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Lady_Satine
Title: Head of Lexian R&D
Joined: Oct 15 2005
Location: Metro area, Georgia
Posts: 7287
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http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/01/giant-middle-eastern-spider-discovered/
Pictures in the link.
Scientists have unearthed a completely new species of spider hiding in sand dunes on the Israel-Jordan border.
With a legspan that stretches 5.5 inches, the spider, called Cerbalus aravensis, is the biggest of its type in the Middle East. “It is rare to find a new species of spider — at least around this part of the world — which is so big,” said biologist Uri Shanas of the University of Haifa-Oranim in Israel, who discovered the arachnid.
Most of Cerbalus aravensis’s habits remain a mystery, but the researchers say it is nocturnal and most active during the blazing summer heat. The spider lives in an underground den, hidden by a door that swings upwards to welcome unsuspecting prey like lizards and insects. To make the camouflage door, the spider patches together bits of sand.
The researchers believe the spider uses a “sit-and-wait” hunting strategy, biding its time till prey approach, Shanas said.
Unfortunately, the spider’s habitat is under immediate threat, he said. The Israeli government recently approved mining operations in the region, which could wipe out the creature.
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 "Life is a waste of time. Time is a waste of life. Get wasted all the time, and you'll have the time of your life!" |
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Ice2SeeYou
Title: Sexual Tyrannosaurus
Joined: Sep 28 2008
Location: South of Heaven
Posts: 1761
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Jesus fucking christ. Spiders that big remind me of the baby aliens in Aliens.
But in all seriousness, I find venomous creatures fascinating. I was actually just thinking about creating a thread devoted to snakes.
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 Sydlexia.com - Where miserable bastards meet to call each other retards. |
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thomastrioxin
Title: the twenty dollar man
Joined: Jan 13 2010
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 85
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my worst fears have come to life. the house spider/venezuelan tarantula from arachnophobia has bred successfully and is planning an attack!
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 Just when you thought it was safe to be dead |
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JStrangiato
Title: El Hombre Strangiato
Joined: Jun 12 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 1291
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*in Hank Hill voice*
BWAAAAH!!!
Also, I chuckled at this:
"Unfortunately, the spider’s habitat is under immediate threat, he said. The Israeli government recently approved mining operations in the region, which could wipe out the creature."
OH DARN! [/sarcasm]
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 My music/humor blog (R.I.P.): http://lavidastrangiato.blogspot.com/
Chondra "Mrs. Claudio" Sanchez on Enshin a.k.a. Jake Strangiato wrote: |
I really like this person. |
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username
Title: owner of a lonely heart
Joined: Jul 06 2007
Location: phoenix, az usa
Posts: 16131
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well, i would imagine a spider that big wouldnt need to be venomous since it can probably bench press you and then take your manhood.
does the article mention if its poisonous?
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Klimbatize wrote: |
I'll eat a turkey sandwich while blowing my load |
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Douche McCallister
Moderator
Title: DOO-SHAY
Joined: Jan 26 2007
Location: Private Areas
Posts: 5672
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Go Israeli government! Glad it's not me I would die of an anxiety attack.
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Ice2SeeYou
Title: Sexual Tyrannosaurus
Joined: Sep 28 2008
Location: South of Heaven
Posts: 1761
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Now we're gonna have terrorists strapping bombs to the things and sending them down into the mines.
Ok, that was wrong.
But not entirely impossible.
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 Sydlexia.com - Where miserable bastards meet to call each other retards. |
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username
Title: owner of a lonely heart
Joined: Jul 06 2007
Location: phoenix, az usa
Posts: 16131
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strapping bombs? they could just send those solo. its like the rambo or john matrix of spiders
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Klimbatize wrote: |
I'll eat a turkey sandwich while blowing my load |
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pineapple
Joined: Nov 11 2009
Location: Cajun Country
Posts: 1511
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Gave me chills right when the picture loaded.
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JoshWoodzy
Joined: May 22 2008
Location: Goshen, VA
Posts: 6544
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If Michael Meyers was walking down my hall with a butcher knife, I would probably run.
If one of those spiders was walking down my hallway, I would shit my pants, scream in fear and probably try to break my own neck really fast.
