Spiders at the zoo

[zoobincan]

Has anyone been 'in with the spiders' at London zoo?

I'm going to the zoo next month with a friend and our DC but I'm not sure if I should stay well away as I am ridiculously frightened of spiders or if it's something I will be able to get through without it being obvious to the kids that I am shitting myself

I don't mind seeing tarantula in a glass cage when I have been to various places, but London zoos spider exhibit is slightly more intense I believe

Most are in tanks/glass displays, there is just one open section that's like walking through a greenhouse, with free range spiders. They're the type that just sit quietly on their webs, but you can just skip that bit entirely. Send DC through with your friend.

Apart from that I believe the only other non-caged bugs are ants, but again they're very well behaved and stay in their own display

Thank you

I think I'm might give it a go - but I will see how I feel; I really want to do it though!

Are you aware of the London Zoo 'friendly spider' sessions? It's a getting over your fear of spiders course, details at www.zsl.org/experiences/friendly-spider-programme

Honestly OP, the spiders are horrific. I'd keep well clear. I didn't even know there was an open part as well 😱 whyyyyyyyy??

@SpoonBlender

Thanks. If I was able to I would do it, but we are coming to London from NE Scotland for a trip with the kids so it doesn't leave time for me really.

I'm actually wondering if I could do another trip later in the year though as I would love to be able to try do this:

@zoobincan If you get chance to do it (or do one similar closer to home) I'd say go for it! I did it and it was amazing

Spider warning for the phobics - shows the walk-through bit at the beginning of the vid if you want to know what to expect

It's just a small that has the walk through spider part. Personally I was fine with it. The spiders had better things to do than interact with visitors, mostly sitting still on their impressive webs. I'm sure there were a couple of members of staff in there too.
Don't panic, it's easily avoided if you don't like them.

Edinburgh zoo run something similar too, no idea if they're comparable though! Only a couple of times a month, first available is July. Popular!

www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/events-and-experiences/spiders-fight-your-phobia-faqs/

That's interesting, I hadn't even thought to look at Edinburgh! Definitely easier to get to do I might give it a go in the summer :)

I'm terrified of household spiders, but went with ds to a handling session with geckos, lizards, snakes and spiders once.

They are not actually that bad when they are much much bigger and I had a tarantula crawl over my hands. But I am still terrified of household spiders.

The Edinburgh one sounds pretty identical in format to London (cheaper too!) - I say go for it