{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "tarantula",
  "name": "Tarantula",
  "scientificName": "Theraphosidae",
  "category": "Invertebrate",
  "summary": "Tarantulas are a family of large, hairy spiders found across the warmer parts of the world, with around 1,000 species. Despite their fearsome look, most are not dangerous to humans, with venom milder than a bee sting. The biggest, the Goliath birdeater, can span 30 cm (12 in) across the legs. Females are long-lived, with some surviving 20 to 30 years.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Arthropoda",
    "class": "Arachnida",
    "order": "Araneae",
    "family": "Theraphosidae",
    "genus": null
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 0.085,
    "lengthM": 0.13,
    "topSpeedKmh": 2,
    "lifespanYears": 20
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Theraphosidae (family)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Deserts, rainforests, and grasslands"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "Females up to 20–30 years"
    },
    {
      "label": "Leg span",
      "value": "Up to 30 cm (12 in) in the largest"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Slow; short quick dashes"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Varies by species (most Least Concern)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Warm regions worldwide, including the Americas, Africa, and Asia, with the greatest diversity in South America.",
    "continents": [
      "North America",
      "South America",
      "Africa",
      "Asia"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Theraphosidae.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Theraphosidae&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Wikipedia — Tarantula.",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarantula"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/tarantula/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/tarantula/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}