Coast to Country

We always expect a few surprises when living the country life, but this one felt like a page out of a science book—with a twist of Texas charm.

While walking through the backyard, we spotted something strange:

A spider’s burrow… with a frog inside.

At first, we thought the spider was planning dinner. But nope—the frog was just hanging out like he paid rent. Turns out, these two might’ve been doing exactly what nature intended.

🧪 A Frog and a Tarantula Walk Into a Burrow…

This isn’t just a weird one-time sighting—it’s actually a documented natural phenomenon! Some tarantulas form a mutualistic relationship with small frogs. That means they help each other out—and it’s not just happening in far-off jungles. It’s been spotted right here in Texas, too.

Here’s how it works:

🐸 The frog eats ants and tiny bugs that could threaten the tarantula’s eggs.

🕷️ The tarantula protects the frog from predators that would normally gobble up something that small.

It’s like a guard frog and a bodyguard spider, living together in peace. Scientists have seen this in places like South America, India—and now, it looks like maybe even our backyard.

🔁 Full Circle in the Upstairs Bedroom

Here’s where it gets a little too perfect.

Not long ago, our son found a Texas toad and gave him a cozy spot in an upstairs terrarium. Unfortunately, he wasn’t very interested in store-bought meal worms and eventually earned his freedom back in the yard.

The tank sat empty.

Until this week… when a Texas brown tarantula scaled the brick wall of our house and somehow ended up in that exact bedroom.

Now, the terrarium has a new guest—an eight-legged one. 🕷️

We can’t help but wonder is this part of something bigger—a wild little ecosystem that we got lucky enough to witness?

🧠 Homeschool Lesson: Nature’s Oddest Teamwork

This moment sparked some awesome science conversations around the table:

❓What is mutualism?

❓Why would a predator let another animal live in its space?

❓Can animals have “friendships” in the wild?

Our Coast to Country Classroom is built on learning from the land, and this week gave us a front-row seat to how smart, surprising, and cooperative nature can be.

🐸🕷 Want to Try This Lesson at Home?

Here’s a quick idea for your own homeschool:

⚪️ Draw your own animal mutualism pairs: Clownfish & anemone, oxpecker & buffalo, or frog & spider!

⚪️ Build a diorama of a tarantula burrow with a frog friend.

⚪️ Go on a nature walk: Look for signs of animal teamwork in your own yard.

Final Thought:

Not all heroes wear capes—some wear warty skin or eight fuzzy legs.

And sometimes, the greatest science lesson is happening right under your boots.

Stay curious, stay country—

🕷🐸

—Coast to Country Classroom