Previous news about electric blue spiders: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37349839
New tarantula species discovered in Thailand
11–20 of 65 posts
Re: New tarantula species discovered in Thailand
#12> The secret behind the vivid blue coloration of our tarantula lies not in the presence of blue pigments, but rather in the unique structure of their hair, which incorporates nanostructures that manipulate light to create this striking blue appearance
Cool!
Re: New tarantula species discovered in Thailand
#13> The secret behind the vivid blue coloration of our tarantula lies not in the presence of blue pigments, but rather in the unique structure of their hair, which incorporates nanostructures that manipulate light to create this striking blue appearance Cool!
It’s actually surprisingly common. For instance, butterflies and peacocks also use this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structural_coloration
(In fact, I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that only a handful of blue pigments exist in nature; the vast majority of blue animals and plants use structural colouration instead. Can’t recall where I saw it, though.)
Re: New tarantula species discovered in Thailand
#14> The secret behind the vivid blue coloration of our tarantula lies not in the presence of blue pigments, but rather in the unique structure of their hair, which incorporates nanostructures that manipulate light to create this striking blue appearance Cool!
Structural color is really amazing. Same thing on the wings of Christmas beetles that gives them a blue green oil slick look.
I'm waiting for a paint company to come out with this for house painting. 1 coat for life.
Re: New tarantula species discovered in Thailand
#15See also the better known Cobalt Blue and Green Bottle Blue tarantulas, very pretty but not the best beginner pets. They shouldn't be handled and need careful climate. Other tarantulas are very easy, like Rosehair or Pink Toes. They need little attention, make no noise, are hardy desert climate dwellers, and can be handled. I had a female Rosehair live for 20 years as a beginner.
You surprised me. I never expected tarantulas to be noisy in the first place.
Re: New tarantula species discovered in Thailand
#16Offtopic - The man in the video is very agile on his feet. The trek looks dangerous and a single misstep can end up in a disaster. Respects for people who take such risks to study the forest ecosystem.
Re: New tarantula species discovered in Thailand
#17See also the better known Cobalt Blue and Green Bottle Blue tarantulas, very pretty but not the best beginner pets. They shouldn't be handled and need careful climate. Other tarantulas are very easy, like Rosehair or Pink Toes. They need little attention, make no noise, are hardy desert climate dwellers, and can be handled. I had a female Rosehair live for 20 years as a beginner.
You surprised me. I never expected tarantulas to be noisy in the first place.
Then you've never met a well-socialized tarantula; they sing and dance all the time. Usually in 6/8.
(This etymology is hilariously absurd: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarantella )
Re: New tarantula species discovered in Thailand
#18Earlier quoted context omitted.
You surprised me. I never expected tarantulas to be noisy in the first place.
Then you've never met a well-socialized tarantula; they sing and dance all the time. Usually in 6/8. (This etymology is hilariously absurd: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarantella )
In 186 BC the tarantella went underground, reappearing under the guise of emergency therapy for bite victims.
What the...
Re: New tarantula species discovered in Thailand
#19Earlier quoted context omitted.
Then you've never met a well-socialized tarantula; they sing and dance all the time. Usually in 6/8. (This etymology is hilariously absurd: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarantella )
In 186 BC the tarantella went underground, reappearing under the guise of emergency therapy for bite victims. What the...
I'm sure the historians are trying their best, but I think the chances of them successfully and accurately contextualizing a 2,000-year-old meme dance is approximately zero.
"Ancient Bacchanalian rites"—sure; why not.
Re: New tarantula species discovered in Thailand
#20Hacker News?