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Old 09-26-2009, 04:01 PM
 
26 posts, read 141,928 times
Reputation: 14

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Just wondering if anyone can identify the spider in the photo attached? He's been hanging around our porch. Hopefully, he's eating the scorpions! We have not harmed him and he has not harmed us, so it's all good!
Attached Thumbnails
ID This Spider-dsc01639.jpg  
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Old 09-26-2009, 04:06 PM
 
947 posts, read 3,138,600 times
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All I can say is Good Lord! I would have made my husband move that to another neighborhood or it would be dead by now.
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Old 09-26-2009, 04:57 PM
 
134 posts, read 491,082 times
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Looks like a tarantula to me.
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Old 09-26-2009, 04:58 PM
 
Location: Texas Hill Country
2,392 posts, read 9,648,843 times
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That's easy, a Tarantula.
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Old 09-26-2009, 05:03 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX!!!!
3,757 posts, read 9,056,803 times
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Just keep this thread/picture near the top of the Austin forum and it will slow relocation to the Austin area WAY down.
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Old 09-26-2009, 05:17 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX
16,787 posts, read 49,046,364 times
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Looks like a Tarantula to me. They are relatively harmless. Some people keep them as pets.

I believe the hairy nature is unique to the Tarantula. Although some are more black in coloring and others have more reddish markings. I encountered several that looked like this while land surveying in Arizona.

They are often featured in horror movies because of their fearsome appearance.



But are really very tame, mild mannered and good to have around, keeping other pests under control. When threatened, they will usually rear up on their hind legs as a sign of aggression, to try and scare you away, before trying to bite you, and even then they usually try to retreat before taking any agressive action to bite someone. If I found one around my yard I would try to be a good host to it.

Quote:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarantula:
Quote:
Despite their often threatening appearance and reputation, none of the tarantulas are known to have a bite which is deadly to humans. In general, the effects of the bites of all kinds of tarantula are not well known. While the bites of many species are known to be no worse than a wasp sting, accounts of bites by some species are reported to be very painful. Because other proteins are included when a toxin is injected, some individuals may suffer severe symptoms due to an allergic reaction rather than to the venom.
Tarantula species, El Limón Totalco

Last edited by CptnRn; 09-26-2009 at 05:32 PM..
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Old 09-26-2009, 05:27 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX
16,787 posts, read 49,046,364 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jennibc View Post
Just keep this thread/picture near the top of the Austin forum and it will slow relocation to the Austin area WAY down.
If you don't want to live near Tarantulas then you must move to the grey areas indicated below. Tarantulas live in all the green areas:

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Old 09-26-2009, 07:12 PM
 
Location: Greenwood Village, Colorado
2,185 posts, read 5,011,721 times
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It's cute. keep it as a pet.
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Old 09-26-2009, 07:35 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX!!!!
3,757 posts, read 9,056,803 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CptnRn View Post
If you don't want to live near Tarantulas then you must move to the grey areas indicated below. Tarantulas live in all the green areas:
Well, that cuts out about half the states so there you go!
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Old 09-26-2009, 07:59 PM
 
26 posts, read 141,928 times
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Thanks for the replies. We just moved to the City Park road area (Emma Long Park). The creatures have certainly come out with the rain and milder temps. We don't mind the one Tarantula we have seen, but the scorpions we can't live with. We have seen two. I feel fortunate to have only seen two. Fast buggers, too! I have seen a couple Roadrunners, which are fascinating. An Osprey hunting on the river by River Place Country Club. Love the wildlife, but not in the house!

By the way, in regards to the "gentle nature" comment. I would have to agree. I have taken about 50 photos of the individual, some very close up. He/she did not seem to be bothered me. If he showed any stress I backed off. He didn't approach me at all. I would say he put up with a lot, including some beauty shots with a golf ball just for a size comparison. No harm done.

Last edited by Epark2112; 09-26-2009 at 08:03 PM.. Reason: more info
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