Does Arizona Have Tarantulas?
Yes, and there are about 30 species of tarantulas that can be found in Arizona.
The Desert Tarantula, also known as the Arizona blond tarantula or the Mexican blond tarantula, is one of the most common spiders that can be found in the state of Arizona.
The wet monsoon and early fall is mating season for these tarantulas, and it’s during this time that you would see male tarantulas out and about – when they leave their hidden burrows once a year in search of a mate.
Female tarantulas usually stay by their burrows, which are typically small holes in the ground about the size of a quarter. If the nest is active, there would be strands of silk on the opening, and it is on these strands of silk the male tarantula would dance to entice the female to mate. Whether he woos the female successfully or not, he may become its next source of protein if he does not get away fast enough when she decides to take a bite.
During winter, their nests are plugged with silk, soil, and even rocks while they wait for summer.
They can live anywhere from 12 to 25 years (approximately 12 years for male tarantulas, and 25 for female tarantulas), which makes them popular pets for the more adventurous individual. While they’re venomous and would attack anything it can subdue for food, their bite is harmless to humans, typically at most causing pain no more than that of a bee sting.
Aside from its bite, they have barbed hairs on their abdomen that may cause irritation, and when attacked, these tarantulas have been known to fling these hair strands as a form of self-defence.
They can be up to 3 inches long, and 2 to 3 inches tall with a leg span of 3 to 5 inches. Male tarantulas are slimmer than female tarantulas and are covered in black hair while females have a tan or light brown color.
Despite their feared appearance, these are docile creatures and only bite under extreme duress.
