Tarantulas

Desert tarantula (Aphonopelma iodius)

On a crisp October morning last week, I was driving east at 7 a.m. with my buddy Ryan, a fellow photography enthusiast, hoping to see a species I’d never photographed before. Earlier this month, he’d messaged me with an intriguing proposition: the opportunity to join him on a tarantula-tracking adventure at Mount Diablo State Park. As one of the iconic species living in our state, tarantulas have been on my photography wishlist for a long time, so I jumped at the chance. 

Park signage described the stars of the show as “California Brown Tarantulas,” but as far as I can tell, they’re more commonly known as desert tarantulas (Aphonopelma iodius) or Bay Area blond tarantulas (Aphonopelma smithi). However, a 2016 study concluded that the two are morphologically identical. Either way, these magnificent arachnids call California home, and we hoped to see some. 

These tarantulas are known for their burrowing habits. They use silk-lined tunnels underground as their cozy homes, and typically, that’s where they hang out during the day, safe from harsh weather and prying eyes. Usually, they only emerge from their burrows when the sun dips below the horizon. But here’s the twist: October is a special time for these gentle giants. It’s their mating season, and the males emerge from their burrows, venturing into the unknown, to embark on a remarkable journey in search of a willing partner. 

To make our adventure even more exciting, we were tagging along with Arnold, a local photographer and wildlife expert who knows Mount Diablo State Park like the back of his hand. With his guidance, we set out on our quest to witness some captivating behavior. As we hit the trails, the anticipation was palpable. Every step felt like a chance to see something extraordinary. Amazingly, we spotted not one or two but seven tarantulas along our hike!

Tarantulas face threats from predators like birds, lizards, and even other tarantulas. Knowing that they risked life and limb to mate gave me an added appreciation for their activity, reminding me of the importance of preserving the habitats that house these remarkable creatures. It was a day of exploration, excitement, and camaraderie that I won’t forget anytime soon.

Tarantula nest

Tarantula searching for a mate