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? 😭

@MrsSkylerWhite

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 🙄

Shhhhhurr keep hoping that. But when you start running into 🕸 spun across doorways remember that old saying I love children MrsSkylerWhite's but I could never eat a whole one.

Havent read the whole thread (worried about what other pictures I may come across) but YAB totally U. The obvious conclusion to draw from this is that human beings should not live in Australia (or Tasmania, or New Zealand, just to be safe)

That is a magnificent spider.

There is something built into me to be afraid of them, it’s involuntary.

It's not built into people, it's learned. My eldest was very happy with spiders, playing with them on hands, until she went to school. She learned the ridiculous screaming response from friends.

@IncompleteSenten

I defy you to tell me that this spider face and this spider paw are not absolutely adorable!

I've just ordered a jumping spider for dd. Ours has big eyelashes over 2 of its eyes 😍. The picture in the op makes my skin crawl though. Not all spiders are cute.

@gofg

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.

We have a similar issue with seagulls here in Scotland. Sometimes you're afraid to leave your house

I grew up in an area of America with so many venomous snakes that we have nursery rhymes to tell which ones are safe to be around. My aunt and uncle had a swimming pool and we as children could very easily identify the difference between a king snake and a water moccasin. I killed a 6 foot diamond back rattlesnake with a spade while playing in the garden at age 10ish, but if you are raised there you have to have some greater level of awareness. I assume Australian children in schools will have wildlife units giving them information the same way UK kids are taught about badgers and foxes. We certainly had school lessons about these things.

@EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall I can't believe I've found someone else who hates ladybirds! They're my phobia - when I see them they make me want to cry and I have embarrassed myself several times by running away from them when they've appeared suddenly 

For me, spiders make me uncomfortable but if they leave me alone, I leave them alone.
I dread ever meeting a huntsman though - they're apparently very very fast.

A friend of mine lives in Aus now. She was terrified at first and almost caused a crash when one appeared inside her car. Apparently a lot of people have their houses fumigated regularly which she did for the first few years.
Now she's trying to be more environmentally friendly and has stopped doing this. She's sent a few pics of spiders in her house (inc huntsmen) - I think she runs away and her husband puts them outside. Some of them are huge and I'm not sure how she's managing to control her fear but I'm impressed.

I have an ongoing weird feud with ladybirds. I find them pleasant enough when they are crawling but when they activate their wings for flight they really freak me out

The obvious conclusion to draw from this is that human beings should not live in Australia (or Tasmania, or New Zealand, just to be safe)

The most dangerous spider you are likely to ecounter in NZ is a white tail (and Tasmania is part of Australia).

The huge toilet one is Heteropoda maxima. They are the largest true spider in the world with a leg span up to 30cm.
The one in the OP is a more normal sized huntsman spider!

I keep tarantulas and I absolutely adore them. I also keep a few native spiders as pets. I have one house spider and one lace weaver, both juveniles that found I kept to raise to adulthood. I also bring in spiders from outside if they look poorly.

This is my jumping spider, Freya, who has sadly moved on to the big web in the sky.

@gofg makes no difference. Both too close to mainland Aus to be safe.

@stillvicarinatutu

I wonder if it flushed the loo afterwards 😂

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

@IncompleteSenten

I defy you to tell me that this spider face and this spider paw are not absolutely adorable!

That face 😱😱😱😱 I've never seen anything so hideous!!

@HannahsLife

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

Same - but I made the even bigger effort of clicking on it at bedtime!

I’m actually not even able to get through this thread and fully expecting nightmares tonight so thanks!

@Porcupineintherough - you obviously know nothing about NZ's strict border control If nasty spiders wish to cross the Tasman Sea to get to NZ then good on them - I seriously doubt they would get very far!

@SweetPetrichor

The huge toilet one is Heteropoda maxima. They are the largest true spider in the world with a leg span up to 30cm. The one in the OP is a more normal sized huntsman spider!

I keep tarantulas and I absolutely adore them. I also keep a few native spiders as pets. I have one house spider and one lace weaver, both juveniles that found I kept to raise to adulthood. I also bring in spiders from outside if they look poorly.

This is my jumping spider, Freya, who has sadly moved on to the big web in the sky.

Oh my, if you zoom in on jumping spiders, it is hard to see how anyone can hate them. So adorable! Sorry to hear your little Freya moved to the big web.

I lived in Australia for several years and it depends on your house/living situation. We never had anything like that. We had flyscreens over all openings etc.

Did go to a party in a "rustic" house N Queensland and came across a huge Hunstman in the toilet. Not nice.

Now back in London and the housespiders here - about 4 a year - are a nightmare for me.

Thanks for the nightmares all! I came on mumsnet to drowse off not to be scared half to hell. Blime. Definitely what nightmares are made of. Sleep tight all!!

SolasAnla

Shhhhhurr keep hoping that.
But when you start running into 🕸 spun across doorways remember that old saying I love children MrsSkylerWhite's but I could never eat a whole one“

🤣