Yup! The hooks are undeniable!
3 Likes
Shortly after I got to work, I got this text from one of my team members summoning me to our classroom. 
Here’s the culprit.
4 Likes
Cool! What is it, besides it being a spider?
3 Likes
It was an unusually dark wolf spider. Most of the wolves I see around here are more grey or tan, but this girl was almost black. Pretty good size, too. Not quite as big as Tala was, but close. And judging by how plump she is, I’m guessing she’s about to drop an egg sac. I released her in the orchard after using her to scare a few of my coworkers. 
3 Likes
Hmmmmm. Wolf spider! I never would have guessed that! Shame on you for scaring your people! But I think it’s funny!
3 Likes
Very cool! Love wolf spiders!
3 Likes
I know, I’m terrible, but sometimes I can’t help myself.
When one of my coworkers was facing away from me, I said (in the most earnest tone I could muster), “Hey Irene, do you want to meet my new friend?” She said of course she did, turned around, saw the spider in the cup, and screamed so loud that everyone rushed out of their offices to see what happened.
3 Likes
Holy cow Jennifer! Poor Irene! Seriously though, a couple of years ago I would have screamed as well. But now I would be asking if you were going to keep it or give it away! . My how things have changed!
3 Likes
In my slight defense, Irene should really know me well enough by now to know that any “new friend” of mine is not going to be someone she wants to meet.
3 Likes
I just caught my first glimpse of Pompeii the lava spider in months. I’ve been reasonably confident she’s still alive because her crickets kept disappearing, but this is the first I’ve laid eyes on her in 3-4 months. And even so, it was just a flash of orange and black legs as they grabbed the cricket and then disappeared again. Still a relief!
5 Likes
Yay! I’m so glad you finally got to see her if for no more than a split second! At least you know she is still there! Besides the disappearing crickets! 
3 Likes
Yeah, it’s always a relief when you can actually lay eyes on your most expensive spider.
Astor the Avicularia purperea (purple pink toe) was posing nicely at the top of her web tower. She recently molted and has put on quite a bit of size. Part of me is anxious for her to start being, y’know, purple, but I do rather like the blueish colour she is now.
3 Likes
Awwww! She’s got big beautiful feet!
3 Likes
Those are some serious stompers on that spider!
4 Likes
Yeah, I do love the big fluffy front legs on arboreal Ts! To be fair, I think the angle of the photo is exaggerating the effect a bit, but she does have big feet.
2 Likes
I think she is absolutely adorable Jennifer!
2 Likes
I saw SOOOO many gorgeous little T slings at the recent Expo I attended, and I realized just how all of you have so many Ts - how could I choose between them all???
5 Likes
The struggle is real! It took me well over a year to decide which arboreal species I wanted. And technically I didn’t really decide, one of the species I was considering just turned up on sale, so that decided for me.
5 Likes
