Theraphosidae
Sign in to saveTarantulas are a group of large and often hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae. More than a thousand species have been identified, within almost 200 genera. The term "tarantula" is usually used to describe members of the family Theraphosidae, although many other members of the same infraorder (Mygalomorphae) are commonly referred to as "tarantulas" or "false tarantulas". Some of the more common species have become popular in the exotic pet trade. Many New World species kept as pets have setae known as urticating hairs that can cause irritation to the skin, and in extreme cases, cause dama
AI overview
Theraphosidae is the family of large, hairy spiders commonly known as tarantulas, with over a thousand identified species across nearly 200 genera. Some species have become popular as exotic pets, though many can defend themselves with irritating hairs that cause skin discomfort.
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Taxonomy · GBIF
FAMILY
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumArthropoda
- ClassArachnida
- OrderAraneae
- FamilyTheraphosidae
via GBIF · CC0
Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- taxon
- Parent taxon
- Theraphosoidea
- Image
- Brachypelma edit.jpg
Show 6 more facts
- P105
- family
Article
25 sectionsContents
- Overview
- Identification
- Etymology
- The element ''pelma'' in genus names
- Distribution
- Habits
- Appendages
- Internal anatomy
- Digestive system
- Nervous system
- Respiratory system
- Circulatory system
- Predators
- Bites and urticating bristles
- Sexual dimorphism
- Life cycle
- Reproduction
- Taxonomy
- Subfamilies
- Genera
- Fossil record
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Tarantulas are a group of large and often hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae. More than a thousand species have been identified, within almost 200 genera. The term "tarantula" is usually used to describe members of the family Theraphosidae, although many other members of the same infraorder (Mygalomorphae) are commonly referred to as "tarantulas" or "false tarantulas". Some of the more common species have become popular in the exotic pet trade. Many New World species kept as pets have setae known as urticating hairs that can cause irritation to the skin, and in extreme cases, cause damage to the eyes.
==Overview== Like all arthropods, the tarantula is an invertebrate that relies on an exoskeleton for muscular support. Like other Arachnida, a tarantula's body comprises two main parts, the prosoma (or cephalothorax) and the opisthosoma (or abdomen). The prosoma and opisthosoma are connected by the pedicel, or pregenital somite. This waist-like connecting piece is actually part of the prosoma and gives the opisthosoma a wide range of motion relative to the prosoma.