Tarantula Spottings 2005

[TOT]

I spotted my first road-crossing tarantula yesterday? the day before?

Anyone else see one recently?

[ginpole]

yep saw one last saturday night in north fork

[rimalicious]

In ALL the years I have been here I have NEVER seen one ... amazing!

[beautiful_mess38]

in the bark in my front yard

[Californee Girl]

Already?

I didnt see very many last year http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/no.gif

[jjcheyenne]

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/shocked.gif YUCK!! ginpole, where abouts in North Fork did you see one of those nasty things? http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/sick.gif

[SheilaMae]

I 'thought' I saw one day before yesterday along the side of 417 but thought - NAH!!! It's too early yet...a sign of another wet winter coming, ya think???????
-Sheila

[Mibrew]

Hello Mr Spider...er

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/anxious.gif

[SheilaMae]

when was that pic taken, Brew???
-Sheila

[Newcomer]

I saw a tarantula last night that was as huge as a car!

Oh Wait, That was on late night TV. An old movie LOL

[Mibrew]

Ha ha ha http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

I love those type of sci fi movies http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

I took that last year in my back yard...

3 years ago going to Bass lake close to Snowline, I run over a few hundred crossing the street...crunch, crunch, TC was scared to get out of the truck http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/yes.gif

[John @ 3300ft.]

None seen by me so far. October is usually the prime time. Usually see them while Quail hunting.

Saw a Tarantula Wasp last year... Those are BIG mothers...

[ginpole]

jjcheynne, i saw it off rd 222 down by powerhouse 2 on the way to auzberry.

[Newcomer]

http://www.atthemoviesltd.com/big/tarantula19552250.jpg

[Zeller14]

I showed one about 3" in diameter to all my family as we drove down Veater Ranch Road toward Hiway 41 on September 4th. It was crossing the road and didn't move any faster when we stopped the Suburban about 5 feet away. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

[Lookout Lee]

Hi, Zeller: Do you by any chance live in Meadow Springs Ranch? If so, where? We're about to start buildingo Lookout Mt. Dr.

Lee

[monkey]

It is sooooo freaky when you come across a whole heard of the critters. I was coming back from Coulterville to Mariposa and there was hundreds crossing the road there. It so freaked me out!!!!

[BGW]

I remember seeing them like that when I was a kid and looking out the back window of the car watching something akin to leaving tracks in the snow except the tire tracks were made by squished tarantulas.....EEEK!

[Kahlua Kid]

None here yet - we keep waiting...

But lots of baby crickets all of a sudden turning up in the house. We keep putting them outside.

[Kahlua Kid]

Originally posted by bgirlsworld:
I remember seeing them like that when I was a kid and looking out the back window of the car watching something akin to leaving tracks in the snow except the tire tracks were made by squished tarantulas.....EEEK!

Interesting visual - poetic actually. A line I'd love to steal if I ever write that novel...

[monkey]

Bgirl does have quite a poetic way with her words.

[beautiful_mess38]

they were crossing the road maye we'll get more rain.

[PinkRoses]

Tarantula spotting... http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/rolleyes2.gif last nite crawling on my garage door...huge one! Autumn is here!

Pink

[BGW]

Originally posted by Kahlua Kid:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bgirlsworld:
I remember seeing them like that when I was a kid and looking out the back window of the car watching something akin to leaving tracks in the snow except the tire tracks were made by squished tarantulas.....EEEK!

Interesting visual - poetic actually. A line I'd love to steal if I ever write that novel... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/rofl5.gif Uh OH...looks like I'll have to start copyrighting all my posts!!

[Summer]

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/mask.gif I don't wanna see them......I don't wanna see them!

[monkey]

Sorry to tell you Summer, but if you live in the mountains, you are gonna see them. It's unavoidable, but remember that you can run faster than their little legs can crawl.

[terrastar]

When is the tarantula festival this year? I missed last year, but would love to go this time around! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

[electroman]

I saw one today crossing the road at about 6:30.

[Yosemite_Wolf]

im gonna miss the taruntula fest http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/sad3.gif

[electroman]

I'm sure we can save a few for you. Of course, they'll be squashed and dried out by the time you get back... they'll be like hairy chineese throwing stars.

[Yosemite_Wolf]

electro... i have real throwing stars... the metal kind http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif and throwing knives too.....

