What is Tarantula Island in Animal Crossing
Tarantula Island is a special Mystery Island in Animal Crossing New Horizons, known for its high spawn rate of tarantulas. This island offers a lucrative opportunity for players to farm tarantulas, which can be sold for a significant amount of Bells. While it’s a thrilling experience for many, it requires careful preparation and strategy to avoid being bitten by these venomous creatures. The island’s layout and constant threat of tarantulas make it a unique gameplay element, different from other Mystery Islands, turning it into a risky but rewarding destination for those looking to boost their in-game finances. The tarantulas themselves are a valuable resource, and learning how to navigate and exploit the island is key to success.
How to Find Tarantula Island
Finding Tarantula Island is not guaranteed, as it appears randomly among the many Mystery Islands accessible through Nook Miles Tickets. The process involves using a Nook Miles Ticket at the airport to travel to a random island. Repeatedly using Nook Miles Tickets is necessary until you get lucky and land on Tarantula Island. It’s important to note that the chances are relatively slim, so patience is key. The layout and time of day (between 7 PM and 4 AM in-game time) also matter, but the primary method remains the use of Nook Miles Tickets for island hopping, hoping to stumble upon this valuable location.
Understanding Nook Miles Tickets
Nook Miles Tickets are crucial for accessing Mystery Islands, including Tarantula Island. These tickets can be purchased from the Nook Stop terminal in Resident Services for 2,000 Nook Miles each. The Nook Miles system provides various tasks and goals, and completing these tasks earns players Nook Miles. Make sure you have plenty of tickets on hand before attempting to find Tarantula Island, as multiple trips may be necessary. Each ticket is a gamble, a chance to explore an island with different resources, layouts, and, of course, the possibility of finding the highly sought-after Tarantula Island. Managing your Nook Miles and purchasing tickets efficiently is vital for this endeavor.
The Airport and Mystery Islands
The airport, located on your island, is the gateway to Mystery Islands. After purchasing a Nook Miles Ticket, head to the airport and speak to Orville, the dodo at the front desk. Select the option to use a Nook Miles Ticket, and you’ll be transported to a random island. Mystery Islands serve as a way to gather resources, meet new villagers, and, hopefully, find Tarantula Island. Each island has its own unique features, including different types of trees, flowers, and insects or fish. Exploring various Mystery Islands also offers a refreshing break from the routine of your home island, giving the player a chance to explore and gather new resources.
Steps to Finding Tarantula Island
The process of finding Tarantula Island is simple but time-consuming. Purchase Nook Miles Tickets from the Nook Stop. Go to the airport and use the ticket to travel to a Mystery Island. Observe the island’s features. If it’s not Tarantula Island (i.e., it doesn’t have a high tarantula spawn rate), return to your island and repeat the process. Patience and persistence are key. The more tickets you use, the higher your chances of eventually landing on the coveted Tarantula Island. Knowing when to give up and try again is also important, especially if resources are running low or the player is running out of time. Finding Tarantula Island is a waiting game, requiring a good strategy and determination.
Preparing for Your Tarantula Island Trip
Before heading to Tarantula Island, prepare yourself. Craft several flimsy or regular fishing rods, nets, and shovels. Bring extra tools as they will break during your adventure. Bring some medicine, just in case, you get bitten. Having enough space in your inventory is essential to maximize your earnings. This is especially true if you are planning on staying for a long time. Furthermore, it’s advisable to empty your pockets beforehand. This minimizes the risk of being overwhelmed by the tarantulas and allows for more efficient gathering. Preparation will make your trip much more efficient and profitable.
Emptying Your Pockets
Emptying your pockets is one of the most important steps to maximizing your earnings. You will want to have as much space as possible for tarantulas. You can sell your unwanted items, such as fruit, flowers, and fish. Another strategy is to bury items on the island. This frees up space, but you’ll have to come back for them later, but it’s a tradeoff. Efficient space management ensures that you can catch the maximum number of tarantulas per trip. This is critical for getting a good return on your investment of Nook Miles Tickets.
Bringing Tools
Essential tools include a net, shovel, and possibly a fishing rod, though fishing is secondary on Tarantula Island. Ensure you have multiple nets, as they will break quickly due to constant use. A shovel is useful for digging up holes that can be used to trap tarantulas, which is a great defensive strategy. Having several nets will allow you to catch more tarantulas before needing to return home or craft another. Consider bringing a ladder to help navigate the terrain. The choice of tool durability is also important, since regular nets are more durable than flimsy nets, but they’ll also take more investment.
Dealing with the Tarantulas
The key to survival on Tarantula Island is to understand tarantula behavior. They are aggressive and will chase you if they spot you. When a tarantula raises its front legs, it’s preparing to attack. To avoid being bitten, stop moving immediately, and wait for the tarantula to lower its legs before taking another step. The risk of being bitten is high, so stay focused and careful. Understanding the tarantula’s movements and using this knowledge to your advantage is critical. The strategy takes time, but with patience and skill, you will learn to avoid being bitten.
