Residents of Colorado, Kansas, and New Mexico are being alerted to the increased presence of male tarantulas, which are currently on the move in search of mates. This phenomenon, often referred to as a ‘mate-gration,’ will continue through October, with these arachnids traveling up to 20 miles in their quest for female partners.
Dr. Lauren Davidson, a Houston-based entomologist and spider specialist, described the situation succinctly: “They’re just out looking for love. Let them go find a girlfriend.” Davidson and other scientists hope that public concerns about spiders do not hinder the crucial mating process that supports the species’ reproduction.
The heightened activity of male tarantulas follows a recent mating period in Texas, where female tarantulas are now preparing to lay large egg sacs containing between 50 and 3,000 spiderlings. While the American tarantula is venomous, its bite is typically non-lethal to humans, causing only mild irritation.
Dr. Ritch Reading, vice president of science and conservation at the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, Colorado, cautioned that spider enthusiasts might be putting themselves at risk. He noted, “When we go down there, we see people on the roads, and these cars and trucks do move quite fast. You see people on their hands and knees taking pictures — and I would not recommend that.”
For those interested in observing the tarantula migration, Reading suggested local highways in Colorado as prime viewing spots. Highways 109 and 350 near La Junta are particularly noted for their high tarantula populations, with the best times for sightings being dawn and dusk.
Tarantulas move using hydraulic pressure rather than muscles, which means they are less active in extreme temperatures. Therefore, the mornings and evenings offer the most favorable conditions for observing their migration.
During courtship, a male tarantula performs a distinctive dance by tapping his legs on the female’s web. If the female is receptive, she may reciprocate the gesture. Following successful mating, the female constructs a golf ball-sized egg sac where she will lay her eggs and protect them until they hatch.
Male tarantulas, whose lifespans are notably shorter than females, face numerous threats post-mating, including predators, traffic, and starvation. In some instances, the female may even consume the male. Female tarantulas can live up to 20-25 years in the wild.
Additionally, tarantula hawks, the largest wasps in the U.S., pose another danger. These wasps inject a paralyzing venom into the tarantulas and drag them into burrows to lay their eggs. The larvae feed on the still-living spider once they hatch.
This annual tarantula migration, while fascinating, underscores the need for safety and awareness among those who wish to observe these remarkable creatures in their natural habitat.