I know many of you don't like spiders but if you can get past your squeamishness just for a minute and watch this video you will be amazed at how the spider catches it's prey. And remember these spiders are helping to control cricket, grasshopper, and other insect populations around your home.
Trapdoor spiders have been known to live for up to twenty years. If you watch the video you can see how efficient a trapdoor spider is at capturing prey. The spider waits till the cricket is just past the trap door and in one quick movement he opens the door, captures the cricket, and retreats back in the den with the trapdoor falling back in place. The spider isn't exposed to any predators for more than a second or two. No wonder they live so long.
Spiders are fascinating. I have a real soft spot for orb spiders and granddaddy long legs.
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne, thanks, apparently daddy long legs if they could be bite us would be very poisonous but they are unable to bite us, we have huge ones around here. I like the garden spiders that make the beautiful webs in the garden I just don't like walking into the webs and getting them on me, they are so sticky.
ReplyDeleteI hope your firing goes well and the spiders stay out side.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, thanks, funny cause when I went down stairs barefoot to start the kiln this morning, there was a spider right outside the door of the studio next to the kiln. I moved him aside with a ruler thinking he was dead and went upstairs to get my shoes on. When I came back down stairs he was gone, I guess he wasn't dead, he was a wolf spider I guess he was cold since it was rather cool last night. ugh
ReplyDeleteI love spiders ... I have various species visit the studio, some who bless me with babies who rappel down from the ceiling to check me out when I'm at the wheel. Thanks for the interesting spidey info! ... brenda
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda, thanks, well you might be the only person who has ever admitted that they like spiders. I like them outside but not drifting down on me when I am working Ha. But I usually get them to crawl on the end of a broom and carry them outside and tap the handle of the broom and then they fall off at their new location.
ReplyDeleteSpiders are lovely, esp. if they remain outside. 20 years! wow...I can see how that would be possible with their unique food gathering skills.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, thanks, this spider was so beautiful but even I get a bit squeamish about them up close, doesn't help there have been so many movies about arachnid phobia.
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess if there was a critter that I wasn't fond of... it would probably be a spider. They creep me out... but I too will try to get them to crawl on something and take them outside. Luckily with 5 cats in the house, not too many crawly things survive for long inside.
ReplyDeleteHi Rian, thanks, I know what you mean about cats, but sometimes they don't like getting the spiders, I think cats naturally know what not to go after.
ReplyDeleteI'm certain I posted a comment....I know I wrote one!! Trap Door spiders are down this way, too. I've not seen any around here where I live, although there are many spiders here. My two furry rascals don't bother about them....I've gotten to the stage I don't either. It's kind of ...."if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!" :)
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