If you see a tarantula, please don’t kill it!
Welcome to a mesmerizing journey where the elegance of ballet meets the enchantment of nature’s creatures.
Join us as we delve into the captivating world of tarantulas, gracefully navigating their habitats amidst verdant landscapes.
From the delicate movements of these arachnids to the intricacies of their webs, every moment frozen in time reveals the poetry of existence in the natural world. Prepare to be enchanted as we unravel the mysteries and beauty of these fascinating beings, inviting you to embrace the magic of our planet through a ballet of exquisite imagery and profound appreciation for the wonders that surround us.
Arachnophobia, an irrational fear of spiders, resonates deeply with a significant portion of the global population. Consequently, many specimens across various species meet their demise due to this fear. Tarantulas, in particular, endure heightened levels of dread and aversion due to their size, leading to concerning population consequences.
Personally, I have always found arachnids fascinating, especially considering their role in controlling populations of insects that I might not hold in as high esteem as I perhaps should.
Thus, during a moonlit stroll with my two beloved canine companions, I encountered a tarantula, or “Chihuo” as it is commonly known in Yucatán by its Mayan name. I decided to capture a few photographs, using my foot as a point of reference to showcase the scale, in the absence of a more practical object.
If you spot a tarantula on the Yucatán Peninsula, you’re undoubtedly encountering an arachnid from the Brachypelma genus. Here’s the taxonomy breakdown:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Arachnida
- Order: Araneae
- Suborder: Mygalomorphae
- Family: Theraphosidae
- Subfamily: Theraphosinae
- Genus: Brachypelma
Within this genus, there are 20 reported species across the Americas, with 13 found in Mexico. However, only two of these species inhabit the peninsula:
- B. vagans, also known as the Mexican redrump tarantula.
- B. epicureanum, the Yucatán brownback tarantula.
The latter is an endemic species to the Yucatán Peninsula, meaning it’s found exclusively in this region. If it were to become extinct here, it would be globally extinct. This highlights the vulnerability of endemic species.
I took it upon myself to research the differences between these two species to identify the one I encountered. Generally, they are very similar, and their differentiating characteristics are quite specific and located in hard-to-observe areas, such as a supposed black spot on the abdomen of the Yucatán species and differences in their spermathecae. Given this, I can only say with certainty that it belongs to the Brachypelma genus, either vagans or epicureanum, and is likely a male.
How did I deduce that it might be a male?
Literature mentions that females in reproductive age and during the reproductive season (from July to October) are always found near their burrow (within a maximum distance of 2m), while it’s the males who venture out in search of females. This explains why you might encounter them crossing streets or seemingly wandering aimlessly.
Another interesting fact is that males are only ready for reproduction during their last year of life, which is precisely when we are most likely to find them roaming our streets and homes in search of females. This means that when someone kills a “Chihuo” that appeared in their house, they are highly likely not only killing that individual but also preventing its reproduction, leading to a decrease in the population. This easy path could put these species at risk.
In fact, both mentioned species are classified by the IUCN Red List as species at low concern (LC).
Now, the inevitable question arises: Are they dangerous?
While they possess a defense mechanism of releasing spores from the “hairs” they have on their rear, the worst they can cause are temporary reactions on the skin and occasionally in the eyes of those who have been “attacked” by them.
Furthermore, this mechanism isn’t severe, and it’s important to note that they only use it when they feel threatened, and they are generally very peaceful species.
So, I repeat, please don’t kill them! They are a fundamental part of maintaining balance in our ecosystems.
If they happen to enter your property and you’re too afraid to get close enough to remove them, I recommend using a spider catcher, which you can easily find on Amazon at an affordable price, allowing you to remove spiders from your home without harming them.
Additional fact: These species live approximately 20 years in the case of females and 10 years in the case of males.
“ Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. IT'S NOT. ”
Dr. Seuss
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