Residents of Los Angeles are lucky in that they get to experience some of the best weather in the country all year long. Because of this unfair advantage, it’s only right that there would be a few drawbacks to California living to even the playing field.
While some might look to the persistent threat of wildfires as enough of a balance, let’s take it one step further. Los Angeles residents have to deal with tarantula mating season once a year, and the festivities are officially underway!
Hikers in the nearby Santa Monica Mountains are likely to encounter more than their fair share of wild tarantulas on the hunt for mates over the next few weeks.
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Around sunset, male tarantulas typically head out in search of females in their burrows.
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While they might look terrifying, tarantulas actually pose very little threat to humans. That being said, park rangers are encouraging hikers to leave any critters they see in peace.
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During mating season, male tarantulas store their semen in their pedipalps. They then transfer that semen to receptive females. Most of the time, this goes off without a hitch. Other times…well, things end badly for the male.
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(via LAist)
Despite the current onslaught of tarantulas, I still love Los Angeles and envy those who live there.
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