Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Oh my GOD!   I just got up from my chair to boil the kettle and I suddenly saw something that I could not believe.   For the first time ever I really could not believe my eyes.  There scuttling on the floor was a huge and I mean huge spider.  It was so huge that I really thought that it must have been one of those spiders that you read about that get shipped from Brazil in bananas.    Seriously my mother might have to contact the authorities about this spider because it was far bigger than any I have every seen.   I was almost rigid with fear.  Normally I trap these large Scottish 'tarantulas' in a glass and put them outside but this tarantula was so large and scuttleing about that I couldn't be in the room with it.  However, I knew that I couldn't let it live and run about the house at will.   I got a heavy object dropped in on top of this science fiction spider and then stood on top of it and heard a distinct crunch.  I am still shaking now realising that that huge thing actually existed and was scuttling around my feet.

Tarantula's in Scotland? How big was this spider? What's upset you more, its size or having to dispose of it?

My upstair's neighbors actually raise Tarantulas, about 50 of them :o

They are not tarantulas as such, but they do have the tarantula body shape.  This was was as big as smallish tarantula seriously, I am not joking that is why I wrote that at first I thought that I was seeing things, then I wondered if it was something from South America.  I them ran screaming from the kitchen.  I was terrified to have that thing in the same room as me.    I don't regret killing it at all.


I simply couldn't live any where near a person who bred spiders!!

type into google Scottish spiders and you might see a tarantulaesque spider.  If you do then imagine the one shown three times its size then you will understand what was running about the kitchen floor.   I can't look at anymore spiders tonight.

I also found this article on spiders in Scotland...

http://www.4information.com/trivia/spider-save-scotland/ (http://www.4information.com/trivia/spider-save-scotland/)

Kia Ora Princess,

::) Did you know the common daddy long-legs is one of the most venomous arachnids around, but fortunately for us humans their fangs are quite fragile and can't penetrate our skin...

On average a spider will eat one to two insects[flies, mozzies or other spiders depending on the species] a week...


I must admit I'm somewhat of an arachnophile-I like spiders...

Spider's are one of Mother Natures best biological pest control agents... 

Metta Zenda :)

I like daddy longlegs Zenda.  Over here we call them 'jenny long-legs' for some reason.   I did know that they were related to spiders but this never bothered me in the least.   They sometimes get into the house and fly around the room occasionally landing on me and I think nothing of it.    A few weeks ago a moth almost the size and width of my thumb got in through an open window one night.   Again this creature didn't upset me at all.  Had that spider tonight got on me somehow you would have heard me screaming from New Zealand.

:laugh:

This is the type of spider we get here.   Although most of the ones here are a sort of dirty black in colour.   The one tonight was twice as big as this and a much lighter brown.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.royalalbertamuseum.ca%2Fnatural%2Finsects%2Fbugsfaq%2Fpics%2Ffhsspid.jpg&hash=fbfffd3f4daae8bd8cacc9148b1d385c7501dff6)

Quote from: Princess of Hearts on August 20, 2011, 08:14:00 PM
I like daddy longlegs Zenda.  Over here we call them 'jenny long-legs' for some reason.   I did know that they were related to spiders but this never bothered me in the least.   They sometimes get into the house and fly around the room occasionally landing on me and I think nothing of it.    A few weeks ago a moth almost the size and width of my thumb got in through an open window one night.   Again this creature didn't upset me at all.  Had that spider tonight got on me somehow you would have heard me screaming from New Zealand.

:laugh:

Kia Ora Princess,

::) I think what you refer to as Jenny long-legs is a species of crane fly [an insect not spider], hence why they have wings six legs and fly[they belong to the order Diptera=true flies] ...However their legs are quite long resembling those of the long legged arachnid that I mentioned...

In Australia they have the Sydney  "Funnel web" spider [along with many other poisonous spiders] however it's the male of this particular species that's quite deadly, which is unusual for spiders[normally females are the dangerous ones]...Here in Aotearoa [NZ] we have it's cousin the "Tunnel web" fortunately for Kiwis this spider can give a nasty bite but is not deadly...

The more one learns the less one fears - that's why I'm arachnophilic - they are fascinating creatures...

Metta Zenda :)   

Yuck! I hate spiders and hate to admit they freak me out! I'll go all commando if there's one in my room and kill it, even though i'm frightened.

Tarantula's on the other hand (true ones =p not like a gross scottish spider) don't bother me. they are big and fuzzy, and just sorta sit around. they don't like to bother people usually. my dad has a red rose tarantula he's had for about 10 years, and it's pretty cool ^ ^

Quote from: SandraJane on August 20, 2011, 07:00:18 PM
What's upset you more, its size or having to dispose of it?

