Derleth
November 21, 2011, 2:03pm
1
Pictures Of Spiders Below
First, the image that started this spree, a spider with babies. Lots and lots of babies. I have absolutely no idea what kind of spider that is, other than ‘reproductively successful’. It does look more than a little like the (brown) huntsman spider, aka the giant crab spider, also known as the banana spider “due to its occasional appearance in marketed bananas” (as per the link), the Heteropoda venatoria . It’s big in Japan , the Southeastern US, and (especially) Australia. They can have a leg span of five inches. Here are some pictures that are closer to life-size , with evidence they can regenerate limbs.
This is a close-up of the empty shell of a young one, just looking at you.
For a change of pace, here’s a cute little jumping spider, a Telamonia dimidiata , also looking at you. And no, the dumb legend you heard about it is false. (Arachnophobes: The legend is also a bit disturbing and why are you even here anyway what kind of arachnophobe are you? ) But who could believe such lies about this beautiful little girl ? And here are more scientific images of the Telamonia dimidiata , including anatomical drawings.
I leave you with a mixed bag, a website with some fascinating Vietnamese spiders. Such as this spiky spiny orb weaver, genus Gasteracantha , which survives by being difficult to eat and colored to look toxic. Plenty more interesting spiders on that page!
Derleth
November 21, 2011, 7:07pm
3
Venom on a monitor isn’t what you need to worry about…
“Cool spider pictures.” Individually, I understand all those words. But together like that? Does not compute.
I am not scared of spiders and that first picture scared the living shit out of me.
Super cool spider links! Thanks. I especially like the Vietnamese spiders link. The giant wood spider is beautiful!!
I’m not generally squeamish about the garden variety arachnids that share my little corner of the world, but a few of those pictures gave me just a tinge of the willies, particularly the brown huntsmen. There’s just something so alien and different about spiders that makes them both creepy and fascinating. Thanks for posting the pictures. The orange and black orb weaver is amazing.
Tangentially related, have I utterly forgotten how to count, or is the brown huntsman on the Wikipedia page missing a leg? I seems kind of odd that they’d use that image.
You’re right…I need to refine my search .
Spiders fascinate me, thanks for those links! When I was a kid I’d catch spiders, keep them in jars for a few days and then let them go.
Spiders are considered a good-luck sign in Scotland.
King Robert the Bruce I was born at Lochmaben Castle in 1274. He was Knight and Overlord of Annandale. In 1306 he was crowned King of Scotland and henceforth tried to free Scotland from the English enemy.
After being defeated at a battle, Bruce escaped and found a hideout in a cave. Hiding in a cave for three months, Bruce was at the lowest point of his life. He thought about leaving the country and never coming back.
While waiting, he watched a spider building a web in the cave’s entrance. The spider fell down time after time, but finally he succeeded with his web. So Bruce decided also to retry his fight and told his men: “If at first you don’t succeed, try try and try again”.
I imagine people raised in parts of the world where there is a real danger from venomous spiders may quite sensibly have a less benign view of them.
Lord_Il_Palazzo:
I’m not generally squeamish about the garden variety arachnids that share my little corner of the world, but a few of those pictures gave me just a tinge of the willies, particularly the brown huntsmen. There’s just something so alien and different about spiders that makes them both creepy and fascinating. Thanks for posting the pictures. The orange and black orb weaver is amazing.
Tangentially related, have I utterly forgotten how to count, or is the brown huntsman on the Wikipedia page missing a leg? I seems kind of odd that they’d use that image.
You know, I took a look, and both of the pictures show seven legs-
Are huntsman spiders somehow mutated, or is it really a huge coincidence, or is this another Wiki-whoosh joke somebody is playing?
I can’t see the first link- work doesn’t like it…
EvilTOJ
November 22, 2011, 7:32am
12
douses the thread with gasoline and sets it aflame
Now you just have huge, pissed off spiders that are running directly towards you while on fire.
Molotok
November 22, 2011, 7:54am
14
This little guy having a snack:
Derleth
November 22, 2011, 10:45am
15
I’ve posted about that before.
jjimm
November 22, 2011, 10:54am
16
I had a 4" huntsman jump on my foot the other day (I live in a jungle). It scuttles expertly.
And here are some (large) pictures I took last month of a nearby Golden Orb Weaver . Really quite lovely I think and clearly a close relative of the fattie eating the bird.
Love all the spider photos. Thanks. Love the real things, too.
Seven legged spiders are very common. Start checking spiders and you’ll notice them. I have a six legged huntsman on the ceiling of this room at the moment.
When attacked, or caught by the legs, or one gets stuck somehow, they will drop the leg at the first joint, very close to the body, much like lizards who lose their tails. A special muscle closes the gap.
Amazing creatures!
sigh
My snaps (posted elsewhere on the board) of the giant house spiders I’ve caught cannot compare.
Wow. Those were truly awesome. I loved the purple Vietnamese one. I didn’t know they came in purple.
And the reason you haven’t yet set the house on fire is…?
