You’re restless, can’t sleep, wander out to the living room in the dark—and suddenly you feel like you’re being watched… by eight eyes. That’s cool, tarantulas aren’t a big deal. They’re furry and friendly and, well, misunderstood. They’re coming in full force to Greater Los Angeles, according to the L.A. Times, so you might want to be fully prepared with your night vision goggles for your mere two eyes, and learn more about them so you can embrace them (not literally, of course) and live through their march through town.
Do they bite? Yes. Is the bite venomous? Yes. Will you die? Nah. And you can avoid being bitten by paying attention to the tarantula’s threat pose where it lifts its two front legs into the air, kind of like Ralph Macchio in The Karate Kid about to do the crane kick. Just back off, and you and the tarantula can still be friends.
The tarantula you’re most likely to see is the five-inch Steindachner’s ebony tarantula. This handsome, non-aggressive spider is actually just swiping right on Tinder, trying to find a mate—hence its parade of lust, which can last as long as 20 miles. They’re nothing if not determined.
You might see them in Griffith Park, Runyon Canyon, Malibu Creek State Park, the Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains, Leo Carrillo State Park and Topanga Canyon, says the Times. Or you might discover one in your own backyard pool (if you fish it out and it looks dead, it might reanimate, just so you know, according to LAist). If you venture out to the Mojave Desert, you might see another species, the Mojave blonde tarantula.
Probably the most problematic aspect of all this is that you might encounter a tarantula swarm. One seems doable, but you could actually see—brace yourself—hundreds, if you’re out in the desert late at night. Just make sure your tent isn’t in their path.