Tarantulas are generally large mygalomorph spiders in the family Theraphosidae. As of 2022 there were 1,040 known species of tarantula, found on every continent except for Antarctica and native to warm climates around the world. They are among the largest and heaviest spiders in the world, with leg spans ranging from three inches to one foot (eight to thirty centimeters) and weighing up to six ounces (170 grams). Although they are venomous, their venom is not dangerous; they are large enough to rely on sheer force to kill small prey such as insects, rodents, lizards, and frogs. Because of this, they have less potent venom than many other spiders, and no human has ever died from a tarantula bite. Some tarantulas are edible and taste like shrimp.
