Chelifer (the book scorpion)

We often get plenty of bugs in the flat due to the fact that we are the same level as the tree canopy and are surrounded by bush. We lead a harmonious existence with many of them, including some cheerful spiders, nervous winged bugs and a plethora of moths that get dazzled by our lights. A few weeks ago we noticed this crazy little creature that looked like a large mite with huge (relative to its body size) crab-like pincers, scuttling across the bathroom floor.

It was so cool that we left it to its own devices, and nothing to do with quasi buddhistic sentiment. Today we found another on the ceiling of the lounge and this time gone the extra courteous step of christening him/her Chelifer. A crap name but a given after we looked up what species of bug it actually was on the web. It is in fact a Pseudo Scorpion (kind of spider). Apt as both Lisa and I share that meaningless astrological sign and also like reading books. It has even increased in coolness after we learnt that it uses its pincers to catch lifts with flying insects by grabbing hold of their ankles whilst unaware. Maybe they have the courtesy to ask!? Who knows?