Big Spider Discovered in Disappearing Sand Dunes

livescience ^ | 11 January 2010

[JoeProBono]

With a lanky legspan of up to nearly a half foot, a newly discovered spider species is the largest among its family of arachnids in the Middle East.

The spider, now dubbed Cerbalus aravensis, was discovered in the dunes of the Sands of Samar in the southern Arava region in Israel by a team of biologists from the University of Haifa-Oranim. The scientists say C. aravensis is nocturnal and mostly active during the hottest months of the year.

It constructs underground dens that are sealed off with a lifting door made of sand particles that are glued together to camouflage the living quarters. The spider's legspan is estimated to be about 5.5 inches (14 cm).

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

[mnehring]

With a lanky legspan of up to nearly a half foot

I love how the creative use of words can make things sound so much more dramatic. If they said a leg span of six inches or 15 centimeters, it just wouldn't have the same impact.

[Nonstatist]

Delightful.

[Nonstatist]

Still, that’s a big spider to go unrecognized all this time.

[the_devils_advocate_666]

[mnehring]

_{in my best Australian accent} Spider, that's not a spider. This is a spider.

[Joe 6-pack]

"I love how the creative use of words can make things sound so much more dramatic."

Indeed. McDonald's has a made a killing on the "quarter pounder." The "four ouncer" would not have been any where near as big a seller.

[a fool in paradise]

[JoeProBono]

[Liberty Valance]

[AngelesCrestHighway]

[PowderMonkey]

"If we do not preserve the few habitats that remain for these species, they will become extinct before we can even discover them."

Habitat loss for a spider with a six-inch leg span. I'm inconsolable. Oh, the humanity. Boo-freakin-hoo...now where'd I put that can of Raid. On second thought, I'd better break out the .22 rifle.

[RikaStrom]

No, just... NO.

[JRios1968]

[AngelesCrestHighway]

Have a seat.....

[AngelesCrestHighway]

[BigEdLB]

In the sands of Nevada, the spider spews venom, then disappears.

[JoeProBono]

[LearnsFromMistakes]

mostly active during the hottest months of the year

So, what they are saying, is that if I don't up my carbon footprint, these wonderful creatures may lose habitat? Honey, crank up the thermostat! (Except she HATES spiders...)

[Dr. Ursus]

Mrs.JoeProBono?

[equalitybeforethelaw]

Okay, now that is scary. Does this one spend the winters in her trailer?

[QBFimi]

Is that Joe’s mom? ;o)

[a fool in paradise]

[Waverunner]

Looks like a german spider

[cajuncow]

Is that Roxxxy the sex robot I saw in an earlier article? So life-like.

[JoeProBono]

Welcome to FReeRepublic.

[Doc Savage]

Like any other spider Joe,...I’d hit it!!!

[AngelesCrestHighway]

[KittenClaws]

Camel Spiders:

[SeaDragon]

Couldn’t agree with you more.

[Christian4Bush]

re#15 - Nice “Aliens” reset.

To which my response mirrors Hudson:

“F****n A!”

[TheGrimReaper]

Itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout...

[SeaDragon]

Itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout...

Raid works wonders on spiders. Does a damn good job on scorpions too.

[Delta 21]

[Hot Tabasco]

Its photos like these that briefly make me appreciate the cold and the snow..........

[SunkenCiv]

discovered in the dunes of the Sands of Samar in the southern Arava region in Israel

5.5 inches across, nocturnal, most active in the hottest season of the year... boy, am I glad they discovered *this*...