DEAR RUUD, I was wondering if you have ever heard of the spider named camel spider? If not you should check it out. My brother was in Iraq and said his friends measured a dead camel spider and its body was the size of a 13 mens shoe, its legs and body measured 3ft. long! They are very big because I have seen a picture of one. It gets the name CAMEL SPIDER becouse it attacks camel's humps and uses its fangs to put a local anesthetic, then it eats with its teeth. Is it possible for you to do a story on it? If so that would be very cool.
Your major fan, Samuel Hawk
This message has been edited. Last edited by: birdman12,
I originally posted this on another thread, thought that I would post it here as well just in case you do not have time to follow the other threads.
I know that you wrote a book called Backyard Battlefield, published by RandomHouse, New Zealand. I have contacted them because I would like a copy of it for my library. They sent me to an online store in NZ that I could buy it from, unfortunately, they do not ship to the states. So I contacted RH here in the US and was told that they do not plan to publish the book here at the present time. Do you know of a way that I may get your book, or would it be possible/probable that you could work with Animal Planet to make your book available in their online store so that it could be available?
Thank you in advance for any information that you can give.
I am wondering how rare it is to find an albino spider? The reason is that I am over 50 yrs old and do not recall ever having seen one, but last evening while sitting outside at my patio table I saw this white thing that looked like a spider. Thinking it was maybe a skeleton or something I reached for it, and it raised up it's front legs to "get me". I do not know the type of spider, I am sure just a regular garden variety but it is solid white, except for 2 red stripes, one on each side of it's belly. The legs are almost translucent. Now I want to see a special on albino "bugs" If you want to do one, I still have my albino spider! lol
My 9 year old son Luke would like to know how it feels to get to see all those amazing bugs all over the world in their natural environment?
And I would like to ask what you think is the coolest moth that you have seen. My son and I raise moths here in KY to try and repopulate the area we are in. They have done alot of spraying for mosquitoes in the past several years and I have noticed a significant decline in the moth and butterfly population. I can only assume that there are other insects affected as well, but we can only do so much.
DEAR MR.RUUD, Not too long ago I had a rose haired tarantula and I came into the room to look at it, I relized it had climbed the glass and started to hang on the top of the cage. Why and how do they climb?
Have you ever heled a poisonous spider and got bitten by it? If so what kind was it?
Have you ever found or held a TRAP DOOR SPIDER? MANY THANKS, SAMUEL HAWK
Hello Mr. Ruud I would like to start off by saying I love your show I have been into insects since I was very young and just started off with it as a hobby a couple years back. My question is I believe it was the last show Buggin' With Ruud: Entertaining Bugs after the flea circus you go to visit a man with a rose hair tarantula who shows you some of the ways he gets bugs in movies to cooperate and do some "stunts" With you you also had a bug more specifically a spider in your hand which was able to flatten itself out when you touched it. What is this spiders scientific name and also common name as I thought it to be one really awsome looking spider. Also Im thinking it is one of your many invert pets was wondering what your experience with this spider in a pet standpoint. Thank you so much in advance looking foward to seeing the show tonight
Hey Samuel! Yes - seen them in Namibia, but most of these species are really not that large, to be quite honest! Sizes of these bugs are often very much exaggerated. At some stage in the future we will undoubtedly have a look at them; but we haven't seen anything larger than a quarter of an inch so far.... I, too, am keen to film them and if/when we do, we might as well cover the largest species, don't you think? Catch you later and I love your comments about the show... it's for people like you that we make these programs, because those invertebrates are so fascinating! Ruud PS: "birdman" strikes a real chord with me, seeing my first hobby is ornithology!
quote:
Originally posted by birdman12: DEAR RUUD, I was wondering if you have ever heard of the spider named camel spider? If not you should check it out. My brother was in Iraq and said his friends measured a dead camel spider and its body was the size of a 13 mens shoe, its legs and body measured 3ft. long! They are very big because I have seen a picture of one. It gets the name CAMEL SPIDER becouse it attacks camel's humps and uses its fangs to put a local anesthetic, then it eats with its teeth. Is it possible for you to do a story on it? If so that would be very cool.