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pineapple
Joined: Nov 11 2009
Location: Cajun Country
Posts: 1511
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username
Title: owner of a lonely heart
Joined: Jul 06 2007
Location: phoenix, az usa
Posts: 16131
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Well, I know what I must do now: befriend one of these spiders so it can have my back in case shit ever goes down
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Klimbatize wrote: |
I'll eat a turkey sandwich while blowing my load |
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pineapple
Joined: Nov 11 2009
Location: Cajun Country
Posts: 1511
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Like if spiders ever decide to conquer the world? You're smart man username.
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FNJ
2010 SLF Tag Champ
Joined: Jun 07 2006
Posts: 12294
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Ice2SeeYou wrote: |
Jesus fucking christ. Spiders that big remind me of the baby aliens in Aliens.
But in all seriousness, I find venomous creatures fascinating. I was actually just thinking about creating a thread devoted to snakes. |
which part of the life cycle? face huggers of chest bursters?
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Ice2SeeYou
Title: Sexual Tyrannosaurus
Joined: Sep 28 2008
Location: South of Heaven
Posts: 1761
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FNJ wrote: |
Ice2SeeYou wrote: |
Jesus fucking christ. Spiders that big remind me of the baby aliens in Aliens.
But in all seriousness, I find venomous creatures fascinating. I was actually just thinking about creating a thread devoted to snakes. |
which part of the life cycle? face huggers of chest bursters? |
The face-huggers.
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 Sydlexia.com - Where miserable bastards meet to call each other retards. |
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SoldierHawk
Moderator
Title: Warrior-Poet
Joined: Jan 15 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 6113
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joshwoodzell wrote: |
If Michael Meyers was walking down my hall with a butcher knife, I would probably run.
If one of those spiders was walking down my hallway, I would shit my pants, scream in fear and probably try to break my own neck really fast. |
That's pretty much it. I'm not a spider fan, but I almost never kill them (unless its a widow or a recluse in the garage or something), and actually go out of my way to take them outside rather than squosh them. All bets are off with these giant mofos though.
I wonder if the fact I usually spare little spiders could be used as a barganing chip when these things take over the world...?
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William Shakespeare wrote: |
Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none. |
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Lady_Satine
Title: Head of Lexian R&D
Joined: Oct 15 2005
Location: Metro area, Georgia
Posts: 7287
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sidewaydriver
2010 SLF Tag Champ
Title: ( ͡� 
Joined: May 11 2008
Posts: 6160
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I'm pretty sure Nostradamus predicted the discovery of these spiders and some way they'll tie in with 2012. It'll probably be on the History Channel soon.
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 Shake it, Quake it, Space Kaboom. |
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Doddsino
Joined: Oct 01 2009
Posts: 5316
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Big deal
There's much larger spiders in Italy
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Ross Rifle
Title: Rock N Roll God
Joined: Oct 29 2006
Location: Chilliwack, BC
Posts: 4844
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I'm so scared of spiders I couldn't look at the pictures. I'll just assume.
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Ice2SeeYou
Title: Sexual Tyrannosaurus
Joined: Sep 28 2008
Location: South of Heaven
Posts: 1761
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I can't get over the fact that there are spiders big enough to eat fucking birds.
Fuck you, evolution. There's no need for that shit.
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 Sydlexia.com - Where miserable bastards meet to call each other retards. |
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thomastrioxin
Title: the twenty dollar man
Joined: Jan 13 2010
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 85
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get back you eight legged freaks!- david arquette
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ChiSoxFan
Title: Chicago Sports Fan
Joined: May 11 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 184
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Ice2SeeYou wrote: |
I can't get over the fact that there are spiders big enough to eat fucking birds.
Fuck you, evolution. There's no need for that shit. |
+1. Spiders make me really nervous. I can't sleep if I see one in my room near bedtime. I have to kill the fucker before I can rest easy.
Same with centipedes or other creepy crawlie critters.
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 PSN & Xbox LIVE gamertag - ChiSoxFan913
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Blackout
Title: Captain Oblivious
Joined: Sep 01 2007
Location: That Rainy State
Posts: 10376
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Wow, kill it with  !
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