I feel so guilty when I kill spiders, but I am too scared of them to handle them and take them outside like I do other bugs.  They are the only creature I ever kill on purpose.  I wish I didn't have the phobia.

Also funnel web spiders give me nightmares.  Out here the version we have is called the Hobo Spider

I'd think your spider is the "Giant House Spider (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_house_spider)".

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fen%2Fthumb%2F4%2F47%2FTegenaria_duellica.JPG%2F250px-Tegenaria_duellica.JPG&hash=7ee2782ab39b6bab187cf90bd9f612bbdc2a5c6a)

When I saw the pic, my first thought was it was a hobo spider...the two are related, and similar in size. Here in WA (USA) we have a buttload of "hobo spiders (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobo_spider)."

They're usually about 1" - 1 1/2" leg spread (2.5 cm - 3.8cm), very very fast, and aggressive. However, they cannot jump nor climb glass...so I used to catch the buggers and put them in a "tumbler" glass (sides about 2" tall) and watch them run around and around and around....their little spider-feet clacking on the glass...

clackclack clack clackclack clack clack clackclack.....LOL

One time I saw one run to behind the fridge....I shined a flashlight, it looked directly at me--and I know this because its eyes were glowing red (like a person's eyes when photographed)    :o

They are poisonous, will cause a largish ulcer at the bite site, ranging from .5" to about 1"....and it will leave a scar. (I had a scar for 15 years after being bit)

eta: After reading the article on Giant House spiders, it turns out that they're here, too...and compete with the hobo for the same environment....OUR HOUSES.

OMG...where's my spider spray?!?   :o

Quote from: Beth Andrea on August 21, 2011, 12:20:52 AM
clackclack clack clackclack clack clack clackclack.....LOL

Eep!  Stop that!

http://www.texasento.net/Social_Spider.htm (http://www.texasento.net/Social_Spider.htm)

Quote from: tekla on August 21, 2011, 12:31:18 AM
http://www.texasento.net/Social_Spider.htm (http://www.texasento.net/Social_Spider.htm)

Now that web is worthy of Shelob....

ahh i've been jynxed! a big black fast spider just crawled down the wall then jumped onto the floor!
eeek! i got it with bug/hornet spray.

a disadvantage of having a window ac unit =(

here in oz we get red backs n huntsman. the big ones are the size of a hand. n not to mention white tails that cause your limbs to die despite amputaion the necrosis keeps spreading or so ive heard..so thats scary stuff aye..

Kia Ora,

::) Remember the movie "Arachnophobia"  :icon_yikes: well many of the live spiders used in the movie were huntsman spiders, however the huntsmans  used came from NZ {over here we call them Avondale spiders} it's believed they were shipped over back in the early 1920 in shipment of telegraph poll from Australia and first noticed/established in the suburb of Avondale west  Auckland hence the name...

Spider's are our friends..................

Metta Zenda :)

I was driving and a humongous huntsman  came from behind the driving mirror and started down the windscreen. I discovered that it is possible to leave a car doing 60 km/hr. :laugh:

I don't hate spiders but they startle me. and as vik2ray said everything we have is poisonous. Not quite sure why Australia has to have the most poisonous or deadly of virtually every creature.

Princess, if it's not too flat  :laugh:, it might be worthwhile taking it to the local museum for ID

Cindy

  When I first moved in this house 27 years ago when it was new, I had 'scorpion spiders'.  These had two small, fuzzy claws in front, short body, six legs and no tail. These things had the sandy soil like camo on their bodies.  I've have yet to identifify them.  I have dispatched black widows and brown recluses since.  I have removed trantulas from my tent and camp and relocated them.  These are harmless and eat the nasty bugs including scorpions.  I kill the recluses on the spot and leave alone the black widows if they are not in an area I traffic through.  The garden variety Daddy Long Legs we have here is actually the Harvestman and it is not a spider but it is an aracnid closer related to mites. 
  Joelene

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ichloe.com%2Fimages%2Fspiders.jpg&hash=dceb7b32c1379ff45b793e9c0d0ece802cfd6d9f)

Fairygirl has now passed item one on the Australian citizenship test. The answer is of course. YES.

Question 2. Does boyfriend have emergency procedure to protect girlfriend from spiders? If not he has a male genetic instability that means marriage is out of the question. Indeed sex will be banned instantly. If yes? What sort of lingerie would you like me to wear?

