Tarantula

Tarantulas comprise a group of large and often ″hairy″ spiders belonging to the family Theraphosidae although many other members of the same infraorder (Mygalomorphae) are commonly referred to as "tarantulas" or "false tarantulas." Some of the more common species have become popular in the exotic pet trade. Tarantulas of various species occur throughout the United States, Mexico, in Central America, and throughout South America.