ALPINE NATURE CENTER

Tarantula Time!

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Picture
Utah is home to three or four different species of tarantulas. Most of them live in the southern part of the state, but here in Alpine we are in the very northern part of their range. The reason we rarely see them is because they burrow into the ground and catch prey (crickets, centipedes, mice) from the opening of their burrows, darting out to bite their victim and pull it back to the safety of their home for feeding. In addition, tarantulas are nocturnal creatures, venturing out only after most humans have gone inside for the night. 

However, in September and October the male spiders go on the prowl in search of a mate. This is your best chance to see a tarantula in the wild.

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Picture
In spite of their fearsome appearance, tarantulas are harmless to humans and large pets. Their venom is relatively harmless, and a bite might feel similar to a bee sting. 

This tarantula encountered on a path in Lambert Park was named Seven. Can you guess why?
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  • Home
  • About
    • Volunteer
  • Wildlife
    • Birds >
      • Birds in the Wild >
        • Water Birds
        • Raptors
        • Other Birds
      • Alpine Bird Watchers
      • Aviary
      • Feed the Birds
      • Fat Robins in Spring
      • Two Doves
      • Who's That Knocking?
    • Mammals
    • Reptiles
    • Insects >
      • Insects Identification
      • Tarantula Time!
    • Living with Wildlife
    • Circle of Life
    • Deer Doo
  • Plants
    • Flowers >
      • Blue Flowers
      • Pink Flowers
      • Purple Flowers
      • Red Flowers
      • White Flowers
      • Yellow Flowers
      • Orange Flowers
    • Trees, Bushes and Brush >
      • Trees, Bushes and Brush ID
      • Acorn Bonanza
      • Box Elder Boys and Girls
      • Rabbit vs Sage
      • Juniper Differences
      • Mountain Mahogany
      • White Fir Trees
    • Grasses
    • Invasive Species
    • Fall Colors
    • It's A Mystery Plant
  • Open Spaces
    • Trails >
      • Trail Maps
      • Alpine Nature Hikes
      • Bonneville Shoreline Trail
      • Miles of Trails
      • Three Mines Trail
      • Water Tour
    • Alpine Mountains >
      • Mountain Panoramas
      • East Mountain Boulders
      • Penumbra
      • Glaciers, Lakes and Earthquakes
    • Stewardship >
      • Fire
      • Stewardship Projects
      • Winter Range Planting
      • Deer Guzzler
    • Arboretum
    • Uses
  • Activities
  • What's in Bloom
  • What's New!
  • Who Knew?
    • In Memory - Judy Bush
    • Running Waters
    • Missing in Action?
    • Sunflowers and the Sun
    • Cooper or Sharpie?
    • People
    • Who Knew? Archive - 2
    • Who Knew? Archive - 1