What is the common arachnid name for members of the family Theraphosidae? Tarantulas. Tarantulas are large, often hairy spiders commonly placed in the family Theraphosidae. The family includes more than a thousand identified species across nearly 200 genera, with members living in tropical, subtropical, and some temperate regions.
The name has a surprising history. The original spider called a tarantula was Lycosa tarantula, a wolf spider from southern Europe, especially the area around Taranto in Italy. Over time, English usage shifted toward large mygalomorph spiders, particularly Theraphosidae. Thus, modern common usage separates tarantulas from wolf spiders even though the historical name began with a lycosid.
Tarantulas are commonly confused with other large mygalomorphs, including trapdoor, funnel-web, and purseweb spiders. “Tarantula” is also sometimes used loosely for non-theraphosid spiders, so the common name is not perfectly taxonomic. Nevertheless, Theraphosidae is the standard family association and the canonical answer here.
Many New World tarantulas possess urticating hairs on the abdomen. When dislodged, these bristles can irritate skin and, in severe cases, injure the eyes. Tarantulas are also prominent in the exotic-pet trade, where captive care varies widely by species.