Arachnid Army on the Move
As autumn approaches, southeastern Colorado becomes a hub of activity for thousands of male tarantulas embarking on a quest for love. This annual mating ritual, centered in La Junta, southeast of Denver, kicks off at the end of August and reaches its zenith in mid-September.
The search for mates
Taking advantage of the cooling temperatures, these large arachnids crawl across the expansive 440,000 acres of the Comanche National Grassland. Local drivers are well-acquainted with the sight of tarantulas crossing highways during this season.
Karim Gharbi, a horticulture specialist from Colorado State University Extension, sheds light on this fascinating phenomenon. Speaking to Daily Express US, Gharbi explains, “The males who are leaving their dens to go and find females. The females usually just stay in their den and wait for the men to come to them.”
Most of these wandering spiders are 10-year-old males in search of females hidden in Colorado’s lush grasslands. Despite the intimidating spectacle, Gharbi reassures that these spiders are generally harmless. “They are generally quite timid and they have an extremely mild venom,” he said. “But even to get you to bite them, you have to be kind of asking for it because these tarantulas, their first reaction is to run away from you.”
Impact of environmental changes
Experts warn that climate change, theft, and human development have significantly affected tarantula populations, with fewer spiders emerging each year. “With climate change, there’s been a massive decline in arthropod diversity in general,” Gharbi notes.
A unique tourist attraction
The annual mating event has grown in popularity, drawing tourists from across the country to La Junta. The city has embraced this unique natural event by launching an annual “Tarantula Fest,” now in its third year. The festival features a parade, an educational pavilion, and tarantula tours.
Pamela Denahy, Director of Tourism and Economic Development at the City of La Junta, describes the event as a celebration of the tarantulas. “We encourage people to dress up in tarantula themes. So we do have people that come and dress in fun costumes, and they even dress their pets in some costumes.”
Safety first
Denahy emphasizes the importance of respecting these creatures while enjoying the spectacle. “We just encourage people to admire them from afar and not have to worry about picking them up and harming the tarantulas or harming themselves,” she advises.
As the tarantulas continue their annual journey across Colorado, both locals and tourists alike are reminded of the delicate balance between nature and human activity.