Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1890-10-12
ARIZONA TARANTULAS.
The Ways OF the Horrid Spider and Its
Enemy. the Tarantula Hawk


The great spider called the tarantula
whose entire surroundings are so full of
interest. is Justly an object of dread to
man and beast. Latin names for the
creature have been bountifuly supplied,
and il is somewhat difficult to decide
which are most deserving. The title of
Mvgale HentZi seems TO fit the Arizona
variety tolerably well.
The Mygale sometimes spreads over
six inches square, but more frequently
four to five-inches. The writer has at
the present time Stuifedspecimen that
extends about six and a half inches.
A shaggy coat of hair covers the sur
face of the great spider. 1t is supplied
with six strong, bony legs, and two dan
gerouS pedipals or strikers, each armed
with a sharp sting and poison sac. The
strikers are frequently mistaken for
two front legs and from this arises the
idea that the creature has StlngS on
its .eet. Two powerful projections. re-
sembling Jaws. protrude from the
head. Under each of these Is a
curved poison fang. similar to cats
claw. but longer exactly like those
of a rattleSnake, which may be lifted,
extended and hooked into the victim.
A person thus stung Tor bitten?) must
cut the tarantula away at once, for the
spider does not seem willing TO unlock
its fangs.
There are two varieties in Arizona:
The large. bhck, So-called Texas taran-
lula. fierce and quarrelSome species,
and n somewhat smaller kind, brown
heavier built. and less aggressive. The
hair surrounding the mouth of taran-
tula is of Crimson color. The reptile
must be TURNED on its back TO see this.
The venomou, tarantula, in spite of all
discussions to the contrary, does build
and live in the trap door spider nest.
There seems to be a current idea that
the trap dOor spider is harmless,
which is certainly erroneous. 1t
uses no web net, easily capturing its
prey by extraordinary springs. Those
who have seen this arachnidan by day
light can have little idea of its power
and feetneSs. During the day it moves
slowly and clunSily in the dazzling light,
but when DARKNESS comes 1t can move
with ease and certainty. Credible ac-
counts have appeared stating that the
tarantula can leap sixteen feet Re
peated statements have credited ii with
leaps of three feet or more. In the year
1870, or near that date, three men dis
turbed several tarantula nests in San
Diego. They were Immediately attack
cd by the huge spiders, and had to run
for their lives, taking refuge in the
waters of the bay.
1t is almost impossible for one who
isn't well informed to locate the taran-
tula'S eyes. The first time the writer
looked for them the result was utter
failure. and ended in the conviction that
the reptile was blind. But it has eyes
six almost invisible specs no larger
than the point of a pin, mounted on a
& ny setting that grows out of the back.
Two peer forward, two sideways, and
two behind. The head and trunk, by
the way. are all one piece.
Tarantulas are considered deadly foes
to each other, and are seldom found in
company When imprisoned together
there is fight, one SubcumbS and is
eaten by the victor Nature has done a
service in making the tarautula so hide
GUS and formidable 4 looking object.
Indeed it is owing to this responsiveness
that no greater number of persons are
stung. The sight of the great. hairy
spider crawling near by will cause a
cold, creeping sensation down the back
of almost any one.
The Mygale poison is of fearful
nature; more dreaded than that OF a
rattleSnake: and unless very slightly
scratched and heroic measures used tho
result is fatal. Many deaths are on rec
ord caused by these spiders. The mos
prolonged suffering was that of San
Diego woman. \ tarantula sank it:
fangS in her hand during the night
The flesh was cut away with a raZOl
and medical assistance summoned a
once. Her life was prolonged for