[Summer]

Sorry to tell you Summer, but if you live in the mountains, you are gonna see them. It's unavoidable, but remember that you can run faster than their little legs can crawl.
I've been here six yrs. and haven't seen a single one. Maybe I have and I'm just in denial? http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

[SheilaMae]

Originally posted by Summer:
[I've been here six yrs. and haven't seen a single one. Maybe I have and I'm just in denial? http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

Hmmmmmmm...do you go out much??? I thought their presence was just a joke meant to make me feel too much a city gal when I first got here and definitely thought the tarantula festival in Coarsegold was just an excuse to have one more crowd draw after Peddlar's Fair for the season/year...now I tease Rachel about how lucky we are to get to see so much of nature we missed in Chicagoland - tarantulas, scorpions, rattlers, coyote, black widow spiders, bobcats and mountain lion, etc. So MUCH more interesting than the occassional rabbit or skunk. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif
-Sheila

[Mibrew]

I dont think they had the tarantula festival last year??

[TOT]

i'm hermitin' more these days, but i might want to crawl out for a tarantula festival. when is it? where is it?

[SheilaMae]

According to the Yosemite Sierra Visitor Bureau calendar it will be held October 29th. Always in the Coarsegold Historical Village. (Rachel placed in the Scream contest year before last...)
-SheilaTarantula Fest (http://yosemitethisyear.com/attcalendar.html)

[Summer]

You know, I think I may have seen a tarantula many years ago when I lived in Santa Monica. Is it impossible for them to be in the beach area? If so, what the heck did I see?! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/rolleyes2.gif

[BGW]

Originally posted by TOT:
i'm hermitin' more these days, but i might want to crawl out for a tarantula festival. when is it? where is it?

3rd rock on the right? like usual? Or, was that my other right? Too much portuguese.....makes it hard to remember!!

[John @ 3300ft.]

I saw 3 this weekend crossing roads. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/stickdance.gif
One on 41 near the rocky cut... Hope he was hanging on the the pavement, 'cus I went over him at freeway speed.
One on Triangle road near Bootjack. And the other on Rd. 620 near 41.

[TOT]

saw 2 on saturday...

[Kahlua Kid]

Saw one in YLP - a big Black one crawling in the backyard on gravel.

And one off Trabuco Canyon - crossing the road - littler brown one - stopped and scooted him off the road!

[Michelle]

had one in my driveway...

then one on the road next to the driveway...YUCK..

I hate those things... but don't worry i dont' kill them.
http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/freak.gif

[Misty]

We've had two in our area this past month. I am still sorta new to mountain living and I think they're kinda fun....as long as they're not inside my house!

[electroman]

I see a couple of 'em every night on the way home from work. Sometimes I stop and take pictures and play with them until they start getting mean, then I get back in the truck and run 'em over. (just kidding, I don't really run them over, I step on them - just kidding again.)

[BGW]

Electro-
Your picture looks like those found around my place. Not too large, but furry enough to give you the heebie jeebies! I always find them in odd situations like sitting on the trim over the front door. All the sci-fi movie fears we picked up as kids...of them jumping (falling) on to you while going through the door magically rematerialize!

Found another one last winter belly up in the yard....frozen. At first I had thought it was just a freshly shed 'skin'...nope. Felt sorry for him so I scooped him up and found a warm sunny safe place for it to thaw out.

While living in Arizona, for some odd reason, every day at daybreak the patio would attract 6 or 8 of the buggers. It was funny to watch the bird come and make a meal of them within 30 mins. or so. By sunrise, there would be nothing left of them but legs....legs flopping and squirming around on the patio!

I think it was even more creepy when you realize this is a daily event....and just where are they coming from and how many are there.........

[bodie358]

Okay, I feel honored. We just moved in only 2 weeks ago and we had a tarantula cross our driveway today! Very cool creature, the dog nosed it and it just stood there.

[BGW]

squish splat. Ran over two on the way back from Fresno today. Sorry...not going to swerve for spiders

[BGW]

Too close for comfort

[Sierra Lady]

We had our first spotting last week when one was slowing walking across the yard. I just told it to keep on trucking.

