tarantula

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tarantula Large, hairy wolf-spider of s Europe, once thought to inflict a deadly bite that would cause madness. It spins no web, but chases and pounces on its prey. Length of body: to 2.5cm (1in). Family Lycosidae; species Lycosa tarentula. The name is also applied to the sluggish, dark, hairy spiders of sw USA, Mexico, and South America. Many species burrow and feed on insects. Length of body: to 7.5cm (3in). Family Theraphosidae; genera Aphonopelma and Eurypelma.

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