How to photograph an invisible spider

[Ecooper]

I took the picture below last summer in an area of exposed sand on Deas Island, near the Fraser River, outside Vancouver. I was collecting a small tub of sand to use as a substrate for some scorpions I had just acquired. While on my knees scooping up sand I spotted this amazing spider. I honestly don’t know how I saw it...this was the most amazing example of natural camouflage I have ever seen. The way this spider just disappears against the sand background is astounding. It helps that this critter was also a little dusty.

As far as I can tell this species is an orange and black wolf spider (Arctosa perita). However, I also read that this species is common in Europe. So I am a little dubious about the identification—unless the species has been introduced to British Columbia.

Cheers,

EC

www.macrocrutters.wordpress.com



invisible spider darker hard pass_filtered by ernie.cooper, on Flickr

 

[Paradoxica]

INVISIBLE SPIDERS!!! YOU MEAN ALL THOSE METH ADDICTS WERE TELLING THE TRUTH!!!!???

Seriously, nice find.

 

[Mime454]

If it had wings, I'd have no choice but to off myself right now. I would not want to live in a world of insivible, winged spiders.

 

[lancaster1313]

Nice!

I'll bet they are very hard to spot after they run a little, then stop suddenly.

I usually lose sight of camouflaged, ground dwelling creatures when they pull that trick. lol

 

[slytle90]

It's really cute. And that is a nice pic by the way.