Updated October 28, 2024.

Since 2005 these are the dates I’ve photographed a tarantula at Ahmanson Ranch (Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve). The dates are sorted by month and day.

September 05 (2012)
September 08 (2006)
September 13 (2005)
September 19 (2007)
September 15 (2009)
October 3 (2012)
October 9 (2012)
October 11 (2006)
October 12 (2011)
October 12 (2023)
October 17 (2012) (2)
October 22 (2020)
October 23 (2013)
October 28 (2024)

If I see a tarantula, I always try to photograph it. Over the years there may be one or two that scurried into the grass and brush before I could snap a photo.

I did not see a tarantula at Ahmanson during the period 2014 – 2019. There was a five year drought in 2011 – 2015 and the Woolsey Fire was in November 2018. The routes and frequency I run at Ahmanson have not changed appreciably since 2005 .

Autumn is when maturing male tarantulas (Aphonopelma spp.) wander about in search of a mate.

The title photograph is from a run on September 5, 2012. The raised abdomen is a defensive posture. Tarantulas will scrape their abdomen with their bristly rear legs, launching irritating (urticating) barbed hairs into the air. Most tarantulas I’ve encountered this time of year do not react defensively — they’re just interested in finding a mate.

A search on iNaturalist shows a few observations ( 2 to 6) of tarantulas in the Ahmanson area each year since 2020.

Some related posts: Tarantula Time, Sting of the Tarantula Hawk, Tarantula Hawk