Texas: Hey you know how you and Gordon sometimes wax poetic about moving to Australia, with beautiful beaches and nice hot weather, and random wildlife that tries to murder you?
Me, rubbing my eyes first thing in the morning: Mhm.
Texas: Don’t go. I love you. Look, I’m really trying. I made this just for you. Look how furry it is.
As I was getting out of bed this morning, Gordon opened the door from the bedroom to let the dogs out and was like, “Bring the phone!” That’s the view.
It’s not even the mating season. That’s in august. I just checked and our visitor is still there crawling on the wall. That’s Aphonopelma Hentzi, otherwise known as Texas brown tarantula. A good size, too.
And how is your morning going?
Omg omg omg ????
I hate spiders but out of respect for nature I decided on a strict territorial policy….out if my territory I respect your right to exist….in my territory….you are DEAD..
I’m sure you’ve already had bazillions of posts about this, but just in case… these sweeties look scary, and much like humans when facing a bear, they stand up tall to try and intimidate whatever is scaring them. However, while they might trigger an allergic reaction on susceptible humans, they aren’t deadly and most likely are afraid of you, if they can be scared? Odd that s/he is out in the daytime, though — I thought they were night hunters? Anyway, good morning!
House Andrews are tarantula pet owners and yes, they know of the “Not dangerous” status. It was just funny that he came to say hi ????️
Even though they can get much larger, the Giant Huntsman spider (in Australia of course) isn’t as ???????????????? as this furry tarantula. Go figure ????????♀️
Eh, Texas obviously isn’t even trying. The tarantula can’t even put you in the hospital, much less kill you.
Also, eeeeeeeek! Not a fan of anything spider-ish. Tarantulas look like they might move slowly, and often do, but they can sure put on the speed when they want to. I haven’t seen any tarantulas or scorpions north of Dallas and I hope I don’t. (I am still hoping to see bobcats; at my previous domicile, apparently folks saw two bobcat kittens on the roof once.)
Also, at least it isn’t a dinner-plate sized huntsman spider. Reason 1 why I cannot move to Australia.
Oh. My.Gosh. Heat, humidity, huge tarantulas = No thank you.
Note to self: visit Texas for the bluebonnets. DO NOT move to Texas because of the big-ass tarantulas!!!! (I have a thing about spiders.) Uhn-uhn. Nope. NO WAY!! Weren’t the scorpions bad enough?
is it poisonous?
No :), they are only mildly venomous and pretty docile.
nope!
BTW we do NOT have those in Massachusetts
after spending the last month playing Hogwarts legacy, little spiders do not bother me. Especially ones that will leave you alone if you leave them alone.
I’m reminded of Dessandra when she said “Y’all have the freakiest shit in Atlanta!” Except it’s Texas, evidently. Y’all have the freakiest shit in Texas!
Rattle snakes under the suburban houses, scorpions in the ventilation and early tarantulas on the walls. Texas, you really know how to treat a girl. The spider looks nice and big and should probably find a place with actual vacancy. My mom would love the spider. She did her thesis on those.
Moving further north would solve the creepy crawlies, but you would have done so by now if that was an option.
At least Texas is pretty, despite the big teeth.
Tarantulas and Whip Tail Scorpions live in most of Texas. The ugliest and scariest is the Whip Tail, with huge pincers in the front, large abdomen in the middle, and a long thin tail in the back. If you have a garden, both of them are good bug eaters. Oh, people in Texas call the Whip Tail a Vinegeron, because of its odor, and it’s completely harmless.
Try New Zealand instead of Australia 🙂 No snakes and beautiful scenery
I’ve lived in Texas and have never seen one that close-yikes. However, after having a teen who likes weird pets, I can tell you —that will sell! Grab your net and list him! ????????????
No tarantulas, a fairly nice day today. And another inch of so of snow Friday night into Saturday.
OMG!!!
JFYI I’m Australian, and have a lifelong familiarity with and aversion to giant Huntsman spiders. They are big and furry and they drop and scuttle!
I spray them with about half a can of anti spider spray, and run away until someone else confirms their demise.
I do not rehabilitate them to the yard as they take that as an invitation to return and bring their friends and children and party on over every door and architrave and and ceiling. And car interior. Usually behind the drivers sunblind.
That spider on your wall is bigger that your doorlock! It is whole hand sized at least!
And why is trying for home invasion?
It looks ready to pounce!
I sincerely hope that if you rehabilitated it, then it was taken a long way away by intrepid animal rescue or zoo workers.
It is much too large to wrangle by amateurs.
Noooo put them outside.. they are harmless… LOVE HuNTSIES!!!! Isn’t it funny though how everyone thinks Australia is the only country with snakes and spiders, when we aren’t…
We know you’re not the only one. We just think you’re the worst one :-p
For us arachnophobia’s (is that a word) please warn us giant arachnids ahead. I’ve still got the Hebbie jebbies. Otherwise. Love to read your posts.
There’s also the Chihuahuan Tarantula. I’ve had them as peeping Tom’s, and stalkers when out shooting.
But Texas also has views like this… this is an stack with about an hour long exposure over some bluebonnets.
Whoops, forgot to attach. 🙂
If it’s any consolation, any spider that size in Australia just wants to be roommates and eat your stray flies. It’s only the smaller ones that are venomous…
Nice. Tarantulas keep the scorpions away.
Enjoy.
