Overview

• Tens of thousands of male tarantulas have emerged across South Texas grasslands and deserts in response to late-summer warmth and seasonal moisture.
• This mass appearance signals the beginning of the fall mating season that is expected to advance into California, Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico between September and November.
• Male tarantulas account for nearly all above-ground sightings as females remain in their burrows throughout the mating period.
• Many migrating males die from predation, vehicle strikes, exhaustion or failed molts despite traveling only about a mile to locate a mate.
• Wildlife officials recommend observing the nocturnal spiders from a safe distance since bites are rare and comparable to a bee sting when provoked.