US Trends

tarantula hawk where do they live

Tarantula hawks live mainly in warm, dry regions where tarantulas are common, especially the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, and much of South America. They’re found across the Americas and also in parts of the Mediterranean basin, Africa, Australia, and Asia, but they do not occur in Europe or Antarctica.

Habitat

They prefer deserts, scrublands, and other sunny open habitats with tarantula burrows nearby. In the U.S., they’re most often associated with the deserts of the Southwest, including places like the Grand Canyon area.

Quick Scoop

  • Best-known range: Southwestern U.S. through Central America.
  • Broader range: Western hemisphere, from Utah to Argentina.
  • Habitat clue: If tarantulas live there, tarantula hawks may be there too.

TL;DR

Tarantula hawks live in warm, dry places around the world, but they’re most common in the deserts of the southwestern U.S. and across the Americas.