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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

146 replies

SoniaFouler · 12/11/2021 09:37

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? 😭

To think this should be illegal? (Picture of spider included)
OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
BillywigSting · 12/11/2021 19:32

Yanbu op.

I maintain that it is impossible to have arachnophobia in Australia because for something to be a phobia it has to be an irrational fear.

Fear of spiders in Australia is not irrational, it is eminently sensible, and therefore not a phobia.

Also the spiders are only the tip of the iceberg. The whole continent, from the weather to the wildlife to the vegetation is hostile to humans and the indigenous people of Australia are straight up badasses.

SiobhanSharpe · 12/11/2021 19:34

Try again, with photo this time.

To think this should be illegal? (Picture of spider included)
Clun · 12/11/2021 19:38

I don't think people in Australia are intimidated about the wildlife too much.

TheLovelinessOfDemons · 12/11/2021 19:49

XH is an arachnologist who's scared of house spiders. He says it's the legs. Arachnophobia follows no logical rules.

Bingbong21 · 12/11/2021 20:22

When I did a borneo jungle the rule of thumb was if the locals avoided then to panic

LittleDandelionClock · 12/11/2021 20:45

Woah there are some huge beasties on here! Shock I would run a mile from it.

That said, I do agree with the posters saying they are mostly harmless, and useful, valuable creatures, and I would never kill one.

Sagealicious · 12/11/2021 20:48

I've lived in Australia my whole life and could count on one hand the amount of times I've found a deadly spider at home (zoos and other animal places don't count) I hate spiders but I'll take them over snakes any day. Oh and don't get me started on the fucking magpies!

BettyOBarley · 12/11/2021 21:14

I lived in Australia for a year and never saw a Huntsman. Did see a few Redbacks in the Outback .

MrsSkylerWhite · 12/11/2021 21:25

SolasAnla

MrsSkylerWhite
Sorry, love spiders. That one is spectacular, could watch it for hours.
As IT watches you BACK”

Nah. His/her life is much more interesting than mine 🙄

Soubriquet · 13/11/2021 01:57

@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’m getting a jumping spider on Tuesday!! GrinGrin

Very excited

Original poster
SoniaFouler · 13/11/2021 02:09

@Sagealicious

I've lived in Australia my whole life and could count on one hand the amount of times I've found a deadly spider at home (zoos and other animal places don't count) I hate spiders but I'll take them over snakes any day. Oh and don't get me started on the fucking magpies!
I was confused by your last sentence so googled Magpies in Australia and the “people also search for” list came up with:

Why do Australians not like magpies?

Are magpies different in Australia?

Are Australian magpies different to UK magpies?

Intrigued! What do they do and why do you not like them?

OP posts:
Original poster
SoniaFouler · 13/11/2021 02:13

@LittleDandelionClock

Woah there are some huge beasties on here! Shock I would run a mile from it.

That said, I do agree with the posters saying they are mostly harmless, and useful, valuable creatures, and I would never kill one.

Would you be brave enough to ask the one in the OP to cough up for rent money though?
OP posts:
XenoBitch · 13/11/2021 02:31

Would you be brave enough to ask the one in the OP to cough up for rent money though?

When you find a coin down the back of the sofa, it means a spider left it there to contribute towards rent Grin

Dishhh · 13/11/2021 02:52

Magpies in Australia are different. They are quite protective of their chicks around nesting season, so they 'swoop' and attack anyone who is nearby - walkers, riders, people gardening, whatever. It isn't unusual to see a bike rider wearing a helmet festooned with zip ties around this time, or a kids wearing ice-cream buckets with eyes drawn on them. Both of these seem to dissuade the magpies.

Look up 'magpie swooping' on YouTube to see the full horror.

Dishhh · 13/11/2021 02:57

They aren't the only birds to to it, either. Noisy miners also swoop, and plovers with new chicks will also defend them by attacking and swooping several times while screaming in your ear. Plovers also have spurs at the end of their claws that are aimed at you while screaming ...

Mypathtriedtokillme · 13/11/2021 03:23

It’s just a huntsman spider.
They are good and helpfully eat other spiders.
We had one that lived in our walls when I was flatting called Pete the perv.
It used to always turn up in the bathroom when you put the shower on then be in your room while you were getting dressed.
Really it was likely a group of huntsman who happened to be the same size and colouring.

Personally I find St Andrews cross spiders so so much worse because they always build their webs over paths and when you came home in the dark you walk into them every-time. (And they lurk in the middle of their huge web you walk into at face height)

SD1978 · 13/11/2021 03:54

They are fecking horrible, and ninjas. Best thing about them though is they are not aggressive. One minute you're alone, next minute it's hanging off your wall and pretending it doesn't see you either. Plus they usually come in pairs I get the house sprayed 4 times a year. Seems to keep them outside. Plus I don't look for them.......

SelkieQualia · 13/11/2021 04:04

I had a spider like that in my house this morning. It's nothing. They are pretty harmless. I just chased it out with a broom.

SteppinOutwithMyBaby · 13/11/2021 04:38

Here you go for an energetic spider:

I have never found magpies to be in the least bit aggressive, but where I live I don't think anyone would try to harm them in any way.

Chocaholic9 · 13/11/2021 04:38

Ugh, they are gross. I opened a shower curtain once in Australia and came face to face with a humungous huntsman in the shower. I got the neighbour in to get it out of my house. I could never live in Australia.

SticksOutLikeDogsBalls · 13/11/2021 04:50

Just thought I would share this...

To think this should be illegal? (Picture of spider included)
gofg · 13/11/2021 04:55

I live in NZ and thousands of us travel to, and live in, Australia. I've never heard anyone say they won't go because they might see a giant spider. They might be large but they are so much smaller than a human - what is there to be frightened of?

gofg · 13/11/2021 05:01

Magpies in Australia are different. They are quite protective of their chicks around nesting season, so they 'swoop' and attack anyone who is nearby - walkers, riders, people gardening, whatever.

Yes, I would be far more wary of a magpie in spring than a giant spider. I've never been attacked but I've ducked when I've heard one swooping on me. I usually give them a wide berth and talk to them (yes, really) and they generally leave me alone. Love their song.

Dishhh · 13/11/2021 05:37

Just today there was news from around my area that the Reptile Park near me has had massive Funnel Web spiders handed in - the biggest they've ever seen. Funnel Web spiders are the venomous spider is the world. These ones have a leg span of up to 10 cm. They can get a bit testy with you too - they will chase you, but they can't jump. I didn't add an image out of respect. Grin

The Reptile Park asks that the public not kill any they find, but catch them (safely!) and hand them in so they can be milked for anti-venene.

Soubriquet · 13/11/2021 08:02

Watch this for a video about magpies. This video always makes me laugh.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=YGGTcYfrEZU