Sexual Cannibalism . . .in Spiders

Early morning and I found what appeared to be a paralyzed  or dead spider on the mat by the door out to the deck. And there on the door above me was the biggest Wolf Spider I've ever seen--the size of my hand with fingers outstretched. 

I carried the mat outside and got a closer look. Yep, definitely deceased. And eviscerated.

By the time I got my camera, the giant spider had disappeared and has not come out of hiding. 

I hypothesized that perhaps this was a situation like preying mantises and the male spider had paid for his fun. A little online research confirmed that this is a definite possibility. Read it for yourself HERE.

She did a thorough job.

 

Josie has Braids--and Meets Igorina--with Social Distancing

My mom fixed my hair in braids for Family Dinner Up. I like the way they look. 

Meema had something to show me but first I had to get a banana for a before dinner snack.

Then Meema took me to meet Igorina. She lives in the bathroon where my potty is. In this picture she is on one of my poop books. (That is what it is called because I read it sometimes when I sit on the potty.)

Igorina is a Wolf Spider. And she is carrying a big white sac full of spider eggs. When it hatches, she will carry her babies on her back till they get bigger, like my Mom and Dad used to carry me. Igorina has eight eyes and can see very well. She pounces on bugs and eats them. Meema says not to touch her because if she got scared she might bite. 

Meema ased me to stand closer so Igorina and I could be in the picture together and I said, No thanks.

I am almost always polite.