What are Tarantulas in Animal Crossing
Tarantulas in Animal Crossing: New Horizons are a valuable and somewhat elusive creature that can be found on your island and mystery islands. These eight-legged critters are a significant source of income for players, making them a popular target for those looking to earn Bells. But, finding and catching them isn’t always easy. Tarantulas are nocturnal and are most active during specific times of the year and day, adding to the challenge. They can also be quite dangerous, as they will attack if they feel threatened, leading to a fainting spell for your character. Understanding their behavior, when they appear, and how to safely catch them is key to successfully hunting these creatures. Mastering the art of tarantula hunting can significantly boost your in-game wealth, allowing you to upgrade your home, customize your island, and acquire rare items. This guide will provide you with all the necessary information to become a skilled tarantula hunter in Animal Crossing.
Where and When to Find Tarantulas
Tarantulas are not available all year round. They appear during specific months and times of day in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. In the Northern Hemisphere, tarantulas are active from November to April, and in the Southern Hemisphere, they are active from May to October. The best time to find them is between 7 PM and 4 AM. This means that if you want to hunt for tarantulas, you’ll need to be awake and playing Animal Crossing during those late hours. Mystery islands are a great place to find them. Using Nook Miles Tickets to visit these islands increases your chances of encountering tarantulas. However, you need to be prepared, as the game’s island generation can be tricky. You must understand the spawning conditions and what to look for in an island.
Island Preparation for Tarantula Hunting
Preparing your island, or more likely, a mystery island, is essential for maximizing your chances of encountering and catching tarantulas. This involves clearing your island of any obstacles that might prevent tarantulas from spawning and creating a safe environment for you to hunt. The goal is to make it easier for tarantulas to appear and reduce the chances of other bugs spawning, as they can interfere with your hunt. Moreover, having the right tools and knowing when to hunt plays a big role. With preparation, you can turn tarantula hunting into a productive and enjoyable activity. Make sure to be fully prepared to avoid being bitten and fainting.
Clearing Your Island
The first step is to clear your chosen island of anything that might prevent tarantulas from spawning. This includes flowers, weeds, rocks, and any other items lying on the ground. You can dig up the flowers or pick them. You can also break rocks by eating fruit and hitting them with a shovel. The ideal island is a flat, open space with no obstructions. Clearing trees is also a good idea. While tarantulas can spawn on any open area, it’s better to eliminate everything that might lead to other bugs spawning. This will also increase your chances of running into the tarantulas. By clearing the island, you create a controlled environment where tarantulas are more likely to appear.
Tools to Bring
You will need a few essential tools to hunt tarantulas successfully. First and foremost, bring a net. Make sure you have a durable net or several nets, as catching tarantulas can break your tool. You’ll also want to have a shovel to dig up any remaining flowers and weeds. An axe can be useful for chopping down trees if you find any. Furthermore, bring a ladder to climb cliffs on a mystery island, allowing you to explore the entire area. Lastly, consider bringing medicine to cure yourself in case you get bitten. If you’re traveling to mystery islands, make sure you have enough inventory space to store the tarantulas and other items you find.
The Best Time to Hunt
Tarantulas are only active during specific months and times of the day, as mentioned previously. Make sure you are playing during the hours between 7 PM and 4 AM in the months they are available in your hemisphere. Checking the weather forecast is also a good idea, as rain can affect the spawning of tarantulas and other bugs. While tarantulas can still appear during rain, other bugs will also be more active, making it difficult to catch them. Additionally, you can manipulate the time on your Nintendo Switch to match the tarantula’s active hours. This is helpful if you want to hunt during the day or during months when tarantulas aren’t normally available in your hemisphere.
How to Catch a Tarantula
Catching a tarantula requires patience, precision, and a bit of luck. The creatures are cautious and will attack if they feel threatened, so you need to approach them carefully. This means moving slowly and strategically to avoid spooking them. Mastering the approach, the net swing, and knowing what to do if you get bitten will increase your chances of a successful hunt. It’s important to note that catching tarantulas is a skill that improves with practice. Don’t be discouraged if you fail at first; with each attempt, you’ll learn more about their behavior and how to react.
Approaching a Tarantula
When you spot a tarantula, slow your approach and keep the net ready. Hold down the A button to keep your net raised. As you move closer, watch the tarantula’s behavior. If it raises its front legs, it means it’s about to attack. When this happens, stop moving and wait for it to calm down. Once the tarantula lowers its legs, take a step forward and repeat this process. By approaching slowly and carefully, you minimize the risk of startling the tarantula and getting attacked. If the tarantula begins to chase you, run away and let it calm down before trying again. Patience is key in this situation.
The Net Swing
Once you’re close enough, and the tarantula is calm, it’s time to swing your net. Make sure to swing the net when you are within the catching distance. If you’ve approached correctly, the tarantula should be caught in your net. However, if you miss, you’ll need to be ready to react quickly. The tarantula will attack, and you will faint. You’ll wake up in front of your house on your island. This means you’ll have to start all over again. If you don’t have space in your inventory, you can drop items to make room or go back to your island to store them. Timing your swing is crucial. With practice, you’ll be able to judge the distance and swing your net accurately. Remember that you can also miss if you are too close or too far from the tarantula.
Dealing with Bites
If a tarantula bites you, your character will faint, and you’ll wake up in front of your house with all your tools. To prevent this, carry medicine with you. If you get bitten, immediately use the medicine to cure yourself. This will allow you to continue hunting tarantulas without having to go back to your island. You can also use the medicine to recover if you faint from other situations. There are also other benefits to preparing your island or a mystery island. By taking precautions, you can minimize the disruption caused by bites and maximize your hunting efficiency.
Making Money with Tarantulas
Tarantulas are a valuable commodity in Animal Crossing, making them a great way to earn Bells. The primary ways to make money are by selling the tarantulas to Nook’s Cranny or by selling them to Flick, a special visitor who buys bugs at an inflated price. Understanding how to sell the tarantulas efficiently is essential for maximizing your profits. By planning the best selling strategy, you can accumulate a large amount of Bells and progress faster in the game. Moreover, knowing the best selling methods can help you organize your time and resources more efficiently.
Selling to Nook’s Cranny
The easiest way to sell tarantulas is to sell them to Nook’s Cranny, the shop on your island. They will buy tarantulas for 8,000 Bells each. Although the price is decent, there are other ways you can sell the tarantulas for more money. Make sure to sell all your tarantulas at once to save time. You may even be able to get a higher price if you sell them on a mystery island.
Selling to Flick
Flick is a special visitor who appears randomly on your island. He buys bugs from you at a higher price than Nook’s Cranny. Flick will buy tarantulas for 12,000 Bells each, which is a significant increase compared to the standard price. To maximize your profits, wait for Flick to visit your island and sell him all of your tarantulas. Make sure you have enough space in your inventory to store the tarantulas until Flick arrives. This is the best way to get the most Bells for each tarantula you catch.
Other Tips for Tarantula Hunting
Beyond the core mechanics of finding and catching tarantulas, there are other tips and tricks to enhance your hunting experience. This includes knowing the spawn rates, understanding the different island types, and using strategies to increase your chances of success. By paying attention to these advanced tips, you can become an efficient and successful tarantula hunter in Animal Crossing. Remember that practice and experimentation are key to mastering the art of tarantula hunting. There is no need to rush or worry about making mistakes. Just enjoy the game!