There are no species of tarantulas native to New Jersey. The large arachnids belonging to the family Theraphosidae are not naturally found in the state’s ecosystems. While New Jersey is home to many spiders, none are true, native tarantulas. This confusion often arises because local spiders share the characteristic large size and dense hair of their distant, exotic relatives.
New Jersey Is Outside the Native Range
The natural habitat for tarantulas in North America is confined almost entirely to the warmer, drier climates of the American Southwest. States like Texas, Arizona, California, and New Mexico host the vast majority of native tarantula populations in the United States. These burrowing spiders thrive in arid and semi-arid conditions where the soil is suitable for digging their deep homes.
New Jersey’s climate, characterized by cold winters and temperate, humid conditions, is not conducive to sustaining a native population of these tropical and subtropical spiders. The closest native tarantulas are found hundreds of miles away, primarily in the central and southern portions of the country. The geographical divide between the native range of Aphonopelma species and the northeastern United States confirms that any sighting in New Jersey involves a non-native specimen.
Common Causes of Mistaken Identity
The primary reason for the belief that tarantulas exist in New Jersey is the presence of several large, hairy, ground-dwelling spiders. The most common culprit is the Wolf Spider (family Lycosidae). These spiders are often mistaken for tarantulas due to their considerable size, with some females reaching a body length of over an inch and a half.
Wolf Spiders possess a dense, fuzzy coat and are typically brown or gray, contributing to the tarantula-like appearance. Unlike many other spiders, they do not build webs to catch prey but are active hunters, pouncing on insects on the ground. Their eyes are arranged in a distinctive pattern, with four small eyes on the bottom row and two much larger eyes above them.
Another large New Jersey resident often misidentified is the Fishing Spider (genus Dolomedes). These are the largest spiders in the state, with some species growing to a leg span of three to four inches. While they are less hairy than the Wolf Spider, their sheer size and coloration can easily lead to a misidentification, especially when they wander from their preferred aquatic habitats. Both the Wolf Spider and the Fishing Spider are generally harmless to humans, typically biting only when threatened or provoked.
Potential for Exotic Sightings
Despite the lack of native tarantulas, a true tarantula sighting in New Jersey is possible, involving an exotic species. The most frequent source of such sightings is the exotic pet trade. Tarantulas are popular pets, and on occasion, specimens escape their enclosures or are released into the environment by their owners.
These escaped pets, often species like the Mexican Red Knee or Chilean Rose, are not equipped to survive the temperature fluctuations and harsh winters of the northeastern climate. They cannot establish a breeding population, so any find is an isolated incident. Non-native spiders may also arrive as stowaways in commercial cargo, particularly in shipments originating from warmer regions.
If an unfamiliar, non-native spider is encountered, avoid approaching it. True tarantulas, though not medically significant to humans, can still deliver a painful bite or deploy irritating urticating hairs as a defense mechanism. The proper response is to contact local animal control or a specialized entomologist who can safely identify and remove the specimen.