Texas Brown Tarantulas Are On the Move in Missouri—Don’t Freak Out

Warm days and crisp nights mean more than flannel shirts and pumpkin spice—it also signals tarantula season in Missouri. Yep, the Texas Brown Tarantula is making its annual appearance.

The Missouri Department of Conservation reminds us this is the only tarantula species native to the state. Most of the time, these eight-legged wanderers keep to themselves in dry, desert-like areas. But late summer through fall, folks in southern Missouri might spot them crossing roads.

The 8-legged tarantula’s measure about 1.5 to 2 inches across—females being the bigger bosses. They’re chunky, fuzzy, and range in color from dark chocolate brown to a reddish brown. Fun fact: females can live up to 20 years.

But here’s the deal—while they look like nightmare fuel, Texas Brown Tarantulas are actually introverts. They don’t want to bother you, and they definitely don’t want to be bothered. MDC says the best thing to do if you see one is stay chill, admire from a safe distance, and let it do its thing.

Oh, and don’t even think about snatching one up—collecting tarantulas from Missouri public land without a permit is against the law.