New Trogloraptor spiders discovered in US caves

Scientists in the United States say they have found a new family of spiders in the caves of California and Oregon.

It is the first such discovery in North America for more than 140 years.

Spanning more than seven centimetres with its legs extended, the 'Trogloraptor' or 'cave robber' has pointed fearsome claws.

Curator of Arachnology at the California Academy of Sciences, Charles Griswold, told the Today programme presenter Sarah Montague that the discovery marked a "historic moment".

www.bbc.co.uk...
Neat find heres a new friend spider pretty much it.

I do not know how this is a conspiracy. But I generally like spiders so I will star and flag this. It is great that this was discovered by amateurs. They must be very excited and proud.

Is it poisonous?

Do they tell that?

Originally posted by groingrinder
I do not know how this is a conspiracy. But I generally like spiders so I will star and flag this. It is great that this was discovered by amateurs. They must be very excited and proud.

It ain't, just searching the net saw this. Figured others might like it. thanks

reply to post by sirnukeem


Pretty cool buggers. Here are some pics.

I would not want to find one on my wall.

Originally posted by WarJohn
Is it poisonous?

Do they tell that?

I don't believe so, it would say. Maybe it is.

Man, looks like 'm not venturing into any caves next time I'm exploring OR...thanks OP!

Cool find though.

reply to post by sirnukeem


I love spiders , good find i must of missed that so i will be watching your link

reply to post by sirnukeem


Next on the Syfy channel: Trogloraptor Unleashed!
Giant cave spiders discovered by amateurs invade the countryside growing to gigantic proportions in the light of day with plentiful food above aground.

Veterans of Skyrim called in for support.

What a cool (but seriously creepy...) new spider.

And an even cooler name. Someone had fun naming that one!

Kill it with FIRE!!!

*heebie-jeebies*

Originally posted by sirnukeem

Originally posted by WarJohn
Is it poisonous?

Do they tell that?

I don't believe so, it would say. Maybe it is.

Most spiders are venomous. It is their "edge". You can tell by the venom sacks at the tips of their "fangs". When they are full they look like little balloons. Look at the size of those venom sacks! And the "spiral" needle injectors.

(shudder)

reply to post by watchitburn


with a name like Trogloraptor
i was expecting the earth equivalent of a face hugger

cave explorer/ spelunker: what was that ?!

cave explorer/ spelunker' GF: what was what ?

cave explorer/ spelunker: up there,[shines light on ceiling] somethings...

FWAP!!!

MMMGFGRFFF!!!!

cave explorer/ spelunker' GF: AAAIIIIEEEEKKKK!!!!!

I, for one, am terrified of spiders.
What a weird looking one. The legs are so strange.
How big is this? I am not one for metric measurements.

reply to post by sirnukeem


I remember i had a goliath spider and one day while the missus was assleep i went
down to check on it grab a sandwhich when i noticed the lid was open..So i looked all
around and couldnt find the thing.Sod it i thought so i ran back upstairs went to get into
bed when i found it..Sitting right on the missus face like something out of alien the film.
I was in a right dillema as i didnt want to wake her up oh noo bad idea.I thought hope
she dosent turn over lmao .What shall i do what shall i do imagine that .While pacing
up and down for what seemed an eternity , i looked round and the thing had gone .

I never did find it again... true story..

reply to post by DerepentLEstranger


I don't mind spiders, I respect them as a predator, and I try not to kill them unless they are crawling on my bare skin. But I hate walking through spider-webs. Makes my skin crawl.

Oh man, I just remembered this little adventure I had about 10 yrs ago or so.
I was really drunk and I found a Black Widow, it was a pretty big sucker too. I thought it would be the funniest thing in the world if I bit it too death.

Obviously I'm still here, so fate was in my favor. And thus occurred the only time that I am aware of that a Black Widow died from a human bite.

Thinking back, I am very lucky. I don't know how long a drunk person would last after taking a Black Widow bite to the tongue.

Originally posted by watchitburn
reply to post by DerepentLEstranger

 

I don't mind spiders, I respect them as a predator, and I try not to kill them unless they are crawling on my bare skin. But I hate walking through spider-webs. Makes my skin crawl.

Oh man, I just remembered this little adventure I had about 10 yrs ago or so.
I was really drunk and I found a Black Widow, it was a pretty big sucker too. I thought it would be the funniest thing in the world if I bit it too death.

Obviously I'm still here, so fate was in my favor. And thus occurred the only time that I am aware of that a Black Widow died from a human bite.

Thinking back, I am very lucky. I don't know how long a drunk person would last after taking a Black Widow bite to the tongue.

Um, ewwwww.

Just wondering, have you ever heard of the Darwin Awards?

reply to post by watchitburn


whoah!!!

reply to post by denver22


i think i know where your spider went.

down the hatch

oh well, it's protein isn't it?

reply to post by grumpydaysleeper

1 inch = 2.54 centimeters. These are about 5 centimeters across, so with legs spread out, about two inches.

Medium as arachnids go. Wouldn't want to Indiana Jones a mess of these in a cave though.

Why oh why did I even click that darn link!!

A spider with "raptor" in its name? Oh no, no way am I going anywhere near caves. I will admit to being arachnophobic, my fear of them is irrational. Even with the vacuum cleaner's hose and extension I still get sick and start to shake just trying to suck them up.