The Tarantulas

The day before yesterday, some of the boys came in talking about a "big spider." Ok, cool. We gave them the normal don't-touch-it talk and they went back outside. Then Isaac rushed in shortly after talking about a "tarantula!" Ooookay... Aunt Judi went out to check on the kids and came flying back inside and confirmed that there was an actual tarantula in the backyard. Of course, I grabbed a couple cups and dashed out to see the boys huddled on the porch pointing and staring at a black spot on the green grass. Sure enough, it was a good-sized Mexican Golden Red Rump tarantula - a beginner's domestic tarantula. I caught it in the cup and then a couple of the older (teenage) boys dared me to hold it in my hand. Psh, please.

 Mexican Golden Red Rump

Yep, that's a wild tarantula in my bare hands.

 Lesson for the kids on what NOT to touch without an adult

 Trust me, this didn't last long. Derek flung it halfway across the yard. Lol!

And then it happened again yesterday. Garret came tearing in yelling for me to come see (and catch) another tarantula. I didn't bother with the cup this time, but this tarantula was quite a bit more agitated than the last and kept rushing up my arm. It made it all the way to the top of my shoulder and almost to my hair once (which, honestly, surprised me a lot) but the teenage girls that screeched watching it run up my arm made me crack up. I didn't let any of the kids hold it this time, but Aunt Debbie was totally game.

 No cup this time!

Close up

 Lots more kids were out yesterday. Shelley, Derek, Logan and Jamie were the only ones who wanted to get close. What you can't see is the ring of teenagers about 3 feet out.

Yeah, Aunt Debbie!