Question On Spider Feet

[GreyPsyche]

So I'm trying to develop a theory...I'll leave it unexplained for now as it'll become apparent by the question and the conversations that arise below...

The blue/green iridescent feet on tarantulas. Can anyone name an obligate borrower/fossorial or even terrestrial Ts which have these awesome adaptations because I notice them more on arboreal Ts?

 

[GreyPsyche]

Any others besides OBTs? This species is what led me to this question? I'm not so sure the coloring is just a warning threat as I stumbled on another thread that described their use as a climbing adaptation. Which leads me to believe that OBTs are like some freak of nature adapting to everything.

 

[BobBarley]

Any others besides OBTs? This species is what led me to this question? I'm not so sure the coloring is just a warning threat as I stumbled on another thread that described their use as a climbing adaptation. Which leads me to believe that OBTs are like some freak of nature adapting to everything.

I'm fairly certain all/most OW have it, regardless of their behaviors. Many NW do too. I believe my Pamphobeteus sp. "Santo Domingo Goliath"s do

 

[WeightedAbyss75]

I believe almost all (if not all) arboreals have the iridescent feet. Never seen one without it, and would be interested to know if there are some like that. I know most OW's have it, but never noticed the green/blue sheen on any of my NW terrestrials. They just seem to lack it for some reason.

 

[miss moxie]

My understanding is that the scopulae are present on all tarantula feet, just some Ts have more dense scopulae and it is that higher density that makes it more reflective. Arboreals rely on their climbing ability more than terrestrials and fossorials therefore have denser scapulae, ergo more reflective feet.

That's just how I've interpreted what I've read. I could be dead wrong.

 

[GreyPsyche]

That's exactly what I'm getting at, it supports my theory that OBTs pretty much just adapt to all situations. Do M Balfouri have this adaptation?

 

[miss moxie]

That's exactly what I'm getting at, it supports my theory that OBTs pretty much just adapt to all situations.

I sure hope you're wrong.

All we need is flying OBTs.

 

[14pokies]

That's exactly what I'm getting at, it supports my theory that OBTs pretty much just adapt to all situations.

I shared a video of Guy Tansley collecting Black color form P.murinus from a tree trunk. It's home was maybe three or four feet up in the tree between the layers of bark.

 

[14pokies]

My understanding is that the scopulae are present on all tarantula feet, just some Ts have more dense scopulae and it is that higher density that makes it more reflective. Arboreals rely on their climbing ability more than terrestrials and fossorials therefore have denser scapulae, ergo more reflective feet.

That's just how I've interpreted what I've read. I could be dead wrong.

Yuup..

 

[JoshDM020]

I sure hope you're wrong.

All we need is flying OBTs.

"Hey, whats in this bird cage?"
"NO GET AWAY FROM TH-"
And thats why frank never returned...

 

[OliverWhatever]

My understanding is that the scopulae are present on all tarantula feet, just some Ts have more dense scopulae and it is that higher density that makes it more reflective. Arboreals rely on their climbing ability more than terrestrials and fossorials therefore have denser scapulae, ergo more reflective feet.

It's an effect called structural coloration, if I am not mistaken, caused by how the light interferes with the microscopic setules on their scopulae in a very sciency way I lack the understanding and vocabulary to explain, or even understand properly.

 

[miss moxie]

I shared a video of Guy Tansley collecting Black color form P.murinus from a tree trunk. It's home was maybe three or four feet up in the tree between the layers of bark.

Well, correct me if I am wrong but OBTs like to web up a storm, right? Akin to GBBs. It is plausible that their shiny toesies help them climb on their webbing and climb to create their webbing, right? And since they have these climber's toesies, perhaps that is why they sometimes climb into tree trunks and make their homes there?

I counter-propose that OBTs have climby-feet to aid in their heavy-webbing nature, and then use them to climb when they are so inclined-- rather than they grew climby-feet to adapt to everything.

 

[14pokies]

Well, correct me if I am wrong but OBTs like to web up a storm, right? Akin to GBBs. It is plausible that their shiny toesies help them climb on their webbing and climb to create their webbing, right? And since they have these climber's toesies, perhaps that is why they sometimes climb into tree trunks and make their homes there?

I counter-propose that OBTs have climby-feet to aid in their heavy-webbing nature, and then use them to climb when they are so inclined-- rather than they grew climby-feet to adapt to everything.

Yea they are like chilos. Give them alot of sub they will make a tomb. Give them minimal sub they will attach web to the walls and make a den that way. Give them hot, hard baked dirt and they will live in a tree a few feet away from a busy road in Africa.

They are incredibly adaptive..

Whether there dense scopulae have evolved to grip to there web or to aid them in adapting in harsh environments( meaning living arboreal if necessary) I have no idea.

 

[miss moxie]

Yea they are like chilos. Give them alot of sub they will make a tomb. Give them minimal sub they will attach web to the walls and make a den that way. Give them hot, hard baked dirt and they will live in a tree a few feet away from a busy road in Africa.

They are incredibly adaptive..

Ah, of course. And if they can find no prey they will gladly thrive on your pain and suffering.

So I suppose P. murinus are more like...semi-arboreal semi-fossorial terrestrials.

 

[BobBarley]

Yea they are like chilos. Give them alot of sub they will make a tomb. Give them minimal sub they will attach web to the walls and make a den that way. Give them hot, hard baked dirt and they will live in a tree a few feet away from a busy road in Africa.

They are incredibly adaptive..

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't many baboons like this?

Perhaps not to that extent?

 

[14pokies]

Ah, of course. And if they can find no prey they will gladly thrive on your pain and suffering.

So I suppose P. murinus are more like...semi-arboreal semi-fossorial terrestrials.

Most likey and possibly.. Lol

 

[14pokies]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't many baboons like this?

Perhaps not to that extent?

I can't speak for most baboons but from the species I have kept. My P.muts won't web a ton if not offered a reasonable amount of sub to burrow along with a hide of some sort they will huddle in a corner stressed out with maybe a tiny amount of webbing. Same with my H.crassipes pair.

My H.macs are alot like P.murinus in the way they will burrow and use bark as hides and anchor points for webbing.

The only difference is that at night my H.macs show a strong tendancy to hang out in elevated areas of the enclosure where as P.murinus show a strong preference for hanging out close to the sub.

That's about all the experience I have with baboons.. Ma name is pokies for a reason

 

[GreyPsyche]

This has turned into a good discussion and a clear reason why I love OBTs, haha. I'm considering giving my OBT an enclosure with one side lots of dirt and on the other a place to climb.

 

[miss moxie]

I can only speak for the slings, but both of my A. ezendami slings chose to web instead of burrow in a 16oz. deli container.

 

[14pokies]

This has turned into a good discussion and a clear reason why I love OBTs, haha. I'm considering giving my OBT an enclosure with one side lots of dirt and on the other a place to climb.

I would bet it utilizes both sides but shows a preference to the side with more substrate..