Tarantulas
What are the natural predators of the tarantula?
Tarantulas have very few natural predators. On occasion, they will fall prey to certain types of lizards, snakes, birds, and coyotes. One of the most notable predators of the tarantula is the tarantula hawk. Although its name suggests a bird, the tarantula hawk is actually a large wasp, capable of paralyzing tarantulas with their venom. Once paralyzed, the tarantula can lay its eggs inside the tarantula so that its offspring have food during its pivotal early life.
Dodging predators is not the only life threatening experience that tarantulas encounter. Male tarantulas consistently face the threat of being eaten by female tarantulas during the mating process. This dance for reproduction and sustenance is common in many species of spiders and has led to adaptations for both sexes. Female spiders tend to be significantly larger than male spiders, allowing them to fend off unwanted suitors. Males, on the other side, have developed their bodies to increase their chances of mating. Specifically, male tarantulas have hooks on their legs to block the fangs of the female to reduce their likelihood of getting eaten.