To think this should be illegal? (Picture of spider included)

[SoniaFouler]

Why? Just WHY? And HOW does something like this exist on the same planet as us?

I know some people say we are all Gods creatures and we all have a right to be here, blah blah blah, but this surely can only be the creation from something evil and to punish humans for something we’ve done in the past?

The article the picture is from says this type is not aggressive to humans but I would BEG TO DIFFER because if I saw that thing in my house it would give me a heart attack and I would die.

How do people in Australia live? I wouldn’t be able to get anything done. I know people say that the long trip is what puts them off from visiting but I truly believe the country would see tourism skyrocket if there was an iron-clad guarantee that people wouldn’t come face to face with this type of thing. And before anyone chimes in with “I live in Australia and that’s very rare/I’ve never even seen a single spider here in my life” sorry, but I do not believe you, and even the mere fact it is even in existence means I will never go down under. I don’t understand how people are able to function in Australia on a day to day basis, honestly, and it’s not even a “I’d never leave the house” or “I’d set fire to my house and move” situation because THEY ARE STILL THERE, EVERYWHERE. Seriously Aussie MNers, are you not looking over your shoulders right now reading this in case one of these or its cousins is behind you? 😭

@Fraine

I read in a book (The Secret History of the World by Jonathan Black, well worth a read if you want to look at things in a different way) how creatures were created at different times under the influence of different constellations, planets and moons. Spiders were created under the the malignant influence of the dark side of the moon, hence their revolting and evil nature.

Well I'm guessing Jonathan was also under the influence of something when he wrote that.

This took me by surprise and made my laugh out loud .

Was feeling really low and chappy so the laughter cheered me up! Thanks for that

@RumpoleoftheBaileys

This one was apparently in Laos...

We were meant to go there whilst travelling around SE Asia and I freaked out and refused. I think my then DP thought I was nuts but agreed with me because he loved me 😂

@RumpoleoftheBaileys

This one was apparently in Laos...

I’m telling myself the toilet is doll’s house sized…

Huntsmen are fascinating to watch through a screen but I couldn’t see one IRL

This always makes me laugh though

Also, wolf spiders creepy me out a little. They carry all their babies on their back

Well wasn’t Australia only colonised because people where given a choice of execution by hanging or transportation to Australia for life?

I didn't even feel comfortable closing the picture! WTF!

I'm the same as PP's. I have held a tarantula and that was fine but those things would give me a heart attack

Just googled pregnant huntsman spider as I can't believe how big this is and got this story. Apologies it's on the daily Mail

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9452081/Queensland-woman-helped-pregnant-banded-Huntsman-called-Sophia-birth-200-babies.html

So I found the article and it is real but was 'only 4.5 cm'

www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/horrified-woman-finds-huge-huntsman-23753787.amp

@unluckyinlife

This took me by surprise and made my laugh out loud grin.

Was feeling really low and chappy so the laughter cheered me up! Thanks for thatflowers

Aww sorry you’re feeling low but glad you cheered up ☺️💐

we went pack packing around Thailand / Laos. The bugs there are bloody huge!
I remember staying in the sort of treehouses in a wood and the trees were full of massive hand sized black armour plated looking spiders. I could only get to our hut by running as fast as i could while screaming! Then to go to bed i would make sure every single inch of the mosquito nets were tucked in very tightly!! still makes me shudder. I'm even worse now since i got bit on the hand in the uk by a tiny spider and it made my hand swell and got infected.

@BrieAndChilli

we went pack packing around Thailand / Laos. The bugs there are bloody huge! I remember staying in the sort of treehouses in a wood and the trees were full of massive hand sized black armour plated looking spiders. I could only get to our hut by running as fast as i could while screaming! Then to go to bed i would make sure every single inch of the mosquito nets were tucked in very tightly!! still makes me shudder. I'm even worse now since i got bit on the hand in the uk by a tiny spider and it made my hand swell and got infected.

I was quite lucky to not see any in Thailand. Went to a toilet rest stop in Vietnam and there was a massive one in one of the toilets. It was on the door and this girl was crying.

That's so cute.
I love spiders! They are beautiful and absolutely vital to the eco system.

I especially love those little jumping ones. The cutest face! And have you ever seen a magnified image of spider feet? Gorgeous
This widespread spider phobia is learned behaviour. We grow up seeing adults around us scream over tiny spiders and we learn to do that. We should be trying to break that cycle wherever possible (I know obviously there are some people whose reaction is so strong that simply isn't an option) by teaching our kids just how amazing spiders are and how important they are.

