New World Tarantulas

New world tarantulas are native to North, Central, and South America.

Key Traits

• Generally more docile, especially species from the U.S. and South America.
• Possess urticating hairs, a major defensive advantage.
• Tend to rely on passive or non-aggressive defense.

Urticating Hairs

New World tarantulas have tiny barbed hairs on their abdomens that they can: kick off with their back legs, and use to irritate predators’ skin, eyes, or mucous membranes,

These hairs vary in types (I–VII), with some causing mild itching and others causing more severe irritation.

Behavior

• Slower-moving overall
• More likely to flick hairs or retreat when threatened
• Often calm enough to be kept as beginner tarantulas

Examples of New World Species

Grammostola pulchra

Brazilian Black

Brachypelma hamorii

Mexican Red Knee

Aphonopelma chalcodes

Arizona Blonde

Caribena versicolor

Antilles Pinktoe

Theraphosa blondi

Goliath Birdeater