Sadly Spidey, aka Harold, passed recently. We introduced a new chunk of landscape bark to the new and improved fish bowl habitat and Spidey perished in a sticky ooze of cobwebs. Perplexed as we were as to how such a thriving specimen and champion cricket catcher could die so suddenly, we recalled that the landscape bark (taken by Sonia from the pre-school lounge area) had been sprayed with pesticide last spring to deter ants from invading the pre-schoolers lunch bags. The pre-school and maintenance staff assures us any residual effects are strictly toxic to 6 and 8 legged species. Spidey was a champion cricket hunter and we're sorry we killed him.
On a more positive note, the one remaining pet store cricket, and numerous other household 'pests' (including a centipede, two jumping spiders and some kind of fly) we caught recently have been added to the 'bug' collection and were patiently awaiting a new 8 legged caretaker. One sunny day last week we found another Spidey in the garage amongst the sand toys. 'Laura' as she is now called has captured the fly and removed two of her arachnid roommate's legs. He may have stickier toes but Laura has a stickier web!
I think we have another champion on our hands. More to come.
