What Is A Group Of Tarantulas Called? [And Other Alternatives]

Are you wondering what the term is for a group of tarantulas? I was too. So I spent some time researching to find out. Here is what you want to know…

So, what is a group of tarantulas called? A group of tarantulas is often and generally referred to as a colony. Although, these spiders rarely come together in groups and are solitary arachnids by nature.

A colony, eh?

Seems pretty interesting.

And if we take a closer look at the definition of the term, we can start to understand why.

At least the one taken from the Cambridge Dictionary:

‘A group of animals, insects, or plants of the same type that live together’

At least, this is the most accurate definition of the term for our purposes.

But is this right?

Well, ‘living together’ is perhaps not quite so accurate (as we will soon see in the section that follows below).

And as such, it is no real surprise that tarantula owners and other arachnid enthusiasts are seeking better alternatives.

In fact, an entire thread has arisen with dozens of entries for potential other, more suitable terms.

And here are just some of the suggestions:

Fangle of tarantulas,
Web of tarantulas,
Tangle of tarantulas
A thread of tarantulas.
A pause of tarantulas
And many more.

You get the point.

In fact, when it comes to collective nouns, you can be quite imaginative.

Typically, they will describe something unique about the traits and characteristics of that animal.

And for the tarantula- well, there’s quite a few to hone in on.

Table of Contents

Do Tarantulas Live In Colonies?

Tarantulas do not live in colonies. Instead, a group of tarantulas is a rare sight and only typically happens at specific times during the mating season.

At least in the wild.

If you are keeping a tarantula as a pet – it is best to keep them alone.

And while this may seem lonely to us humans, it’s what do these spiders best.

Besides, they do not have the complex emotions nor perspective to see it that way.

Instead, these are solitary creatures and can be aggressive or even cabbalistic towards other members of their own species.

And this is actually the norm for spiders, in general.

Very few species live in societies.

Instead, the only time you are likely to see a collection, or larger group, is:

During the mating season, which typically occurs in the spring and summer.
When young tarantula spiderlings hatch from a nursery web.

When mating, individual males will go out searching for receptive females, identifying them through their pheromones (chemical scents).

But, female tarantulas that are not looking to mate will not leave their burrows and will even repel males with aggression.

Interestingly, if two males come across a female, they will typically not compete with one another for her.

They’ll soon go their separate ways.

And that leaves two.

And two is enough to meet the definition of a ‘group‘:

A number of people or things that are together or considered as a unit:

From there, the male and female will mate.

Unless she eats him in the process!

Other Key Tarantula Terms

There are a number of interesting terms that are commonly used to describe tarantulas and spiders, in general.

These are also good to be aware of. So below, you will find some of the most important ones:

Term	Meaning
Arachnid	A class of animals with four legs that includes spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks.
Arthropod	An invertebrate animal having an exoskeleton
Exoskeleton	The external skeleton that supports and protects an animal’s body.
Molt	Shedding of the exoskeleton
Arboreal	Any animal that spends most of its life in trees. Some species of tarantula are known to do this.
Instar	Terminology for stages of growth.
Baby Tarantula	Spiderling
Egg sac	Woven from silk – this structure is where eggs are deposited before hatching.
NW	Acronym for species of tarantulas that originate from the New World, i.e. North and South America
OW	Acronym for species of tarantulas that originate from the Old World, i.e. Africa, Asia, and Australia

Finally

So there you have it – a colony of tarantulas.

If you are happy with that, then that’s the one to use.

But just like many others appear to be doing – get creative and invent your own.

So long as you are descriptive and leverage this spider’s unique traits and characteristics, they should make sense.

Do not be surprised if nobody knows what you are talking about, mind.

Do Tarantulas Live In Colonies?

Other Key Tarantula Terms

Finally

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