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Hugs Chloe

Cindy

Her sister was in my car :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:. And they move.

Cindy

Quote from: Cindy James on August 21, 2011, 03:26:49 AM
Fairygirl has now passed item one on the Australian citizenship test. The answer is of course. YES.

Question 2. Does boyfriend have emergency procedure to protect girlfriend from spiders? If not he has a male genetic instability that means marriage is out of the question. Indeed sex will be banned instantly. If yes? What sort of lingerie would you like me to wear?

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Hugs Chloe

Cindy

*hugs Cindy*  And the answer is, he'd better if he want's to keep getting some lol

Hi,

Oh dear you'v been hurting my friends . tho in this case you sqisshed it ,
I do like the bigger ones as pets , I just think they are so lovely.  tarantulas, any way i know some who dont .

...noeleena...

Quote from: Zenda on August 20, 2011, 08:05:08 PM
On average a spider will eat one to two insects[flies, mozzies or other spiders depending on the species] a week...

I don't think they like carpenter ants, even ones recently deceased.  At least the couple taking up residence in my basement shower don't.  I need to find something else to feed them.

I don't typically have a problem with spiders. It's the other insects I don't like, all the roaches, beetles, flies, and Gods-know-what the rest of these things are around here. A few spiders living in your place can be a good thing, kinda like keeping a cat to cull the rodents. For a long time a spider lived in the corner behind my desk and one morning I came out to find a huge insect caught in its web that I didn't even know was inside. Glad I left that spider alone! I felt a little bad having to destroy its web but no way was I going to leave that monster bug in the corner.

Quote from: Joelene9 on August 21, 2011, 02:37:10 AM
  When I first moved in this house 27 years ago when it was new, I had 'scorpion spiders'.  These had two small, fuzzy claws in front, short body, six legs and no tail. These things had the sandy soil like camo on their bodies.  I've have yet to identifify them.  I have dispatched black widows and brown recluses since.  I have removed trantulas from my tent and camp and relocated them.  These are harmless and eat the nasty bugs including scorpions.  I kill the recluses on the spot and leave alone the black widows if they are not in an area I traffic through.  The garden variety Daddy Long Legs we have here is actually the Harvestman and it is not a spider but it is an aracnid closer related to mites. 
  Joelene

I do pretty much the same thing.  When I find spiders, I catch them, look at them up close to see if they look cute (because I think spiders are cute) and then take them outside.  Unless they're black widows though!  Those I dispatch with great haste, but, like you, not if they're in their natural habitat.

Quote from: FairyGirl on August 21, 2011, 03:09:35 AM
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ichloe.com%2Fimages%2Fspiders.jpg&hash=dceb7b32c1379ff45b793e9c0d0ece802cfd6d9f)

Lol

oh yikes i hate hate hate spiders! If they are small they dont bother me, but anything the size of a dime and larger, and I am freaking out.  Also, cockroaches, I hate those even more then I hate spiders and I have been known to scream like a girl when i see one.

Other bugs, could care less, except for centipedes, they give me the heepy jeebies

Cockroaches eh? Don't come to Texas then, cause the ones down here are 2-3 inches long, live in Pine Trees, have wings and...FLY!

Ive been to San Antonio and Austin, and San Antonio was absolutely covered with crickets, not exaggerating millions of crickets, my dad and I saw a huge pile of wood chips outside a store, we looked closer and it was actually a pile of slowly dying crickets that had been sprayed and swept into a huge pile.

Them 2 places are in Central Texas, Hill Country, okay San Antonio is about 1,000 yds South of where the Balcones Escarpment turns West...lived in Austin, no Tree Roaches, they don't like Cedar or Mesquite.

I have never seen a cockroach, though they do exist over here.  It is spiders that are horrible and repellent.   I have gone to bed and seen a woodlouse crawling on a wall, they crawl in through open windows at night.    They don't bother me at all neither do earwigs. 

I originally came from the Appalachian area of the US (West Virginia), and it wasn't until my family moved to the Gulf Coast area of Texas that insects (roaches,and red/FIRE ants) became a part of everyday life. Would not have thought so of Scotland.

The biggest shock was the FIRE ants, their sting was like getting burned!

Worked at a Nuclear Power Plant where we had a problem with Brown Recluse Spiders. 10 months out of the year they would come out at night from everywhere, though we never found any inside the plant buildings which had a negative pressure and were air conditioned.
It was years before they started to spray for the spiders.

