
Where your fuzzy friend lives affects how they act – just like how you might be relaxed at home but stressed in a crowded elevator.
Housing Factors That Affect Behavior
| Housing Factor | How It Affects Behavior | How Important |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure size | Too small = stress, too big = may not eat | Very important |
| Hiding places | No hide = stress and defensive behavior | Very important |
| Substrate depth | Burrowing species need deep substrate | Important for some species |
| Humidity | Wrong humidity = stress and bad molts | Very important |
| Temperature | Too cold = won’t eat, too hot = may die | Very important |
All tarantulas need a secure hiding place. It’s their safe space – like your bedroom when family gatherings get too overwhelming. I learned this the hard way when my first tarantula refused to eat for days until I added a proper cork bark hide.
Burrowing species need deep soil to dig in – they’re like kids at the beach with their sand castles! Tree-dwelling species need climbing branches – they’re the rock climbers of the spider world.
Tarantula territorial behavior changes based on their home setup – kind of like how your mood improves when your house is clean and organized.
Feeding Behavior and Prey Response
Tarantulas are the snipers of the bug world – ambush predators who wait patiently for dinner to wander by. Different species hunt in different ways:
- Terrestrial tarantulas (ground-dwellers) lurk at their burrow entrance like tiny fuzzy trapdoor monsters
- Arboreal tarantulas (tree-dwellers) hang from webs or plants like eight-legged ninjas
- Most hunt at night (tarantula activity cycle explained) – they’re the night owls of the arachnid world
Last week, I watched my tarantula pounce on a cricket faster than I can grab the last slice of pizza when company’s over. It’s both terrifying and impressive!
Reading Tarantula Body Language
Understanding spider body language is crucial – it’s like learning to read your teenager’s moods, just with more legs involved.
Some tarantulas even have a flair for the dramatic! They might play possum, playing dead when threatened – a performance worthy of a spider Oscar! My friend’s tarantula did this once and nearly gave him a heart attack – he thought he’d somehow killed his pet by changing the water dish!
Tarantulas are surprisingly chatty, in their own silent way. They use subtle movements and vibrations like teenage eye-rolls and sighs – signals for danger, mating readiness, or just general spider grumpiness. Learning how tarantulas communicate is like becoming fluent in a very strange foreign language, but it’s worth it to understand your pet better.
Handling Tarantulas Safely
Not all tarantulas want to be handled. In fact, many of them see your hand about as welcomely as you’d view a stranger trying to pick you up in the grocery store. But for species that tolerate handling:
- Always sit on the floor (because a falling tarantula breaks easier than your phone screen)
- Never grab them – let them walk onto your hand (consent matters in the spider world too!)
- Watch for stress signs (like dating, you need to read the room)
- Keep sessions short (under 5 minutes – leave them wanting more!)
- Wash hands before and after (spider hygiene 101)
I’ll never forget the first time I held my tarantula – my hand was shaking worse than a leaf in a hurricane! Now it feels as natural as holding a hamster (though admittedly with more legs involved).
If your tarantula is acting strange – maybe pacing like they’re waiting for spider college acceptance letters or refusing food like a toddler at dinnertime – they might be stressed. Watch their body language like a hawk!
Growth Stages and Changing Behavior
Tarantulas change as they grow up – just like people, only with more molting and fewer driver’s licenses:
| Life Stage | Age | Typical Behavior | Handling? | Molting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spiderling | 0-1 year | Jumpy, hides a lot | No | Every 1-2 months |
| Juvenile | 1-2 years | Starting to show adult behavior | Maybe | Every 3-6 months |
| Sub-adult | 2-3 years | More predictable | Yes, if calm species | Every 6-12 months |
| Adult male | 3-7 years | More active, wandering | Depends on species | Every 12+ months |
| Adult female | 3-25+ years | Stable behavior | Depends on species | Every 12-24+ months |
Male tarantulas hit spider puberty and suddenly they’re all about finding the ladies – wandering around like they’ve got eight legs and something to prove. Female tarantulas are generally more consistent – the responsible adults of the spider world. With time, their responses might subtly change – my oldest tarantula definitely seems less jumpy around me than when I first got her five years ago.
Some keepers swear their spiders recognize them, like how my tarantula calms down when I’m nearby but gets all defensive when my roommate approaches. Is it recognition or just coincidence? The jury’s still out, but it’s fun to explore whether tarantulas recognize their owners.
Final Thoughts
Understanding tarantula behavior and temperament is like learning a new language – it takes time, but it’s incredibly rewarding. Each fuzzy eight-legged friend is an individual with their own quirks – my three tarantulas have completely different personalities despite being the same species!
Unlike the delicate silk masters you might find in your garden, tarantulas use their webbing differently. Tarantula webbing isn’t primarily for catching prey – it’s more like spider carpeting or a security system. My oldest tarantula has webbed her entire hide like she’s decorating for spider Halloween!
With the right knowledge and right species choice, keeping tarantulas can be a hobby more addictive than potato chips – once you get one, you’ll probably end up with a whole collection!
Take it from someone who started with “just one” and now has a dedicated tarantula room…
