heteropoda venatoria

The brown huntsman spider, Heteropoda venatoria, is found in many tropical and subtropical parts of the world, including Asia, some Mascarene and Caribbean islands, the Southeastern US, and (especially) Australia. In Hawaii, where it was introduced, it is known as the cane spider. They are fairly large, some having a leg span of approximately five inches (13 centimetres). Although they are rather fearsome in appearance, they are very easily alarmed by the approach of humans and will very rapidly flee.

The male typically has a slender body, longer and thinner legs, and a distinctive pattern on his carapace. Both male and female are reddish-brown to grayish-brown in color, and slightly hairy.

Brown huntsman spiders do not spin webs. These spiders are known to hunt by waiting quietly on a vertical surface (or even a ceiling) and then rushing forward when their prey gets within close range. Their exceptional agility and speed, as well as their ability to contort and squeeze through tight spaces, give them a strong advantage both in capturing prey and evading predators. They feed at night. Brown huntsmen are welcomed in some homes, as they feed on pests such as roaches and silverfish. The brown huntsman spider is also known as the "laya" in some parts of the world.

Ginger 62

My last night in Vancouver Shannon and I went a little off the rails.





Here is the photographic evidence...




I think that my bright idea of doing shots at 3PM wasn't so bright after all.



But the shots we did at 6PM were a gift so those aren't my fault












Poor Whit looks a little shell shocked. Thankfully she did a fantastic job of catching up!

HUGE spider!!!

I want you to open your hand up all the way.
Without a word of a lie, that is how big this spider is that we found IN OUR HOME!

Where's Ella??

Can you find Ella?

She's in the middle about 3 rows from the front

an oldie but a goodie

Remember when a tiny kitten found it's way into Dad and Judy's house?

Ella has a real way with animals!!

Ella and Bango playing in the grass

Mid Autumn Lantern Festival on the beach

A and G came for a late night playdate on the beach to celebrate the Mid Autumn festival




Ella with her glow stick necklace so we wouldn't lose her in the dark. Of course she lost the necklace within seconds and then ran around all night in the dark


A and G in their glowing bunny ears

















Julia bunny















Even Bango came to celebrate!
(Why does Suds take so many photos of me with my mouth full? Or maybe why am I always eating is the better question?)

Last day with Bango

Bango giving bye bye kisses





























Yes Julia is biting Ella :)

Banjo the puppy

I've always wondered about those people.
The people with a zoo of animals and a gaggle of kids. How can you take care of a gerbil, 2 cats, a parakeet, a dog and a miniature pony?

Now I am one of them. How did that happen? And how all in one week?

This week our brood increased by a tank of Sea Monsters (Sea Monkeys when I was little), a preying mantis, a jar of crickets to feed the mantis, and now a puppy.

Granted, by the end of the week they could all easily be gone.... the mantis back outside where Leah found him, the crickets back to the grass, the Monsters down the drain and the puppy back to the rescue people.

We agreed to foster Banjo the dog for 1 week initially to see how it goes. But even if it goes really well, we are only foster parents until a permanent home is found. You hear that? No matter what, we are not keeping this puppy!!