October 25, 2008: Aussie Spider

[xoxoxoBruce]

Australia has a reputation for some nasty wildlife. Things that bite like, Crocs and Sharks, or venomous bites like Snakes and Spiders.
Of course humans, being the self centered creatures we are, are most concerned with the dangers to ourselves. We rarely think about the dangers these nasties pose to other critters, except our pets. As a result, when one of these pictures comes along, it sort of jars our reality.



This picture from Atheron, is a native finch called the Chestnut-breasted Mannikin, caught in the web of a Golden Orb Weaver.

Mr Shakepeare said 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.

Larger? Larger! We don't need no stinkin larger.

Telegraph link.

[Cicero]

I can't tell from the photo, what the black mass is on the head of the bird? Is it a swollen wound?

I try and think about how spiders interact with each other usually. I saw a jumping spider kill a recluse in the corner of my window. Since then I have been hesitant to kill them all, because I can't kill the ones I don't see...So I let nature take it's course with the spidey's. Unless it's directly threatening me, like the other day, and I don't have time to establish it's identity. lol! My husband was so scared he made me kill it. (croquet mallet)

Since the new puppy has been around, I might take a new course of action and kill them all, 'tis true....For the same reason. Now I'm not willing to let nature take it's course or I could end up with a sick puppy.

No wonder aussie's seem so tough.

[Gravdigr]

#1: Get shotgun.
#2: KILL THAT MOTHERFUCKER!!! NOW!!!!!
#3: Sit in corner whimpering quietly. No, not in the corner, that's where the spiders hide!

[Diaphone Jim]

I've seen pictures of a Praying Mantis catching and eating a hummingbird, so this is well possible.
Actually, the spider seems to have heard about the slowly eaten rescue pig and decided to start this one off with drumstick; yum, one down, one to go.

[Aliantha]

Those spiders are very common in the state I live in. We have them in our garden in fact. Mostly they're smaller and just catch bugs. They're actually very beautiful and not aggressive. They just wait for things to land in their web.

[Sheldonrs]

I'm sick of these mother fuckin' spiders on this mother fuckin' web.

[Gravdigr]

Originally Posted by Sheldonrs

I'm sick of these mother fuckin' spiders on this mother fuckin' web.

Yes! Thank You! It needed to be said.

[ZenGum]

Sure, it just sits in the web, waiting for something to land. Until you walk through its web one morning and it finds itself on your face.... aaaaaaggghhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've never heard of anyone using shotguns on a spider, but I do know someone who dealt with a seven-foot brown snake (quite lethal and aggressive) that was draped over the bushes in their garden by blasting it in two with a 12-gauge.

I think this was actually a good technique, because (a) it worked and (b) most people who get bitten by snakes got bitten because they were attacking the snake with something silly like a stick or a shovel. Don't take a stick to a fang/gun-fight.

That said, leaving them alone usually works.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Sheldonrs

I'm sick of these mother fuckin' spiders on this mother fuckin' web.

Me three

Originally Posted by ZenGum

Sure, it just sits in the web, waiting for something to land. Until you walk through its web one morning and it finds itself on your face.... aaaaaaggghhhhhh!!!!!!!

OMFG I've done that while walking in the woods - then you do the crazy dance trying to get it off you!

[Sundae Girl]

I rescued a woman from a spider on the bus the other day. Brit sized spider (body smaller than the nail of my little finger) but she was terrified. Her friend noticed it, but was too scared to brush it off - they were both up squealing, doing the spider-dance. I offered my services and she thanked me for the rest of the 5 minute journey.

[sweetwater]

That spider is practicing on the mannikin and working its way up. Next victim: man.

[morethanpretty]

I absolutely love spiders, I would love having aussie spiders around here. I "rescue" spiders all the time from close-minded people who try to kill them. I love plants and gardens, spiders just make all that better. In the summer I like to catch grasshoppers and throw them into the webs, its fun to watch how quick they get mummified.

[Sundae Girl]

Don't forget Aussie spiders can kill you...
Well, two can. And there are others which give painful bites.

[Brianna]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

Those spiders are very common in the state I live in. We have them in our garden in fact. Mostly they're smaller and just catch bugs. They're actually very beautiful and not aggressive. They just wait for things to land in their web.

This is why people think you are such a bloody liberal, Ali. I draw the line at "very beautiful" for a spider the size of my head.

[Aliantha]

Well if that's the worst of it, I reckon I can cope.

I always see the beauty in nature though. I'm pretty sure there are a lot of others like me out there...or even on this board.