Common name for large, hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae. In Japanese, often refers to pet tarantulas or those seen in media.
See also: オオツチグモ
He keeps a tarantula as a pet.
European wolf spider
Specifically refers to Lycosa tarentula, a wolf spider native to southern Europe. This usage is less common and may be encountered in older or scientific contexts.
The name 'tarantula' originally referred to a type of wolf spider from Italy.