[Mona Vie]

I have not seen one for years but we do have a lot of the big brown ones. Went to squash one the other day and a million babies were on its back the white kitchen floor turned brown.http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/freak.gif

[Dodgergirl]

I might have ran over one on my way to Surf's house yesterday... wasn't gonna look back & see if it was still there. Spiders of any type make me scream. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/shocked.gif

[Yosemite_Wolf]

I saw one yesterday out in the road in front of my house. The dogs were VERY intrigued by it.

[tocools]

We spotted several on our way over to Oakhurst they were all on Powerhouse rd.

[BGW]

Originally posted by RTP Pizza:
I have not seen one for years but we do have a lot of the big brown ones. Went to squash one the other day and a million babies were on its back the white kitchen floor turned brown.http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/freak.gif

Sounds like a wolf spider...

[monkey]

Sounds sooooo creepy

[CatdaBrat]

Ughhh, I saw some msn news item regarding grilled and/or fried tarantulas over in Cambodia or someplace like that. I have seen that on TV before, too ... people walking through the streets holding a huge platter of fried spiders and other people buying them and gobbling them up.

I don't care what they taste like -- they can taste like lobster for all I care (one program said the huge 20-inch spiders sort of tasted like crab meat) but I am NEVER gonna eat one of those!!! No way ... I'd rather starve to death.

[electroman]

Spiders aren't insects - they are actually in the same phyla or genus or something as crabs(both have 8 legs, exoskeleton, really ugly...)

[monkey]

I wonder who was the first person to eat a snail?

[BGW]

I don't care what they taste like -- they can taste like lobster for all I care (one program said the huge 20-inch spiders sort of tasted like crab meat) but I am NEVER gonna eat one of those!!! No way ... I'd rather starve to death.


http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/lol.gif Too funny...long ago and far away at a restaurant that no longer exists....when ever a serve took an order for lobster, they/we would call out to the kitchen something like, "gotta a bug coming in!"...'bug' because that's what they are. Shrimp too!

[Yosemite_Wolf]

yeah.. i order up a coupla fresh redbugs from maine every new yrs eve!

[Kahlua Kid]

TARANTULAS, Aranea Tarentula.
excerpt from 1888, "In the Heart of the Sierras: The Yosemite Valley and Big Tree Groves" by J.M. Hutchinson

Here, too, perhaps some enterprising boy or man may bring a tarantula’s nest to show us; and as we examine the peculiarly

http://www.yosemite.ca.us/history/in_the_heart_of_the_sierras/images/284.jpg
A TARANTULA'S NEST.
unique manner of its construction, we naturally wish to know more concerning its architect and builder. The tarantula, then (so called from Taranto, in Italy, from whence the first specimens were obtained by entomologists), evidently belongs to the spider family, although the nest is out of the ordinary style of such insects. I have seen specimens of this genus that measured five inches from the tip of one of its hairy legs to that of the other; with a body two and a half inches in length, by one inch in diameter. Their appearance is both formidable and forbidding; and they are quite venomous in their bite. It has eight legs, four on each side. Between the two fore legs there is a pair of sharp, serrated nippers, which they use when seizing their prey; and in their head, between these, are two horny, sharp, and hollow fangs, curved inwardly, through which a poisonous fluid is projected when striking an enemy.

They live in nests formed of clay; which is provided with an ingeniously constructed trap-door, made out of about thirty layers of silk and dirt (the former spun from their own body), the inner side of which is also covered with silk, and made water and air tight. The springy strength of the silken hinges of this trap-door is sufficient to instantly close it, the moment the nest is entered. As an additional security to those within there are holes made in the edges of the door, into which the tarantula can insert its fangs, and bolt himself in.

The tarantula, like every living tenant of this world, has its enemy, in a large, hornet-like fly called the pepsis, whose dark blue body, and bright reddish-orange colored wings, enable the curious to closely study his movements; as, with unrelenting vindictiveness, he encompasses the helplessness of his victim. When the pepsis catches sight of his prey, he swoops down upon it with a viz-z-z-zip, viz-z-z-zip, which he continues until the tarantula is utterly paralyzed—not killed. This accomplished, he leaves the defenseless body where it fell, and flies away for assistance. Sometimes it is an hour or more (I once watched for nearly two hours without results) before the victor returns, when he brings with him from three to five coadjutors, who push or pull the body forward until they reach their nest (always built in the ground), into which the tarantula is unceremoniously dropped, and then stowed away on one side. It has generally been supposed that this is simply a provision made for food purposes; but this is incorrect, inasmuch as when the female pepsis has carefully placed the paralyzed tarantula into the corner desired, she then punctures the body, deposits her eggs in the punctures; and the warmth of the paralyzed body continues until the hatching process is completed; then the tarantula dies, and his decomposing body supplies the pabulum needed for the larvae and pupae of the pepsis, until they can fly abroad in the earth to seek their living elsewhere. One singular feature of the enemy of the tarantula, the pepsis, is, that the male dies immediately after sexual contact.

