Tarantulas in Missouri (Branson, Macon, Kimberling City: living, snakes, spider)

[thevez2]

I know a few places where tarantulas can be found in general. But I'm wondering if anyone has ever encountered them in the wild, or possibly seen mature males crossing the roads in the fall (to mate). I'm trying to get a better idea of their natural range in the state.

I don't need anythign specific, just a general city location or along this stretch of highway... whatever.

Thanks
-KJ

[Darlynn0217]

We see them alot down here near Table Rock Lake. I have seen them in Cape Fair and in Kimberling City. We had one living under our back deck for awhile but not sure what happened to her. My daughter captured a mature male, and kept him for awhile, but let him go. Live and let live!! If you contact John, at the Sheperd of the Hills Fish Hatchery, in Branson, he will be GLAD to talk to you! Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery Conservation Center He is the Sr Volunteer Coordinator and loves his creepy crawly things!! He knows EVERYTHING about Missouri critters!! Go to this site, and so will you!! Mofwis Search Results

[kareybear]

I haven't seen any here in Macon,MO. Thank Goodness and I don't go looking for them but next time they are crossing the road I will pull over and asked the male where he is going. LOL NOT!!!

[thevez2]

Originally Posted by Darlynn0217

Go to this site, and so will you!! Mofwis Search Results

Thanks, that is a great site! I'll be contacting John soon.

By the way, if anyone is wondering what a Missouri tarantula looks like, here ya go:

Aphonopelma hentzi (Missouri brown tarantula)

[aragx6]

If I saw one of those I would die. I swear I mean it.

[ak_47_00]

Rad!!!!!!!!

[thevez2]

Originally Posted by aragx6

If I saw one of those I would die. I swear I mean it.

I belive you, but responses like that always crack me up!

They are absolutely harmless. I pick mine up all the time, and so do my children and it never ever even attempts to be defensive, let alone try to bite.

Even if it did bite, there would be redness/pain/possibly swelling for about an hour or two. Nothing a little ice won't cure. Nobody has ever died from a tarantula bite.

[aragx6]

I know it wouldn't kill me, but I would have a heart attack and die. I've seen plenty of creepy crawlies in my life, but that thing is so hairy! It's like half spider half wooly mammoth!

[thevez2]

I understood what you meant, and I'm not making fun of you if you have an honest phobia about them.

You comment just cracked me up, that's all. Many people have misconceptions about bugs and reptiles and have irrational fears about them. It is one of my missions in life to help people overcome these if possible, through education.

My wife was terribly phobic about spiders before I got into them. I got her to overcome it and she eventually bought me my first tarantula on her own. What a trooper!

[Darlynn0217]

I've never been "afeared" of spiders or snakes... I recall that some people may have an allergic reaction to the hair on the (tarantula) males stomach, but no fatalities!