Local PMB bugs 'n stuff (pic heavy)

[John Rees]

I haven't posted for a long time but finally have something to share. Apologies to the purely reptile enthusiasts but the local snake population has moved elsewhere since the ladies of the house got a CAT.....groan!!

The kids and I have spent quite a few evenings scratching around in the little spruit behind the house and have been quite fascinated at what can be found there if one is prepared to look at little more closely.

Tailless Whip Scorpian - Daemon variegatus?




Trapdoor spider?


Fishing spiders - Thalassius spp. Some of the biggest I have ever found!




With a 'froglet' .... and it is not going to let go .....and it didn't!




Another potential victim?




Nasty but strangely beautiful - an unusual paddled-tail centipede



House visitor - Not something the Wife was happy to find in passageway in the middle of the night!!
Common Baboon spider - Harpactira sp.??



Local crabs - small and BIG!



Velvet bug?


Leaf bug of sorts - very small


Glow worm



Will post some photos of frogs 'n snakes next!!

[shadowfoot]

Great photos man, love the tailless whip scorpion. Never seen one of those centipedes before.

[Durban Keeper]

If my snakes move out & those bugs move in, I move out! Nice photos, not crazy about your subjects! Except the baboon. They ok.

[Sfourie]

What a bizaar looking centipede, probably used as a sensory apparatus. Tailles Whipscorpion is allways a great find.

[Fangfan]

I'll stick to snakes thank you... Those are way too creepy! (but beautiful)

[vuduman]

Great photos man.I got bitten by a baboonspider before-I never pick them up again after that!

[CarlaSmit87]

Great photos.
We always want to go to far away places to get "good pics of nature" when such beautiful specimens can be found in your own back yard

[Smeegle]

Very nice, John! Thanks for sharing!

I must say you are very brave handling the critters like that, I'll stick to snakes thanks:)

[levi_20]

Great post, thanks. Is the paddle tailed centipede aquatic?

[John Rees]

Hey Vuduman. Thanks for the heads-up on the baboon bite. Perhaps I am being overly relaxed and will pay a painful price one day...ha! Not as bad as the free handling Hot Herpers though?

Levi_20 - The centipede is definitely not aquatic. Who knows what the paddles are for....luring females or prey?

[Zophos]

Hi

Have a look at this thread...

http://www.sareptiles.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=26862

Regards

[Joh]

Hi. I just wanted to say that those crabs are juvenile and adult, African Freshwater Crabs, and they belong to the genus Potomonautes. Maybe Potomonautes warreni.