As someone from Australia.. it amuses me NO END, that people think our country is “dangerous” as opposed to America (guns, mountain lions, bears, humans)…. in my 48 years I’ve seen 3 snakes, numerous spiders (harmless) and that’s about it… the most dangerous thing is people on mobile phones… they are a menace on footpaths and the roads…
Spider and I would have a long talk about how important it is to stay on the outside of the house. Nothing to see inside spider — move along.
Damn a lot to be said for cool climate of my northern Canada. no spiders 4 one
Nope nope nope!!!
The feeling I have upon looking at that creature will be repeated in one of your masterpieces. This is how y’all use everything at your disposal. I thought, “Yes that, that is the terror I sometimes feel when Roland gets going. Thanks.
LOL!!!
I was in Arizona doing the tourist thing with my Dad. We did the Grand Canyon, and while hiking the rim trail (this was fall) I saw a smaller tarantula skittering along from the rim, to?– trying I guess to find a nice warm bolt hole for winter. Alone in the middle of the trail I screamed. Then I looked around for people feeling foolish. I stopped and stared at it. Then I hopped over it gingerly and continued eyes peeled much sharper so that I wouldn’t step on one. The ranger said they crawl out of the canyon in the fall for mating and because it gets too cold down there in the winter. They migrate up from the canyon floor?!! That put paid to any camping I might have considered. I am mildly phobic of snakes and any arachnids. On the other hand, I despise the flying palmettos of Florida (flying cockroaches). Lucky for me I’ve only seen one in my mailbox. The brown anole and green anole lizards seem to be doing a good patrol job of my yard for bugs, and I understand we’ve got a bat colony nearby that snags the flying roaches right out of the air. And iIve only had 1 black snake in the house thanks to the cats. I consider that a success. Long may it stay that way!
Pretty sure even my grown hens wouldn’t be able to handle that.
Today it is very windy, with rain expected. Scratch that, it’s snowing. The hens are gonna be mad. But inside it is quiet and warm.
The new chicklets are peeping away, and eating well, so that’s good.
At least they’re not terribly poisonous. And you can see them coming. It’s the SMALL ones that really scare me.
I’m caught between “Wow! That’s so cool!” and “That’s a big ole spider”. I think seeing that in the a.m. is equivalent to a cup of coffee.
I’ve only ever seen those once in my 52 yrs, after a cycling accident at age 5.
Yes, but did it chase you? Our Aussie Huntsman, gets the blood and the legs pumping. Oh they are harmless enough, but they come with a sense of humour. Like a bunch of yobbos who have tied one on (drunkish) and are out on a dare to make the shielas (women) shreak. It seem to be optimal is done whilst they are on the dunny! (toilet)
It’s mouth is in a place that is inconvenient to bite humans. People who keep them as pets will hold them on their hands. ????????
However , THEY CAN JUMP and scare you to death!
SSSHHHRRIIIEEEKKKK!!!!!!
Are there spiders in Antarctica? Time to move.
Not QUITE what you want to see with your morning coffee but ………. Texas must really love you! After actually choosing to retire in central Texas after The Hubster’s 25-year military career, we have grown to love these guys. They eat things we REALLY don’t want hanging around even though they are truly ugly.
There are worst things in Australia, trust me. You can come visit us in Spain. We have nice beaches, great food. Great weather with 4 beautiful seasons. We are the best option.
Texas bluebonnets are worth the tarantulas! Especially since the tarantulas eat mosquitoes. We have them in Frisco (Dallas suburb) and you can see them come out of their holes in the lawn at dusk. I am a Texan through and through and am proud that y’all chose to live here. I grew up in west Houston near where the Galleria is now, so I really love reading about the Baylor’s activities. It’s like a visit home. Thank you for so many hours of wonderful stories.
I don’t really miss living in the Austin area, lol. When driving through a more desert area of the state, or country, though, it is fun to see a spider crossing the road.
I live in Texas, for a long time right next to the theater where Arabella first publicly changed. I am enormously pleased that you are Texas Authors, I love and have bought all of your works. I just want to remind you that strange wildlife is everywhere, and however greener the grass looks in other places, Texas grass is green too, if you water it enough, we have wonderful flowers, and folks here by and large are very friendly. The BDH is strong in Texas.
Having lived in Australia for three years, I would go back in a heartbeat. I miss it so much. Wonderful people, loved the dramatic weather, loved waking up to kookaburras laughing in the morning… And the screeching cockatoos. LOL. That does take some getting used to.
….. I’m too accident prone to live In Australia. It would be like me double dog daring Death to his face. Lol
Ooh, tarantula! ????. So furry!
Are you sure about Australia? I heard they have a phenomenon called raining spiders or spiders in the sky.
But in all seriousness, I live in Texas – you can keep your tarantula.
That’s a male for me.
Spider of enormous sizes also visit us. I was able to catch & release unharmed Wolf Spider. Big as your face! Hairy legs! Lucky for me, it was not the same morning as yours. I am thankful y’all survived. Texas-what did we do wrong?
Australia is the best. It’s the land of “she’ll be alright mate” and indeed, she’ll be alright, because that’s what Aussies are like. You should go.
I’ve heard they have a spider in Australia that can bite thru a 1 inch rubber shoe sole and kill you, stay in Texas nicer wildlife.
Thought you might like this tic toc thingy re Australia based on this post…
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS8WXAA3o/
And that right there is why I could never follow through with moving South. I will gladly take any day of West Michigan’s weather over one of those amazing creatures. And my husband and children would be severely maimed if they ever woke me up with spiders.
Enjoy this shot of Wilderness State Park/Sturgeon Bay taken during Labor Day Weekend 2022. It’s also dog friendly.