Understanding Animal Crossing Tarantula Island
Animal Crossing New Horizons offers players a vast and exciting world filled with opportunities, and one of the most thrilling aspects of the game is the chance to visit special islands. Among these, Tarantula Island stands out as a unique destination, offering players the chance to catch and sell tarantulas for a substantial profit. However, navigating to and surviving on this island requires preparation and understanding. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Tarantula Island, from preparing for your journey to maximizing your earnings and safely returning home. Prepare to embark on an adventure filled with suspense, excitement, and the potential for significant wealth.
What is Tarantula Island?
Tarantula Island, officially known as ‘Island with only one type of bug,’ is a mystery island that appears randomly when you use a Nook Miles Ticket. This island is specifically designed to spawn a large number of tarantulas, making it a prime location for catching these valuable insects. Unlike other mystery islands that feature various resources and creatures, Tarantula Island focuses solely on the tarantula. This means that once you arrive, you’ll be surrounded by these eight-legged creatures, providing an unparalleled opportunity to fill your pockets with bells. The island’s layout typically consists of a central elevated area surrounded by a lower level, often with water features, which can be used to your advantage.
Why Visit Tarantula Island?
The primary reason to visit Tarantula Island is the potential for profit. Tarantulas sell for a significant amount of bells at Nook’s Cranny, making it an efficient way to earn money quickly in Animal Crossing. Each tarantula sells for 8,000 bells, and with careful planning, you can fill your inventory and earn hundreds of thousands of bells in a single trip. Beyond the financial benefits, Tarantula Island offers an exciting and challenging gameplay experience. It tests your skills in observation, strategy, and reflexes as you navigate the island and avoid the aggressive tarantulas. It is also a great way to collect tarantulas for your museum or to simply enjoy the thrill of the hunt. Moreover, visiting Tarantula Island can be a fun change of pace from the usual tasks on your own island, providing a unique and memorable experience.
Preparing for Your Tarantula Island Trip
Before embarking on your journey to Tarantula Island, it’s crucial to prepare to maximize your success and minimize risks. This involves gathering the right supplies and clearing space in your inventory. A well-prepared player will have a much easier and more profitable experience on the island. Careful planning can turn a daunting challenge into a lucrative and enjoyable adventure. Without proper preparation, your trip could be cut short, costing you valuable time and resources. So, before you set off, take the time to gather what you need and plan your approach.
Gathering Necessary Supplies
The most important item to bring is your trusty net. Make sure you have a durable net that won’t break easily, especially if you plan on staying for a while. You’ll be swinging it a lot, so durability is key. Beyond the net, consider bringing a few extra tools, such as a shovel for digging up holes. These holes can serve as traps or barriers to manage the tarantulas. You can also bring a ladder and a vaulting pole, depending on the island’s layout, to move around quickly. While not essential, a few pieces of furniture like a trash can or a storage shed can be handy if you want to clear your inventory on the go. Remember that your primary focus should be on the net and the ability to safely catch tarantulas.
Clearing Your Inventory
Before heading to Tarantula Island, empty your pockets as much as possible. You want to maximize the space available for catching tarantulas. Sell any items you don’t need, such as resources, tools, or clothing. Alternatively, you can leave these items at home. The goal is to have as much free space as possible in your inventory. This will allow you to catch a large number of tarantulas during your visit, maximizing your potential earnings. Remember, every slot filled with a tarantula is worth 8,000 bells, so every space counts. Consider leaving any non-essential tools or items at home. Being organized is essential to making the most of your trip.
Steps to Reach Tarantula Island
Reaching Tarantula Island requires a bit of luck and the use of Nook Miles Tickets. The process is relatively straightforward, but understanding the steps involved will increase your chances of a successful trip. The most important thing is to have a Nook Miles Ticket, which you can purchase from the Nook Stop terminal at Resident Services. Once you have the ticket, you’re ready to try your luck at finding the island.
Using Nook Miles Tickets
To reach a mystery island like Tarantula Island, you need a Nook Miles Ticket. Purchase one from the Nook Stop terminal in Resident Services for 2,000 Nook Miles. Once you have the ticket, head to the airport. Speak to Orville at the front desk and select the option to use a Nook Miles Ticket. He’ll ask where you want to go. Choose that option and wait for the plane to take off. You will then be transported to a random mystery island. It is important to understand that the type of island you get is random, so you may not get the tarantula island on your first try. Keep using Nook Miles Tickets until you find the island.