Update:

I was just sitting here at the computer when I noticed out the corner of my eye a tiny little spider come down from the ceiling on a single thread of web.   I, in complete contrast to Saturday night spoke to it saying: 'hello little spider'.    I noticed two things though, even though it was as small as that weekend spider was HUUUGGGGEEE, I didn't want to touch it.  Normally with very small spiders I don't think twice about touching them and letting them run about my hand for a few seconds.   Things have changed since Saturday.  Secondly, I noticed that this lil spider was the exact same colour as that monster spider the other day.   I hope that that fiend from the pit hasn't given birth to hundreds of spiderlings?   If she has they are all going to go the way of their mother!

A sequel! :laugh:

Kia Ora,

::) I wonder what would happen if we humans decided to kill all the things we dislike ? Including people who we disagree with-people we don't like-Etc etc...

  ::) It would be like a "free for all" killing spree...

If it weren't for many of our friends in the animal kingdom [including insects and arachnids] we as a species would find it hard to survive...

Spiders are our friends folks-helping to maintain a natural balance, so I treat them with respect...After all they are not out to get us, at times we just happen to get in their way...

Metta Zenda :)

Just to be clear I didn't kill that little spider.  I caught it in a glass and put it into a flower pot.   That little creature is still running around somewhere.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1226.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee413%2FStacyBeaumont%2F2234774.jpg&hash=bf6b8c89dd499622ba7dda78e4ec8c7ea080fb76)

The "Banana Spider" is a common spider in the coastal and humid areas of the Southern US. I hate these things since I used to spend a lot of time in the woods when I was a kid and often got into their webs. I never got bit but they made me scream like a girl more than once! lol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_silk_orb-weaver (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_silk_orb-weaver)

Actually although that spider is certainly large I don't think that it looks creepy or menacing.   I still would like to handle one but it doesn't frighten me.

Incidentally, I watched a YouTube video about a man who liked to retreat from time to time to caves in the Arizona desert.  In one video he talked about sleeping in a cave with seven or eight tarantulas.   Apparently those spiders used to like to crawl over him at night while he was trying to sleep!!!

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1226.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee413%2FStacyBeaumont%2Fbirdy2usu.jpg&hash=c0a638a96e7e6e2814a78cef77a7cddaaab2c248)

Spider eats bird

Thursday, October 23, 2008

© The Cairns Post



THESE amazing images of a mammoth spider devouring a bird were taken in the backyard of an Atherton property, west of Cairns.

And the images, which are being cirulated via email worldwide, are real, according to wildlife experts.

See all the photos of the spider eating the bird

The photos, believed to have been taken earlier this week, show the spider clenching its legs around a lifeless bird trapped in a web.

Joel Shakespeare, the head spider keeper at NSW's Australian Reptile Park, told ninemsn that the spider was a Golden Orb Weaver.

Another brutal wildlife meal

Monster python eats pet

Frog eats bird

More Cairns wildlife pictures

"Normally they prey on large insects, it's unusual to see one eating a bird," he said.

Mr Shakepeare told ninemsn he had seen golden orb weaver spiders as big as a human hand but the northern species in tropical areas were known to grow larger.

Mr Shakespeare said the bird, a Chestnut-breasted Mannikin which appears frozen in an angel-like pose in the pictures, is likely to have flown into the web and got caught.

"It wouldn`t eat the whole bird," he told ninemsn.

"It uses its venom to break down the bird for eating and what it leaves is a food parcel," he said.

Queensland Museum's Greg Czechura is reported ninemsn as saying cases of the Golden Orb Weaver eating small birds were "well known but rare".

"It builds a very strong web," he told ninemsn.

But he said the spider would not have attacked until the bird weakened due to its struggle to free its wings.

"The more they struggle, the more tangled up and exhausted they get and they go into stress."

"If a spider gets a bird, it`s a very lucky spider," Mr Czechura said.


http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2008/10/23/11601_local-news.html (http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2008/10/23/11601_local-news.html)

Kia Ora,

::) The material the spiders produce to spin their web[web building spiders that is] is tougher than steel...

Metta Zenda :)

  Black widow silk was used as eyepiece crosshairs.  There was an article in the 90's in an astronomy magazine on how to milk a black widow for a strand and how to mount it.  Only one tried, his results were inconsistent.  But in the famous WWII Norden Bombsight, it was actually the blonde hair of a woman from Pueblo, CO.  Story and why here: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/133118/AF-LAUDS-WOMAN-WHO-GAVE-HAIR.html (http://www.deseretnews.com/article/133118/AF-LAUDS-WOMAN-WHO-GAVE-HAIR.html)
  Joelene

This thread has turned into a conglomeration of awesome!! >:-)

Bird-eating spiders?  Woohoo!!

