There’s a higher chance you’ll encounter a creepy crawler on your next hike or walk in the Desert Southwest, seeing its mating season for tarantulas in the Lone Star State.
These fuzzy spiders are out and about between May and August, when males search for females to mate, according to Texas A&M AgriLife. The mating season is triggered by warmer spring temperatures and moisture. In addition to Texas, tarantulas can also be found in California, Colorado, Kansas, and New Mexico.
While these large spiders may be intimidating, they are not looking to harm humans and are not venomous; however, a bite can still pack a punch. Tarantulas typically give warnings by rearing up on their hind legs to appear larger or by displaying their fangs before biting.
The bite is similar to a bee sting, according to Texas A&M.
Here’s what to know about tarantulas and when is the best chance of seeing them.
Where do tarantulas live?
Tarantulas prefer dry climates and primarily live in Western and Southwestern states with arid and semi-arid habitats. They are prevalent in Arizona, California, Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oregon and Washington.
There are 29 described individual species of tarantulas in the United States. In Texas, there are 15 tarantula species, and they are more common and noticeable in rockier areas of Central and Southwest Texas, according to Texas A&M.
There are 15 tarantula species that can be found around Texas.
The Texas brown tarantula is the largest spider in Texas, capable of growing up to four inches wide and weighing up to three ounces. Its search for a mate happens as late as September and November, but also in May to July.
The rest of the year, the spiders spend their time burrowed in their underground dens awaiting their next meal, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Are tarantulas dangerous?
Tarantulas don’t want to interact with humans any more than most humans want to interact with them, and if you spot one, you should just let them be.
In reality, the danger only comes when people try to pick them up or play with them, or if they get in the way of a male and female mating.
Why tarantulas are important
If you see a tarantula, leave it alone. It plays a crucial role in nature. These large, hairy spiders contribute to ecological balance by acting as insect control agents. They are slow, patient ambush predators that help regulate biodiversity.
Their burrows improve soil aeration and water filtration, especially in the desert during flooding events. And after they abandon their burrows, they become refuges for other animals, including lizards, insects and other small mammals.
USA Today contributed to this story.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on Twitter; natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma Thompson on Facebook.
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This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: It’s tarantula mating season in Texas. What to know