A REMINISCENCE about the Sonora bioregion and its curious inhabitants, remembered and expanded, may be found within this episode. We dilate upon the Solfugidae, called in the Great Desert "Sun Spiders." Menacing as they seem, these Sun Spiders lack venom and are considered by many to be for the most part harmless. More study, we maintain, is needed-- particularly their array of toxic urticating bristles... The yellow/tan arachnids appear to have ten long legs; technically, they have eight legs like a spider but also two long, forearm-like pedipalps and vicious, enormous, side-mounted twin bug-crushing chelicerae (jaws) tipped with poisonous looking pincers. They will indeed deliver a painful bite with these if aggravated, a bite to be avoided at all costs. The jaws and pincers help capture, mince and consume the creatures' insect-based diet-- with the serrated pair they can eat their way right into the bodies of some of their victims. According to one Arachnological specialist, these creatures are, in a way, "a cleaning crew for the over-represented cockroach community."

The silver dollar-sized (or larger) nightmare-weaver can grow between one and six inches in length, and has been clocked at crawling speeds up to 10 miles per-hour, meaning it would be able to keep up with you while you're driving through a school zone. When encountered the creature can amaze and disturb when it disconcertingly displays the ability to move at apparent lightning speed. Despite the friendly-sounding colloquial cognomen, the so-called "Sun Spider" actually detests sunlight, and, when exposed, scuttles frantically for shade and shelter. It is when blocked even briefly from this retreat to a dark corner that it can evidence a fierce, hostile and aggressive attitude. It'll also gun for light during the evening, making a bee-line (or Solfugid-line) across your sandals on the way towards a porch light. Keep your eye on those sandals, by the way, and it wouldn't hurt to prepare to move fast! Also: bee stings and other indignities. Steer clear of the Giant Desert Centipede. Hear how one disrupted a nude swimming party. All this and more.