In Louisiana, you might encounter large, hairy spiders, and yes, tarantulas are among them. The state is home to a single native tarantula species, which, despite its imposing appearance, is generally not considered dangerous to humans.
The Louisiana Tarantula
The Texas Brown Tarantula, scientifically known as Aphonopelma hentzi, is the only true tarantula native to the state. It is a large, robust spider, typically covered in dense brown hair, with shades of brown. The cephalothorax, the fused head and thorax, is often a lighter brown than the rest of its body.
Adult Texas Brown Tarantulas can reach a leg span often exceeding four inches, with body lengths ranging from approximately 1.5 to 2.25 inches. Despite their size, they are recognized for a generally docile temperament. This species is widespread across the southern United States, including parts of Louisiana.
Where They Live and How They Behave
In Louisiana, the Texas Brown Tarantula primarily inhabits the western and central parishes, favoring upland areas. They prefer environments such as sandy uplands, forests, and grasslands. These tarantulas are terrestrial burrowers, spending most of their lives underground in burrows they dig or in abandoned rodent dens, often lining the entrance with silk to detect passing prey.
Texas Brown Tarantulas are nocturnal predators. Their diet mainly consists of various insects, such as crickets, grasshoppers, and beetles, along with other small invertebrates. Occasionally, they may also prey on small vertebrates like lizards or rodents. During late summer and fall, male tarantulas become more active and visible as they leave their burrows to search for mates.
Encountering a Tarantula
If you encounter a Texas Brown Tarantula, understand its defensive behaviors. These spiders possess urticating hairs on their abdomen, which they can flick off when threatened. These barbed hairs can cause irritation to skin and eyes. If provoked, a tarantula may bite.
The bite of a North American tarantula is generally not harmful to humans. The sensation is often compared to a bee sting, resulting in localized pain, redness, and swelling. While allergic reactions are possible, they are uncommon, and there have been no proven human fatalities directly from a tarantula bite. It is advisable to observe them from a distance.