A Riddle
What's large and black and hairy and walks on eight legs? (No, it isn't Bucky and her twin)
I'm looking at the answer right now as I sit at my desk with a view of my sunny patio. It's a tarantula. A common spider here in the desert southwest. Interestingly, the name tarantula comes from the town of Taranto in Italy, although I can't find out why. Africans call tarantulas "baboon spiders" for some reason, Southeast Asians call them "earth tigers," and Australians call their species "barking spiders." I call tarantulas a reason to avoid my patio during the summer.
I know from research that these spiders are not harmful to humans and will leave you alone if you leave them alone, but I guess I have seen too many B-grade science fiction movies. When a spider as big as a saucer stands in my path, I go the long way around.
I believe that the one I am looking at is a male and most likely cruising for a girlfriend. The ladies hide in their burrows until a suitable hunk comes along, then they have a brief honeymoon and the bachelor moves on, usually not to live much longer. Female tarantulas enjoy a much longer lifespan than the males. Why does that sound familiar?
I found out that fried tarantulas are a delicacy in Cambodia, and certain tribes in Venezuela eat them as well. I wonder if they're low in carbs.
Okay, he's gone now, wandered off into the dogwood bushes. It's safe to go out onto my patio again. But I think I'll wait. Maybe until October.
Image Source: www.bugkilling.com
Spiders & Snakes freak me out!
don't remind me of the two nights I spent sleeping at a friend's garage in San Luis Obispo (close to where you live) ... I had an 8-legged visitor during the 1st night (I couldn't even identify it b/c 1. I was blind without my glasses and b. too scared to care). However, you guessed it, I was pretty tired all through my stay in SLO, because the 2nd night I was kind of expecting him/her (whatever) and the gang to come back.
For as much as I loved California I did not like the spiders. It is comforting to learn that even Californians (such as you) like to avoid them.
I had a bit of the same problem in rattlesnake country, but that's another story and another state ;)
Steffi