Tarantula Animal Crossing Introduction
Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers a vast world filled with activities, and one of the most lucrative endeavors is catching tarantulas. These elusive creatures can fetch a high price at Nook’s Cranny, making them a sought-after commodity for players looking to earn Bells quickly. This guide is designed to equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to master tarantula farming, maximizing your Bell income, and becoming a tarantula tycoon. Whether you’re a seasoned islander or new to the game, understanding tarantula behavior, spawn mechanics, and effective catching techniques is crucial for success. This article will take you through the essentials, providing valuable tips to transform your island into a tarantula paradise and your wallet into a vault of Bells.
Understanding Tarantulas in Animal Crossing
Tarantulas are nocturnal insects that appear on your island during specific hours and seasons. They are known for their aggressive behavior, and getting too close without the proper technique can result in a swift bite and a trip back to your house. Tarantulas are most active during the late evening and early morning hours. They can appear on your island, but also on Mystery Island Tours, offering players increased opportunities to find and catch them. Recognizing their characteristics and patterns is the first step toward successful farming.
Where to Find Tarantulas

Tarantulas can appear on your island after 7 PM and vanish at 4 AM, as well as on Mystery Island Tours. However, finding them isn’t as simple as wandering around. They prefer open spaces, making it easier for them to spawn on cliffs, plains, and beaches. To increase your chances of finding tarantulas, clear your island of items such as flowers, weeds, and rocks. This allows for more spawn points for the tarantulas to appear. Mystery Island Tours are especially useful because they may contain tarantulas which are more abundant.
Tarantula Spawn Mechanics
Tarantula spawn rates are not random. They are subject to a few key variables, including the time of day, the season, and the overall environment of the island. The game limits the total number of insects and fish that can be present at any given time. Therefore, removing other insects, such as tiger beetles, wharf roaches, and butterflies, can significantly increase the likelihood of tarantulas spawning. The more spawn points available, the better chance you have of encountering tarantulas.
Recognizing Tarantula Behavior
Tarantulas are easily identifiable by their dark, menacing appearance and their aggressive nature. They will chase you if you approach them too quickly. When a tarantula spots you, it will rear up and prepare to attack. At this point, stopping and remaining still is crucial. Slowly approach until the tarantula lowers itself. Then, with patience and precision, you can get close enough to catch it with your net. Understanding these behaviors allows you to adapt your approach accordingly.
Top 5 Bell Tips for Tarantula Farming

Earning Bells through tarantula farming requires a strategic approach. Here are the top 5 tips to maximize your profits and become a tarantula-catching expert.
Tip 1 Preparation is Key
Before you embark on your tarantula-hunting adventure, proper preparation is essential. This includes gathering necessary supplies and preparing your island or a Mystery Island Tour. You need a sturdy net to catch tarantulas. Also, it’s wise to have medicine on hand, as tarantulas can bite you, forcing you to go back to your home. Additionally, empty your pockets as much as possible to make room for the tarantulas you’ll be catching. Every space counts.
Gathering Supplies
Make sure you have a durable net, and enough space in your inventory. Also, carry some medicine in case you get bitten. Your goal is to maximize efficiency to capture as many tarantulas as possible.
Island Preparation

Clear out weeds, flowers, rocks, and other items from your island to create more spawn points for tarantulas. This will make it easier for the tarantulas to appear and easier for you to spot them. Some players create dedicated tarantula islands on Mystery Island Tours by clearing everything except the necessary terrain.
Tip 2 The Perfect Island
One of the most effective strategies involves creating a dedicated tarantula island on a Mystery Island Tour. By modifying the island’s layout, you can significantly increase the tarantula spawn rate and maximize your Bell income.
Creating a Tarantula Island
When you arrive on a Mystery Island Tour, start by removing all flowers, trees, weeds, and rocks. This creates open spaces where tarantulas can spawn. The fewer obstructions, the more likely tarantulas are to appear. Ensure you also remove all the non-tarantula bugs that spawn on the island.
Benefits of a Perfect Island

A perfect island will allow you to maximize the number of tarantulas you catch per trip. With fewer distractions, you can focus on catching tarantulas and quickly fill your inventory. This efficiency translates directly into more Bells.
Tip 3 Mastering the Catch
Successfully catching tarantulas involves patience and precision. The goal is to approach the tarantulas without startling them and to capture them efficiently.
Approaching Tarantulas
When you spot a tarantula, approach it slowly with your net equipped. If it rears up, stop immediately and wait for it to lower its stance. Move forward in small increments, and repeat this process until you are close enough to swing your net.
Catching Techniques

Once you are close enough, quickly swing your net. If timed correctly, you will catch the tarantula. If you miss, be prepared to run, as the tarantula may attack. The most effective approach is to swing the net while you are still a safe distance away, which ensures you catch the tarantula without it attacking you.
Tip 4 Time and Season Awareness
Tarantulas are not available year-round or at all times of the day. Knowing the best times to find them will significantly improve your farming efficiency.
Optimal Tarantula Times
Tarantulas are most active between 7 PM and 4 AM. Plan your farming sessions accordingly to take advantage of these prime hours. This is when they are most likely to spawn.
Seasonality of Tarantulas

Tarantulas are only available during specific months depending on your hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, tarantulas typically appear from November to April, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they appear from May to October. Check the in-game calendar to confirm their availability.
Tip 5 Selling for Maximum Bells
The final step in the process is selling your caught tarantulas for a profit. Knowing the best selling strategies will help you maximize your earnings.
Efficient Selling Strategies
The primary way to sell tarantulas is to sell them to Nook’s Cranny for 8,000 Bells each. However, you can also sell them to Flick, the bug enthusiast who visits your island. He buys insects for 1.5 times their usual price, making each tarantula worth 12,000 Bells. This is the most efficient method, but it depends on Flick visiting your island.
Maximizing Bell Profits

To maximize your profits, wait for Flick to visit your island and sell all of your tarantulas to him. If Flick isn’t present, sell to Nook’s Cranny. Be sure to also fill your pockets to carry more tarantulas.
Tarantula Farming Risks and Rewards
While tarantula farming can be very profitable, it also comes with risks and rewards. Understanding both aspects will help you make informed decisions.
Dealing with Tarantula Bites
If a tarantula bites you, you will be forced to respawn at your home. You will lose any items you were carrying, including any caught bugs. The key is to avoid getting bit by employing the approach and catching techniques described previously. Always carry medicine to counter the effects of a tarantula bite and return to your hunting grounds faster.
Rewards of Tarantula Farming
The primary reward of tarantula farming is the significant amount of Bells you can earn. With proper preparation and technique, you can quickly amass a fortune. This allows you to purchase expensive items, expand your home, and customize your island. In addition to the financial gains, tarantula farming is also a fun and engaging activity that adds another layer of enjoyment to the game.
Conclusion
Mastering tarantula farming in Animal Crossing requires understanding their behavior, spawn mechanics, and the best strategies for catching them. By following the tips outlined in this guide, you can transform your island into a tarantula-catching paradise and greatly increase your Bell income. Remember to prepare your island, master your approach, and take advantage of the optimal times for catching these valuable creatures. With patience and practice, you will become a tarantula-catching expert and enjoy the rewards of your success. Happy hunting!
