Scientists Recording Tarantula Patterns In Arkansas
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
Arkansas has recorded more than 700 sightings
of tarantulas since May and a zoologist says he is getting an idea
of where the creatures flourish in the state.
Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission zoologist Michael Warriner
is coordinating a statewide tarantula survey. From now until
winter, male tarantulas should be roaming about, looking for mates.
Warriner says tracking some creatures` habitats is a new thing
for the commission, but should become a regular endeavor. Next
year, he wants to track bumblebees.
As for the hairy, mostly harmless tarantulas, the Texas brown
variety is understood to be the only type in the region, but
Warriner wants to make sure. Based on reports from 36 of Arkansas`
75 counties, he has determined that the long-living spiders tend to
live in dry, grassy regions.
The survey team is using three thousand dollars of state money
for its Web site and posters.
