The Threat of a Singapore Tarantula
Many spiders would raise their legs in a threatening pose when they sense an incoming danger. One of the more distinct ones were from the Singapore Tarantula (Phlogiellus inermis), where the forelegs are raised in the direction of danger.
#1 Found this tarantula running about on the ground
#2 We tried to take pictures of it, and it raised it’s legs up at us. This usually lasts only for a short moment.
#3 It continued running about and stopped on top of a slab of rock
#4 Wasn’t moving so I took my time to take some record shots
#5 Another angle of the tarantula
#6 And it raised the legs at us again!
#7 This time, it stayed there for a while, so I had the opportunity to change angles and quickly take more shots
#8 Two pairs of forelegs raised, and the tarantula stayed there… frozen
#9 I went as low as I could get but still could not get any nice background
#10 It took a while, but the tarantula got comfortable eventually on a fallen log
#11 More like a dead branch, but it was clinging on happily
#12 Final shot before I left it alone to find supper (or a mate)
Many other spiders do raise their fore-legs as well. They could be showing a display of threat, or otherwise?
#13 This Jumping Spider (Siler sp.) raised both fore-legs at me while munching on supper
#14 An ant-mimic jumping spider raises it’s fore-legs
#15 This ant-mimic crab spider however, raises it’s forelegs possibly to mimic an ant’s moving antennae
#16 Face to face with a stick insect
#17 Close up on the eyes, very vibrant!
#18 Zooming out for a wider view
#19 Record shot showing the top view of the Phasmid
#20 Tiny little Longhorn Beetle (Cerambycidae)
#21 Closer view
#22 It dropped from the leaf as I got closer, but clung onto a blade of grass
#23 Peekaboo!!
#24 mmfmfmmmmph… the grass is blocking my face
#25 Found this little froggie relaxing within some wet branches
#26 Final subject of the night was a Tree Stump Orb Weaver (Poltys elevatus)
#27 Moved some foliage behind to get some colour into the background 😛
#28 Front view, shows the hidden face of the fake tree stump
The complete album can be viewed here.
