New Species Of Black Tarantula Near Folsom Prison Gets Named Aphonopelma Johnnycashi

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

New Species Of Black Tarantula Near Folsom Prison Gets Named Aphonopelma Johnnycashi

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

It’s everyone’s greatest dream to one day become so famous that scientists decide to name a thingy after you. That thing could be a plant, a mammal, maybe even a small planet, but in the case of Johnny Cash, that thing just so happens to be a tarantula. A new species of tarantula was discovered near Folsom Prison, and its been named in honor of Cash for two reasons. One, the specimen is entirely black, mimicking Cash’s affinity for all-black attire, and two, Cash performed at Folsom Prison and released a live recording of the show in 1968. Read more about the Aphonopelma johnnycashi over at the BBC, and listen to “Folsom Prison Blues” below.

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