tarantula

/təˈræntʃələ/

/təˈræntʃulə/

Other forms: tarantulas; tarantulae

A tarantula is a hairy, poisonous, black spider. Although they are furry and some people keep them as pets, you probably don't want to cuddle up to one.

Tarantulas are found primarily in subtropical South America. Their leg spans can range from three to twelve inches, which means that a very big tarantula is about as wide as a cowboy hat! While their bites are poisonous, you won't die from tarantula venom, unless the bite gets infected.

Definitions of tarantula

1. noun

   large southern European spider once thought to be the cause of tarantism (uncontrollable bodily movement)
   synonyms: European wolf spider, Lycosa tarentula

   type of:

   hunting spider, wolf spider

   ground spider that hunts its prey instead of using a web
2. noun

   large hairy tropical spider with fangs that can inflict painful but not highly venomous bites
   type of:

   spider

   predatory arachnid with eight legs, two poison fangs, two feelers, and usually two silk-spinning organs at the back end of the body; they spin silk to make cocoons for eggs or traps for prey