Recent content by MBullock

Note the golden ventral patch of setae- this is used to store plant resins for later use and for oviposition. Without a resin coating, the survival rate of the eggs plummets sharply- with most dehydrating and dying inside the egg, or being predated upon by ants.

Sexing is easy in this family, as males lack the ventral setae entirely

Mature female

Note the black mark on her cephalothorax which is basically her hair-line- the portions devoid of scales.

Some white remains, with black cuticle barely noticeable beneath.

thanks.

Grey-crowned Lynx Spider guarding eggsac

Slender crab-spider feeding on long-tailed antlion. I didnt know these guys could take prey that large.

That was an oregon trail reference. Was not bitten.

THere are probably more in the wood as they actually lay their eggs on dead rotted wood in the wild, and the larvae burrow into it. ironclad beetles do this too

IMO she's dehydrated. The slapping thing is pretty typical behavior of the thirsty tarantula. a spider that size will need a water dish at least 2" deep to adequately hydrate. it may be that your water dish is far too shallow for a decent drink. A rehouse is def needed, ive noted...

Never before have i seen this degree of melanism in this species. Ive seen a few that are dark but this one is intense!

thats pretty cool

They probably want water more than food atm. Jumper could be nearing a molt or dropping a sac if adult.