tarantula (family Theraphosidae)
General term for tarantulas; often used in zoological contexts. The cross-reference オオツチグモ refers to a specific large species.
See also: オオツチグモ
Tarantulas are a group of large spiders.
bird spider (Avicularia avicularia)
Specifically refers to the species Avicularia avicularia, commonly called the pinktoe tarantula. Rare term; most speakers use the general sense or the scientific name.
The Japanese name トリクイグモ can also refer to a species of the genus Avicularia.
Refers to a specific large tarantula species, while トリクイグモ is a broader term for tarantulas in general.
Katakana spelling is the usual written form; the word is typically written in kana.
Kanji spelling is rare and mainly used in older or specialized texts.
Alternate kanji spelling, also rare.
Compound of 鳥 (tori, 'bird') + 食い (kui, 'eating') + 蜘蛛 (gumo, 'spider'), literally 'bird-eating spider'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the name likely originates from early observations of large spiders preying on small birds.