A tarantula is a hairy long-legged, long lived spider foung mostly in warm regions. Also sometimes known as bird spiders or monkey spiders. true tarantulas make up the family theraphosidae; related forms, including tunnel web spiders and Trap Door Spiders, are also sometimes grouped as tarantulas. Many species are about 2.5 to 7.5 cm (1 to 3 in) long, with a 13 cm (5 in) legspan, but some South American species are larger. Tarantulas inject a paralyzing venom into prey with their large fangs. They rarely bite humans, however, and although the bite is painful the venom is usually not seriously harmful to humans.
Aphonopelma chalcodes is a member of the genus of tarantulas of North America. This spider's bite is painful but not generous to humans, and tarantulas can be trained as pets.
