Tarantula

A handsome one 

Desert Tarantula Aphonopelma chalcodes

He stopped and posed for this pic. For reals. Then when I stood up he sped off. If he'd run like that when my face was next to his, I'd have freaked out for sure. I didn't know tarantulas could move so FAST.

Tarantulas are the largest spider in the world. They're not insects because they don't have six legs and three body parts. They have eight legs and two body parts. They are arachnids (so are scorpions, mites, and ticks). Tarantulas don't spin a web, they chase their prey. They have eight eyes but don't see so well. Females may live up to 25 or 30 years! The males, not so long. They tend to die some months or a year after mating, or, they are eaten right after they mate. It's not easy being male! Their venom is not lethal to humans - none in the U.S. are considered dangerous to humans. Their bite can hurt (some say like a bee sting) but clears up unless you're allergic. Then you'd have to see a doc. Here's a pretty good into page about tarantulas.