Thunder + Tarantulas = ?

[MizM]

My friend e-mailed me the other day with a GREAT T question... Do Ts "hear" thunder? Evidently they were having a thunder storm, and the Ts were going crazy!

Personally, I theorize that they are certainly aware of it. It produces vibration, is caused by an electrical charge, and makes a loud sound. But... HOW are they aware of it? (CodeMonkey, I'm SURE you have an answer for this one with your intelligence quotient of 986, mine is only 500! )

 

[Godzilla2000]

One very fried arachnid.

 

[MizM]

Gojira, it's flied, like-a flied lice!!=D

 

[mdfic]

living in florida i am treated daily to a thunderstorm. my t's a. avic and g. rosea both tap the sides of their respective habitats as if they were trying to communicate with the thunder gods they also come out from hiding as if they were preparing for a bath or something. i think that the avic only does it because my rosie does it. she picked up the behavior. the aboriginies of australia have marvelous stories about animal behavior and rain. seems to me that a lot of animals and plants prepare for storms and welcome them. they also sem to say thank you for the cleansing purity from the skies

 

[wsimms]

I don't know about T's in particular, but one hypothesis for higher animals is that they sense the drop in barometric pressure accompanying a thunderstorm.
W

 

[Code Monkey]

Thunder is a very low sound; it travels farther than higher pitched sounds, and the vibration is more noticeable, even to us, as a physical disturbance. So, first off, I would speculate that they can clearly "hear" the thunder in some form as it would trigger their sensitive vibration detecting setae.

Secondarily, I suspect that they might even be keyed to respond to thunder (and consequently thunderstorms) in a dramatic fashion. A T caught out in a T-storm would be in need of shelter, and a T in their burrow would have to be cautious for flooding. So, between the thunder and change in barometric pressure already noted, it's likely they react instinctively to the oncoming storm (shingled, water-proofed roofs not being part of their normal environment for the vast majority of their time on Earth) and are trying to get to better shelter.

 

[greensleeves]

Originally posted by Code Monkey
A T caught out in a T-storm

*sings* ~ It's raining Ts, alleluia, it's raining Ts! ~ =D

Not quite what you meant, but the image was too good to resist.

Greensleeves

 

[deifiler]

Would the fact that spider vision is based on the solarized light come into this? Obviously when a storm is brewing the particles within the sky are going to effect the way the sun-light is in the atmosphere?

 

[Code Monkey]

Originally posted by deifiler
Would the fact that spider vision is based on the solarized light come into this? Obviously when a storm is brewing the particles within the sky are going to effect the way the sun-light is in the atmosphere?

I find it doubtful for two reasons. The first is that these Ts were indoors where most/all of their light is from non-polarized light. Secondarily, while many inverts do perceive polarized light, when it actually makes a difference it's used for things like navigation - not something that I see Ts reacting strongly to.

 

[deifiler]

Originally posted by Code Monkey
I find it doubtful for two reasons. The first is that these Ts were indoors where most/all of their light is from non-polarized light. Secondarily, while many inverts do perceive polarized light, when it actually makes a difference it's used for things like navigation - not something that I see Ts reacting strongly to.

Ooops my bad, I meant to say polarized :8o

Yeah I'm aware it's used for navigation, but my point was to think if it's constantly changing within a storm, how it's going to effect the spider?

Also I wasn't totally aware you meant indoor spiders

 

[Nixy]

I think all of our T's have gone studiously deaf...
Being in my house. Kids, critters, music, phone, the constant sounds. My house is Never quiet...
They don't seem phazed in the least by thunder. They just continue to do whatever they were doing before the storm.

 

[MizM]

Originally posted by Code Monkey
Thunder is a very low sound; it travels farther than higher pitched sounds, and the vibration is more noticeable, even to us, as a physical disturbance. So, first off, I would speculate that they can clearly "hear" the thunder in some form as it would trigger their sensitive vibration detecting setae.

Secondarily, I suspect that they might even be keyed to respond to thunder (and consequently thunderstorms) in a dramatic fashion. A T caught out in a T-storm would be in need of shelter, and a T in their burrow would have to be cautious for flooding. So, between the thunder and change in barometric pressure already noted, it's likely they react instinctively to the oncoming storm (shingled, water-proofed roofs not being part of their normal environment for the vast majority of their time on Earth) and are trying to get to better shelter.

Well, my theory on the vibration part was right anyway. My thinking... they can "hear" things we CAN'T, such as deep low sounds. The kind elephants make when communicating. I wish WE'D have some inclement weather to prove this theory! This 103F + 100% humidity is KILLING me, but the Ts are thriving!=D (Thanks C.M.)

 

[willywonka]

I would think that they can feel the vibrations made by the sound waves traveling through the air. It is only a guess but I am sure there is an easy way to find this out. If you would please, I would like an e-copy of your book MizM. Thank you.

 

[hillie16]

We had a bad thunderstorm today and mine crawled all the way into the back of it's hide and huddled like a scared little girl. After the storm was over it came out and nailed a pinkie LOL.

 

[arachnopunks]

I'll let you know when it storms tomorrow. We live in FL and I have really never thought about it even though it seems like it storms every day.


-Jill