AKA: Tumultuantem, Sepulcher Spider

An anomaly, the Whooping Spider is a giant Araneae of the family Lycosidae; unlike all spiders in West Virginia－aside from Trochosa Sepulchralis －they are known to burrow into the ground and build a web, instead of creating one in the open air. The maximum size these creatures can grow is undetermined, as most carcasses discovered are in the adolescent phase (which are the size of a child’s fist); much larger individuals have been observed in the wild, however, as well as giant, abandoned burrows with hints of large, arachnid activity. Within these hovels, the partially liquefied, silken wrapped forms of rats, rabbits, dogs, and deer have been recovered. The range of these spiders seems to be boxed in as far south as northern West Virginia, as far west as western Illinois, as far east as Vermont, and as far north as northern Ontario.

The Whooping Spider is described as having bright, orange-brown, waxy legs with rings of a lighter, yellower hue and a sparse covering of dark hair; all eight limbs end in three curved claws. Their fangs are black, but glint red in the light, and are sporadically covered in thin white hairs. The spiders’ abdomen and cephalothorax are different variations of orange, brown, and intermingled hues with dark brown, wavering patterns overlaid on its form; this section is densely coated with short, coarse hair. The arachnid’s underbelly is completely dark brown.

On its head, two eyes are bigger than the others, both sitting above four small ones and under and across two more. Whooping Spiders have the third best eyesight out of all spider kind; at night, they are clearly visible with light, reflecting bright blue.

Burrows in the Dirt | Hunting Methods of Tumultuantem

Ranging in diameter from 8 in - 5 ft and in length from 1 - 12 ft, Whooping Spiders dig tunnels at a downwards angle, using its claws and oversized front legs to rapidly move wet dirt and loose rubble. The arachnids build new dens after a heavy rain, when the soil is more pliable; in dry spells, they take over other animal’s burrows, killing those within and enlarging the nest for their needs when possible. The tunnels are not only used as homes, but hunting and breeding grounds.

The Whooping Spider has a variety of hunting processes. The first, and least involved method, is catching prey in its web; located at the end of the tunnel, small and unintelligent creatures (mostly insects) may find themselves stuck in the spider's net. If these individuals are significantly smaller than the spider, they may be disregarded completely; otherwise, they are shredded by the serrated edges on the creature’s chelicerae and eaten. Larger prey held by the sticky web are quickly injected with a paralyzing poison and are wrapped tightly and completely in silk. The spider may begin the process of eating right away or save what it captures for later.

Before starting its meal, the Whooping Spider bites its victim once more, injecting large amounts of a digestive acid into its body, which liquefies the interior and some of its exterior. While waiting for the body to disintegrate, the spider may pick off small pieces of the corpse to eat; the arachnid may also inject additional venom to still waking prey or vomit acid on the body’s exterior to hasten the rate it is dissolving or break down particularly tough sections. The spider sucks up liquefied remains through hairs on its mouth and chelicerae; they deposit the substance into its stomach through veiny tendrils.

A more innovative technique used by the spider is its ‘flinging’ method of hunting. From the mouth to the end of the spider’s tunnel resides thick bands of webbing that connect its home-web to pivotal parts of the tunnel’s top, bottom, and entrance. Vibrations from movement near them, as well as direct contact, alerts the spider to nearby prey’s size, movement, and location. Webbing from the Whooping Spider is stronger and more elastic than average arachnids’, which the creature uses to its advantage. Lying in wait for alarms to go off, the spider runs up the burrow, turning around soon after before bolting at top speeds towards its web, which acts as a rubber band; the hardy strands fling the spider quickly up the tunnel, where it may overcome its prey. There, it latches on with clawed feet, fighting defenses with many sturdy, nimble legs and delivering a paralyzing bite. Victorious, the arachnid drags its kill back to its web, where it is prepared for consumption. The Whooping Spider is named after this tactic because when it launches itself out of its burrow, it creates a loud, whooping sound.

The third method used by the arachnid is creating traps. The spider tears up fresh prey, leaving a trail of morsels strewn down its tunnel; it may also gather vegetation at night, decorating its domain with fruits, leaves, branches, and sometimes trash. Appealing to hungry creatures, many are drawn into the spider’s domain. Once prey enters the tunnel, the arachnid flings itself at it or waits for it to draw nearer, where it can deftly attack from the shadows.

Reproduction and Development

During the spring mating season, male Whooping Spiders enter burrows looking for females. They carry silken wrapped gifts of food on their back－attached to spinnerets－with hopes of making a good first impression; the spider then stands at the entrance of her den, waving his pedipalps and front legs in the air. If this dance is not performed in the way the female desires, the smaller spider becomes her next meal. If done correctly, however, the male successfully wins her temporary affection. After mating, the female begins crafting a silk mat; she may also eat the male if he lingers too long.

Up to fifty eggs are laid on the silken blanket, which is rolled into a ball and placed on the spider’s back, attaching to her spinnerets and abdomen. As the female carries her young with her, her abdomen must be raised high to keep them from dragging the ground and coming to In the Land of Cattawampus 166 harm; this, however, does not hinder her daily activities. After a few weeks, the spiderlings hatch and crawl up their mother’s legs, remaining on top of her abdomen. Her offspring remains with her for several additional weeks, until their fat reserves deplete; now considered adolescents, the youths set out on their own, building dens that are miniature versions of their parent’s and seeking the smallest of prey.

The arachnids enlarge slowly over time, growing as big as age, predators, and their environment allows them－some rising to be the top of their local food chain.