Tarantula mating season occurs in the fall, primarily in southwestern states.

Male tarantulas wander in search of females, while females remain near their burrows.

Tarantulas are generally docile but should not be handled.

They play a vital role in the ecosystem as insect control and soil aeration.

If you’re hiking or camping in California or other Southwestern states over the next few months, get ready for what could be the experience — or fright — of a lifetime.

Across the United States, most of California, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico and Texas, tens of thousands of tarantulas will being crawling out of their burrows in search of females — making for a fascinating, if a little creepy — display of the wonders of nature.

It’s tarantula mating season.

The Shasta Cascade region has i

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