Giant, hairy, and misunderstood – tarantulas are the most feared spiders on Earth! But are they really that different from the tiny spiders crawling in your home right now? Let’s explore the fascinating and surprising truth.
Key Points:
- Tarantulas live much longer than regular spiders (up to 30 years for females)
- Tarantulas are much bigger (4-11 inches) than most house spiders
- Most tarantulas don’t build webs like other spiders
- Tarantulas have special defense hairs that other spiders don’t have
- Tarantulas are less dangerous to humans than many people think
Tarantula Family vs. Other Spider Families
Spiders are split into two main groups: Mygalomorphae (which includes tarantulas) and Araneomorphae (which includes most common spiders).
Dr. Norman Platnick, a famous spider expert, explains: “The difference between tarantulas and typical spiders is as big as the difference between cats and dogs in the mammal world.”
Tarantulas are just 1,000 species out of nearly 50,000 spider species worldwide, according to the World Spider Catalog.
To better understand these differences, check out why everything you know about tarantulas vs. true spiders is wrong.
How Tarantulas Look Different From Other Spiders
| Feature | Tarantulas | Other Spiders |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 4-11 inches leg span | Usually 0.5-2 inches |
| Body | Thick, fuzzy | Often smaller, smooth |
| Fangs | Point downward | Move side-to-side like pincers |
| Color | Often brown, black, or with bright parts | Wide range of colors |
The Goliath birdeater is the biggest tarantula, with a leg span up to 11 inches! That’s about the size of a dinner plate. Most house spiders like wolf spiders or jumping spiders are much smaller. For a closer comparison, explore how to tell a tarantula from a wolf spider in 30 seconds.
Where They Live
Tarantula habitat is very different from where most house spiders live.
- Tarantulas: Live mainly in warm places in burrows, under rocks, or in trees
- House spiders: Live almost everywhere, often making webs in corners
Spiders are split into Old World (Africa, Asia, Europe) and New World (North and South America) groups. New World tarantulas, like the Mexican red-knee tarantula, have special itchy hairs for defense that Old World tarantulas don’t have.
For a unique perspective, take a look at comparing tarantulas to common spiders – size matters.
How They Act and Live
The spider behavior of tarantulas is quite different from other spiders:
- Tarantulas don’t build the fancy spider webs you see in your garden
- They hunt by waiting and grabbing prey, not by trapping it in webs
- Female tarantulas can live 15-30 years, while most other female spiders live 1-3 years
- Male tarantulas live 5-7 years, but other male spiders often live less than a year
According to the British Tarantula Society, “Tarantulas’ long lifespan makes them more like pets with personalities than the short-lived spiders most people know.”
Interestingly, despite their slow movements, some argue that which spiders are actually the smartest? might surprise you.
Ways They Defend Themselves
When comparing spider defense mechanisms, tarantulas have some unique tricks:
- Urticating hairs: New World tarantulas can flick itchy hairs at enemies
- Venom: While all spiders have venom, tarantula venom is usually mild for humans
- Threat displays: They raise their front legs and show their fangs when scared
The Brazilian wandering spider and Sydney funnel-web spider are much more dangerous to humans than any tarantula.
For those curious about tarantula venom, here are the 5 tarantulas with venom that will make you scream.
Dangerous Spiders Comparison
Despite their scary looks, tarantulas are less dangerous than many smaller spiders.
- Black widow and brown recluse spiders have more harmful venom
- Only about 200 tarantula bites are reported yearly in the US, compared to 7,000 bites from other spiders
- No one has died from a tarantula bite, but bites from some other spiders can be deadly
Dr. Robert Raven from the American Tarantula Society says: “People fear tarantulas because they’re big and fuzzy, but they should be more careful around tiny spiders like the brown recluse.”
If you’re wondering should you fear a tarantula or a black widow more?, this guide breaks it down.
Common House Spiders vs. Tarantulas
It’s easy to mix up some big house spiders with tarantulas:
- Wolf spider vs. tarantula: Wolf spiders are smaller, faster, have different eye patterns, and often carry their babies
- Huntsman spider vs. tarantula: Huntsman spiders have legs that stick out to the sides and are much flatter
- Jumping spider vs. tarantula: Jumping spiders have huge front eyes and can jump many times their body length
- Orb weaver vs. tarantula: Orb weavers make the classic round webs and have smaller bodies with big abdomens
For a detailed comparison, check out 7 key differences between tarantulas and huntsman spiders.
Tarantulas as Pets
Many people keep tarantulas as pets. They’re different from other pet spiders in several ways:
- They cost more ($20-$1,500+) than other pet spiders ($10-$100)
- They need less care than most pets
- They live much longer (a female Chilean rose tarantula can live 20+ years)
- They rarely need to be fed (just 1-2 large insects monthly)
The American Arachnological Society notes that about 500,000 US homes have pet tarantulas, making them the most popular pet spider.
Spider Facts Table
| Fact | Tarantulas | Other Spiders |
|---|---|---|
| Eyes | 8 in a simple pattern | 8 in various patterns |
| Growth | Takes 5-10 years to grow up | Takes 1-12 months to grow up |
| Eggs laid | 500-1,000 | 30-300 |
| Baby survival rate | 20-30% in wild | 5-15% in wild |
| Speed | Up to 1 mph | Up to 2.5 mph (wolf spiders) |
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking at a desert tarantula or a common garden spider, each has its own special traits. Tarantulas may look scarier because of their size, but they’re often more gentle than many smaller spiders.
If you’ve ever wondered why tarantulas use silk but don’t spin webs, the answer is fascinating.
Another common question is should you fear a tarantula or a black widow more?, as many people mistake their threat levels.
Want to learn more? Check out the American Tarantula Society for pictures and facts about these amazing creatures.
FAQs
- Are tarantulas more dangerous than other spiders? No, many smaller spiders like the black widow have more dangerous venom.
- Which is bigger: a wolf spider or a tarantula? Tarantulas are much bigger, with leg spans up to 11 inches compared to wolf spiders’ 1-2 inches.
- Do tarantulas build webs like house spiders? No, tarantulas don’t build catching webs. They only use silk to line their homes and make egg sacs.
