Understanding Tarantula Island
Tarantula Island is a special island in Animal Crossing New Horizons where, under specific circumstances, you can find an abundance of tarantulas. This island becomes a hotspot for players looking to quickly earn bells, as tarantulas sell for a significant price at Nook’s Cranny or to Flick. Mastering the art of farming tarantulas on this island can dramatically boost your in-game wealth and allows you to progress much faster in the game. Understanding the island, its mechanics, and the best strategies is key to successful farming.
What is Tarantula Island
Tarantula Island, also known as ‘Tarantula Isle,’ is a mystery island that you can visit using Nook Miles Tickets. However, it doesn’t always appear as the ideal tarantula farming location. The island’s layout is crucial, often featuring a small, contained area, which you can manipulate to your advantage. The goal is to transform the island into a tarantula-spawning haven, maximizing the number of these valuable critters you can catch during your visit. The time of day and the season also play a role, with tarantulas being most active during specific hours and months, depending on your game settings.
Why Farm Tarantula Island
The primary reason to farm Tarantula Island is to earn a substantial amount of bells quickly. Each tarantula sells for 8,000 bells at Nook’s Cranny. If Flick is visiting your island, you can sell them for 12,000 bells each. This makes it one of the most lucrative activities in the game, especially for players who want to pay off their debts, upgrade their homes, and purchase furniture. Beyond the monetary benefits, farming on Tarantula Island provides valuable experience in catching bugs and managing your inventory efficiently, skills that can be applied throughout your Animal Crossing journey.
Preparing for Your Tarantula Island Trip
Before setting off to Tarantula Island, careful preparation is essential. Proper planning ensures you can maximize your time and catch as many tarantulas as possible without getting bitten. This includes gathering the right tools, clearing the island, and optimizing your inventory to make the most of your trip. Neglecting these steps will slow down the process and could lead to frustration. The more prepared you are, the more successful your farming session will be.
Gathering Essential Tools
The most critical tool is, of course, your net. You’ll want to bring a sturdy net, as you’ll be swinging it often. Additionally, an axe to chop down trees, a shovel to dig up stumps and flowers, and a ladder to access higher levels of the island are extremely helpful. Be sure to have a vaulting pole as well. You may also want to bring a fishing rod and a bug net for catching other critters. Make sure you have enough tools to last the trip, as you cannot return to your island until your inventory is full, or you choose to leave. Bring a recipe to craft more if the tools you brought break during the trip.
Clearing the Island
To maximize tarantula spawns, you must clear the island of all other potential bug spawns. This means removing all flowers, chopping down all trees (and removing their stumps), breaking rocks, and discarding any weeds. This ensures that only tarantulas have the opportunity to spawn. Clearing the island is time-consuming but essential for a high-yield farming session. The more open space you create, the more tarantulas will appear, boosting your earnings significantly. Clear all of the items and any items that the island spawn, such as shells.
Maximizing Your Inventory Space
Space is precious on Tarantula Island. You’ll want to have as many slots available as possible for tarantulas. Consider emptying your pockets before you go. If you have them, wear any clothing items, such as vests, that increase your inventory space. Before you leave the island, sell or store any unwanted items at the box that is at the airport. The more space you have, the longer you can stay and the more tarantulas you can catch, which leads to more bells.
The Step-by-Step Guide to Farming Tarantulas
Once you’re prepared, the actual farming process involves a specific set of techniques to efficiently catch tarantulas without getting bitten. Patience, careful movements, and strategic use of your net are all critical. Following these steps will significantly increase your chances of a successful and profitable trip to Tarantula Island.
The Actual Farming Process
Begin by walking around the island slowly. When you spot a tarantula, stop moving and approach it slowly. Hold down the A button to ready your net. If the tarantula raises its front legs in a threatening stance, immediately stop moving. Wait for it to lower its legs, then slowly approach again. Repeat this process until you are close enough to swing your net. The goal is to create a steady, controlled approach, minimizing the risk of startling the tarantula and getting bitten. Make sure to be at least an inch or two away from the tarantula before you swing your net to avoid missing your catch.
Catching the Tarantulas
Once you are in range, quickly swing your net to catch the tarantula. If you time it correctly, you’ll successfully capture the tarantula. If not, you’ll either miss or get bitten. If you are bitten, you’ll be sent back to your island. After catching a tarantula, immediately go back to the clearing process, remove all the flowers and chop the trees. Then, repeat the process until your inventory is full or you choose to return to your island. This process ensures you can keep capturing tarantulas efficiently.
Preventing Tarantula Bites
The key to preventing tarantula bites is slow and steady movement. Always approach the tarantula with your net ready. Stop moving whenever it raises its legs to attack. Patience is crucial. Avoid running or sprinting, as this will almost always result in a bite. Maintain a safe distance, and be ready to react quickly if a tarantula starts to attack. If you are quick enough to pull your net away, you will be safe. Remember to clear the island, as this will allow you to keep an eye on the locations of the tarantulas.
Dealing with Aggressive Tarantulas
If a tarantula is aggressive, it means it has spotted you and is about to attack. Immediately stop moving and, if necessary, back away slowly. If the tarantula continues to approach, you can try to position yourself near the edge of the island or an obstacle. When you get bitten, you will lose all progress and will have to start over. Practice makes perfect; you will get better at recognizing when to stop and when to proceed, which will reduce the number of bites you take.
What to Do With Your Tarantulas
Once you have a full inventory of tarantulas, or you are ready to leave, you have a few options. The most common is to sell them for bells. You can also use them for crafting or, if Flick is visiting, sell them at a higher price.
Selling Your Tarantulas
You can sell the tarantulas at Nook’s Cranny for 8,000 bells each. This is the most straightforward way to convert your hard work into currency. Remember to visit Nook’s Cranny on the day you return to your island to sell your catch. If Flick is visiting your island on the day you choose to visit Tarantula Island, you can sell the tarantulas for 12,000 bells each. This is the most lucrative option. The total value of a full inventory can be substantial, providing a significant boost to your in-game finances.
Other Uses for Tarantulas
While selling is the primary use, you can also use tarantulas in crafting. You can donate them to Blathers at the museum, or use them to craft items like the tarantula model. While these uses may not be as financially rewarding as selling, they can contribute to completing your collection. Think of it as a nice bonus on top of your earnings.
Advanced Tarantula Island Farming Techniques
For experienced players, there are more advanced techniques to maximize your efficiency and earnings on Tarantula Island. These methods involve optimizing your runs and dealing with the occasional unwanted critters that may appear.
Optimizing Your Run
The most effective method involves a continuous loop around the island. After clearing the island, walk in a circular pattern, catching tarantulas as you encounter them. This helps you to cover all areas systematically, ensuring that no tarantulas are missed. Being quick on your feet helps. Plan your path ahead of time and make sure to catch as many tarantulas as possible to maximize profits.
Dealing with Other Critters
Sometimes, other bugs can spawn on the island, interfering with tarantula spawns. If you see a bug that is not a tarantula, catch it immediately. This will free up a spawn point for a tarantula. Be prepared to deal with these other critters efficiently to maintain the highest possible tarantula spawn rate. Other critters can also be sold, so it is always good to catch them.
Conclusion
Farming Tarantula Island is a highly effective way to earn bells and progress in Animal Crossing New Horizons. By following this ultimate guide, you can significantly increase your earnings and master the art of tarantula farming. Remember to prepare well, use the right techniques, and be patient. With practice, you’ll become a tarantula farming expert and enjoy the financial rewards. Good luck, and happy farming! Remember to have fun and enjoy the process; that’s the most important thing.