MISSOURI – Fall is right around the corner, so keep an eye out for Missouri’s largest spiders. Texas Brown Tarantulas are once again on the move.
The switch from summer to fall is right around the corner, and it’s a prime time for tarantulas to be on the move in Missouri.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, the state is home to only one native tarantula species: The “Texas Brown” Tarantula.
While these creatures usually stick to remote, desert-like areas away from people, there’s always a chance of an unexpected encounter. MDC says it’s not uncommon for Missourians in southern parts of the state to see Texas Brown Tarantulas crossing roads during “late summer and fall.” The Missouri River is usually the cutoff for their movement.
These eight-legged tarantulas are around 1.5 to 2 inches in sizes, with females slightly larger than males. They have a stocky and hairy appearance, and their colors from dark chocolate brown to a bright brownish-red.
“This eerie species is Missouri’s largest spider,” said MDC in a YouTube video. “They can be found near open, dry glades in south and central Missouri and can live as long as 20 years.”
While they may look intimidating, these tarantulas are actually quite shy and prefer to avoid close contact with humans, according to MDC.
If you happen to see a wild Texas Brown Tarantula in Missouri, experts say you should stay calm, observe from a distance, avoid direct contact and leave it unharmed in its habitat. It is illegal to collect tarantulas from Missouri public land without a permit.
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