Over the next few weeks, thousands of hairy, eight-legged creatures will leave their burrow across the eastern plains in search of love.
It’s that time of year again—Colorado’s tarantula “migration” is underway.
This time of year, male tarantulas in the southeast part of the state will leave the safety of their burrows to search for females, who stay hidden in their own holes. When the males find a female’s burrow, they drum their legs at the entrance—like rapid, soft knocking on the front door—and wait for the female to come out.
The males don’t live long after mating. Death by predator, car or starvation typically follows. And in some cases, if the female is cranky, she may eat him.
The “migration” will continue through early October.
