10 Fun Facts About Tarantulas That Will Blow Your Mind

Tarantulas are one of the most misunderstood animals on the planet. People either fear them, think they’re dangerous, or assume they’re just creepy crawlies that hang out in horror movies. But here’s the thing—tarantulas are fascinating, ancient creatures that have evolved in some of the most extreme environments on Earth.

Whether you're already a keeper or just curious about these eight-legged wonders, here are 10 wild tarantula facts that might just change the way you see them.

1. They Can Regrow Legs

That’s right, if a tarantula loses a leg in a fight, a bad molt, or even a fall, they can grow it back. It’s not instant, but with each molt, the leg comes back a little more developed until it’s nearly indistinguishable from the original.

Watch a molting tarantula in action: https://youtu.be/R4miRWCAiTg

2. They Don’t Get Stuck in Their Own Webs

Unlike many other spiders, tarantulas have special chemical properties in their feet that keep them from getting stuck in their own silk. They can walk across their own webbing (or the webbing of a rival) without issue.

3. Some Can Live Over 30 Years

That’s not a typo. Female tarantulas from genera like Grammostola, Brachypelma, and Aphonopelma can live well past 25 years—and sometimes into their 30s. Meanwhile, males often only live a few years after maturing.

If you’re thinking of getting a pet tarantula, just know, it’s a long-term commitment.

4. They Breathe Through Book Lungs

Tarantulas don’t breathe like we do. They have what’s called book lungs, layered structures that look a lot like the pages of a book. Air moves through them in thin sheets, allowing oxygen to diffuse into the spider’s bloodstream.

5. They Flick Hairs as a Defense Mechanism

Some New World species (mostly from the Americas) have specialized hairs on their abdomen called urticating hairs. When threatened, they’ll use their back legs to kick clouds of these tiny barbed hairs into the air.

These hairs can cause itching, burning, and even serious eye irritation, so always take care when working near species like Brachypelma hamorii or Theraphosa blondi.

6. Some Tarantulas Can Swim

Believe it or not, there are reports—and even videos—of tarantulas swimming across puddles, streams, and even short distances in open water. Their bodies are hydrophobic enough to float, and their legs work kind of like oars.

No, they’re not winning Olympic medals, but it’s still impressive.

7. Their Fangs Move Up and Down

Unlike most spiders, which have side-to-side moving fangs, tarantulas’ fangs move vertically—up and down. They’re like twin daggers that stab downward into prey. It’s one of the things that separates mygalomorphs (like tarantulas) from araneomorphs (like jumping spiders or orb weavers).

8. Some Tarantulas Can Launch Poop as a Defense

Yep. It sounds ridiculous—but it’s true. A few arboreal species, like Poecilotheria regalis and Tapinauchenius sp., have been observed forcefully launching poop when threatened. It’s usually aimed at potential predators (or unlucky humans), and while it’s not dangerous, it’s definitely… unpleasant.

If you’ve ever opened an enclosure and ended up wiping spider poop off your glasses, you know what I mean.

9. Tarantulas Can Sense Vibrations from Far Away

Their entire bodies are built to feel the world around them. Tiny sensory hairs on their legs, body, and pedipalps can detect the faintest of vibrations. That’s how they know when prey is approaching—or when something much larger is stomping toward them.

So yes, they can feel your footsteps coming before you even open the enclosure.

10. They’re Everywhere (Almost)

Tarantulas are native to every continent except Antarctica. You’ll find them in the deserts of the American Southwest, the rainforests of Brazil, the mountains of India, and even the dry grasslands of Africa.

Wherever there’s heat and shelter, there’s probably a tarantula nearby.

Want to Learn More?

If you thought this list was cool, you’ll love diving deeper into tarantula care and natural history. I cover everything from beginner-friendly species to rare Old World giants on my YouTube channel and in detailed care guides.

Watch my video on the Top 5 Beginner Tarantulas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Uuf10KnBxY

Explore care guides: https://www.thetarantulacollective.com/care-guides

Recommended Gear

Want to keep your own tarantula? Here’s what I recommend:

Tarantula Enclosures: https://www.tarantulacribs.com/?ref=TheTarantulaCollective or use code TTC10 to save 10%

Substrate & Bioactive Supplies: https://www.thebiodude.com/?dt_id=1400014

Buy Tarantulas: 

https://spidershoppe.com/r?id=6nup9f - Use this link for 10% off