[John @ 3300ft.]

I believe that story to be full of factual errors, and should not be viewed as definitive science in light of the time at which it was written.

[John @ 3300ft.]

Originally posted by John @ 3300ft.:
...Saw a Tarantula Wasp last year... Those are BIG mothers...
FYI on those Tarantula Hawk wasps... you don't want to get stung by one.
From Wikipedia:
Schmidt Sting Pain Index or The Justin O. Schmidt Pain Index was created by Justin O. Schmidt, an entomologist. Having been stung by almost everything, Schmidt created (on his own time) an index to compare the overall pain of insect stings on a four-point scale.

1.0 Sweat bee: Light, ephemeral, almost fruity. A tiny spark has singed a single hair on your arm.
1.2 Fire ant: Sharp, sudden, mildly alarming. Like walking across a shag carpet & reaching for the light switch.
1.8 Bullhorn acacia ant: A rare, piercing, elevated sort of pain. Someone has fired a staple into your cheek.
2.0 Bald-faced hornet: Rich, hearty, slightly crunchy. Similar to getting your hand mashed in a revolving door.
2.0 Yellowjacket: Hot and smoky, almost irreverent. Imagine WC Fields extinguishing a cigar on your tongue.
3.0 Red harvester ant: Bold and unrelenting. Somebody is using a drill to excavate your ingrown toenail.
3.0 Paper wasp: Caustic & burning. Distinctly bitter aftertaste. Like spilling a beaker of Hydrochloric acid on a paper cut.
4.0 Pepsis wasp (Tarantula Hawk): Blinding, fierce, shockingly electric. A running hair drier has been dropped into your bubble bath (if you get stung by one you might as well lie down and scream).
4.0+ Bullet ant: Pure, intense, brilliant pain. Like walking over flaming charcoal with a 3-inch nail in your heel.

[Kahlua Kid]

I found it pretty close to what I've heard about Tarantula's... but I found the entire book a very interesting read - take yourself back in time and imagine being one of the first few 100'000 (other than the indigenous Indians)experiencing and learning about the area for the first time.

[Kahlua Kid]

Originally posted by John @ 3300ft.:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by John @ 3300ft.:

4.0 Pepsis wasp (Tarantula Hawk): Blinding, fierce, shockingly electric. A running hair drier has been dropped into your bubble bath (if you get stung by one you might as well lie down and scream).

Exactly what I've heard - when we first moved up here, I was mowing the backyard lawn and one came buzzing around - HUGE !!! It scared the heck out of me and I ran inside. I'm not usually a wimp about bugs, but anything that looks like it can sting, and this looks to STING BIG, and I'm outta there!

http://www.desertusa.com/mag01/sep/papr/photos/thawk.jpg

http://insects.tamu.edu/images/insects/common/images/cd-43-c/img333.jpg

http://www.friendsofsaguaro.org/tarantulahawk.jpg

[John @ 3300ft.]

That last picture is great! It shows just how big those suckers are...

I thought about trying to catch it the next time I saw one, but I think I'll pass...

[Summer]

Nope, haven't seen one yet and DON'T want to!

[SheilaMae]

WOW! I've seen them and thought they were incredibly beautiful and striking to look at. Glad I never tried to capture one - and now I know to be wary.

[BGW]

S-- I have captured one in the house...between the window and the screen!!! Went back outside and hit it with the wasp spray. Yes, I killed it; cuz it was not acting 'lost' in the house!! It was acting hungry!!

[John @ 3300ft.]

