How Tarantulas Get Their Scientific Names?
If you’ve ever kept tarantulas—or even just browsed for one online—you’ve probably noticed those long, often hard-to-pronounce scientific names. Ever wondered how tarantulas actually get these names? It’s a process rooted in science, history, and a little bit of detective work. Today, we’re going to break it all down and take a closer look at how scientists classify and name these incredible spiders.
What Family Do Tarantulas Belong To?
Tarantulas are part of the Theraphosidae family, a group of large, often hairy spiders found across the globe. There are over 1,000 recognized species of tarantulas, each with its own unique traits, behaviors, and habitats. But before a tarantula can officially get a name and take its place in the scientific record, arachnologists have to follow a standardized naming process called binomial nomenclature.
What Is Binomial Nomenclature?
Binomial nomenclature is the universal system scientists use to name all living organisms—from tarantulas to tigers to trees. This system was created in the 1700s by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, and it’s still the foundation of modern taxonomy today.
Each species gets two names:
The genus, which groups together closely related species.
The species, which identifies the individual species within that genus.
For example, the iconic Mexican Redknee Tarantula is scientifically known as Brachypelma hamorii.
Brachypelma is the genus (a group of closely related tarantulas).
hamorii is the species (the specific type of tarantula within the Brachypelma genus).
By convention, the genus name is capitalized, while the species name is written in lowercase. Both should be italicized in formal writing.
What Do Scientific Names Mean?
Scientific names often come from Latin or Greek roots that describe the spider’s appearance, behavior, or habitat. For example, Brachypelma translates roughly to "short leg," which reflects some physical characteristics.
However, not all names are strictly Latin or Greek. In some cases, the name reflects the local language or culture where the species was discovered. A great example is the genus Tliltocatl, derived from the Nahuatl words tlil (meaning "black") and tocatl (meaning "spider"). This name honors the tarantula’s indigenous roots in Mexico.
How Are New Tarantula Species Named?
When a new tarantula species is discovered, the process of naming it is more complex than just picking something that sounds cool. Arachnologists follow a detailed process:
Observation and Documentation
Scientists study the tarantula's physical features—its size, coloration, leg structure, eye arrangement, and even its spinnerets. They also note its behavior, habitat, and geographic range.
Comparing to Existing Species
The new specimen is compared to previously described species in taxonomic databases and literature to ensure it isn’t already known under a different name.
Choosing a Unique Name
The new species needs a scientific name that hasn’t already been used. Sometimes the species name honors a person (like a scientist or local guide), reflects where it was found, or describes a distinctive feature.
Publishing and Peer Review
The scientist submits their research to a scientific journal, where other experts review and verify the discovery. If accepted, the name becomes official and is added to the taxonomic record.
What About Tarantulas Without Species Names?
Sometimes you’ll see tarantulas labeled with just a genus and sp. (short for species), like Brachypelma sp. This indicates that the tarantula hasn’t been formally described yet, or the species is still being debated within the scientific community. This happens when:
There isn’t enough data to confidently classify the tarantula.
Populations show unique traits but not enough to warrant full species status.
Experts disagree on whether a population is its own species or just a regional variant of an existing one.
This is also how subspecies are sometimes handled. A tarantula population might look a little different due to geographic isolation or environmental adaptation, but not different enough to be considered a whole new species. In these cases, scientists might classify them as subspecies instead.
What’s the Deal with Reclassification?
Tarantula classification isn’t set in stone—it evolves as new research comes out. Advances in DNA analysis are helping scientists get a clearer picture of relationships between species, sometimes confirming or overturning older classifications.
A perfect example is Avicularia avicularia. At one point, this species was split into several different species, but later research revealed they were all part of the same species—just different morph types. This led to a reclassification, collapsing all those separate species back into one, Avicularia avicularia.
What About Crossbreeding?
In general, different species can’t successfully breed with each other. However, closely related species—or subspecies—sometimes can. That’s why in the hobby, responsible breeders avoid intentionally cross breeding species. Keeping their bloodlines pure helps preserve the genetic integrity of each species and avoids creating hybrids that could muddy future research.
Are Tarantulas Renamed for Fame?
Let’s clear up a common misconception—scientists don’t rename tarantulas just for clout. Sure, getting a species named after you is a cool honor, but reclassification is driven by science, not ego.
Taxonomists only rename or revise species when new evidence (like DNA sequencing or more thorough comparisons) shows the old classification was incorrect or incomplete. Every reclassification goes through peer review—it’s not something one scientist can just decide on a whim. Typically if a tarantula is named after an individual, it is done to honor their contributions to the ongoing research.
Why Use Binomial Names Instead of Common Names?
Now, you might be thinking, “Why not just stick with the common names? They're way easier to say and remember!” And I get it. Common names like "Mexican Redknee" or "Pinktoe" are familiar, but there’s a big catch—they can be super confusing.
Take "Redknee," for example. That name gets tossed around for several different species, as well as similar names like Redleg, Bloodleg, Fire knee, Flame Knee, etc. So if we were just throwing around common names all the time, there’s a chance we’d end up talking about completely different tarantulas than what we intended, especially since they sometimes look very similar. I have made a video on this topic as it relates to a lot of confusion surrounding red tarantulas from Mexico. Not only are many of the common names very similar for different species, but there are some tarantulas with the same common name that are from completely different genera. You can watch that video here. At any rate, that’s why we use binomial names—that fancy two-part Latin system.
Here’s why it’s so important:
No More Confusion
Binomial names are unique to each species. So, when you say Brachypelma hamorii (Mexican Redknee), there’s no question about which tarantula you’re talking about. Compare that to common names—there’s “Redknee” for one species, and “Redknee” for another. The scientific name ensures we’re all on the same page, no matter where we’re from.
Worldwide Standard
Here’s the cool thing: binomial names are universal. Whether you’re talking to someone in the U.S., Europe, Asia, or even Australia, if you use the scientific name, everyone knows exactly what you mean. No need to worry about translation issues or regional names—this system works everywhere.
Goodbye to Regional Confusion
In some places, a single tarantula might be known by a bunch of different common names. For example, the Grammostola rosea gets called everything from “Rose Hair” to “Chilean Rosehair” to “Chilean Rose” to “Rosies” and even “Chilean Fire.” If you’re talking with someone from a different part of the world, all those names can get mixed up. But when you say Grammostola rosea, it’s crystal clear which species you're referring to.
Clear Communication in the Community
For researchers, breeders, or anyone deep into the tarantula world, accurate names are key. Binomial names make it super easy to track, study, and compare different species. No more guessing or misunderstandings. Whether you’re chatting with a fellow hobbyist or sharing findings with the scientific community, these names are a universally recognized way to communicate.
Keeping Up with New Discoveries
Tarantula classification isn’t static. As scientists learn more and more—especially with DNA research—they’re constantly reclassifying species or even discovering new ones. Binomial names evolve along with these discoveries. So, using them ensures we’re always on the same page with the latest research.
Final Thoughts
The process of naming tarantulas is part science, part history, and part detective work. It’s a collaborative effort that helps scientists around the world communicate clearly, avoid confusion, and better understand these fascinating animals. And as our tools and knowledge improve, you can bet the names and classifications will continue to evolve.
So the next time you’re struggling to pronounce something like Tliltocatl albopilosus, just remember—you’re speaking the universal language of science!
