Holy Spider!

We all know that Australia is home to its share of “creepie crawlies”. A great article in the Sydney Morning Herald titled “Signs that you're a Sydneysider” (which made me realize that I have a long way to go) said, when referring to a local, “We're even less worried about spiders, having been taught from an early age to identify the funnel web's lair or the redback's bright slash of body colour. Casually catching a huntsman spider or a gecko in the living room and gently releasing it outside impresses tourists no end”.

While I have not had the privilege of being confronted with the deadly redback or funnel web spiders (thankfully), last night I had a rude awakening when I headed to bed and noticed that there was a huntsman spider crawling on the wall just above the bed. The spider was about 3.5” in diameter, which for an Aussie is probably nothing but for an American who tends to gravitate towards the city, it is big. The huntsman is also known as the “giant crab spider,” which frankly says enough. Its eight eyes (which is totally freaky) were staring at us with anger. I would prefer not to make the acquaintance.

After minor heart palpitations and the assurance that it was a harmless spider we worked to get it out of the bedroom safely. I mean the thing was massive, it’s not like you can smash it with a magazine or shoe, plus it helps to protect us, eating all of the flies and mosquitoes (or mozzies as they are referred to here). While the thought of having a pet huntsman did cross my mind, I quickly realized that was not a good idea.

It took us about an hour to get it out of the house and it was no easy task (I don’t think we would impress a tourist, as the articles states). Once it knows you are onto it, it moves super fast. First we trapped it with a tupperware container against the wall, then slid a thick folder underneath and held it tightly as we slowly walked downstairs. After a quick photo shoot (which was not making it happy), we released it back into the wild, also known as the city. Not something that you really want to experience before bed time. Oh dear…

Need I say more?