Originally posted by bgirlsworld:
S-- I have captured one in the house...between the window and the screen!!! Went back outside and hit it with the wasp spray. Yes, I killed it; cuz it was not acting 'lost' in the house!! It was acting hungry!!
Save a tarantula, kill a wasp! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/stickdance.gif

[monkey]

Had a BIG HAIRY tarantula crossing my driveway just now. Creeps me out. This is the first one of the season I have seen, but I know Dodgergirl saw one up close not too long ago and it was crossing her foot, not her driveway. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

[Patagoniamaniac]

its that time!..I saw one yesterday crossing 620

[BGW]

I bet we will really start seeing them now!!!!

[Californee Girl]

I havent seen any actual spiders yet, but my property is covered in webs. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/freak.gif

[Lookout Lee]

Originally posted by BGW:
S-- I have captured one in the house...between the window and the screen!!! Went back outside and hit it with the wasp spray. Yes, I killed it; cuz it was not acting 'lost' in the house!! It was acting hungry!!

This really saddens me, BGW. Next time, please remove the screen and let it out. If you are afraid that it might jump on you, do this at night or in the early morning when it will be cold and less active.

[BGW]

Originally posted by Lookout Lee:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by BGW:
S-- I have captured one in the house...between the window and the screen!!! Went back outside and hit it with the wasp spray. Yes, I killed it; cuz it was not acting 'lost' in the house!! It was acting hungry!!

This really saddens me, BGW. Next time, please remove the screen and let it out. If you are afraid that it might jump on you, do this at night or in the early morning when it will be cold and less active. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I failed to mention this happened 20 years ago. However, they are quite aggressive and if given the same choice to make today I'd chose saving the tarantula. This particular wasp was roughly 3 inches long and attcking my dog and two cats...no way he was gonna live!!

I did however see a small outside on Tuesday...I let it live.

[SheilaMae]

Spotted a medium size tarantula at the end of the driveway when heading out this evening. Rachel took a pic and I soooooooooo wish I had a pic of her shooting her shot....she was skeered to get tooo close.

[Michelle]

oh check this out. I have seen them only on the road when I am driving and everyone should be happy to hear I do not run them over. why I don't know. but I went out to the garage this morning and I was using the crutches and i step out and I almost stepped on it with my foot(no shoes) I sreamed so flippin loud my husband jumped up and i screamed his name and he come running out wondering what the hell and I said crying...there is a trantula in our garage and it is right there.. he went out laughing ..hahahah and said were i said when i screamed he ran over by the dog food. he laughed and yes i am still crying.... i hurt my knee and about passed out. but he got it and put it in a safe place to show the kids and then he will let it go.... i told him not to scare me with it...
he even had to hug me after... i was so flipped out.... i am so scared of them well spiders in general.....

now you guys can stop laughing...... http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/sick.gif


by the way do you know in the 13 years I have lived here I have never seen one that close.. not even in the years of hunting... but never that close in my house...omg...

[beautiful_mess38]

spotted one today crossing hwy41. wonder if it made it all the way across

[Newcomer]

We had a Tarantula pay a visit to us the the other evening. He was a big one and he was showing his agression or fear I am not sure. It had its rear raised high and in a defensive posture, it was either that or it was a screen test for Broke Back Tarantula http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif. He then headed over to the stables and the Kitty Condo. I relocated him to a nearby oak tree weeded area for his and the cats protection.

[Patagoniamaniac]

my son and husband spotted 2 on our road yesterday..imagine all the ones you can't see...thats scary..it would be cool if you could have some kind of sonar to see how many are crawling around....there are probably thousands! eeeks thats creepy to me..I have major arachnophobia...think thats what its called...

[Kahlua Kid]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Patagoniamaniac:
imagine all the ones you can't see...thats scary..it would be cool if you could have some kind of sonar to see how many are crawling around....there are probably thousands! eeeks thats creepy to me..{QUOTE]

Awe - they are just lookin' for love! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/yes.gif

[Patagoniamaniac]

Awe - they are just lookin' for love! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/yes.gif[/QUOTE]

ya.. some....in all the wrong places, like smashed on all the roads...

[cak]

Nice article today in the SF Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/10/15/MNG9RLPSH11.DTL

[Patagoniamaniac]

saw one today and yesterday

[BGW]

Saw a little herd of them sauntering across hwy 140 this morning!

[Michelle]

i have had more of those spiders around my house this year then in the 12 years i have lived here...

shocking...the kids found on yesterday coming home and in our driveway....

sighs...........


I hate them...but i leave them alone....