I posted this on a couple of reptile boards, it is actually heavily oriented towards Arachnids and Insects so have a look and enjoy...
As some of you may remember… I am an American living in the southern Mexico state of Guerrero. I had been living in a respectably good size town. We recently moved a ways out into a small village. I have gone from a 4th floor apartment to a house surrounded by jungle and the beach.
We have a large rock garden in the yard as well as open areas. I have been amazed at the biodiversity that has presented itself in the short time we have been here.
Across the street…
In addition, the house had been uninhabited for nearly a year prior. Many of the creatures that had taken up residence under squatters rights failed to receive or adhere to the eviction notice given prior to our arrival…
Here is a sample of the fun found in and around the house in the last couple of weeks.
I am all for a few spiders and geckos in the house to keep the pest population down, but I can be pushed to my limits…
This was found in the bedroom on night 3, the locals say it is “not dangerous” it just hurts a hell of a lot.
This one, found just outside is apparently a different story…
These little ones, we are told, grow into something less then polite as well. This one was found in our daughters’ bed
There were a lot of these Amblypygi around inside as well, including one almost as big as a dinner plate. These smaller palm size individuals aren’t so bad. Night 2 however found me with one of them on my face in my sleep. It did not survive the encounter.
Some animals are far less offensive, though these bat size moths (as well as actual bats) will startle you sometimes
Having a cup of coffee on the porch one morning I noticed a “ruckus” at the base of a tree. I watched as this fellow began making his way up the tree with surprising speed and agility (Salvadora mexicana)
The decent was not quite as graceful…
And his apparent target seemed cautious, but overall unimpressed at the acrobatics (Sceloporus pyrocephalus)
There are several large Ctenosaurs on the rocks but, I believe, due to heavy hunting in the area they avoid my camera like the plague. Here is a baby munching flowers in the garden…
This mantis literally landed at my feet. I had no idea that such a magnificent creature existed here, let alone in my yard!
One day I saw what I thought was a large piece of crumpled paper, looking closer I found it was an elephant beetle. I had been hoping to find one of these massive scarabs here.
Breeding season for the local tarantulas brings many males wandering…
A nice stick insect
Lots of Ameivas of all sizes, here is a nice male
I heard some birds chattering outside. When I went to investigate I saw these columns of army ants coming over the wall towards the house. I had actually talked to my Mom stateside about the possibility of this happening and how to handle it, which was that I don’t know. For those who do not know, army ants travel in groups of thousands. They do not have a stationary nest, but rather “bivouac” at night and move in the day. They are voracious predators, dismantling and consuming any living creature they are able to catch. Here they are making their appearance
An anole watches nervously as they pass below
Insects began raining down from the tree above as they leapt to escape the attackers. Lizards scurried from the path and the army moved towards the house
They entered the house by the hundreds, covering two walls.
Insects began appearing from nowhere. There was nothing to do but watch. I went to pick up my wife from work mid invasion; we did not get back until after dark. I entered the house cautiously, thinking the worst, imagining they had developed a taste for electronics and the computers would be gone. I flipped the light switch to find…nothing… they had all cleared out for the night. They were here I swear.
The jungle next door looks like it will have some great opportunities for wildlife. I have a hard time getting past these images though. Every opening in trees is like this, and every spider here, when outstretched is at least as big as your palm.
Here are a couple of cool little frogs found in the yard as well. ID’s on these would be appreciated.
A couple more beetles…
Some Sceloporus
And saving the best for last…This young Indigo snake was cruising thru the rocks across the yard. I was unable to get any in situ shots, so a couple of posed pics and I sent him on his way.
So I hope you enjoyed this little adventure around the yard.
As some of you may remember… I am an American living in the southern Mexico state of Guerrero. I had been living in a respectably good size town. We recently moved a ways out into a small village. I have gone from a 4th floor apartment to a house surrounded by jungle and the beach.
We have a large rock garden in the yard as well as open areas. I have been amazed at the biodiversity that has presented itself in the short time we have been here.
Across the street…
In addition, the house had been uninhabited for nearly a year prior. Many of the creatures that had taken up residence under squatters rights failed to receive or adhere to the eviction notice given prior to our arrival…
Here is a sample of the fun found in and around the house in the last couple of weeks.
I am all for a few spiders and geckos in the house to keep the pest population down, but I can be pushed to my limits…
This was found in the bedroom on night 3, the locals say it is “not dangerous” it just hurts a hell of a lot.
This one, found just outside is apparently a different story…
These little ones, we are told, grow into something less then polite as well. This one was found in our daughters’ bed
There were a lot of these Amblypygi around inside as well, including one almost as big as a dinner plate. These smaller palm size individuals aren’t so bad. Night 2 however found me with one of them on my face in my sleep. It did not survive the encounter.
Some animals are far less offensive, though these bat size moths (as well as actual bats) will startle you sometimes
Having a cup of coffee on the porch one morning I noticed a “ruckus” at the base of a tree. I watched as this fellow began making his way up the tree with surprising speed and agility (Salvadora mexicana)
The decent was not quite as graceful…
And his apparent target seemed cautious, but overall unimpressed at the acrobatics (Sceloporus pyrocephalus)
There are several large Ctenosaurs on the rocks but, I believe, due to heavy hunting in the area they avoid my camera like the plague. Here is a baby munching flowers in the garden…
This mantis literally landed at my feet. I had no idea that such a magnificent creature existed here, let alone in my yard!
One day I saw what I thought was a large piece of crumpled paper, looking closer I found it was an elephant beetle. I had been hoping to find one of these massive scarabs here.
Breeding season for the local tarantulas brings many males wandering…
A nice stick insect
Lots of Ameivas of all sizes, here is a nice male
I heard some birds chattering outside. When I went to investigate I saw these columns of army ants coming over the wall towards the house. I had actually talked to my Mom stateside about the possibility of this happening and how to handle it, which was that I don’t know. For those who do not know, army ants travel in groups of thousands. They do not have a stationary nest, but rather “bivouac” at night and move in the day. They are voracious predators, dismantling and consuming any living creature they are able to catch. Here they are making their appearance
An anole watches nervously as they pass below
Insects began raining down from the tree above as they leapt to escape the attackers. Lizards scurried from the path and the army moved towards the house
They entered the house by the hundreds, covering two walls.
Insects began appearing from nowhere. There was nothing to do but watch. I went to pick up my wife from work mid invasion; we did not get back until after dark. I entered the house cautiously, thinking the worst, imagining they had developed a taste for electronics and the computers would be gone. I flipped the light switch to find…nothing… they had all cleared out for the night. They were here I swear.
The jungle next door looks like it will have some great opportunities for wildlife. I have a hard time getting past these images though. Every opening in trees is like this, and every spider here, when outstretched is at least as big as your palm.
Here are a couple of cool little frogs found in the yard as well. ID’s on these would be appreciated.
A couple more beetles…
Some Sceloporus
And saving the best for last…This young Indigo snake was cruising thru the rocks across the yard. I was unable to get any in situ shots, so a couple of posed pics and I sent him on his way.
So I hope you enjoyed this little adventure around the yard.
