Yes, tarantulas are a type of spider. They belong to the family Theraphosidae, which is in the order Araneae. This order encompasses all spiders. Tarantulas are among the largest and most robust spiders, with some species having a leg span of up to 12 inches (30 centimeters). They are known for their hairy bodies and legs, which differentiates them from many other types of spiders. Despite their often intimidating appearance, most tarantulas are not dangerous to humans and a large portion of them are no more potent than a bee.