Identifying Tarantula Island
Once you arrive at a mystery island, you’ll need to identify whether it’s Tarantula Island. Look for a distinctive layout – the island usually has a single type of bug. The appearance of the island can vary, but the key is the abundance of tarantulas. Scan the landscape for the telltale signs of the eight-legged creatures. If you see a large number of tarantulas roaming around, you’ve found it! Be aware that other islands can spawn tarantulas, especially at night, but Tarantula Island will have an overwhelmingly high concentration. If you don’t see many tarantulas, it might be another type of mystery island, in which case you can leave the island and try again with another Nook Miles Ticket.
Surviving on Tarantula Island
Once you’ve landed on Tarantula Island, your primary goal is to survive and catch as many tarantulas as possible. This requires understanding the tarantulas’ behavior, how to avoid attacks, and how to maximize your catching efficiency. Tarantulas can be dangerous if you’re not careful, and one wrong move can lead to a bite, forcing you to reset your progress on the island. With a strategic approach, you can minimize the risks and increase your earnings. Careful observation and a bit of practice are key to mastering the art of surviving and thriving on Tarantula Island.
Tarantula Behavior and Risks
Tarantulas in Animal Crossing are aggressive and will attack if you get too close. They will stand on their hind legs and jump towards you if you approach them directly. Being bitten by a tarantula will cause you to faint, and you’ll respawn at your island’s home. You’ll lose all the items you collected on the island. To avoid this, observe their movements and learn their patterns. Tarantulas are most dangerous when they are in pursuit. You should move slowly and deliberately, especially when closing in for a catch. Anticipating their movements is key to avoiding an attack. Understanding their behavior is essential for both your safety and your success.
Preventing Tarantula Attacks
The key to preventing attacks is to move slowly and methodically. When you spot a tarantula, approach it slowly with your net ready. If the tarantula stands on its hind legs, stop moving immediately. Wait until it lowers itself before taking another step. Repeat this process, inching closer until you’re within catching distance. Use the environment to your advantage. If there’s water or a cliff, use it to create a barrier. Also, consider digging holes to create a trap, allowing you to isolate and catch tarantulas more easily. If you find yourself in a bad situation, consider running away to reset the tarantulas’ aggro, and then try again, being more cautious. Patience and awareness are your best defenses.
Maximizing Your Earnings
Once you’ve mastered the art of surviving on Tarantula Island, the next step is to maximize your earnings. This involves catching tarantulas effectively and selling them for the highest possible price. With careful planning and execution, you can make a significant amount of bells on each trip. It’s crucial to have a strategy that balances speed and safety. Learning the best techniques will greatly increase the profit of your trip.
Catching Tarantulas Effectively
The most effective way to catch tarantulas is to approach them slowly with your net ready. As you get closer, stop when they stand up. Once they lower themselves, take another step forward. Repeat this process until you’re close enough to swing your net. Aim for a spot just in front of the tarantula to increase your chances of success. You can also try digging a series of holes in a pattern that allows you to safely trap the tarantulas. This allows you to catch multiple tarantulas at once. Another strategy is to clear the island of all other bugs to increase the tarantula spawn rate. If the island is full of other bugs, tarantulas may not spawn as frequently.
Selling Tarantulas and Making Bells
Once you’ve filled your pockets with tarantulas, it’s time to sell them. The best place to do this is at Nook’s Cranny. Each tarantula sells for 8,000 bells. If you fill your inventory with 40 tarantulas, you can earn 320,000 bells per trip. Be sure to check the turnip prices to see if Timmy and Tommy are offering a special buy-back price that day. Otherwise, the standard rate is usually the best option. It’s a good idea to have a storage solution on your island to dump your catch for a later sale. This helps with the inventory management. This can be a game changer for your financial success.
Leaving Tarantula Island
Once you’ve earned enough bells, or your inventory is full, it’s time to leave Tarantula Island. The process is simple. You can’t stay forever, and eventually, you’ll want to return home to spend your earnings. Knowing how to get back will ensure that you can make the most of your trip. Here are the key steps to prepare for departure and a safe return.
Returning Home
To leave Tarantula Island, head back to the airport. Talk to Orville at the front desk and select the option to go back home. He’ll ask if you’re sure. Confirm your decision, and the plane will take you back to your island. Once you arrive, you can start spending your newly acquired bells on various items or upgrades for your island. Before you leave, make sure you have everything you want. Otherwise, the trip was a waste of time.