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Who dares to intrude (58)
willie
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1023 W: 61 N: 648]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (2083) | Baboon Spider ( Bobbejaanspinnekoppe) Family Theraphosidae
Size
Body length up to 4cm; leg span up to 12cm
Colour
From light brown or grey in some species to dark brown or almost black in others.
Most like:
Lesser baboon spiders ( species Harpactirella), but the more common baboon spiders are larger. Often confused with the large hunting spider, (Palystes natalius) which enters homes frequently. These however have a more slender build and are more agile.
Habitat:
In the veld under stones and dungpats. They often build nests in clumps of grass. Sometimes found in houses and outbuildings.
This is the kind of spider that nightmares are made of. They have large fat bodies, and both the body and the legs are thickly covered in hair, making the spider seem even more bulkier than it really is, and giving it the most frightening appearance.
By spider standards, baboon spiders are particularly long-lived. Whilst most spiders live for only a year or so, baboon spiders have a lifespan of up to 25 years. They take between 8 and 10 years to reach maturity.
They spend most of their time either inside or very near their nests, which are usually silk lined holes in the ground, reaching down some 30 – 40cm. If alarmed near its nest the spider may rear up on its hind legs, with its front legs and fangs poised to strike downwards at its adversary.
When it adopts this formidable posture you can see its sharp, 5mm brown fangs, surrounded by reddish hairs.
The fangs can inflict a painful bite, but the bite is not dangerously venomous and presents no serious threat to humans
Distribution:
Found throughout the southern African sub-region.
Shooting Details
Found close to Mica in Limpopo Province, the day was very hot and humid +/- 43C.
I found a number of these silk covered holes in the ground and decided to explore a little. I took a blade of grass and broke the silk membrane covering the hole. See workshop photo.
Once I started exploring into the hole with the grass, I felt the tug as the spider grabbed onto it. Then I was able to gently lift him up to the base and get some shots. The specimen in the photo was actually a lot bigger than what is described in the notes. My estimate was that he was at least 3.5cm wide and about 8cm long.
At the slightest movement, he would immediately disappear in the hole again and I would have to start the process all over again.
To say the least, I really enjoyed the experience and intend to do this again to get some more shots for the TN viewers.
Workshop photo ( Hole in ground with silk membrane )
Shooting Details
Focal Length: 7mm
F Stop: F/4
Shutter Speed: 1/150 sec
Tripod: No
Main photo ( Baboon spider emerging from safety of his hole)
Shooting Details
Focal Length: 14mm
F Stop: F/2.8
Shutter Speed: 1/50 sec
Tripod: No |
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