Biology:
Tarantulas are a type of large, venomous arachnid with over 900 separate species discovered, and can be found living in many areas of the world. As terrestrial animals, they generally live in underground burrows and produce silk which they use to stabilize their burrows and allow for better movement within the tunnels. Unlike most other spiders, tarantulas are able to produce silk from both their abdomen and through their feet with specialized silk producing structures. This silk webbing is also used as a tripwire system around and at the entrance to the burrows, alerting the spider to possible prey or predators.
The bodies of these creatures are usually brown or black in color, often containing patches of brighter colors in some species; this and their behavior is determined by the environment they are found in. They can vary in size from a few centimeters long to having a leg span of almost a foot, with males generally smaller and narrower than the larger females. Along with this, their sexual dimorphism is also characterized by the males being duller in color and having a considerably shorter lifespan due to the catching of vital organs on the adult's moulted skin.
Although all tarantulas have venom and are well equipped to bite, most tarantulas' venom is weaker than that of a honey bee, even though the bite may cause mild to serious discomfort and last for several days. When there is talk of a kind of dangerous tarantula, it is always the case of mislabeling another kind of spider as a tarantula, as there are many other types of spiders that can look similar to tarantulas. Even with the risk of allergic reaction in some, there have been no accounts of death due to a bite from a tarantula. Before a tarantula will bite a predator, it will first take an aggressive, threatening stance while hissing as a first warning. Even still before it will bite, it will then hit the threat with its raised front legs.
Many tarantulas in North and South America have a defensive strategy that they utilize even before the previously mentioned threatening stance, as other tarantulas tend to have more potent venom. These tarantulas are covered in hairs known as urticating hairs that they are able to kick or throw at predators using their rear legs to dislodge the hairs from their abdomen. These hairs are meant to cause irritation to predators, particularly to the eyes as the hairs can penetrate the cornea and cause intense pain. They also serve as an effective strategy of defense if an animal gets too close and sniffs the tarantula, causing the urticating hairs to irritate the mucous membranes of the nose.
Tarantulas and Society:
More often than not, any story heard of tarantulas being a danger to society or being unknowingly transported through shipping is a case of another, usually more dangerous spider being mistaken for a tarantula. Tarantulas do not pose any sort of threat to society as a whole, and are integrated into many cultures as something to observe, keep as a pet, or even to eat. Contradictory to their stereotypical view of being harsh predators, tarantulas are more often the target of predation themselves, weather it be by humans, parasitic wasps, or even the cordyceps fungus. These spiders are not of particular interest in the medical field for their venom, as the venom is of little danger to humans.
Due to low cost and easy maintenance, tarantulas are popular creatures to be kept as pets. They are easily handled if done correctly, and usually not hostile, depending on the species. Because of this, it can be beneficial to keep a tarantula in order to observe and learn about them in a controlled, safe environment. The keeping of such a frightening looking arachnid is an effective way of deterring others from arachnophobia, the fear of spiders, and perhaps changing opinions about spiders in general.
Although not very common worldwide, there are cultures that exist where the eating of tarantulas and other types of spiders is common practice. In Cambodia, the eating of tarantulas become common when there was a period of severe food shortage. Even as the food shortage became a problem of the past, the eating of tarantulas remained and become an icon of cuisine for the region. From this, other cultures have taken to or have already practiced the eating of spiders, similar in reason and taste as other cultures that often eat insects and other arachnids. Apparently, tarantula meat can be compared to chicken or cod.