Hi Chris Just left Alaska with limited internet access and have arrived in stinking hot Florida - LOVE IT! What I'm trying to say is: just seen your other posting and am aware of what you are trying to do: get hold of one one of my NZ-published books, "Backyard Battlefield". OK. First of all I must say that this book is all about invertebrates you find in your average New Zealand garden (not USA species!!!) and as such it really is only of use to New Zealanders in terms of their "pest control" (read UNDERSTANDING) of the critters in gardens and crops... If you are still interested in obtaining a copy, try contacting "Touchwood books" in New Zealand; I am sure they have a web-site... and metion to Peter (the owner - operator) that you got this recommendation direct from me.... that will surely help you to twist his arm! If it doesn't work, I may indeed have a go at the on-line Discovery shop people... The irony of all this is that my first book ("Scratching for a Living") is long out of print now, but far more a general book about the creepy crawlies we live with in New Zealand (and therefore a bit more appliccable to general entomological knowledge for the USA)... Success with the book hunt Ruud
quote:
Originally posted by macforbais: Greetings Ruud:
I originally posted this on another thread, thought that I would post it here as well just in case you do not have time to follow the other threads.
I know that you wrote a book called Backyard Battlefield, published by RandomHouse, New Zealand. I have contacted them because I would like a copy of it for my library. They sent me to an online store in NZ that I could buy it from, unfortunately, they do not ship to the states. So I contacted RH here in the US and was told that they do not plan to publish the book here at the present time. Do you know of a way that I may get your book, or would it be possible/probable that you could work with Animal Planet to make your book available in their online store so that it could be available?
Thank you in advance for any information that you can give.
To be quite honest: I can't recall ever having seen an albino spider at all; I mean there are spider species that are always white... but that doesn't mean they are albinoes (we filmed a "white lady" in Namibia recently - look out for that one! Brilliant spider that has a totally inexplicable way of navigating in the dark!) So: the answer is I don't know and I cannot recall any literature on that matter either. Your analysis, however, is very very plausible: a cast skin is usually white/translucent, so that could have been the case... were it not for the fact that it had a GO at you! Always fun, out there in the world... don't you think? Cheerio Ruud
quote:
Originally posted by rainbozngrafix: I am wondering how rare it is to find an albino spider? The reason is that I am over 50 yrs old and do not recall ever having seen one, but last evening while sitting outside at my patio table I saw this white thing that looked like a spider. Thinking it was maybe a skeleton or something I reached for it, and it raised up it's front legs to "get me". I do not know the type of spider, I am sure just a regular garden variety but it is solid white, except for 2 red stripes, one on each side of it's belly. The legs are almost translucent. Now I want to see a special on albino "bugs" If you want to do one, I still have my albino spider! lol
I don't know of any reported deaths in Australia as a result of a bull ant sting, but I can imagine that with the right medical problems a person could get an anaphylactic shock, etc etc. Luckily I have by now proven to be rather resilient to stings and bites and have shown no allergies whatsoever (but hey! That doesn't mean that I don't feel the pain!!! that bull ant was one of the worst things that ever happened to me; serious!). hat I'm trying to say is: DON'T DO IT; DON'T GET NEAR THE BLIGHTERS! Luckily, my crew have heaps of medications on stand-by and are trained to help me out, should things get nasty.... Best just to watch it on tv, eh? Cheers Ruud
quote:
Originally posted by thecrazybug: can a person die when bull ant stings him?
Hi Ron and Luke! Welcome to the show and the World of Bugs! I have the very best job in the whole, wide world, yes; I must admit that's the case. But you know what? the best part of it is that I can slowly see more and more people like you taking an interest in inverebrates, especially when it comes to repairing our damaged planet! (the only terrible problem is that I am away from home for something like 40 to 45 weeks of the year... and I too have a son... and a wonderful wife! Now - moths: They just happen to be my interest group; I studied them as a student at Varsity. I just love moths and there are so many species (more than there are species of flowering plants!!). I love the clever and tiny leafminers that feed as at caterpillars in between the two layers of a leaf! Or the wood-eating caterpillars that take 5 or 6 years to complete their life cycle, only to live as adult moths for just one day to find a mate, reproduce and die... Some chemicals are "wholesale" insect killers (I call those non-selective), but there are also chemicals that will control mosquitoes and do not affect moths or caterpillars at all. Maybe you guys in KY should ask some questions, to make sure that they are treating the skeeters with the right chemical that doesn't obliterate the whole invertebrate-driven ecosystem! At least you'll know then what's happening in your environment... Keep up the good work! Maybe it is an idea to grow the caterpillars under cover, so they are less affected by drifting droplets of insecticide. Cheers Ruud
quote:
Originally posted by kybugman: My 9 year old son Luke would like to know how it feels to get to see all those amazing bugs all over the world in their natural environment?
