Tarantula migration season is upon us! Foothills Nature Preserve is home to the Hairy Tarantula (Eurypelma californicum) and the Smooth Tarantula (Brachythele longitarsus). While these tarantulas may look dangerous due to their size and fangs, they are harmless to humans.
Hairy Tarantulas
Hairy Tarantulas are the larger species; they are typically up to four inches long and are covered in coarse brown hairs. They are nocturnal and live in burrows. Hairy Tarantulas are relatively docile, rarely biting when picked up.
Smooth Tarantulas
Smooth Tarantulas have a more velvety appearance with finer, shorter hairs. These smaller tarantulas are about 2 inches long and live in hillside. They are more aggressive, rearing on their hindlegs and occasionally inflicting a painful bite when agitated.
Read more about these creatures and the others you may find at Foothills in Nature Notes.
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Check Out a Parks Pass
To visit the tarantulas in the wild, visit any Palo Alto City Library to check out the Foothills Nature Preserve Parks Pass, opens a new window! This pass allows for free parking and entry for one vehicle at Foothills for the day. The passes must be displayed on the dashboard or rearview mirror of the vehicle. The passes are checked out for two weeks at a time and must be returned to a Palo Alto City Library at the end of the two weeks.
More Information:
- Foothills Nature Preserve, opens a new window
- Library Parks Passes, opens a new window
- Backyard Creepy Crawlies Booklist, opens a new window
Written by Annie Jones, Open Space & Parks, opens a new window
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