Tarantulas by State 2025

Spiders are relatively common in just about every area of the country. One of the most popular spiders is the tarantula. There are a lot of people who do not really know what to think when they see a tarantula, but tarantulas are relatively easy to spot because these spiders are generally covered in hair. Tarantulas are relatively slow when compared to other spiders, and they are very deliberate with their movement. They are talented predators that like to hunt at night, and they usually target insects. On the other hand, there are some situations where tarantulas can hunt bigger game, such as frogs and toads.

Are Tarantulas Dangerous To People?

In general, tarantulas are not dangerous to humans. Like other spiders, tarantulas are generally afraid of humans, and they will try to avoid them if possible. The two spiders that are generally dangerous for humans include the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider. On the other hand, there are some situations where a tarantula could bite you if it feels threatened. If you get bitten by a tarantula, it will probably feel like a bee sting. There will be some significant pain in the area of the bite, and it could swell up. The venom is relatively weak, so you should not have a severe reaction. On the other hand, there are some people who have allergies, so the reaction could be a bit more severe in those specific situations.

What States Have Tarantulas?

There are dozens of species of tarantulas, and different species of tarantulas are found in different parts of the country. As a general rule, tarantulas like hot, dry parts of the country. Therefore, tarantulas are relatively common in the desert Southwest. Some of the most common states where tarantulas might be spotted include Arizona Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah. If you live in these parts of the country, there is a chance that you might see a tarantula in the wild. In addition, if you go to a local pet store, you might find that there are tarantulas for sale.

What Should You Do if You See a Tarantula?

If you see a tarantula in your home, you should not kill it. Keep in mind that tarantulas are going to kill a lot of the most common pests that you might find in your home, so you should not kill the spider. If you feel like you can do so safely, try to catch it in a container. Then, release it in the wild. If you are not comfortable dealing with tarantulas, you are probably better off staying away from them. As long as you stay away from the tarantula, it should not hurt you. If you see a tarantula in the wild, it is a good idea to leave it alone. It is not going to come after you, and it will kill a lot of insects that would otherwise become a nuisance.