And I would like to ask what you think is the coolest moth that you have seen. My son and I raise moths here in KY to try and repopulate the area we are in. They have done alot of spraying for mosquitoes in the past several years and I have noticed a significant decline in the moth and butterfly population. I can only assume that there are other insects affected as well, but we can only do so much.
Hello Dr Birdman! Some Spiders can indeed climb over smooth glass; clever, isnt it? Very fine hairs and pads on the underside of the 8 legs allow them to do this. To be quite honest: yes! I have been bitten by a red-back spider (the Australian version of your black widow). It hurt and my finger showed quite a bit of swelling, but - it wasn't that bad at all (remember, I am quite hardy and not terribly affected by allergies, etc) I once held a trapdoor spider, but they are pretty tricky and some species can be quite aggressive. I wouldn't recommend ANYBODY holding spiders such as (black) widows and red-backs at all, because they are, after all, wild animals with a painful and sometimes lethal bite to match Have fun, Samuel! Ruud
quote:
Originally posted by birdman12: DEAR MR.RUUD, Not too long ago I had a rose haired tarantula and I came into the room to look at it, I relized it had climbed the glass and started to hang on the top of the cage. Why and how do they climb?
Have you ever heled a poisonous spider and got bitten by it? If so what kind was it?
Have you ever found or held a TRAP DOOR SPIDER? MANY THANKS, SAMUEL HAWK
Hey, thank you! Glad you like the show! The spider I entered in the audition was my "baby" from New Zealand: we call it the "Avondale Spider". But, you know, originally it came from Australia, where people call it the "Huntsman". Of course, as you know, the only way to stop all this confusing common-names-talk is by giving you the proper scientific name: Delena cancerides. It is the same spider species that "featured" in that movie "Arachnophobia". Yes they can be good pets, as they can live for 2 or 3 years... But then again, these spides are SO cool in terms of their social behaviour, I rather let them go home to their families to live, hunt and eat in peace, because this spider lives communally with its siblings and parents... great stuff, eh? See ya Ruud
quote:
Originally posted by spike1018: Hello Mr. Ruud I would like to start off by saying I love your show I have been into insects since I was very young and just started off with it as a hobby a couple years back. My question is I believe it was the last show Buggin' With Ruud: Entertaining Bugs after the flea circus you go to visit a man with a rose hair tarantula who shows you some of the ways he gets bugs in movies to cooperate and do some "stunts" With you you also had a bug more specifically a spider in your hand which was able to flatten itself out when you touched it. What is this spiders scientific name and also common name as I thought it to be one really awsome looking spider. Also Im thinking it is one of your many invert pets was wondering what your experience with this spider in a pet standpoint. Thank you so much in advance looking foward to seeing the show tonight
I noticed that you have written at least one book, are there more? And after we lost a bunch we moved our caterpillars to my parents house in the country into rearing sleeves. It is truly amazing to see the look on my son's face as he watches a moth emerge from its cocoon and pump up its wings. He says he is going to be an Entomologist. I had thought about going back to school as well, but at 40 it makes for a bit more of challenge. We really love the show. The first time my wife saw the show was when you where in Papua New Guinea (sp?) and the way you reacted when you caught that birdwing butterfly, she laughed and said I though you were the only one that acted like that when you caught a butterfly. She called you the "Steve Irwin " of Insects. Keep up the great work and we'll keep watching.
