@Mark 2000: curious though how big were the spiders back 300 million years ago? It might seem small in this rendering...but for all we know it was the size of our hands or bigger.
I'm terrified of spiders but they're unbelievably fascinating from an evolutionary point of view. I mean, they've changed so little in such a long period.
It is amazing how tick like they look. We had a fossilized spider at a museum I worked the body alone was the size of a small dog. It was as best anyone could make out fairly similar to todays arachnids. Of course todays arachnids don't make you want to get a leash and collar for them, well maybe the bird eating spiders.
@DeusExMach may or may not be a star-bellied...:
While this will not remove your concerns over spiders I have to retract my statement earlier. The species I had know has been revealed to be a sea scorpion. This is what I get for not keeping up on relevant paleontological information. I do not retract my thoughts on a leash and collar for bird eating spiders.
@Grinning Kestrel: I know they're not spiders... But they ARE arachnids. They're actually called Solifugae. They're man-hunter spiders (but really, they're just trying to stay in the shade of passing humans) And I call any creature with 8 or more legs a "FUCKING KILL IT!"
@DeusExMach may or may not be a star-bellied...: Yeah, that famous photo from the internets had a very good depth of field which makes gauging size to everything else in the photograph very difficult. Camel Spiders aren't much bigger than any tarantula in North America. And they only chase you to stay in your shadow. I have a friend that had a little terrarium in Iraq where he kept a couple of them as pets.
The camel spider stories you hear are just the natives' way of screwing with whitey.
@DeusExMach may or may not be a star-bellied...:
I know what Wind Scorpions aka Camel Spiders are. What I should have said is the urban myth of foot long Camel Spiders is bull shit. That picture above is fake.
@MacBandit: nope. Been to the desert myself. They are real, as is that pic of TWO camelspiders doing the deed. Each one is easily the size of one standard-size boony-hat. They are most definitely not an urban legend.
Edited by DeusExMach wonders what the hell happened to his star. at 08/06/09 10:55 AM
DeusExMach wonders what the hell happened to his star. was starred
DeusExMach wonders what the hell happened to his star. was unstarred
@DeusExMach may or may not be a star-bellied...:
You should have captured one and taken it to a University to be documented. The largest scientifically documented Solifugae that I can find had a body just under 8" long".
These were just the babies. In my time jumps, I spent a week in that time period. I found that if you catch them (watch out for their bite!) and cook them over a pit for about 20 minutes they are actually quite tasty... and crunchy.
Ok, I'm guilty... that's why they actually became extinct. Lesson learned.. don't eat the wildlife, and don't stomp on butterflys.
@Christian Pacheco: "... I am sending you a revised drawing with the correct number of legs as full payment for any amount outstanding. I trust this will bring the matter to a conclusion."
08/05/09
Well, if it's like... 10 feet tall I'd say yeah, it's scary.
But if it's small like today's spider, I'd say it's pretty standard...
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Not so scary. Looks like a Spiny Orb Weaver. They're harmless and adorable.
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you suck.
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Camel spiders are fake.
The spider species in the 3d image above only got to about the size of a quarter.
08/05/09
While this will not remove your concerns over spiders I have to retract my statement earlier. The species I had know has been revealed to be a sea scorpion. This is what I get for not keeping up on relevant paleontological information. I do not retract my thoughts on a leash and collar for bird eating spiders.
08/05/09
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@Grinning Kestrel: I know they're not spiders... But they ARE arachnids. They're actually called Solifugae. They're man-hunter spiders (but really, they're just trying to stay in the shade of passing humans) And I call any creature with 8 or more legs a "FUCKING KILL IT!"
08/05/09
The camel spider stories you hear are just the natives' way of screwing with whitey.
08/05/09
08/06/09
I know what Wind Scorpions aka Camel Spiders are. What I should have said is the urban myth of foot long Camel Spiders is bull shit. That picture above is fake.
08/06/09
08/06/09
You should have captured one and taken it to a University to be documented. The largest scientifically documented Solifugae that I can find had a body just under 8" long".
08/05/09
Ok, I'm guilty... that's why they actually became extinct. Lesson learned.. don't eat the wildlife, and don't stomp on butterflys.
08/05/09
If they announce that they're trying to do a Jurassic Park on this sucker, I'm outa here!
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@erichg14: it does look like he carries a big piece
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I figured it would have looked something like this.
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@Christian Pacheco: "... I am sending you a revised drawing with the correct number of legs as full payment for any amount outstanding. I trust this will bring the matter to a conclusion."
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Wait, this is small size spider...never mind. go about your business.
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@Lukasz Fabis: Damn, forgot they added a button for that now.