Spider invasion in Queensland,Australia
DANIEL BATEMAN
May 6th, 2009
In a scene that could almost be out of a B-grade monster movie, giant spiders have invaded Bowen,Queensland.
For about six weeks, residents have reported seeing huge bird-eating spiders crawling around their backyards and gardens.
Amalgamated Pest Control Bowen pest technician Audy Geiszler took this incredible photo of one of the spiders he caught wandering across the garden of a restaurant near the town's centre.
"It was found in a public area, just wandering around the garden areas. It's a bit scary for the people," Mr Geiszler said.
While at this stage there had only been about five sightings of the giant spiders, Mr Geiszler said it was unusual to see that many in such a short period.
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Queensland Museum spider expert Dr Robert Raven identified the arachnid in Mr Geiszler's photograph as the eastern tarantula, which is also known as the whistling spider (Phlogius crassipes) _ the largest spider in Australia. The spiders whistle or make a hissing sound when aggravated, which can be heard about 2m away.
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The spiders have been known to eat small birds, however Dr Raven believed it would have been stocking up on insects, small mammals and amphibians. "They'll go for big insects. They probably feed on toads. They have no problem with cane toads and frogs _ anything big and slow-moving that comes their way."
The bite from a bird-eating spider is not known to be fatal to humans, however it can cause up to six hours of vomiting. The spider's venom does, however, kill dogs and cats with death occurring within 30 minutes.
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