Beware! Vacation Nightmare: Woman's Aussie Rental Overrun by Baby Spiders – Are You at Risk Too?
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When you think of an Australian getaway, images of pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and unique wildlife might spring to mind. But for one tourist, her Australian adventure included an unexpected encounter that could be straight out of an arachnophobe's worst nightmare.
A Polish woman, Marta, living and working in Sydney, recently shared a spine-tingling video that has since gone viral, amassing over 24 million views. The footage reveals a bathroom teeming with baby spiders, a sight that could send shivers down the spine of even the bravest souls. Marta's video, captioned 'just Australian things,' has sparked a wave of reactions, particularly from potential travelers who are now second-guessing their plans to visit the land Down Under.
The clip shows countless tiny spiders swarming over Marta's shower and bath, having emerged from the smallest of crevices in the walls. This begs the question: Is this a common occurrence in Australia, or was Marta's experience a rare and unlucky anomaly?
To shed light on the situation, University of Sydney professor and ecologist Dieter Hochuli explained that the spiders in the video are likely harmless huntsmen, a species native to Australia, recognizable by their sizable legs. Hochuli reassured that witnessing such a cluster is not unusual in Australia, and the mother spider may not even be present, as her job essentially ends once the eggs hatch.
'Huntsman spiders lay egg sacs containing 200-300 eggs, and they hatch quite synchronously, leading to a mass hatching,' Hochuli said. 'However, these baby spiders often meet their demise quickly, falling prey to other creatures, their siblings, or simply not surviving. The mother spider invests more in quantity over quality, producing many offspring with minimal maternal care.'
For those who find themselves in Marta's shoes, Hochuli advises patience, as the spiderlings typically disperse within a day or two, seeking out crevices and small insects to sustain them. For the arachnophobic, he suggests a humane approach to relocation: funneling the spiders into a jar with a piece of paper and releasing them outside.
The online community has had a mix of reactions to Marta's video. Some expressed sheer terror, with comments like 'I would've cried' and 'I would actually scratch my skin clean off.' Others humorously noted the impact on their travel plans, with one person declaring, 'Australia is the absolutely one place I would never visit,' and another vowing to avoid Australia despite their admiration for the Irwin family.
In defense of their homeland, some Australians have pointed out that such an event is not the norm. 'I’m Australian, grew up in the bush. This is not, I repeat NOT the norm in my country,' one commenter insisted, urging others not to be deterred by the video.
As for the whereabouts of the mother spider, Dr. Helen Smith from the Australian Museum's arachnology department explained that she likely remains hidden nearby, having guarded her egg sac until the spiderlings were ready to venture out. Smith offered additional advice for those wanting to assist the baby spiders, suggesting the use of a water mister or gently sweeping them onto a tea towel to carry them outside, though she cautioned that some may be injured in the process.
While Marta's experience is certainly not an everyday occurrence, it serves as a reminder of Australia's diverse and sometimes daunting wildlife. If you're planning a trip to Australia or have your own story of an unexpected wildlife encounter, we'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and remember, while Australia's natural beauty is unmatched, it's always wise to be prepared for the surprises that Mother Nature may have in store.
A Polish woman, Marta, living and working in Sydney, recently shared a spine-tingling video that has since gone viral, amassing over 24 million views. The footage reveals a bathroom teeming with baby spiders, a sight that could send shivers down the spine of even the bravest souls. Marta's video, captioned 'just Australian things,' has sparked a wave of reactions, particularly from potential travelers who are now second-guessing their plans to visit the land Down Under.
The clip shows countless tiny spiders swarming over Marta's shower and bath, having emerged from the smallest of crevices in the walls. This begs the question: Is this a common occurrence in Australia, or was Marta's experience a rare and unlucky anomaly?
Numerous spiders emerged from various bathroom crevices, swiftly covering nearly all surfaces. Credit: Unsplash
To shed light on the situation, University of Sydney professor and ecologist Dieter Hochuli explained that the spiders in the video are likely harmless huntsmen, a species native to Australia, recognizable by their sizable legs. Hochuli reassured that witnessing such a cluster is not unusual in Australia, and the mother spider may not even be present, as her job essentially ends once the eggs hatch.
'Huntsman spiders lay egg sacs containing 200-300 eggs, and they hatch quite synchronously, leading to a mass hatching,' Hochuli said. 'However, these baby spiders often meet their demise quickly, falling prey to other creatures, their siblings, or simply not surviving. The mother spider invests more in quantity over quality, producing many offspring with minimal maternal care.'
For those who find themselves in Marta's shoes, Hochuli advises patience, as the spiderlings typically disperse within a day or two, seeking out crevices and small insects to sustain them. For the arachnophobic, he suggests a humane approach to relocation: funneling the spiders into a jar with a piece of paper and releasing them outside.
The online community has had a mix of reactions to Marta's video. Some expressed sheer terror, with comments like 'I would've cried' and 'I would actually scratch my skin clean off.' Others humorously noted the impact on their travel plans, with one person declaring, 'Australia is the absolutely one place I would never visit,' and another vowing to avoid Australia despite their admiration for the Irwin family.
In defense of their homeland, some Australians have pointed out that such an event is not the norm. 'I’m Australian, grew up in the bush. This is not, I repeat NOT the norm in my country,' one commenter insisted, urging others not to be deterred by the video.
As for the whereabouts of the mother spider, Dr. Helen Smith from the Australian Museum's arachnology department explained that she likely remains hidden nearby, having guarded her egg sac until the spiderlings were ready to venture out. Smith offered additional advice for those wanting to assist the baby spiders, suggesting the use of a water mister or gently sweeping them onto a tea towel to carry them outside, though she cautioned that some may be injured in the process.
While Marta's experience is certainly not an everyday occurrence, it serves as a reminder of Australia's diverse and sometimes daunting wildlife. If you're planning a trip to Australia or have your own story of an unexpected wildlife encounter, we'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and remember, while Australia's natural beauty is unmatched, it's always wise to be prepared for the surprises that Mother Nature may have in store.
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