I guess it was just a matter of time...we have finally (after a whole year of living in Almost Mexico) seen our first tarantula. My friend Molly appropriately named him Tony. Personifying him actually really helped alleviate my very real arachnaphobic fears.
Of course, the first thing I did after getting inside was hit the web (pun intended). I learned a ton about God's amazing creation, the tarantula. Did you know that females can live up to 20 years in the wild? Males mature at between 5 and 7 years; they seek out a "lady friend" at maturity, do their thing, and then crawl off and die. I found that kind of sad. All of that growin' up for one big moment. Females reproduce multiple times. Males are also very fragile. Often they will tear themselves apart just trying to attack prey, literally fighting to the death.
I also learned that tarantulas are GREAT to have in a desert yard as they eat scorpions, baby mice and rats, crickets (which attract scorpions being their main food source) and more "bad bugs". They are very, very docile...people keep them as pets (NOT ME!). If you don't bother them, they will not bother you. But man are they big, hairy and crunchy. Their venom is no worse than a bee sting, and will only be slightly sore after a bite; however, they have very irritating hairs which will shed when they are stressed, and can cause serious skin irritation, and you really don't want to inhale them into your nasal passage, where they could become a serious problem.
Sooooo, even though I will probably never lose my fear of spiders, I now really do now appreciate the wonderous creature, the tarantula. Chad's mom called me with this encouraging Bible verse this morning (...taken out of context! I'm pretty sure Christ was talking about Satan and his minions and spiritual harm, but hey, it was comforting to hear it anyway...):
Of course, the first thing I did after getting inside was hit the web (pun intended). I learned a ton about God's amazing creation, the tarantula. Did you know that females can live up to 20 years in the wild? Males mature at between 5 and 7 years; they seek out a "lady friend" at maturity, do their thing, and then crawl off and die. I found that kind of sad. All of that growin' up for one big moment. Females reproduce multiple times. Males are also very fragile. Often they will tear themselves apart just trying to attack prey, literally fighting to the death.
I also learned that tarantulas are GREAT to have in a desert yard as they eat scorpions, baby mice and rats, crickets (which attract scorpions being their main food source) and more "bad bugs". They are very, very docile...people keep them as pets (NOT ME!). If you don't bother them, they will not bother you. But man are they big, hairy and crunchy. Their venom is no worse than a bee sting, and will only be slightly sore after a bite; however, they have very irritating hairs which will shed when they are stressed, and can cause serious skin irritation, and you really don't want to inhale them into your nasal passage, where they could become a serious problem.
Sooooo, even though I will probably never lose my fear of spiders, I now really do now appreciate the wonderous creature, the tarantula. Chad's mom called me with this encouraging Bible verse this morning (...taken out of context! I'm pretty sure Christ was talking about Satan and his minions and spiritual harm, but hey, it was comforting to hear it anyway...):
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions
and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm
you.
Luke 10:19
2 comments:
Hey Steph, great post! I know the kids once saw a tarantula down in Tucson, but I was TDY at the time. Although I appreciate them also, I can't exactly say I'm fond of them.
I like the Scripture verse too...
We were down in Phx two weeks ago for a family reunion, and boy, 115 sure felt a lot hotter than it used to. Definitely worth the trip though. Sorry we couldn't get down to Tucson to visit.
We actually have our first garden this year (one tomato plant!), but boy, it sure is producing. I only pray it stays warm enough for them to ripen!
Thanks for visiting my new blog (http://thefourwinds.wordpress.com). Drop by anytime!
Greg
Yikes! no matter how many times I see them! I STILL get a little scared!
Post a Comment