Reports suggest that Americans are set to witness a peculiar and somewhat alarming occurrence as swarms of tarantulas are poised to invade certain regions of the country.
Despite the ominous connotations associated with this event, it is actually a normal annual happening where thousands of spiders are on the lookout for mates, particularly in Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Naturally, one might feel inclined to take action upon witnessing such a spectacle, but how challenging is it to manage these swarms? And what level of threat do they truly pose?
What’s prompting the spider swarms?
The appearance of swarms of animals and insects typically indicates two main reasons: migration or mating. In the case of American tarantulas, it is primarily due to the latter. It is an intriguing scenario distinct from what we might typically envision.
“Every year, male tarantulas come out in search of a mate, while females remain in their burrows releasing pheromones to attract males,” stated Lauren Davidson, an entomologist at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. “It’s a fascinating phenomenon that occurs based on weather conditions and geographical location.”
Male tarantulas usually have a short lifespan solely for the duration of the mating season, with only mature males actively seeking a mate. Upon detecting a female’s pheromones, the male tarantula initiates a mating ritual by drumming near the entrance of her burrow. If the female is receptive, she will come out to meet him.
Wondering where you might encounter these males? Tarantula mating season varies across different regions; for instance, mating in Texas typically occurs in early summer, while in Colorado and New Mexico, it can extend until October.
Davidson notes, “The timing is consistent each year, and these events are often unnoticed by urban residents. It’s a cyclical process that occurs at night due to tarantulas being nocturnal.”
Though it may appear to be migration, the spiders are primarily in search of mates within close proximity to their usual habitats, generally traveling no more than a kilometer from home.
Encountering a tarantula: What to do?
While encounters with tarantulas may be rare, it is not impossible. If you do come across one, remain calm as these spiders are harmless. Despite their intimidating size, their venom is similar to that of a bee sting and bites are infrequent. Tarantulas typically avoid human contact and resort to kicking out irritating hairs if threatened.
Direct contact with these hairs can cause itchiness and irritation, but one would need to be in close proximity to the spider for that to occur. Davidson reassures, “Many people travel to witness these tarantulas as they are docile creatures and safe to handle.”
About our expert
Lauren Davidson: Associate Curator of Entomology at the Houston Museum of Natural Science and Manager of the Cockrell Butterfly Center. Davidson has authored several children’s books focusing on entomology education.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
