Best Time to See Tarantulas in Texas
May, June and September is the best time to see tarantulas in Texas. Based on 11,166 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when tarantulas are most active across the year in Texas.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Desert Tarantula · 115527224325819725585 CC BY
Texas Brown Tarantula · Chris Stahl CC BY
Steindachner's Ebony Tarantula · Millie Basden CC BY
11,166 verified observations of tarantulas in Texas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When tarantulas are recorded in Texas
Peak month
May
2,358 records (21.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 83 | 0.7% |
| February | 129 | 1.2% |
| March | 455 | 4.1% |
| April | 1,267 | 11.3% |
| Maypeak | 2,358 | 21.1% |
| Junepeak | 2,172 | 19.5% |
| July | 1,004 | 9% |
| August | 445 | 4% |
| Septemberpeak | 1,280 | 11.5% |
| October | 1,208 | 10.8% |
| November | 598 | 5.4% |
| December | 167 | 1.5% |
Tarantulas you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Texas Brown Tarantula | 6,697 |
| Texas Tan Tarantula | 1,931 |
| Texas Black Spot Tarantula | 344 |
| Chiricahuan Gray Tarantula | 319 |
| Rio Grande Gold Tarantula | 95 |
| Tucson Bronze Tarantula | 38 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Texas
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when tarantulas are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for tarantulas sit around 64 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60°F | 39°F | 0.9" |
| Feb | 60°F | 38°F | 1" |
| Mar | 71°F | 49°F | 1.7" |
| Apr | 78°F | 56°F | 1.6" |
| Maybest time | 85°F | 64°F | 5.1" |
| Junbest time | 93°F | 72°F | 1.7" |
| Jul | 96°F | 75°F | 0.9" |
| Aug | 96°F | 75°F | 1.2" |
| Sepbest time | 89°F | 69°F | 1.7" |
| Oct | 80°F | 58°F | 2" |
| Nov | 67°F | 48°F | 1.1" |
| Dec | 64°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Texas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on tarantulas in Texas:
Sightings of tarantulas in Texas peak in May, when 2,358 of the year's 11,166 verified observations are logged — about 21.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and September.
The quietest stretch is January, when tarantulas are hardest to find — January sees just 83 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The tarantulas you are most likely to encounter in Texas are Texas Brown Tarantula, Texas Tan Tarantula and Texas Black Spot Tarantula — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see tarantulas in Texas
- Amistad National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Big Bend National Park — National Park
- Big Thicket National Preserve — National Preserve
- Chamizal National Memorial — National Memorial
- Fort Davis National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park — National Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see tarantulas in Texas?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and September, based on 11,166 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are tarantulas hardest to see in Texas?+
January is the quietest month for tarantulas in Texas, with only 83 verified records.
Are tarantulas active year-round in Texas?+
Tarantulas are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Texas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see tarantulas
More wildlife in Texas