Tarantula Behavior and Movement
Tarantulas have predictable behavior patterns. They will chase you if they see you, but they stop and briefly pause when you stop moving. They will then move towards you. Understanding this can help you determine their movements. If you are bitten, you will be stunned and transported back to your island, losing any items. Avoid running, and try to walk slowly. If you see a tarantula, stop. If it starts to move, stop immediately. Learn these patterns, and you will quickly learn to navigate the island. This is one of the most important aspects of catching tarantulas.
Safe Movement Strategies
Employing safe movement strategies is crucial. Walk slowly and cautiously, always keeping an eye on your surroundings. If a tarantula spots you, stop moving immediately. Wait for it to lower its legs, then take one step at a time. Use the terrain, such as cliffs and rivers, to your advantage. Trapping tarantulas is another excellent tactic. Dig holes in a pattern to create a safe path. These strategies combined will increase your chance of survival and allow you to fill your inventory.
Catching Tarantulas
Once you master the tarantula’s movements, catching them becomes easier. Approach slowly and carefully. When close enough, swing your net. If you miss, be prepared for the tarantula to attack, and quickly react accordingly. Aim for tarantulas that are isolated. Consider trapping them in a corner with holes. Practice makes perfect. The more tarantulas you catch, the better your timing will become. Mastering the catching technique is key to maximizing your haul and earning a lot of Bells. Patience and practice will pay off quickly.
Efficient Catching Techniques
Maximizing your catches comes down to efficiency. Clear the island of anything that might distract the tarantulas. This includes flowers, rocks, and weeds. Keep an eye out for other bugs and fish. Dig holes to create pathways and traps. Make use of the island’s layout to your advantage. Divide the island into zones. If you are overwhelmed, take a break. Don’t get discouraged; Tarantula Island can be overwhelming at first. Remember to be patient and persistent.
Maximizing Your Inventory Space
Efficient space management is crucial for success. Before going to Tarantula Island, ensure you have minimal items. Empty your pockets of any unnecessary items. This includes fruit, rocks, and other items. Be sure to make multiple trips. Prioritize catching tarantulas over other tasks. If you have items you are unwilling to throw away, bury them on the island. This frees up space, but remember where you put them so you can retrieve them later. By keeping your inventory clean, you maximize the number of tarantulas you can catch.
Selling Your Tarantulas
Once your inventory is full of tarantulas, it’s time to sell them. Return to your island and sell them at Nook’s Cranny. Each tarantula sells for 8,000 Bells, so a full inventory can bring in a significant profit. Choose a time when Nook’s Cranny has a good turnip price. The goal is to maximize your profits from the hard work that you put into finding and catching tarantulas. Take some time to calculate the total. You can quickly increase your Bells, which makes Tarantula Island a worthwhile endeavor.
The Best Selling Price
The standard selling price for tarantulas at Nook’s Cranny is 8,000 Bells each. There is no way to increase the selling price on your island. However, if Flick, the bug enthusiast, visits your island, he will purchase them for 12,000 Bells each. This can significantly increase your profits. Keep an eye out for Flick’s visits, as this is a great way to make extra Bells. This can make a huge difference in your earnings, so selling your tarantulas to Flick is the best strategy. Note that Flick will also buy any bugs you have, which is an added bonus.
Alternative Island Activities
While the primary goal of Tarantula Island is to catch tarantulas, there are other activities to explore. The island has other resources that you can harvest, such as resources and fish. If you are not interested in catching tarantulas, then you can still use this island. However, remember that the focus should be on maximizing your tarantula catches. Exploring other activities can be a fun change of pace, but the real opportunity lies in the tarantulas.
Resource Gathering
Besides tarantulas, you can also collect other resources on the island. There are trees to shake for furniture. There are also rocks with crafting materials and fish in the waters. You can gather flowers and other resources, but this will take time away from catching tarantulas. If you decide to gather resources, then do it after you’ve gotten as many tarantulas as you can. Remember that the main focus should be on catching tarantulas, since that is the most valuable activity here. Prioritize your time effectively.
Other Bugs and Fish
While tarantulas are the main attraction, other bugs and fish also appear on the island. Catching other bugs might take up your time, and you could miss out on tarantula spawns. Some players prefer to avoid these smaller creatures and focus solely on the spiders. You can catch a variety of fish in the surrounding water. This is less profitable compared to tarantulas. Decide if you want to spend the time catching other creatures. Otherwise, focus on tarantulas.
Returning Home
Once your inventory is full or you’ve had enough, head back to the airport to return home. Speak to Orville and select the option to leave the island. Make sure to sell your tarantulas for profit. This will replenish your inventory with tools, medicine, and any other items that you may need. This will also make sure you will be ready for your next adventure. Be aware of the time of day, as it can impact the effectiveness of tarantula hunting. Return home once you have maximized your profits, and then you can plan your next trip to another Mystery Island.