Here’s Where You’re Like to See Tarantulas in Texas Over the Next Few Months

Texas is home to 14 different species of tarantula. One of the most common tarantulas you’re likely to spot in the state is the Texas brown. This large spider can have a legspan of up to six inches. Typically, tarantulas are not often seen. They prefer to stay hidden away in their burrows, waiting for a juicy bug to walk by. However, mating season is a different story. During warmer months, young male tarantulas travel across Texas in search of a mate. It’s during this time that you are most likely to see these large, yet shy, creatures.

Tarantulas on the Move in Texas

Spring and fall are tarantula mating seasons in Texas. This is the time you are most likely to see a tarantula. Most of the time, tarantulas stay hidden out of sight in their underground burrows. But when the weather warms up, male tarantulas leave the safety of their homes in search of a mate. Tarantula mating season in Texas varies by region. It can last from May to August, but September and October can also be active months.

Where in Texas Are Tarantulas Found?

Tarantulas are found on every continent except Antarctica. One of the largest and most common species found in Texas is the Texas brown tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi). Other common names for the Texas brown are the Oklahoma brown tarantula or the Missouri tarantula.

The Texas tan tarantula (Aphonopelma anax) is another common species found in Texas. It looks similar in size and appearance to the Texas brown, but it is typically only found in the southern part of the state, especially around San Antonio. Another notable species is the Aphonopelma armada, but you’ll probably only run into it in Central and Western Texas.

How Do Tarantulas Mate?

Tarantulas in Texas are more likely to mate after a rain, either in the spring or the fall. Residents have even reported seeing dozens of tarantulas heading down the road at night in search of a mate. Tarantulas have a mating ritual. The male will drum his legs on the strands of webbing outside of a female’s burrow. It’s not unlike a person knocking on the door.

If the female wants to mate, she’ll tap her legs back at the male and emerge from her burrow. If she decides she doesn’t want to mate with the eager male, she will either stay in her burrow or may emerge to eat him. Male tarantulas are usually smaller than the females, and won’t put up much of a fight. When they mate, the male will insert sperm into the female through his pedipalps (small leg-like appendages near his mouth).

Texas Brown Tarantulas May Lay up to 1,000 Eggs

After mating, the female tarantula may devour the male. Even if she doesn’t, most males don’t live long after mating. Male tarantulas have shorter lifespans than females. Texas brown females living in captivity have lived to be over 25 years old, but the males average around seven years. Wild male Texas browns typically live only a few months after reaching sexual maturity.

The females will hold onto the sperm until conditions are good for laying eggs. A tarantula can lay anywhere from 50 to 2,000 eggs. Texas browns usually lay around 100 to 1,000 eggs. The female wraps the eggs safely in a silk case in her burrow, where she guards them until they hatch. Newly hatched Texas browns will stay in their mother’s burrow for about a week until they disperse to find homes of their own. This is a critical time for the new spiders. Predators or other spiders will eat many before they can create their own safe burrows.

What to Do if You See a Tarantula

Aside from snakes and sharks, tarantulas are perhaps among the most misunderstood animals on the planet. Although movies and popular culture may stir up the fear of spiders in many, in reality, most tarantulas don’t want anything to do with humans. Tarantulas are likely to be more afraid of you than you are of them. If you spot a tarantula in the wild, let it be, and it will go its own way. The trouble often occurs when people try to pick up or handle tarantulas.

According to Texas A&M AgriLife, just because tarantulas are large doesn’t mean people need to fear them. Wizzie Brown, Texas A&M entomology specialist, said in a statement, “They can be scary when judged by their size and looks. They’re large, but they’re no danger to us. They can be grumpy when handled roughly, but if they bite, it’s typically from being provoked. So, look at them and appreciate them because they are beneficial. But people shouldn’t handle tarantulas in the wild.”

Tarantulas are beneficial and eat a variety of pests, helping to keep the insect population under control. If you see a tarantula outdoors, let it be. If you find one in your home, you can cover it with a plastic cup or glass, and slide a paper underneath to safely move it without handling it.

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