| Spiders can be really be amusing to observe. Back when I was a
young cowboy all dressed in white linen – I was lying in a line
shack and staring at the ceiling, wishing I had a good book to read.
Suddenly a fly zoomed past my nose and flew into a spider web over my head. For a few seconds the fly struggled to escape. Then here came the spider trailing clouds of shimmering glory in my flickering lamp light as the spider web bounced and jounced in tune with the antagonists. Spiders have eight legs and they can use their feet just like we use our hands. My spider spun strands of web and s/he used all eight legs to hogtie that fly. Within 60 seconds that fly was wrapped up like a mummy; there was no way on earth that fly would ever escape. Over and over again that spider bounced out to make his hogtying exhibition for me that night. Later I learned that not only do spiders keep the populations of flies from flying off the charts, they also keep scorpions from ranging at will. For some strange reason scorpions love to climb up a wall, then explore the ceiling. That wouldn't be so bad, but inevitably scorpions will lose touch with reality and drop off the ceiling. Quite often they don't hit the floor, they hit the bed. Scorpions make strange bedfellows and I prefer to sleep with cuddlier companions. So, that's the reason I prefer to let sleeping spiders lie and protect their webs in my home rather than strike them down. |
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| Today I went outside and a slight movement in one of our
trees caught my eye. On going over to investigate I saw a spider
busy at work. What fascinating creatures Heavenly Father has
given us to share our world.
I watched this one for a long time. One thing I noticed this morning that I have never noticed before is how far away the spiders can detect our presence. This one today began reacting to my presence while I was yet four feet away, proving she had already registered my approach and was simply waiting to see if I came any closer before running for shelter. Once she determined that I was no threat she came out and began working as if basking in my attention. She must have been kin to Charlotte, huh? Out in a hay field on the morning after picking up the hay you can see the sunlight glinting off of hundreds of sparkling new spider webs. Every spider out there is busy hogtying aphids and what have you. It is one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen. I've often wondered how spiders build a web from a tall tree to the top of a house. One day I saw it being done and wondered no more. Your little spider waits for the wind to blow just so, so, then s/he begins spinning a web and lets the wind carry her to and fro. As soon as s/he contacts the house s/he runs up higher and anchors that tiny strand to the house. Using the house as a base s/he then weaves a knotted web from one structure to the other. When finished this web will be too stout for most winds to destroy. Spiders move about quietly and are known to cope well in many different types of environments, thus being prime suspects for becoming your exotic pet. Maintenance is likewise not very difficult as they are generally clean and don't leave much clutter. These attributes account for the growing popularity of keeping spiders as exotic pets. Spiders deserve respect and places of refuge -- just like any other animal. At the same time, you also have to protect yourself from possible harm that they may inflict. In spite of being low-maintenance pets, owners at times fail to recognize that taking care of them is, in fact, not all that straightforward. If you are a first-time owner, it would be wise to choose those specie which are neither fragile nor treacherous. Tarantulas like Chilean Rose, Mexican Redleg, and Costa Rican Zebra belong in this category. Their venom isn't very harmful but is instead similar in toxicity to that of the bees. Strength of venom is one of the important things that you have to check at the very start of your search for an exotic pet spider. You don't set out to get bitten, but bites can happen. Mild venom may cause significant pain while the venom of a brown recluse can cause HUGE holes to appear in the skin if not taken care of immediately. Hairs on the abdomen of spiders are equally harmful as they may shed it in moments of threat and stress and may cause irritation and great hazard when they get into the eyes. You have several options but, in general, prior to acquiring any type, you have to check with your local government to see if there are policies regulating the acquisition of your spider as a pet. To maintain their suitability to become pets, you have to create a habitat that closely mimics their natural living environment. This need not be expensive or spacious as a simple terrarium may be enough. You also don't have to worry about giving them companions of the same species as they are usually not after socialization. By nature, they are also predatory, thus they may just end up eating any companions you thrust into their presence, even if it is a fellow spider. They may escape you if their habitat isn't secure enough. Therefore, what you have to check is the strictness of the enclosure as spiders are good climbers and they can easily pass through small holes or crevices. Once they are happy in their cage spiders can become the best of exotic pets and keep you pleasantly occupied watching their antics. |