It is a nocturnal animal and comes out at night to find food. It is large enough to eat many animals that smaller spiders can't catch. It can eat big beetles, toads and frogs. It can even eat small birds, snakes and lizards. Most spiders live one or two years, but the tarantula takes eight to 10 years to become an adult, and then lives a few more years.
Tarantulas can become pets in our homes because they can be tamed.
Spiders are considered humankind's friend because they help keep the insect population in check. Humans use spiders' silk to make threadlike lines for microscopes, telescopes and other scientific instruments. All animals have natural enemies. Birds, insects such as wasps, snakes, lizards, frogs and fish eat spiders. Sometimes spiders eat each other.