{
  "id": 18959158,
  "title": "More than 200 tarantula sightings in Austria in two months",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/more-than-200-tarantula-sightings-in-austria-in-two-months",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T15:15:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euronews",
    "slug": "euronews",
    "url": "https://www.euronews.com/2026/11/08/more-than-200-tarantula-sightings-in-austria-in-two-months"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Austria, over 200 tarantula sightings have been reported in the past two months, according to citizen science platform naturbeobachtung.at. Experts have confirmed 175 of these sightings. Styria, located in southeastern Austria, has recorded the highest number of sightings at 66, followed by Lower Austria with 49 and Burgenland with 43. Tarantulas are more active in autumn as they search for sheltered spots to spend the winter. Some find their way into buildings, such as flats, houses, or garages. In their natural habitat, they usually hide in underground burrows and rock crevices.\n\nResearchers have noted some particularly interesting findings. A South Russian tarantula was discovered in Tulln, Lower Austria, an unusual sighting far northwestern of its typical range. The black-bellied tarantula was also found in Stossau, in the lower Gail valley, marking the westernmost record of the species in Austria. Both tarantula species belong to the wolf spider family and can bite if threatened, though bites are rare and typically not dangerous for healthy individuals.\n\nAustria has two tarantula species: the South Russian tarantula and the black-bellied tarantula. Both were first recorded in the 1920s and 1970s, respectively. The trend of tarantula sightings is not limited to Austria; a 2025 study revealed that tarantulas are also spreading in nearby Czechia, following a decades-long decline. Scientists attribute this trend to warmer and drier summers.",
  "summary": "Tarantulas are particularly active in the autumn, when they search for sheltered spots to spend the winter.",
  "key_points": [
    "Over 200 tarantula sightings reported in Austria over two months.",
    "Styria records highest number of sightings at 66.",
    "South Russian and black-bellied tarantula species found in Austria."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}