| ⬅ #78 spider | #79 tarantula
|
#80 scorpion ➡ |
| Tarantula • | Gallery |
The tarantula, Brachypelma smithi, is a rare bug that lives on the ground during winter nights. It can be detected by the sound of its movement, which is heavier and deeper sounding compared to the scorpion. If the player is bitten by the tarantula, they will pass out and wake up in front of their home. The tarantula in later games is based on the real-life Brachypelma hamorii or Brachypelma smithi; both colloquially referred to as Mexican redknee tarantula.
It behaves similarly to the scorpion, but unlike that bug, tarantulas can jump over the lower areas of the ramps that separate upper and lower town levels when chasing after the player. They are one of the few bugs that villagers will note the presence of nearby.
Capture quotes[]
- "I caught a tarantula! Don't try this at home!" —Wild World
- "I caught a tarantula! I don't wanna arm-wrestle this guy!" —City Folk
- "I caught a tarantula! WHAAAA! Destroy it!" —New Leaf
- "I caught a tarantula! This situation just got hairy!" —New Horizons
Behavior[]
Tarantulas are initially docile creatures that wander around the town, traveling away from the player if approached without a net. In New Leaf, a docile tarantula will disappear after a while. However, if approached while holding a net, they become aggressive and freeze. If the player then misses with the net, runs, or jogs, the tarantula will charge. Tarantulas in pursuit won't stop until they have attacked the player or fallen in water. Putting away the net mid-chase has no effect on an already aggressive tarantula.
A "glitch" is known where digging up a fossil during a chase will "freeze" the tarantula. After enough time has passed, the tarantula will stop chasing and resume wandering around.
In New Horizons, tarantulas won't spawn when the player has company over. However, they can spawn on the beach whether it be the player's or a mystery island. If the tarantula is left alone and near the shore it can disappear into the ocean.
Donation 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?"
The tarantula can be found in the second room of the bug exhibit. 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. They will circle each other, and eventually both jump into the air and collide, then begin their battle again. If only one has been donated, the respective bug will stare down the player instead.
In New Leaf[]
An information board in the bug exhibit will list information about this bug:
"Tarantulas are large arachnids that live in warm areas. They're sometimes kept as pets. They have sharp fangs and while it is painful if you're bitten by one, they aren't deadly to humans. What's scarier is the hair they kick off of their abdomens to protect themselves. The hair can cause serious itching and rashes wherever it sticks and can be rather difficult to remove."
The tarantula will wander in its confined area alone. If approached by a player, it will turn around to look at them. However, if there is a scorpion donated as well, they will face off in a duel.
In New Horizons[]
When either donating to the museum or selecting "Tell me more about this!", Blathers the curator will say (with abhorrence):
"As giant spiders go, the tarantula is said to be quite docile. But have you ever seen such foul fuzziness?! It is a fact, tarantulas have barbed belly hair! I say again... BARBED. BELLY. HAIR! These awful arachnids let loose their spiky, itchy hairs to protect themselves from predators. But seeing how tarantulas also prey on frogs, mice, and even birds, one must ask... Who needs protecting from whom?! Hoo! Who indeed!"
Unlike past games, the Tarantula is given its own display independent from the Scorpion's. It also does not react to the player's movement.
Encyclopedia information[]
Wild World[]
Bug
|
Encyclopedia Information
| |
|
"Their poison isn't potent enough to be lethal, but their belly hair causes itchiness." | |
| Size | 65 mm | |
| Time | Night | |
| Season | Summer | |
| Icon | 
| |
City Folk[]
Bug
|
Encyclopedia Information
| ||||||||
|
| ||||||||
New Leaf[]
Bug
|
Encyclopedia Information
| ||||||||
|
| ||||||||
New Horizons[]
Bug
|
Encyclopedia Information
| ||||||||
|
| ||||||||
Further information[]
The tarantula, Brachypelma hamorii, in real life.
- Main article: Brachypelma hamorii on Wikipedia
Tarantulas are a group of large arachnids and well-known in popular culture and media. Tarantulas are typical of dry canyon and desert areas, but many also occur in rainforests. Many species, while they bite, are not particularly venomous. Some tarantulas shoot hairs in defense, something which can cause irritation and blindness.
In other languages[]
| Tarantula | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
