Arachnid advocates trying to prevent the squishing of tarantulas as they seek mates on southeastern Colorado plains have asked the Colorado Department of Transportation to create safe crossing tunnels under several highways.
Hundreds of male tarantulas perish under vehicle tires this time of year as they trek from their foot-deep dens, crawling distances of up to one mile to find females.
Tiger salamanders, box turtles and other prairie species would benefit, too, proponents say, if the concrete tunnels could be installed soon.
