One of Texas’s most unique wildlife events, the annual Tarantula migration, crawls into high gear as the summer wanes and autumn approaches. Emerging from their deep burrows by the thousands every year are male tarantulas to start across backyards, highways, and fields in search of a mate. This natural occurrence, which is frequently referred to as “The Great Texas Tarantula Crawl,” piques the interest of both scientists and nature enthusiasts as well as surprised locals.
Aphonopelma hentzi, or Texas brown tarantulas, dominate this show. Numerous areas of the state, including the Panhandle, Central Texas, and portions of West Texas, are home to these big, hairy arachnids. The creep starts as the temperature drops and the days get shorter.
Male Tarantula
Male tarantulas lead the movement. Once they mature, they begin to wander after having spent the initial five to seven years of their life alone in burrows. Locating a receptive female, mating, and reproducing are their simple but primary goal. The males do not usually come back to their burrows after departure. Once they have mated, many of them die or are killed by coyotes, birds, or snakes.
Males roam very long distances within this brief period, compared to females, who can live up to 25 years and rarely venture out of their burrows. They are often spotted by spectators running across streets, climbing fences, or even appearing on porches and sidewalks.
Texas Residents
Depending on the location and climate, Texans can frequently encounter these wandering spiders from late July to October. At peak migration, residents of towns near Canyonlands, such as Amarillo and Lubbock, often report sightings. Tarantula sightings are frequent in nature parks like Palo Duro Canyon State Park and Caprock Canyons State Park, where visitors take photos of the spiders and share them on the internet.
Texas brown tarantulas can appear menacing, but they are very seldom hazardous to humans. They only tend to bite and cause mild irritation, which is said to feel similar to a bee sting. Most tarantulas would prefer to fly than fight, and they will bite only if they are trapped or abused.
Scientists
The migration provides an opportunity for arachnologists and wildlife biologists to study tarantulas’ population dynamics, behaviour, and health. Scientists often mark and track these insects to find out more about tarantulas’ lifespan, migration routes, and reproduction. They also collect valuable information to aid in the protection of surrounding tarantula habitats from pesticide application, agriculture, and urban development.
Scientists aim to dispel common myths about tarantulas with fieldwork and education. They emphasise the role of tarantulas in keeping insects under control and maintaining ecological balance.
Weather and Climate
The initiation and development of the migration are largely determined by temperature, rainfall, and humidity levels. Lower temperatures and increased moisture trigger the crawl, whereas hot, dry summers tend to delay the crawl.
A surprise cold front or early fall shower can dispatch hundreds of tarantulas marching above the ground almost overnight. In Texas, climate change has shifted seasonal patterns, and researchers continue to monitor how such shifts affect tarantula migrations. Off-season storms, unusually long droughts, or extreme heat waves can disrupt mating behaviours or reduce survival rates among tarantulas.
Wildlife Officials
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department often reminds the public to avoid disturbing the spiders when they are migrating. Authorities advise locals not to kill the tarantulas or apply insecticides on them. Instead, they suggest maintaining a respectful distance and giving the spiders some space.
Specialists recommend using a container or soft brush to gently coax a tarantula outside if it strays into a house or garage. Tarantulas do not infest buildings and will only bite and attack if provoked, so there is no need to fear them.
