My daughter brought the garbage bin in from the street for the first time.
As she walked it to the gate, a sun spider ran across her ankle.
She screamed.
And she will probably never bring the trash bin in again.
By the way, sun spider is a misnomer – it’s not a real spider nor does it like the sun!
They sound like percussion for Tuvan throat singers.
We were walking behind our lovely Airbnb off Route 66 in Parks, AZ (to get away from three-digit temperatures)…
in a National forest…when Ava I noticed something hopping about.
This lovely creature is the Arizona Treefrog!
According to reptilesofaz.org, this is their call (audio file). We think it sounds like a bunch of muppets.
The Arizona Treefrog grows to 1.5 inches. They breed in mostly temporary waters, which I find strange because they look like they need a lot of water.
“In Arizona, Arizona Treefrogs have been found to feed on beetles, spiders, earthworms, flies, and bark beetles. They likely feed on a variety of other small invertebrates, as well.”
reptilesofaz.org
This finding was a lucky one as they are nocturnal animals. However, it appears that their skin is toxic and holding them is not the best idea. Oops. Well, I didn’t feel any after effects. My family is doing a collective eye roll as I tell them this because I once caught this in a jar:
According to Sciencefriday.com, being stung by one of these is painful. Quite painful:
“The pain is so debilitating and excruciating that the victim is at risk of further injury by tripping in a hole or over an object in the path and then falling onto a cactus or into a barbed-wire fence.”
Aren’t you glad I passed this on to you? Now you’ll be extra careful when you try to catch one.
“It’s the blank sheet of paper, a pen, and the stillness – it’s a small thing. Be true to the small moment. The series of small moments lead to greatness.” Eckhart Tolle
I love to draw. Drawing requires very careful attention.
When I don’t get enough sleep, everything bugs me. It’s early to bed tonight!
Fact: “Man is the only mammal that willingly delays sleep.” (sleepfoundation.org)
Kismet 