Aye, that's a fine speciman. I'd have been tempted to keep it as a pet.
Arizona tarantulas are pretty laid-back, docile & shy. You have to really work at getting them PO'd before they'll bite you.
The only problem I have with Arizona tarantulas is the company they keep - the Tarantula Hawk!
This is the wasp from Hell & let me tell you, it looks the part. First, for a wasp it's big, about 2-inches (50 mm) long & has this sinister, irridecent metallic blue-black body, with reddish antennae & bright orange wings, with long legs with hooks at the end - just evil looking! And their stinger is about 1/3-inch (7 mm) long & it's considered among the most painful of any insect! It's listed near the top of the list in Schmidt Sting Pain Index.
They're called Tarantula Hawks because the female stuns a tarantula, lays her eggs on its back & when the young-uns hatch, they eat the tarantula. Lovely critters!
We've got plenty of tarantulas in Arizona & therefore, unfortunately, plenty of Tarantula Hawks!
You don't want to come across one of these!
Last edited by Retro Red; 21st August 07 at 10:29 AM.
Happiness? I'd settle for being less annoyed!!!
"I used to be disgusted; now I try to be amused." - Declan MacManus
Member of the Clan Donnachaidh Society
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