Tarantula Breeding Season is Approaching: Key States for Sightings

Anticipate seeing more tarantulas in several areas of the U.S. as their breeding season kicks off soon.

Mostly elusive, these spiders make more frequent appearances during mating periods. You can find these hairy creatures, roughly the size of a baseball, predominantly in California, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas.

During September and October, adult male tarantulas wander in great numbers seeking females ready to lay their eggs in nests. With their sizes ranging between two to three inches and their bodies covered in fine, tan to dark brown hairs, these are the largest spiders on the continent.

The Mating and Reproductive Rituals of Tarantulas

Solitary by nature, male tarantulas embark on their quest for mates once they hit eight to ten years of age. Their journey centers on tracking down the pheromone trails that lead to a female’s burrow.

Females prepare by lining their burrows with a network of silk. The courtship involves the male tapping the ground to draw the female out for their intricate mating dance, where he must fend off her predatory instincts.

A male's death can sustain the female if succumbed during mating. However, if he survives this peril, he will not live past the year.

Lifespan and Nomenclature of Tarantulas

Tarantulas reach adulthood around their tenth year. Post-mating mortality is common among males, who face the danger of being consumed before they mate. Females, in contrast, can live beyond two decades, frequently setting records for spider longevity, and are capable of producing eggs for a quarter of a century.

The name 'tarantula' has its roots in a European wolf spider, Lycosa tarentula, named after the Italian town of Taranto. This spider's bite was once thought responsible for the condition known as tarantism, causing frenetic dancing—the Tarentella, an Italian folk dance, later absorbed this energetic movement and left its mark on classical music.

Dietary Habits and Defensive Behavior of Tarantulas

Tarantulas feast on insects and occasionally small reptiles or rodents. They are themselves prey to animals like lizards, birds, and tarantula hawks.

While their bites can be painful, similar to a bee sting, tarantulas generally prefer to avoid using their fangs unless capturing prey or under distress.

When threatened, they might raise themselves to appear intimidating, releasing irritating hairs from their abdomens, and can even leap up to two feet high.

What Actions to Take Upon Encountering a Tarantula

Upon spotting a tarantula, observing its demeanor can be enlightening. Despite their stark appearance, tarantulas are largely docile and pose little threat to humans unless deeply provoked.