TARANTULA

in general, any member of the spider family Theraphosidae (order Araneida). The name, given originally to the wolf spider (Lycosa tarentula, family Lycosidae) of southern Europe, is derived from that of the town of Taranto, Italy. The bite of L. tarentula was once thought to cause a disease known as tarantism, in which the victim wept and skipped about before going into a wild dance. It has been shown, however, that the bite of L. tarentula is not dangerous to humans and that no ill effects can be attributed to it. The body of L. tarentula is about 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) long. Like other wolf spiders, it spins no web but catches its prey by pursuit. American tarantula (Aphonopelma) Members of the family Theraphosidae occur in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and tropical America. Many theraphosids make burrows in soil. They feed mainly at night on insects and occasionally eat small frogs, toads, and mice. In the southwestern United States, tarantulas of the genus Aphonopelma (see photograph) may attain a body length up to 5 cm (2 in.) and a leg spread up to 12.5 cm (almost 5 in.). The spiders, dark in colour and sluggish in movement, have hairy body and legs. Theraphosids are harmless to humans and can be trained as pets, although they can inflict painful bites if provoked. The most common North American tarantula is Eurypelma californicum, found in California, Texas, and Arizona. A 30-year life span has been recorded for one individual of this species. Certain South American tarantulas, which have a body length of up to 7.5 cm (almost 3 in.), build large webs and eat small birds.