Kia Ora,

"Basic Arachnology can be interesting and fun- :icon_bumdance-nerd:
But finding out how arachnids live is not for everyone ! :icon_yikes:
Some people have a phobia about things that creep and crawl- :eusa_pray: :icon_help: :icon_crazy:

::) But if they took time out to study them, they would have no fear at all !"   :icon_cool:

Arachnids are our friends people... And it is now officially be kind to spider week...

Metta Zenda :)

We used to have an Orb Weaver build a web on our front verandah every year.  Quite pretty, but dont walk into the web as it is like walking into a length of fencing wire. Unbelievably strong. 

It looks like the Red Back Spider may not be ours, but actually a 19th Century immigrant from India, where they are also found.

The Huntsman is relatively harmless, just big and furry.  They are also very sociable,  and will crowd together,which is unusual for spiders.  I can imagine some early settler just off the boat from England, peeling a sheet of bark off a tree to build a hut, and having hundreds of big, hairy spiders swarm out and run up their arms! :o
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Karen.

Aw. Be nice to spiders.

http://www.wimp.com/strangelyadorable/ (http://www.wimp.com/strangelyadorable/)

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg710.imageshack.us%2Fimg710%2F2309%2Fsomebodyturnoutthelight.jpg&hash=402b1d21942fc7cc36af8ad9673046955c8bc427)

Quote from: Zenda on August 20, 2011, 08:05:08 PM
Did you know the common daddy long-legs is one of the most venomous arachnids around, but fortunately for us humans their fangs are quite fragile and can't penetrate our skin...

This is a commonly believed myth, but it's simply not true. The venom of daddy long legs spiders (of the family Pholcidae) is harmless. They also can bite humans, though I believe they rarely do.

This myth also gets spread about harvestmen, or Opiliones. Harvestmen do not have venom at all.

Incidentally, when you hear people talk about how daddy long legs are not true spiders, it is Opiliones that this refers to. Pholcid spiders are indeed spiders.

  The spiders did a very good job in my garden this year.  No pests, no pyrethum or sevin used this year.  No squirrels this year probably did not mess with the webs. 
  Joelene

Quote from: nogoodnik on August 26, 2011, 07:06:11 PM
This is a commonly believed myth, but it's simply not true. The venom of daddy long legs spiders (of the family Pholcidae) is harmless. They also can bite humans, though I believe they rarely do.

This myth also gets spread about harvestmen, or Opiliones. Harvestmen do not have venom at all.

Incidentally, when you hear people talk about how daddy long legs are not true spiders, it is Opiliones that this refers to. Pholcid spiders are indeed spiders.

Kia Ora nogoodnik,

Thanks for that up date , I've just checked out myth busters...Mind you it's was quite a few years ago when I actively studied arachnids...

Metta Zenda :)

Kia Ora,

::) The poor white tail spider has been getting a bad rap both here in NZ and Aus...Most houses where I live have them, their main diet is other spiders...So in a sense they keep other spider populations in check...

http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biosystematics/invertebrates/spiders/white_tail.asp (http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biosystematics/invertebrates/spiders/white_tail.asp)

But sadly I must admit arachnophobia is alive and well here in NZ...

Metta Zenda :)

Quote from: Zenda on August 20, 2011, 08:05:08 PM
the common daddy long-legs

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg844.imageshack.us%2Fimg844%2F2497%2Fhaederlig.jpg&hash=ec42c96c728af0ec82fd8708f8f9ea2d4c06c706)

Place your hand over the daddy long-legs and recite the Danish poem, "Haley, haley, kaolorm, say me wher min kearest bor." (Truly, truly, caterpiller, tell me where my sweetheart lives.) The "haley" will then walk in the direction of your true love.

Gosh those pictures made my heart jump.  I'm terrified of spiders.  I had to scroll real fast over those pictures  Watch I will see some big hiddeous spider tonight lol. 

For me when it comes to spiders here is my motto:

"Kill first ask questions never."

I am creeped out, but spiders creep me out and I suffer from arachnophobia (seriously, I can't get within about 10 feet of a spider before flipping out).

However, I have an odd fascination with them.  The variety of sizes and habits just amaze me along with how long they've been around!  This thread is pretty cool, but I do like seeing the variety of spiders.

But, I'm hoping to go to England.  At least the spiders there won't kill me.