A tarantula features in "Fears of Zero" as a background character as seen in episode 202 of The Muppet Show. He returns the following season in episode 314, playing the "deadly, black tarantula" in "Day-O." He climbs up on Harry Belafonte's shoulder and sings a line of the song, performed by Jerry Nelson. As confusion takes over the number, a parrot complains that he doesn't work with deadly tarantulas.
The puppet first appeared in the opening of several Land of Gortch segments on Saturday Night Live.