DESCRIPTION Harmless to humans these large hairy spiders belong to the Theraphosidae family which comprises over 900 species. Living in burrows they mainly devour small insects. Some of the larger tarantulas have been known to kill large mice, birds, lizards and small snakes. They can only ingest food in a liquid form and usually coat the prey with digestive juices that liquefy to make them palatable.
The hairs on the tarantula are also used as a defence, as they easily break off once touched and cause irritation.
Tarantulas have oversized fangs. When they bite a human ( rare ) they can take a chunk of skin out at the bite site. However the venom is mild so you won't die but you might die from infection if the wound becomes infected ( sepsis ) and no treatment is sought.
PLEASE NOTE SOME COLOURINGS MAY VARY FROM SPIDER TO SPIDER
