Family
Theraphosidae
Characteristics –
Size: The largest spider found in the United States and
around the world. In this country, the body may measure up to
two-and-a-half inches in length with a leg span of up to four
inches.
Color: In the U.S., tarantulas are varying shades of
brown from medium to dark. The spiders are very hairy.
Behavior – Tarantulas are passive hunters in
that they wait near their burrows for insects and other spiders to
walk past, then ambush their prey. They live in burrows in the soil
and beneath items in contact with the ground, such as stones or
logs. It is common in the desert Southwest to discover a tarantula
burrowed beneath a landscape timber or a flagstone in landscaped
beds around homes. They rarely venture far from this burrow, coming
out only at night to feed. During the late summer and fall, however,
male tarantulas will wander great distances in search of females
with which to mate. Occasionally, one of these males will wander
into a garage or a home.
Habitat – The approximately 45 species of
tarantulas in the United States are found in the south central and
southwest areas of the country. Their range begins in Western
Arkansas, extends north into Oklahoma, and west to California.
Tips for Control – Despite their large size,
tarantulas are not dangerous and are typically slow-moving. When
discovered, they can be coaxed to crawl into a can or box using a
brush, broom or stick to tap them on the abdomen and guide them.
Once captured, they should be released into areas away from homes.
