Tarantula



The Tarantula is a rare bug in the and is worth 8,000 Bells. They are found on the ground between 7pm and 4am, between the months of June and August. It is not to be confused with the spider, which is harmless and has different traits.

Synopsis
The tarantula is 1 of 3 "harmful" bugs, and is considered one of the most dangerous, next to the scorpion. The tarantula will not harm a player unless the player runs into or around it, or if the player has their net out. Tarantulas typically move slowly, unless agitated. When agitated, they will chase, and not stop chasing the player unless they are caught, they lose sight of the player, the player runs into a building, or the player is bitten. If the player is bitten by a tarantula, they will pass out and wake up in front of their home. It should be noted that a bite from a Tarantula will only send the player back to their house, not un-do whatever the player did that day (unlike resetting).

Villagers are aware of a tarantula's presence and will point it out to a player if it gets too close. (i.e. "Don't make a sound...") Also, if the player is being chased by a tarantula and talks to a villager, the villager will exclaim that they are being chased and to get away from them.

Avoiding the Tarantula
The Tarantula is harmful and should be avoided unless the player is trying to catch it. It is suggested that the player doesn't equip the net or run through town during the hours the tarantula is available, to avoid being bit. It can jump over holes dug in the ground using the shovel, as well as jump off of cliffs and jump up onto the lower part of ramps (City Folk). The tarantula is much darker and easier to see than the scorpion, so it should be easier for the player to avoid.

Catching the Tarantula
Speed and Timing are essential for catching the tarantula but finding one is no walk in the park,once you have found it make sure you use the ways below to help you catch the tarantula.

An easy place for many to catch the tarantula is just on the ramp of a slope in City Folk, just where it cannot jump up but where the net can also hit the ground. This makes the tarantula run into the wall, and keeps it steady for the player to catch. In Wild World, the Tarantula is more noticeable by the sound it makes - scratching on the ground. In City Folk, it makes a lot less noise as in previous installments. It is much harder to catch in Wild World than in City Folk due to the lack of slopes.

Another way to catch the tarantula is to pick an acre where a tarantula resides, and walk as slowly as possible around it with your net equipped. Make sure the acre has a building so that you can run into it - not to avoid a tarantula, but to reset bug locations. In other words, it might spawn a tarantula. When you see the tarantula, do not just run up to it; walk as slowly as possible towards it. It is easier to catch it if the bug comes to a complete halt. It doesn't matter if you are facing its back, front, or whatnot. When your position seems right, swing your net! This takes a little luck, but this process definitely works. One can also approach it from behind AS SLOWLY AS POSSIBLE to avoid having it notice your presence, and then swing your net when you are positioned above it correctly.

Approaching the tarantula on the lower tier of the town near the sea (City Folk) will make it walk away from the player, which may direct it to water where it will fall in and disappear.

There are two major ways to catch this creature. One way is the frontal assault, used by thrill seekers. When you see the tarantula, slowly walk to it with your net out.The bug will notice and will scuttle towards you,swing your net at the right time although trying to catch it this way may get you bitten! Another way is the stealth approach: keep your net sheathed (but first in the line up for easy reach) and maneuver behind the tarantula. Walk with extreme slowness towards it, then ready your net and swipe before it has time to notice!

Donating to the Museum
The tarantula can be donated to the Museum, followed by a small, agitated talk by Blathers, the curator.

In Wild World
Hoo my! It's simply amazing that you were able to catch one of these monsters... Not only is it poisonous, it's as hairy as can be... Blech! Hairy and toxic... Is there any combination more vile?"''

They are slightly rarer than the scorpion. The tarantula can be found in the second room of the bug exhibit, in the area where the dung beetle and pill bug are displayed. If donated with the scorpion, the two will engage in battle. However, if just the tarantula is donated, it will follow the player's movements.

In City Folk
"Hoo, such foul fuzziness! And have you seen how fast they move? It's enough to make an owl faint. They're quite docile beasts, and it's documented that they rarely attack people... But when I look at them up close like this, I start to wonder if the experts might be wrong, eh wot?!"


 * It can be found in the first enclosure on the middle terrace, which holds the scorpion, centipede, flea and fly to name a few.

The scorpion and tarantula can be seen battling with each other when both have been donated. The scorpion can be seen shaking its stinger at the tarantula, producing a rattling noise. The tarantula can be heard making a hissing-type noise, which might be associated with the insect's defense mechanism of scratching hairs at enemies. They will circle each other, and eventually both jump into the air and collide, then begin their battle again. Or, if the player hasn't donated the scorpion, the tarantula will constantly watch the player.

Encyclopedia Information
When the player has caught the tarantula, they can find information about the insect in the bug menu. Below is the information regarding the tarantula:

Wild World

 * Size: 65 mm.
 * Season: Summer.
 * Time: Night.
 * Their poison isn't potent enough to be lethal, but their belly hair causes itchiness.

City Folk

 * Size:65 mm
 * Season: Summer
 * Time: Night
 * The belly hairs these use to fire poison cause more itchiness than the poison itself.

Further Information
It is unknown what type of tarantula appears in the Animal Crossing games. There are different types of tarantula - ground hunters, tree hunters, as well as poisonous and nonpoisonous ones. Although a tarantula has eyes, its keenest sense is touch. It feels vibrations in the ground, and determines the location of its prey through them. They are cold-blooded, but under a thermal image the abdomen appears the brighter than the rest of its body (indicating warmth). The species from the U.S. is Harmless. The tarantula from Wild World looks like the Red-kneed Tarantula from Mexico.