I've got Hairy Legs, and I'm Looking for Love!
...
A year ago, I learned that our part of the San Francisco Bay Area is home to tarantulas and that autumn is mating season for these fine furry fellows. For my birthday last year, I dragged everyone out tarantula hunting. Sadly, though, we went out too late in the season and saw no tarantulas.
I had to wait a year, but today I got to see my first wild tarantula. I went out hiking with Ken-ichi (a Flickr friend), and some of his pals, with the goal of seeing amorous male tarantulas. The weather was blazing, the hike was done at a good clip, and we didn't see a single tarantula on the trail.
Failing that, we drove up and down Mount Diablo, scrutinizing every single thing along the side of the road. I'm proud to say that my "bright eyes" did not fail me, and I spotted our one and only tarantula, sauntering down the middle of the road.
Tarantulas weigh almost nothing. They feel like velvet. They are quite docile and very fragile, and we were extremely careful in handling this astonishing creature.
Tarantulas do not bite humans (in fact, they eat nothing bigger than crickets). When they are alarmed, they will raise their abdomen aloft, and use their legs to flick their prickly hairs at their attackers. Our friend had his abdomen raised at times, but nobody went home to pluck spider hairs out of their arms.
Robb opted to spend the afternoon at the pool, instead of going spider-hunting. The trail would have been impossible for him to manage. While he was curious, he wasn't overcome with my fervor for spider snuggling.
But, oh boy! Did I enjoy my opportunity to cuddle up with this fine specimen of manhood!
A year ago, I learned that our part of the San Francisco Bay Area is home to tarantulas and that autumn is mating season for these fine furry fellows. For my birthday last year, I dragged everyone out tarantula hunting. Sadly, though, we went out too late in the season and saw no tarantulas.
I had to wait a year, but today I got to see my first wild tarantula. I went out hiking with Ken-ichi (a Flickr friend), and some of his pals, with the goal of seeing amorous male tarantulas. The weather was blazing, the hike was done at a good clip, and we didn't see a single tarantula on the trail.
Failing that, we drove up and down Mount Diablo, scrutinizing every single thing along the side of the road. I'm proud to say that my "bright eyes" did not fail me, and I spotted our one and only tarantula, sauntering down the middle of the road.
Tarantulas weigh almost nothing. They feel like velvet. They are quite docile and very fragile, and we were extremely careful in handling this astonishing creature.
Tarantulas do not bite humans (in fact, they eat nothing bigger than crickets). When they are alarmed, they will raise their abdomen aloft, and use their legs to flick their prickly hairs at their attackers. Our friend had his abdomen raised at times, but nobody went home to pluck spider hairs out of their arms.
Robb opted to spend the afternoon at the pool, instead of going spider-hunting. The trail would have been impossible for him to manage. While he was curious, he wasn't overcome with my fervor for spider snuggling.
But, oh boy! Did I enjoy my opportunity to cuddle up with this fine specimen of manhood!
Comments
redhatqueen
He will be so excited! This may even get him to overcome his fear of flying and out to visit you in the land of milk and honey. Or rather, the land of Children's Fairyland and Wild Tarantulas...
On a side note, did you guys know that in Southern Italy of old, the bite of the tarantula was considered responsible for a disease characterized by the uncontrollable urge to dance? The "tarantella" (sp?), a whilring dance from that region, is considered a cure.
Maybe I need to find me an 8-legged man!
Gina
We had a very cool "zipper" spider living at the corner of the house who has undergone a lot of scrutiny. He packed his bags and left yesterday - I think he was sick of us staring at him ;-))
T. of TheThreeCs
PS- Tell Robb not to squash any spiders on his bike rides, ok? That might bring you bad spider kar-ma. Or bike-a. Whichever.
Annalisa
One time many years ago I was making the drive to So Cal, and took a detour in the central valley off I-5 (for reasons I can't recall)through some mountains. I saw DOZENS and DOZENS of these guys crossing the road here and there! I had no idea what was going on, but it was just amazing. I also did not have the guts to get out and play like you(gosh-golly I can't get over my irrational arachnophobia), but it was so marvelous in a creepy movie, science project sort of way!!
Thanks for evoking a very cool, long forgotten memory!
Anna
In my experience, these love-blind spiders will fall for any beauty of the opposite sex so it does not surprise me that you were treated to such a friendly encounter.
YHS,
OBJuan
Nice cleavage shot Ken!
xoxo,
Martha
I have to admit, I didn't pick it up or touch it in any way, but I was happy enough to see it in the little stump hiding my birthday letterbox (bonus present!)
dewberry