The Eastern United States does not provide the natural habitat for these large, hairy spiders. The public’s interest and occasional concern about tarantulas in the Mid-Atlantic region largely stem from the surprising size of certain native spiders. These indigenous arachnids share superficial characteristics with their much larger relatives, leading to local misidentification. Understanding the true geographical range of tarantulas and recognizing the state’s native giants can quickly resolve this common confusion.
Are True Tarantulas Native to Virginia?
The definitive answer is no; true tarantulas are not native to Virginia. Tarantulas belong to the spider family Theraphosidae, a group of large, heavily-bodied, and densely-haired arachnids. The natural distribution of native tarantulas in the United States is overwhelmingly concentrated in the Southwestern and Western states.
These mygalomorph spiders are typically found in the arid and semi-arid climates of states like Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California, extending as far east as Missouri and Arkansas. Virginia’s temperate, often humid climate and ecological conditions are not conducive to the long-term establishment and survival of these species. Any tarantula found outside of this established range is almost certainly a pet that has escaped or been released.
The Source of the Confusion
The frequent belief that a tarantula has been sighted in Virginia arises from the visual similarities between true tarantulas and the state’s largest native spiders. Both types of spiders possess a bulky body and robust, hairy legs. This misidentification is common because the visual impact of a large, dark, and fast-moving spider can be startling.
The spiders causing this confusion have evolved for an active hunting lifestyle, which necessitates a more muscular and imposing physique than many of the delicate web-building species. The misidentification is further fueled by the sheer size of these native species, which can appear enormous when encountered unexpectedly. This combination of size, hairiness, and dark coloring often leads to the mistaken belief that a Theraphosid has wandered into the area.
Identifying Virginia’s Largest Native Spiders
Virginia is home to several native spiders often mistaken for tarantulas, primarily Wolf Spiders and Fishing Spiders. Wolf Spiders (family Lycosidae) are robust, ground-dwelling hunters that do not build webs to catch prey. The Carolina Wolf Spider (Hogna carolinensis) is the largest species in the state, with a body length that can reach over an inch and a leg span that may exceed four inches.
These spiders are covered in short, fine hairs, giving them a velvety or shaggy appearance that mimics the hairiness of a tarantula. A reliable way to distinguish them is by their unique eye arrangement: wolf spiders have eight eyes arranged in three rows, with two very large eyes prominently facing forward. True tarantulas, in contrast, have their eight eyes grouped closely together on the top of the cephalothorax.
Fishing Spiders (genus Dolomedes) are another large group often misidentified, with the Dark Fishing Spider being the largest species in Virginia. These spiders can achieve a leg span of up to four inches, making them appear quite formidable. Fishing Spiders are typically found near water sources like ponds or streams, where they hunt insects and small fish on the surface of the water. While they are large and long-legged, they tend to be less bulky-bodied than wolf spiders and lack the dense, overall hairiness associated with tarantulas.