Camera Critters - Meet Rosie

Wednesday, on our way to the hotel in Boulder, we stopped at the Butterly Pavillion in Denver, CO . There were lots of amazing butterflies, but what made this stop so memorable for me was stepping completely out of my comfort zone to hold a tarantula.

Adrienne in Ohio holding a tarantula (on vacation in Colorado)


The keeper had me sit in front of her and hold my hands out on my lap. When I asked, "Will it tickle?" she placed her hand underneath mine and said "probably a little." :) She laid the spider in my hand and I was shocked. I was expecting her to feel stiff and bristly, but she was so soft in my hand.

taranatula photo by Jeff Zwart


When I asked if I could stroke her back with my finger, the keeper was quick to explain why I couldn't. When frightened or threatened (which is what she would have felt if I tried to pet her), tarantulas raise their hind legs and expel those hairs onto their attacker. The hairs have an irritant on them and can cause itching for days. I sure was glad I asked first! :)

You know me: I absolutely love to learn something new. Rosie is a South American rosehaired tarantula. And her hair really was a rosy color. Beautiful...well, if you can describe a spider as beautiful. She was fascinating.

Rather than pick her up, the keeper gently touched her hind legs till Rosie had walked from my hand into hers. I used to be terrified of spiders when I was a child. Well, actually until I had kids of my own and I became the go-to person when a spider invaded one of their bedrooms. I wouldn't say I'm afraid of them now, but I do not enjoy sharing my living quarters with the creatures. I don't think I'll be adding a pet tarantula to the household, but it sure was fascinating to hold her and watch her.

If spiders aren't your thing, head over to Camera Critters to view more furry types of creatures. And here's my shout out to Misty Dawn, the creator of Camera Critters marking one year of hosting her great meme. Thanks Misty!



Camera Critters 1st Anniversary

Comments

i beati said…
oh my lo ving your header !1Sandy
EG CameraGirl said…
You are way, way braver than I am. LOL
Carla said…
Ok, the 'petting causing hair shooting' part I did not know. interesting.
Hubby hates spiders, so that (and snakes) was a pet the kiddos could not have.
Snap said…
This was wonderful ... a little education to go along with the photos. I can handle snakes, but I'm not sure about a taratula!!!
Norm said…
I can't touch that I'm afraid tarantula. Visit my flamingos here, also my colorful parrots here. thanks and happy one year anniversary to you.
Villas Girl said…
Kudo to you. I wouldn't have done this, but I'm glad you had this experience and shared with us.
Tink *~*~* said…
You are a braver woman than I am - normally I stomp on something with that many legs!

=8^0

Happy Critturday!
Tink *~*~*

Critters on the Castle: The White Rabbit
Oskar said…
I'm sure I could defend my people from a spider that big, but I'm glad I don't have to!
Groomer Angie said…
Great shot! They say spiders make great pets.
jenn said…
I, seriously, shuttered when I saw the spider...creepy.
Oh that is freaky cool!!!
Oh no! Scary! But kinda cool. I think I'm less afraid - but not as brave as you!
Coy Hill said…
Cool critter Adrienne!

I really like your header.
Bengbeng said…
u r definitely a brave one. i might panic when i feel it moving on my hand. but ur right. it is indeed beautiful in a way
ivars krafts said…
You are much braver than I!!!
Dianne said…
that's great! she's beautiful and I'd love to meet her ;)
Lona said…
You are my hero holding that hairy thing :) Gives me the jitters just looking at it.
Misty DawnS said…
WOW! How interesting! I'm not afraid of spiders, but one that can be poisonous has me a bit leary (Hubs was bitten by a Brown Recluse twice after we moved here... I kept saying "We're going back to Ohio, these things aren't in Ohio!" hehehe)
Ack. Ack! ACK!!! You are a much stronger woman than I am Adrienne. I'm very impressed!
Russ said…
Great shot with the tarantula! The pavilion is a cool place, eh?

Popular Posts