TARANTULAS – MORE ACCURATELY called theraphosids – are large spiders with a fearsome reputation. Confusingly, the name tarantula originally referred to the wolf spider (Lycosa tarantula), which belongs to an entirely different family. It was thought that its bite could only be survived by performing a dance called the tarantella. However, in popular culture, the name tarantula is nowadays almost synonymous with theraphosids.
Why are tarantulas so feared?
Predominantly due to their large size,
