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Red-rump tarantula


Red-rump tarantula
Photo Information
Copyright: Chris Chafer (sandpiper2) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1841 W: 109 N: 4244] (14071)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-02-07
Categories: Spiders
Camera: Pentax K100D Super, Sigma 70-300 DG Macro, Digital ISO-400, Matin 58mm UV
Exposure: f/9.5, 1/60 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-07-25 1:31
Viewed: 558
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Tarantula's are characterized by their large stocky appearance and the hairy body and legs. A more technical characteristic is the fangs that are parallel (pointing backward) rather than opposite as in other spiders. There are many other characteristics but these are less obvious.

There are 9 species of tarantula in Belize, this one is a Mexican Red-rump Tarantula (Brachypelma vagans) and grows to 15 cm (6 in). They are most common in disturbed areas and this terrestrial species is easily found by locating its burrow. A Maya name for this species is "Chiwo' ". There are many misunderstandings about this species. One of these is that it is likely to bite horses in the foot, which then causes the hoof to fall of! In reality the species is quite harmless. The biggest danger comes from the abdominal hairs which are quite urticaceous and can cause itching and swelling. Particularly nasty when inhaled!

In Belize this species has been recorded throughout the Maya Mountains and also from the coastal hills, usually adjacent to rainforest. Elsewhere they are found in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, northern Costa Rica and southern Mexico.

This one was found by staff at the Pine Mountain Lodge where we stayed. I realise now that teh POv could have been improved, but it was a very oportunistic shot as this guy was on the move!

Reference: Biological Diversity in Belize website
jcoowanitwong, oscarromulus, albert, Argus, anel has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 643 W: 15 N: 1566] (6115)
  • [2009-07-25 2:05]

Hello Chris
Wonderful spider capture with excellent details, perfect focus and wonderful colors
Regards
Razvan

hello Chris
this is a Beauty!!
great compo with good details and beautiful colour
greeting lou

Ciao Chris. Amazing and interesting capture. Good sharp and colours.

Roberto

Hi Chris,
It must be an excitement to see a tarantula in the wild. Thanks for sharing.
JC

Chris,
We have seen this species in Brasil a few years ago. I had a B/W film camera, a 35mm in those days. The images I have are terrible compared to this one. TFS.
GREAT COLOURS & the contrasts on & within the subject itself are MAGNIFICIENT. Makes this image almost 3-D.
GREAT WORK.
Mario with friendly greetings from Calgary in Canada.

Hello Chris,
Good capture of this impressive spider
The focus is on the frontpart of the tarantula and DOF a bit narrow, however it's a good photo
TFS
Albert

  •      
  • meyerd Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 518 W: 68 N: 1686] (5316)
  • [2009-07-28 11:25]

Hi Chris,
I like the picture and the note that goes with it: quite my type of adventurous photography. Despite the emergency, you portrayed the spider really well. I'm out of cookie points, don't take offense, please.
Best regards
Dietrich

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3802 W: 190 N: 11310] (34871)
  • [2009-07-28 11:31]

Hello Chris,
A great capture of this Red-rumped Tarantula, the semi-frontal POV showing its features with excellent sharpness against the natural BG.
Nice to know that its belly hairs are more dangerous than its fangs!
Thanks and all the best,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • Nilson Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 442 W: 0 N: 427] (3110)
  • [2009-07-28 17:13]

Hello Chris

Wonderful shot with good elements. Excellent details and composition, good sharpness.
Well done
Nilson

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1715 W: 0 N: 3896] (15640)
  • [2009-07-30 4:26]

Hello Chris,
Congratulation to have made this shot while the "beast" was moving. I wonder if I would have had the courage. I'm so afraid of this kind of creatures. Sharpness is good and the shot appears very natural.
Thanks also for your note
Kind regards
Anne

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