@IncompleteSenten

That's so cute. I love spiders! They are beautiful and absolutely vital to the eco system.

I especially love those little jumping ones. The cutest face! And have you ever seen a magnified image of spider feet? Gorgeous
This widespread spider phobia is learned behaviour. We grow up seeing adults around us scream over tiny spiders and we learn to do that. We should be trying to break that cycle wherever possible (I know obviously there are some people whose reaction is so strong that simply isn't an option) by teaching our kids just how amazing spiders are and how important they are.

I wholeheartedly agree @IncompleteSenten

@HarrietsChariot

I read in a book (The Secret History of the World by Jonathan Black, well worth a read if you want to look at things in a different way) how creatures were created at different times under the influence of different constellations, planets and moons. Spiders were created under the the malignant influence of the dark side of the moon, hence their revolting and evil nature.

wooo

spiders are lovely.

All this ‘Spiders are beautiful creatures’ stuff, is all very well and fine until you’re bitten by one. I was minding my own business on a bus in San Francisco once and a small innocent looking spider bit me on the hand. It didn’t look like a Black Widow, so apart from being a bit pissed off and being aware of the classic red mark, I ignored it. My hand swelled up, but there was no pain, so I (foolishly) continued to ignore it until I arrived home, when I thought it best to show it to my GP. By this time my hand was at least 3 times the size of my unbitten hand. My GP told me that there was tissue damage and there was nothing to be done at that stage (apparently I should have sought medical assistance as soon as there was any swelling). She said the swelling might reduce, but probably not fully. She was right. That was about 9 years ago and it is still significantly bigger than the other.

All spiders are venomous, just some are more venomous than others and in my humble opinion, they’re all bastards 😳

I once stayed at a campsite in Australia that had a nice shower block but dodgy looking roof/doorway. I stood there for ages and couldn't make myself go in - I should have trusted my gut. I could hear people laughing me for being such a wuss. Sure enough, the second I stepped forward a huge, and I do mean huge, huntsman leapt off the roof at me. I've never ran so fast in my life I almost knocked myself out with my boobs 😅

Ouch. Sounds painful. All animals can bite you. Quite a lot can kill you. They are still wonderful. Wonderful bitey gorgeous fuckers that we need 😁

I don't mind spiders , not sure if want to deal with a big one though!

I'd prefer one of those to a ladybird though. Absolutely hate them

That pic of the one on the toilet will haunt me forever.

I'm terrified of them. I know it's learned behaviour from my mum, I think my Nan was the same. My daughter is now the same which I'm sad about as it's learned behaviour from me and her Nan.

They literally just induce terror in me that I can't control. House spiders are the worst for me. They are so fast.

I had a tarantula when I was a teenager to try and sort my fear out and I was fine with her, I'd pick her up and she was very gentle and chilled.

Yet I was still terrified of all other spiders whilst I had her. She was a one off.

The black and orange traditional looking ones don't frighten me.

I don't know what it is about the others.

I don't think it is inherited behaviour as my mum has never been scared of them but I was terrified. When I was pregnant I made myself be brave with them as I didn't want my dd to be scared. She never was until one ran over her hand even though I told her there was nothing to be scared off so I just deduce that they're horrible frightening looking bastards.

I used to be absolutely petrified of all spiders but I've calmed down (a bit) as I've got older.

Not sure why but Tarantulas don't really bother me as much. Maybe because they're fuzzy? I've seen them in the wild in Costa Rica a couple of times and not run screaming for the hills.

Huntsman or Brazilian Wandering Spider or anything of that ilk though - HARD NOPE. The very worst we get in Britain are those pure black beasts that live in holes in brick work or wood and you just see their fat legs poking out waiting to grab any unsuspecting insect that wanders by.

< Not Envy

@Fraine

Overdramatic much

You don't even live there so you're not going to encounter it.

I do find the MN hysteria over spiders tiresome, except for the genuine arachnophobes.

Spiders are amazing creatures. I don't like them but I do respect them and feel bad for all the ones needlessly killed.

I agree. Spiders are a force for good, they eat flies and mosquitoes, slowing the spread of disease.

Children learn to fear spiders because people squeal whenever they see them.

@UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername

That's not a spider, that's clearly two horses sellotaped together.

Not that that's any consolation; apparently in Australia, more people are killed by horses than by all the other dangerous beasties combined. Australian horses are TERRIFYING.

Can't stop laughing at this

@HannahsLife

I don't understand why I, being terrified of spiders, clicked on this thread.

I was thinking the same! I I can feel the stress rising. Why do I do it to myself?