Tarantula mating season is here. Meaning that you may start spotting hordes of large, hairy, brown spiders crawling around, especially if you live in certain states.
Will Ohioans be seeing tarantulas anytime soon? Here's where they're most commonly spotted, and what to do if you encounter one.
Are tarantula hordes coming to Ohio? Will the Buckeye State see a tarantula takeover?
No.
You likely won't spot a tarantula in the wild, since they do not naturally live in Ohio. Instead, they're often found in warmer and drier climates, and primarily live in Western and Southwestern states like Arizona, California, and Texas, USA TODAY reports.
While they don't occur naturally in Ohio, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has also housed and rescued tarantulas over the years, and some people may keep them as pets.
What to do if you encounter a tarantula
If you find yourself in a location where tarantulas are present, especially during mating season, experts recommend leaving them alone.
While tarantulas are venomous, they don't present a life-threatening danger to humans. However, the hairy spiders may bite if you try to touch them, which can be quite painful and cause swelling. If bitten, poison control says to wash the bite with soap and water and apply an ice pack or use over-the-counter pain relievers to manage any pain.
You also should avoid trying to kill tarantulas, since they are important to the ecosystem and play the role of insect control, among other benefits to the environment.
Is it illegal to own a pet tarantula in Ohio?
Owning a tarantula is legal in Ohio, and it's one of the few exotic pets you don't need a license to own, according to Animal Care Unlimited. Additionally, tarantulas are not considered "dangerous wild animals" at the state level. However, local ordinances and apartment complexes may have different rules and restrictions.
What spiders are most commonly found in Ohio?
The Buckeye State is home to over 600 species of spiders. According to Ohio State University, the most common types of spiders are daddy long-legs, wolf spiders, and crab spiders, which can be found in or around your home. Wolf spiders are most often mistaken for tarantulas.
"Of the 60+ types of spiders found in Ohio, only one is non-venomous," OSU's blog reads. "Fortunately, most of these spiders pose no threat to humans or pets, as they are either too small or their venom is adapted to affect only their insect prey."
Only two North American spiders pose a danger to humans — the brown recluse and the black widow. Not to worry; OSU notes that these crawlers are not commonly found in Ohio.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Will Ohio see 'hordes' of tarantulas as mating season nears?
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