Tarantulas on the way: South Russian and black-bellied species are spreading!

Tarantulas on the way: South Russian and black-bellied species are spreading!

Nature has put together many a surprise package in recent years, and now the spread of two tarantula species in Austria is causing a stir. The Nature Conservation Association reports that the South Russian tarantula and the black-bellied tarantula are being sighted more and more frequently. The large spiders are particularly active in the east and south of our country, which may make some people feel uneasy.

The South Russian tarantula, which can reach an impressive size of up to 3.5 cm, has spread mainly from Burgenland to Vienna. This species is completely harmless to humans, but prefers sandy soils with little vegetation and high temperatures and is often found near bodies of water. Numerous sightings have already been documented on the citizen science platform www.naturObservation.at, and the black-bellied tarantula, which is around 2.5 cm tall, has also made waves for the first time in autumnal Carinthia.

Surprising sightings and areas of distribution

These animals are particularly active and visible in autumn, when the mating season of tarantulas begins. Over the last few months, reports of the South Russian tarantula have been heard not only from Lower Austria, but also from Dechantskirchen in Styria. This means that these spiders appear in places where they have not been observed before. The black-bellied tarantula has even found its way to the warmer, drier regions in the south of our country, with first sightings near Villach in autumn 2024.

• **Sichtungen der Südrussischen Tarantel:** von Burgenland über Wien bis zum niederösterreichischen Weinviertel
• **Häufige Sichtungen in Kärnten:** erstmals westlich von Villach, Unterschütt
• **Meldungen seit 2006 auf naturbeobachtung.at:** 187 Meldungen zur Südrussischen Tarantel, 171 zur Schwarzbäuchigen Tarantel

The mild weather favored by climate change is helping these species to spread further. And the spiders are not only active outdoors - the males can also invade human settlements in search of a mate.

Animal protection and nature conservation

The tarantula sightings also have a conservation dimension. The Nature Conservation Association points out that if you encounter tarantulas, they should not be disturbed or taken home. If they get lost in a house, it is advisable to put them in a jar and carefully take them outside.

There have also recently been reports of the so-called Nosferatu spider in Germany, which is considered native. This shows that the trend towards the spread of spider species also extends beyond the borders of Austria. However, our native tarantulas are completely harmless to humans and contribute to local biodiversity with their magnificent appearance.

If you're looking for a new hobby, you might consider observing these fascinating creatures - a bit like being a scientist in your own backyard. Who knows, maybe you will discover a new sighting yourself, which can be documented on the platform www.naturObservation.at!

In summary, the South Russian and black-bellied tarantulas are on the rise and - more importantly - they are completely harmless to us. So don't panic if you encounter these little eight-legged friends in nature.