Desert visitors may not know how interesting the tarantula spider can be. Park Ranger Pam Tripp says while these large spiders may look scary, they are actually one of the least aggressive spiders…
Most visitors to the desert in and around Joshua Tree National Park recognize a tarantula, but few know just what an interesting spider a tarantula can be. These big spiders strike fear in the hearts of people everywhere, but in truth, tarantulas are some of the least aggressive and dangerous spiders around. In fact, if you see one in the wild, it is most likely just looking for love, or food.
Tarantulas are quite unassertive and rarely bite people. They hunt at night, preying on insects, lizards, mice and other spiders. In the fall, after heavy rains, mature males emerge from their burrows seeking females. While some males are eaten after mating, those who survive have a short lifespan, living only two or three months after reaching maturity.
Keep in mind that as long as we don’t bother the tarantula, that big spider wants to stay away from us as much as most of us want to stay away from it.