Hi there, We're enjoying your new show, thank you! I have a couple of questions about Cicadas, I saw last week's show where you talked about them. They are alive and well in Texas, they sound like summer! Are they found all over the world? Also, does their sound have nothing to do with cooling themselves as the old "wives tales" suggest? Thank you and looking forward to seeing tonight's episode, Kim
HI AGAIN, There is a picture of a camel spider about the size I talked about. If you go to: http://www.google.com then click on pictuers put in CAMEL SPIDERS. You will see on the first page a big camel spider..(just to let you know) ONCE AGAIN, YOU MAJER BUG FAN SAMUEL HAWK P.S. Thanks for all the ansers, I know your probebly amazed at all the quistions I have asked, I am just amazed at bugs and your show.
Hi again Ruud. I was wondering if you ever delt with some of the large assassin bugs from west Africa such as the Platymeris biguttata. I've heard they have ungodly painful bites eve worse than the giant centipedes from Vietnam. Any idea on the impact of these guys?? Also, just as a though, I think it would a great show and you guys could pull it off very well I'm sure, to have a show that covers all the attack/deffence tactics of the insect world. Mantids, net-casting spiders, bombardier beetles, etc etc. I'd love to see these insects one-on-one rather than old stock-footage. Keep it up Ruud!
Thank you for the lead about the book location. I do understand that it is written primarily for NZ. With me going back to school to study entomology, I have no idea where my studies will lead me so would like as much information as I may possibly get my hands on.
What part of Florida are you in? I actually live in the NE part of the State in a city called Jacksonville. I have lived here in Florda for about 32 of my 40 years. So understand what you mean about it being Hot here.
Well, I just wanted to drop a quick line and say thank you again for the information. I have already sent an email to them.
Thanks for your comments; yep so far two books have appeared in New Zealand... Cheers Ruud
quote:
Originally posted by kybugman: I noticed that you have written at least one book, are there more? And after we lost a bunch we moved our caterpillars to my parents house in the country into rearing sleeves. It is truly amazing to see the look on my son's face as he watches a moth emerge from its cocoon and pump up its wings. He says he is going to be an Entomologist. I had thought about going back to school as well, but at 40 it makes for a bit more of challenge. We really love the show. The first time my wife saw the show was when you where in Papua New Guinea (sp?) and the way you reacted when you caught that birdwing butterfly, she laughed and said I though you were the only one that acted like that when you caught a butterfly. She called you the "Steve Irwin " of Insects. Keep up the great work and we'll keep watching.
Platymeris biguttata? Haven't come across that one yet, but I'm sure that we can look into that baby... I have been tapped on the wrist by a much smaller Arizona species once; due to the anaesthetic I never felt a thing! As far as the attack/defence show is concerned... KEEP WATCHING maybe later this year Best regards Ruud
quote:
Originally posted by holdthepickle: Hi again Ruud. I was wondering if you ever delt with some of the large assassin bugs from west Africa such as the Platymeris biguttata. I've heard they have ungodly painful bites eve worse than the giant centipedes from Vietnam. Any idea on the impact of these guys?? Also, just as a though, I think it would a great show and you guys could pull it off very well I'm sure, to have a show that covers all the attack/deffence tactics of the insect world. Mantids, net-casting spiders, bombardier beetles, etc etc. I'd love to see these insects one-on-one rather than old stock-footage. Keep it up Ruud!
Landed in Jacksonville yesterday; am now filming at Okefenokee... see you next week too! Cheers Ruud
quote:
Originally posted by macforbais: Greetings again Ruud:
Thank you for the lead about the book location. I do understand that it is written primarily for NZ. With me going back to school to study entomology, I have no idea where my studies will lead me so would like as much information as I may possibly get my hands on.
What part of Florida are you in? I actually live in the NE part of the State in a city called Jacksonville. I have lived here in Florda for about 32 of my 40 years. So understand what you mean about it being Hot here.
Well, I just wanted to drop a quick line and say thank you again for the information. I have already sent an email to them.
Hello! I am not Ruud, but hopefully he will not mind me sharing a little bit of information. I found this link about the camel spider photograph you are speaking of: http://www.snopes.com/photos/bugs/camelspider.asp
The size of the spider is exaggerated due to a clever use of perspective. Note the size of the spider in comparison to the serviceman's hand in the upper right corner.
