A tarantula has never been documented to have killed a human, because the spider’s venom has not been found to be deadly. If a person gets bitten by a tarantula, the bite could result in pain similar to a bee sting, as well as swelling, a rapid heartbeat and muscle cramps. Tarantulas are large and furry, and their appearance — as well as their portrayal in films and other media — is what is thought to be why they have the reputation that makes many people fearful of them. The spider, however, has generally been found to bite only out of fear and is not considered to be aggressive toward humans.
More about tarantulas:
- Tarantulas don’t have any blood — their bodies contain a clear liquid called hemolymph, which functions in a way similar to how blood does in humans.
- The largest type of tarantula is known as the Goliath bird-eater, whose leg span can be as long as 12 inches (0.3 m).
- Although tarantulas are spiders, they do not have the ability to build webs and instead rely on vibrations felt through their hairs to detect prey.
