A tarantula was seen crawling up a park ranger's leg during mating season at a park in California.

Footage captured the hairy arachnid climbing steadily on the jeans of State Parks Director Quintero in San Joaquin County.

The incident happened during the breeding season which runs from August to November at Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area.

During this period, male tarantulas leave their burrows at night to seek mates, increasing the likelihood of public encounters.

After mating, males typically try to escape as females commonly eat them afterwards. If a female has recently fed or has ample food available, she may spare him.

The park warned that sightings while hiking or camping may rise in the coming months and urged calm around these animals.

It said: ‘However, tarantulas are often misunderstood.'