I have a couple questions about Missouri? please answer! (Springfield: scorpions, tornado)

[lspeegle96]

So, I just found out that Missouri has tarantulas! And, no, this is NOT happy news to me! I was planning on moving to Canton, Missouri this January.
I'm terrified of tarantulas! Just the thought of them freaks me out & makes me wanna go to antarctica, where they couldn't survive.
So, I'm not sure where Canton is on the map, but I do know it is near the border to the north because I went to a baseball game in the summer and we went through it and we were driving maybe an hour. We are from Illinois, but we go to iowa for groceries, and Missouri for cigarettes because the tax in il & ia Is outrageous. Not the point!
But my only real question is this: are there tarantulas here? I've heard they're only in the southern part of the state. But I'm not sure. And no good sites for this info will load of this phone. It's an old at&t blackberry torch, but I've had it for like, 4 yrs. Its pretty old. Anyway, I mentioned that because I hear there are two barriers for tarantulas. The first being the mississippi river to the the east, and the missouri river to the north. But I cannot view a missouri map on this phone. Its too small & zooming makes it blurry!

1. So, the question is:
Are there tarantulas in Canton, Missouri? Its to the northeast part of Missouri.

2. Oops. Just thought of another question. Are tornadoes as common in Missouri as people say, or do they exaggerate?

Thanks in advance, & I'm sorry for the information I provided that's not necessarily pertinent to this that I added. I guess this is why I couldn't be a teacher! I'd never get anything done! LOL.

[aliasfinn]

Originally Posted by lspeegle96

So, I just found out that Missouri has tarantulas! And, no, this is NOT happy news to me! I was planning on moving to Canton, Missouri this January.
I'm terrified of tarantulas! Just the thought of them freaks me out & makes me wanna go to antarctica, where they couldn't survive.
So, I'm not sure where Canton is on the map, but I do know it is near the border to the north because I went to a baseball game in the summer and we went through it and we were driving maybe an hour. We are from Illinois, but we go to iowa for groceries, and Missouri for cigarettes because the tax in il & ia Is outrageous. Not the point!
But my only real question is this: are there tarantulas here? I've heard they're only in the southern part of the state. But I'm not sure. And no good sites for this info will load of this phone. It's an old at&t blackberry torch, but I've had it for like, 4 yrs. Its pretty old. Anyway, I mentioned that because I hear there are two barriers for tarantulas. The first being the mississippi river to the the east, and the missouri river to the north. But I cannot view a missouri map on this phone. Its too small & zooming makes it blurry!

1. So, the question is:
Are there tarantulas in Canton, Missouri? Its to the northeast part of Missouri.

2. Oops. Just thought of another question. Are tornadoes as common in Missouri as people say, or do they exaggerate?

Thanks in advance, & I'm sorry for the information I provided that's not necessarily pertinent to this that I added. I guess this is why I couldn't be a teacher! I'd never get anything done! LOL.

Yes, we have tarantulas,scorpions and rattlesnakes but they are as rare as an honest politician. So you have no need to worry. Tornadoes can be pretty common.

[Bob the Wonder Badger]

No tarantulas north of the Missouri river my gentle snowflake, rest easy. Tornado activity is similar to the general area in which you live now.

[imbored198824]

Have seen several tarantulas here in southern Missouri

[Caesarstl]

I never saw one in the STL area or various trips to state parks, but they do apparently exist in S. MO.

[Vols44]

Black widows and brown recluses are more of a problem in southern Mo.

Since tarantulas like to occupy empty rodent burrows by day and hunt lots of crickets by night the possibility of encountering them outside those parameters are small. I also learned (mdc.mo.gov) the Missouri river prevents them from crossing into the northern half of the state.

[GunnerTHB]

The chances of being hit by a tornado are extremely small. I've never seen a tornado and I was born and raised in probably the most tornado prone part of the state.

[brushrunner]

Originally Posted by GunnerTHB

The chances of being hit by a tornado are extremely small. I've never seen a tornado and I was born and raised in probably the most tornado prone part of the state.

Interesting I've been spitting distance 5 times in 17 years just North of Buffalo.

My wife watched one go by the window at the factory she was working at in Buffalo.

Seen 2 in Springfield in 17 years. 3 in California, MO in 5 years.

brushrunner

[relocatesoon]

I think the only poisonous spiders in Missouri are the black widow and brown recluse. Better to focus your concern on those, I think

I grew up in Columbia, and returned 6 years ago at the age of 32. We've had maybe 6 tornado watches since we've been here (the hide-in-the-basement type). Honestly, it's not a huge concern (be much more worried about driving a car!), but I am glad I have a comfortable spot set up in my basement!