Q: There are more than 500 types of these in Kansas. The largest ones in the state are known as “Texas browns.” What ARE we talking about?
A: Spiders
Spiders can be found in every Kansas county. The state has more than 500 species, but the tarantula is the largest. (Yes, Kansas has tarantulas – and it freaked us out too!) Wildlife experts say there’s probably only one common breed of tarantula in Kansas: Texas browns. This arachnid can be found across the southern tier of Kansas counties and as far north as Gove and Trego counties out west. According to this article in the Wichita Eagle, tarantulas are especially common in the Red Hills near Medicine Lodge and in the prairie and wooded hills of southeast Kansas, in places like Chautauqua and Elk counties.
The best time to see tarantulas in Kansas is when the males go searching for females in September. So, clearly, we should all remain in-doors during September!
Scary Fun Factoid: Tarantulas can survive bitter cold Kansas winters because they possess a type of natural antifreeze in their blood. Yikes!