Tarantula Mating Season Spreads Across Southwest States

Tarantula mating season is underway across the arid Southwest and Western United States, including states like Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, California, and others. During this period from August through October, tens of thousands of mostly young adult male tarantulas emerge from their burrows to seek mates, often visible crossing roads and trails at dusk. Experts emphasize that while these spiders may appear intimidating, they are generally docile and play an important ecological role, and people are advised to observe them from a distance without disturbing them. Tarantulas can bite if provoked, with effects similar to a bee sting, so caution is recommended, especially for those allergic to spider bites. The occurrence of these large, hairy arachnids is triggered by the combination of heat and increased humidity during the late summer monsoon season. Sightings have become popular attractions in some areas, although experts note that encounters with humans are usually avoidable since the spiders are mostly nocturnal and avoid confrontation.