Every year, right around now (early September), something special
happens on Mt. Diablo: the tarantulas come out to play! These
really cool spiders - California tarantulas (Aphonopelma sp.) -
live on the mountain year-round, but are usually only seen during
the late summer and early autumn, when the males leave the safety
of their burrows to go looking for female mates. They can be easy
to spot, and are often seen crossing the mountain roads. Although
they might look scary,they're really gentle and harmless to humans
- according to naturalist Ken Lavin, "It turns out the tarantula is
just about the most innocuous creature on Mount Diablo." In the
unlikely event that one were to bite (if provoked), it would be no
worse than a bee sting. Every year, Raptor and I go up the mountain
looking for them, because we like spiders almost as much as we like
dinosaurs, and these tarantulas are WICKED cool. This year, I
thought we'd give people yet another excuse to go up the mountain
in search of the spiders - now, there's another cache to hunt,
too.
The cache is a rubbermaid container that Raptor and I have
hidden not too far from the Rock City parking area (that's where we
started our hike, anyway). We hid this several weeks ago, but
waited until now to list it, so that the FTF will have an
opportunity to see the spiders! Because of the terrain (BIG ROCKS),
the coordinates might not be entirely reliable, so I've left a good
hide hint. There's a small amount of poison oak in the area, but
should be easily avoidable. Please rehide the cache as well or
better than found. And, of course, if you're up there in September
or October, keep an eye out for the tarantulas. If you're fortunate
enough to see one (or several), please take care not to squash them
- and remember that collecting spiders or any other wildlife from
the park is prohibited. Also, please note that a rattlesnake
was seen near the cache - this is a wild area, so do be on the
lookout and take care not to stick your hands into places you can't
see.
Good luck finding the cache, and especially the tarantulas!
For more information on the Mount Diablo tarantulas: visit this link
