Erika Swyryn

Tarantulas are large, long-lived arachnids, popular as pets, known for their size (from fingernail to dinner plate), and unique defenses like urticating (nettle-like) hairs and venom. Erika Swyryn knows all about tarantulas and the native Texas species you can find in your own backyard. She likes talking about them. All you have to do is ask. Erika earned a B.S. in biology at UTA. Being a nature lover, she was delighted to become an active member of both Texas Master Gardeners and Texas Master Naturalists. She acquired her first tarantula during the pandemic and fell in love with these often misunderstood and feared creatures. That colony of one spider quickly turned into over 100 that have joined her extensive crew of animals at home. Turns out she has prepared talks for people of all ages on insects and pollinators, pollinator gardening, tarantulas, and backyard chickens.